ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: The Goat on December 19, 2011, 09:23:32 AM
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Okay, still searching for a sidekick that fills all my criteria (low miles zero rust).
Meanwhile, I'm trying to order everything I'll need for it.
The rig is gonna be a 95-98 4 door 4x4 sidekick daily driver. Gonna have bumpers, sliders, and eventually a winch (not a priority as it's not seeing mud and we don't have those things called hills).. Tire size is 30.
Other than daily driving, it will see the occasional pipeline or canal bank.
Obviously, with the rig being 15 years old, I want to replace the struts/shocks. And here's where everything goes crazy. Some say grab mustang shocks (what year, and what do you do about the front), others say OME shocks and struts with calmini springs, and there's the altered ego of course. My original choice was altered ego 3inch deluxe lift with the diff drop brackets (but they won't answer calls or email lately).
Low range offroad has a pieced kit with springs, OME struts/shocks, and spacers. Which seems overpriced to me. I'm fine with shelling out 800$ if what I get works.
The guy in this thread http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444978 (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444978) pieced together his own kit.
I'm just looking for clearance, a decent ride (I'm in an import now so I'm not expecting Mercedes e class ride), and durability over time.
I'm in the process of reading all 814 pages of threads, so don't say use the search please. Nothing in the first 79 pages has guided me one way or the other ha
Opinions?
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A coil spacer/strut spacer lift will be OK for your situation. The ride will stay exactly as factory and you do not need longer front struts saving you $$. You will need longer rear shocks but you are going to rep[lace them anyway. You can get a full 2" of lift and satisfy your needs this way. I make and sell them. PM me here or search Ebay. My parts on ebay are red. I also supply for LowRangeOffroad.
Jeff
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I was hoping you would chime in. I'll pm you when I figure out what Im going with.
I want new struts and springs... just because of age/fatigue over time. Are springs and your spacers useable, or is that going to be beyond the limits of stock cvs? I wanna do the diff drop bracket for added reliability.... In my mind less of an angle is better.
I'm thinking OME struts and shocks, and then pick a spring. Your spacers might help with the suspension sag from all the gear.
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My spacers will work with aftermarket lift springs, but using 2" lift springs and my spacers will be suicide on the CV's. I can make a custom spacer for the front of 1" that can be used with the lift springs if you are using a front diff bracket.
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So you're thinking they'll get destroyed by the go pedal at full drop? Or they'll just be binding right off the bat?
What is the degree limit for stock cvs? In the atv world, my rule of thumb was 35 degrees. Any more than that and it'll sound like a playing card in bicycle spokes.
I mean, hopefully the strut runs out of travel before they hit that point... or is that wishful thinking?
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"go pedal at full drop" ??? Who are you kidding these things don't have enough power to break parts :laugh: My fear is just too much angle for them to last any amount of time. I know that any spacer bigger than 2" in front maxes them out. I would think lift springs and a spacer over 1" would be too much. You are right about ATV's, my buddy runs them at over 45deg but those are a different style joint. I would think the struts would max out, but that might be like you, wishful thinking.
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You might be able to get away with it, but I would look at adding a limiting strap to make sure you don't over-extend your cv's when your suspension is lifted to high. It doesn't take much to break them, just climbing up a normal hill can do it.
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Ditto
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Finally heard back frm altered ego... Think I'm going that route. And when I get bored with 30s. Masterkit 3 inch body lift, trimming, gears, and 35s... On ifs.
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Take a look at SR CUSTOMS they have there lifts on sale till the end of the month www.srcustoms.ca (http://www.srcustoms.ca)
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Can anyone comment on the necessary wheel backspacing for a 30x9.5 mt? I need that, bolt pattern and center cutout diameter?
Im thinking 4 inch backspacing, and 5x5.5 bolt pattern. I just dont know the center cutout and want to make sure I'm correct before ordering.
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I personally like the 3 5/8" or 3 3/4 back spacing! Don't most wheels have the large hub opening? That will work!
Good luck and enjoy your lift.
Kevin
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Can anyone comment on the necessary wheel backspacing for a 30x9.5 mt? I need that, bolt pattern and center cutout diameter? 108mm
Im thinking 4 inch backspacing, and 5x5.5 bolt pattern. I just dont know the center cutout and want to make sure I'm correct before ordering.
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Well the USD fell to the Canadian dollar quite a bit recently, so I'm probably going to piece together an OME kit... Their struts with grand vitara heavy duty front springs and heavy duty sidekick rears. Rockyroad rocksliders and a calmini bumper.
Trying to find the correct offset (and where to buy) to run the mastercraft mts in a 30 with no trimming. I think I've finally found the unit I'm going to get, it's down to two choices, and as long as they don't sell over the weekend, I should have one early next week.
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Well, I'm torn at the moment. Are the OME struts/shocks really worth the money for a daily driver on 30s? I don't want to buy monroes and have to replace them in six months, but they are 1/3 the price.
Is the ride and quality really THAT much better?
