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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: synergy_58 on December 23, 2003, 11:33:06 PM

Title: Just gettin' started
Post by: synergy_58 on December 23, 2003, 11:33:06 PM
Hello to all.  I have a '93 sidekick, 16v, completely stock, white, Yakima rack system, tinted windows, w/ auto tranny.  I want to improve my performance, looks, and functions for offroad, where do I begin?

I have a few querks that I need to work out first.  1) the speedometer cable makes a rattle noise when I decelerate, what can I do about it?  2) I have a strange vibration that shows up when accelerating and going from third to fourth/OD, somewhere between 40-50 mph., it lasts for about a minute and then stops. 3) The engine has just been completely tuned with new belts, timing belt, water pump, air/fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap/rotor, all fluids, etc..., I continue to have a phantom idle loap, like it misses for a few seconds and then stops.  It happens once in a few drives.  What could it be?

I would greatly appreciate any and all help and guidance with making my zuki an awsome one!

Thanks!

Frank
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: wildgoody on December 24, 2003, 03:25:43 AM
Welcome to the board Frank.
Well for starters, how much did you
want to spend on your mods??
Some good starter mods are

Engine Performance
Header/exhaust system

Offroad Performance
tires 235 75-15 MTs ar more agressive
but have a lower tread life  $400-500/
$800 with wheels

Lockers for increased traction, makes a huge difference
even on stock tires, well spent $$ around $200

Lifts, a little more pricey, worth while buy about $700 or so

Body lift is cheaper, but other issues with 4x4 levers, gas tank
tubeing, brake lines, steering linkage .... makes it not as simple. $100

Gears for bigger tires your going to want with the lift kits
ring and pinion $600 front and rear sets

4:1 low Transfer case set is $800-900 ???  or about that

Anvil is $400-500 for your new broken axle woes LOL.

So if you got $4000 to sink into a toy, you could build it fast.


Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: wuggie on December 24, 2003, 03:39:56 AM
1. replace the cable
2. possibly wheels need to be balanced, try to find a place that will balance them on the vehicle.
3. possible a vacuum leak which can be had to detect.
let me know how you make out.
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: 1bigtracker on December 24, 2003, 07:11:12 AM
Welcome Frank,  their are some cheaper mods that you can do for your trucklit.  like puting gears from a 5-speed tracker in.  The 3 in body lift takes at least a weekend to install if you have a fully stocked shop full of tools(welder, torch, scrap metal, car lift).  Like Wild said if you have a about 4000 bucks to drop into it then you will get a great start.   lata stu
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: synergy_58 on December 27, 2003, 11:24:03 PM
Hello wildgoody, wuggie and 1bigtracker, and thanks for your input.  I would have replied sooner, but had to go to the inlaws for the holidays.

I think I have found one of my problems.  Wuggie suggested a vacuum leak, so I check around and noticed a funny noise coming from the exhaust manifold.  I think I have an exhaust leak at the manifold.  Is this a hard fix?

I had the tires balanced recently, but not on the truck, I'll check on that.  As for the cable, I'm going to order a new one on monday.

As for the upgrades, well the headers and exhaust sounds like a good place to start for now.  How much, where from and what do you recommend?  What type of an improvement will I notice?  Do you guys recommend an cold air intake system or am I better off keeping this stock?

In respects to 4x4ing, I'm a beginner in this area.  Since most of my 4x4ing takes place on sand and river beds, and snow once a year, should I get tall/high skinny tires or low/wide/fat tires, and do I need a really high lift?

The lockers sounds like a winner for sure.  Where do I start, who's a good source, and can I do this myself?

I can do most things myself, I don't have access to a torch/welder, but I have a friend that is a mechanic and he does.

1Bigtracker mentions replacing the gears from a 5-speed for mine.  Whats the deal with doing that?

Well, I'll stop for now and wait for replys.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: Zukipilot on December 28, 2003, 02:16:19 AM
Frank,
The 5 speed Kicks have 5.13 gears and the automatics have a 4.?? stock. So you can lower your geraing without alot of $'s by getting a used stock 5 sp 3rd. members.

For new parts (lifts headrs etc.) I would highly reccomend Calmini. They produce strong reliable products.

For used parts, body parts and just misc. stuff that's hard to find, call Hawk Strictly Suzuki. (Both have links on the zukiworld.com home page.

