ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Events and Activities Forum => ZUKIWORLD Challenge => Topic started by: prerunnerinidaho on February 04, 2011, 06:18:37 PM

Title: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 04, 2011, 06:18:37 PM
It seams that the sidekick is the truck to build over the samurai. Is the straight axle the big diss advantage? I come from a desert racing background and understand the whole wheel travel thing over articulation. But I'm just wondering if with modern shock and leaf spring technology if a leaf build would be close enough to be competitive. I remember some pretty fast desert racing jeep CJ 5s and 7s in the 80s with just basic suspensions by today's standards.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Drone637 on February 05, 2011, 12:03:15 AM
Sidekicks are wider, independent front suspension, longer wheelbase and have more power stock.  And are usually cheaper.  That being said building a Samurai for racing would be pretty cool to see.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Bigzook on February 05, 2011, 07:20:15 AM
A sami would be cool as hell to see out there, wouldn't want to ride in it though..
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Invincible on February 05, 2011, 08:07:26 AM
I think it could be done and could work well.  There are some inherent durability issues with the Sidekick front suspension that would be solved by the solid front axle.  The rules allow you to upgrade to a larger engine.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 05, 2011, 01:54:52 PM
I crew off and on with a PNW based class 7s ranger, so I'm used to a rule book limited race vehicle. The rule book allows allot of changes to a Sammy that should close up the side kick advantage. Desert racing is all about prep, set up,race strategy's and not over driving the truck. I think that a purpose built Sammy to the current limits of the rules would be competitive against the sidekick trucks. Has there been a Sammy raced in the series yet?                                                                     To quote Robert Duvall in days of thunder theres nothin stock about a stock car!
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Drone637 on February 05, 2011, 03:25:04 PM
No Sammy's yet.  I believe 2dog and I are the only ones to run 4wd rigs.  if you get rid of the front drive-train it makes it a lot easier to do things with the front suspension.  To be fair, we really haven't needed it and on the last race my front hubs stuck open so it ended up being 2wd anyway.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: ebewley on February 05, 2011, 04:13:08 PM
I crew off and on with a PNW based class 7s ranger, so I'm used to a rule book limited race vehicle. The rule book allows allot of changes to a Sammy that should close up the side kick advantage. Desert racing is all about prep, set up,race strategy's and not over driving the truck. I think that a purpose built Sammy to the current limits of the rules would be competitive against the sidekick trucks. Has there been a Sammy raced in the series yet?                                                                     To quote Robert Duvall in days of thunder theres nothin stock about a stock car!

Hi prerunnerinidaho, I'd really like to see a Samurai compete. I too think that the rules should make it possible for some parity between all of the Suzuki models... please check your PMs...

Thanks, Eric
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 05, 2011, 05:45:29 PM


Hi prerunnerinidaho, I'd really like to see a Samurai compete. I too think that the rules should make it possible for some parity between all of the Suzuki models... please check your PMs...

Thanks, Eric
[/quote                                                                                                                                                                 Eric check your PMs I just sent you my number  mike
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 05, 2011, 06:23:12 PM
Well heres the future sammy racer. 2 owner 87 that spent most of it's life on a towbar.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Drone637 on February 06, 2011, 12:05:48 PM
If I find you one in worse shape can we trade?  :D
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 06, 2011, 02:23:34 PM
If I find you one in worse shape can we trade?  :D
Sorry this one was my dads. He always wanted to build it up, but he wouldn't park it long enough. We lost him last July so this build will be in his memory.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: Drone637 on February 06, 2011, 07:50:25 PM
It's going to be pretty fun racing against you then.  :)
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 06, 2011, 08:16:14 PM
It's going to be pretty fun racing against you then.  :)
                                                                                                                                                                       I hope so. I've got a few things to discus with Eric about how I'm interpreting the rules.Or if I'm thinking to far outside the box or just in the very corner.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: MrBracket on February 08, 2011, 04:42:15 PM
Hi PreRunnerInIdaho!  It too want to push the envelope with the front suspension...  When I get a car i'll be sure and post a buildup thread, can't wait to see yours!!!!
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 08, 2011, 06:23:54 PM
If I can get my ideas outta my head and built, I should be in the 16 to 20 inch travel range on both ends strapped on coils. I will probably wait till the snow is gone here in north Idaho, as this is distracting me every time I head out to the shop.
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: MrBracket on February 09, 2011, 05:00:39 PM
If I can get my ideas outta my head and built, I should be in the 16 to 20 inch travel range on both ends strapped on coils. I will probably wait till the snow is gone here in north Idaho, as this is distracting me every time I head out to the shop.


Nice Distraction!!! Which kit is that, explorer?? Have you seen the new Mtn. Horse kit?? I'm more of a sand guy, here's what I did to my last dirtbike...

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg246/mrbracket12/FatCat%20450R/zride03.jpg)
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: prerunnerinidaho on February 10, 2011, 12:28:00 AM


Nice Distraction!!! Which kit is that, explorer?? Have you seen the new Mtn. Horse kit?? I'm more of a sand guy, here's what I did to my last dirtbike...

Its an 01KTM 520 EXC with a 2 moto kit. Oh yea Ive seen the Mtn horse there built about 30 miles from me. I'm going riding with 10 of them today. I tried the sled thing for 2yrs and couldn't get the hang of it, 5 min on the snow bike and it's all just white dirt. Heres a couple action shots from my front yard pit bike track.That big wheel conversion is cool. Did you do the kit?
Title: Re: sidekick or samurai
Post by: MrBracket on February 10, 2011, 12:13:40 PM
White dirt, I love it!! Looks like a blast! Yes, I made the "kit" for that bike. I built some hubs, triple clamps, and a swingarm to utilize the yamaha rhino wheels. A blast in the soft stuff.

I'm excited to see what you come up with for suspension on your suzuki, I am getting close to knabbing up a sidekick myself.  I wanna get as crazy as I can within the rules of the challenge.  crazy to think I'll actually have a desert racer!! Fun fun fun!