Can monroes handle GV heavy duty springs in the front with heavy-duty sidekick springs in the rear with a half inch spacer?
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Anything other then Bilsteins and I would make sure to get a lifetime warranty. Then you can just keep replacing them. :D I used a set of Napa default replacement struts, they lasted one Fall Adventure trip and they were shot.
The OME struts are supposed to hold up great, IF you put a limiting strap on. They don't like being over-extended and will blow out prematurely. Other then that I haven't heard any complaints.
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I'm curious, are billsteins or OME the better option?
Pricewise they seem very close.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-35-003991 (http://m.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-35-003991)
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-24-015882 (http://m.summitracing.com/parts/BSN-24-015882)
Are these the type you're running? Or do I need to get a different model to deal with the lift?
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OME is designed for 2" of lift. Same travel, but further down. If your running a lift with the Bilstein you will need to get a strut spacer, as it is a stock replacement.
The Bilstein is heavy duty and you can beat them up all day without issues. I have run several races on them and started to get shock fade once, and that track was nasty. In my DD they are a touch stiff with the grand vit springs, but have held up to 30+ miles of washboard without a complaint or loss in compression. I have toasted lesser struts within 5 miles.
But people have been happy with OME, I haven't run them so I can't compare. Just make sure you use limiting straps. :)
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So the bilsteins are stock length, and I'd have to use strut spacers on the front, what about the rear.
With the OME GV hd springs up front and sidekick HDs with 1inch spacers out back, will I see issues?
Seems to be becoming more trouble than it's worth.
While I'm a very aggressive street driver, I doubt I'll be overheating the shocks and struts when creeping down the pipelines around here, but if they are worth the additional 209$ I'm interested.
I wanna run 30s with bumpers, and rock sliders with zero rubbage. I have no rocks or hills. But I wanna change the struts and shocks out anyways since the others are a minimum 14 years old.
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So the bilsteins are stock length, and I'd have to use strut spacers on the front, what about the rear.
With the OME GV hd springs up front and sidekick HDs with 1inch spacers out back, will I see issues?
Seems to be becoming more trouble than it's worth.
While I'm a very aggressive street driver, I doubt I'll be overheating the shocks and struts when creeping down the pipelines around here, but if they are worth the additional 209$ I'm interested.
I wanna run 30s with bumpers, and rock sliders with zero rubbage. I have no rocks or hills. But I wanna change the struts and shocks out anyways since the others are a minimum 14 years old.
Yes, it seems more trouble than it's ..., well it is a lot of trouble.
As you raise the kickers above 2" you start running into CV blowing issues, and have to do a diff drop to fix it.
Drone637 is running Ford Ranger springs up front on his Trouble Race car on 30's with stock rims.
I am running modified TJ springs on back (may be a little light for a 4 door).
For rock sliders, here is how I did them http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-$30-steel-frnt-diff/ (http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-$30-steel-frnt-diff/)
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I had to put a 1" strut spacer on the front after the GV springs. Otherwise I found that I would max my struts out when hitting large bumps on the freeway, made for a rough ride. A 1" spacer made all the difference.
For the rear I am just running a 1" spacer with stock length shocks, but I want to switch to full springs some day. I also have an anti sway bar in the back so the ride is a bit rough but it is nice and stable.
Additionally I run 1" spacers on the corners, so that introduces some rubbing with the 235/75R15 Toyo All Terrain tires.
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Finally picked a nice five door up. 1995 auto with 160k. Engine sounds rattly in the top end when free revved. My guess is it needs a valve adjustment. Drove it 180 miles home on the interstate and it hummed along at 3k and 65 with not even a hiccup.
Whoever did the timing belt didn't seal the cover properly and their is a small oil leak, idk about transmission. Going to clean the engine bay tomorrow of gunk, swap the oil and filter for some 5w20 for a tank, and then change and again after another tank. Then throw in a decent filter and 5w30/40. Probably flush the tranny once and then bring it somewhere for them to flush it, swap filter, and swap the fluid in torque converter. Reliability issues first and then I'll start installing mods.
None of my doorlocks will unlock with my key... No idea what's wrong.
Lots of fun stuff to tackle tomorrow.
Being that this is replacing a fairly new Toyota as a daily driver, getting it running like new is a priority.
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Lowrangeoffroad 2.5 kit ordered with slightly different springs.
Wheels ordered.
Radio ordered.
Now about to head by my tire shop and make sure they have what I want in stock.
I know everyone says 30s are the limit of the stock gears... And some that 235s is pushing it.
The mastercraft mts I want run 29.5 in their 30x9 and 30.5 in their 30x10.5, the difference in weight is inconsequential. While usually that inch difference in height wouldnt matter... That additional 1.5 inches in width sounds good.
31s on a daily driver that are actually 30.5s.... Possible or no? They weigh in at 41lbs... I run heavier tires on my 800 Polaris in a 26inch.
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You will have to push the engine a bit more on hills, but 30" tires will work fine. We ran them on Project Trouble and BRD HNTR ran them for a while with his stock 1.6l.
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I could tell the difference when I tried some 31X10/5X15's tires over my 30X9.5X15's. You will notice the power loss, and constant use of 4th gear.
And it may lead you to look for more power, and other modifications.
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I could tell the difference when I tried some 31X10/5X15's tires over my 30X9.5X15's. You will notice the power loss, and constant use of 4th gear.
And it may lead you to look for more power, and other modifications.
Like a 2.7l swap, among other things. :D
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The 2.7 swap is actuaally a goal. But first I have to put 50-60k on this one.
And I would need a shop capable of doing it.
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30.5 or 29.5.... Essentially the same weight one looks better because of the width. Is that inch of height really going to kill me that bad. It's something like 18% larger than what's on there now.
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(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/61dee237.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/fb8f5246.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/5974d9b0.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/e18399c5.jpg)
Well here it is, cleaned up pretty well. Brakes are done, fluid swaps, just waiting on parts and trying to decide what tires.
Runs excellent, needs power steering pump (previous owner overfilled and bearing on pulley is going, still works fine though), changing all hoses, belts, and a pulley or two when I do the ps pump and timing belt.
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Nice looking rig. Reminds me of Derek's Sidekick, he is running stock suspension with some 235/75 R15 BFG Style All-Terrains.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-41f0H3J8g8w/Tssy_0QNnSI/AAAAAAAAJyc/AfWzPd22_jo/s640/IMGP1986.JPG)
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Having an electrical issue. Was washing the bay carefully and I guess wet the plug wires/distributor with more than a splash. Have everything drying overnight with a few blowers, tomorrow I'll dielectric grease everything and see what happens.
Hopefully it was just moisture and is something minor.
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Got 2.25 in piping installed today with a hiflow cat and a magnaflow muffler at autotech in Gonzales, la.
It made a freaking world of difference! Runs like a whole new machine.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/88dec566.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/eb5a376f.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/35b27490.mp4)
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Nice Score on the 4 door, looks clean. For an older high milage engine I like to go with 10/40 and a quart of Lucas oil stabilizer replacing a quart of engine oil at the change out. Quiets up a looser engine and helps it stay solid. Exhaust looks great.
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Got my lift installed last night. Complete pain given all of my suspension components were original. Installed to find the front sat 4.5inches higher than it was... And the rear was sitting 3 inches taller. Hit a few bumps firmly and it leveled out some... (though honestly the front still looks a little high.
Headed off to the local tire place this morning and had them install 5 mastercraft courser mts. A bf goodrich clone, but a good one. Went with 31x10.5 as they run a little small, and would be fitted on an eight inch wheel. 41lbs a tire... About average for a 31 if not a little lite.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/17a174c6.jpg)
Looks okay, just rubbed a lot at that point. Gotta order two solid front caps to cover my auto hubs, ordered open caps for the manuals that I haven't bought yet.
Have to do more trimming and then install the fender flares, if not it'll look like this more often than not...
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/5ff40330.jpg)
Actually wasn't mud riding, a simple dirt road after an inch of rain.
Power seems great... Not sure what all the fuss is about, this thing is probably faster than my 05 xb was brand new.
Checking mileage now, willing to bet I won't average the 27-29 I was getting.
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A nice steel bumper will help level out that suspension. :D
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It was actually due to the fact that I had an additional 5 tires and rims hanging out in the rear. I measured this morning and it seems perfectly level. But I still don't like the looks of the angle on my CVs. Gonna bounce it over some things this evening, and have an alignment done tomorrow, guess we'll see.
Having some rubbing issues on the rear fender areas and rear portion of the front fenders. I removed the stock plastic guards in the middle, gained an inch of clearance from the tires, and I'm going to bed line that area anyways.
Suggestions for gaining a little fender clearance...I'm actually considering a body lift, if I can find one that requires no modifications, maybe a 1.5?
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Looks sweat. i also have red 4dr just like yours. The black wheels make these look worlds better!
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The next mod was to actually fit a spare externally, basically I cut the top off a second tire mount, cut the bolts off the first, and welded it one inch higher. Unfortunately on my first attempt I did it backwards. Lowered the mount by 2 inches.
Tossed that one in the trash, bought two more, actually bothered to mark it the second time, welded it up again.
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i211/roundheya/e63c6095.jpg)
31 on the mount. Now I get to pull it off as I don't like the sound. Roof mount maybe.
Has anyone ever reinforced the hinges?
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Guess not.
Two new problems, my a/c which was working fine now won't kick on, fuse under the hood is fine. The pulley has been sounding like it was dying, oiled with sae250, a few weeks go by of it sounding and working great, but now it won't blow cold.
Next issue, my ride is atrocious and I have zero flex with these springs. I've used less than an inch of travel in the front and less than three in the rear... And Ive been hitting speed bumps to try and break it in.
Is there anything I can do tO help either situation?