With moderate mechanical skills you can install the lockers and Switch out the manual 5.13 3rd members. To save you from pulling the axles apart twice, it would be good to do both at the same time.

Zig
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: lil_Truck on December 28, 2003, 02:29:24 AM
Dont the 4 dr. sticks have a stock 5.60:1 R&P?  A friend of mine tried to get me to go that was insted of the 5.83 R&P from Calimini.
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: 1bigtracker on December 28, 2003, 03:54:21 AM
I don't belive so, if if id dose i'll be happy with my new parts track. 4 DOOR!  i would recomend(spell check) useing a cold air intake unless you will be doing high water crossings.  then a snorkle and a K&N drop in unit is to be used.  I would get my Header/exhaust system
from calmini if i was going to get one.  their are some quick power adders too like under drive pully, cam sprocket(if you like tuning you truck) and K&N drop in filter.  as for tires you will have to try a few diffent tires to find what you like.  i run 34/9.50R15 swampers.  i like then cuz i get a full turning circle and the loweds of grip.  lata stu
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on December 28, 2003, 07:43:00 AM
Quote
Dont the 4 dr. sticks have a stock 5.60:1 R&P?  A friend of mine tried to get me to go that was insted of the 5.83 R&P from Calimini.
I WOULD SAY THAT ITS 512'S IN 4 DOOR AS WELL...JUST PUT ON 32'S ON MY 4 DOOR....AND LAGGING A BIT NOW...NO 5TH GEAR UNLESS YOUR IN THE FLATS OR DOWNHILLS .............SO CALMINI'S 583'S ARE THE TICKET  ;D  MATTY D.  8)
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on December 28, 2003, 07:44:57 AM
Quote
their are some quick power adders too like under drive pully, cam sprocket(if you like tuning you truck) and K&N drop in filter.  lata stu

I THINK THAT THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO THE 16 VALVE THAT YOU'VE GOT  ???  ???..........
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: hcgalvin on December 28, 2003, 08:08:15 AM
Nope. The 4Doors are 5.12 stick and 4.62 auto. Just like everything else. Your 5.64 gears are in the very rare and hard to find '89 or '90 Track/Kick that had the 1.3L motor.

Heather


Quote
Dont the 4 dr. sticks have a stock 5.60:1 R&P?  A friend of mine tried to get me to go that was insted of the 5.83 R&P from Calimini.

Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on December 28, 2003, 08:24:33 AM
Quote
Hello to all.  I have a '93 sidekick, 16v, completely stock, white, Yakima rack system, tinted windows, w/ auto tranny.  I want to improve my performance, looks, and functions for offroad, where do I begin?


I would greatly appreciate any and all help and guidance with making my zuki an awsome one!

Thanks!

Frank
   I HAD 1500. LEFT IN THE ZUKE FUND  AFTER BUYING MY 4 DOOR KICK.  I ALSO WAS THINKING HEADER EXAUST COMBO,LIFT, GEARS, TIRES ETC.  I CHOSE TO START WITH CALMINI'S 6" COMBO LIFT ...REASONS....1.FOR NOW THERE IS ENOUGH POWER FOR WHAT I DO ..MOSTLY D.D. LITTLE OFFROAD USE AS OF YET  2. WITH THE LIFT YOU ACCOMPLISH BOTH BETTER LOOKS AND OFF ROAD ABILITY  3. IF I STARTED WITH JUST BODY LIFT AND A LITTLE BIGGER TIRE ,THEN I WOULD GET THE ITCH FOR MORE LIFT AND BIGGER TIRES, SO THEN YOUR LOOKING TO BUY BIGGER TIRES AGAIN. :-/ ....SO NOW IVE GOT THE LIFT ACCOMPLISHED...BIGGER TIRES, SUPERWINCH LOCKING HUBS....AND THE FUTURE THINGS I WANT TO DO WONT REQUIRE ME TO SCRAP SOMETHING I JUST BOUGHT....BLA BLA BLA...POINT BEING MADE THINK THROUGH THE END RESULT OF WHAT YOU WANT...SO THEN YOU WONT BE WASTING MONIES ALLREADY SPENT...HAPPY ZUKING!  MATTY D.  8)
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on December 28, 2003, 12:07:52 PM
Correction: Autos with overdrive come with 5.12s already. :(

Mike
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: 1bigtracker on December 28, 2003, 01:12:28 PM
o ya, my bad.  most of that stuff is for the 8V.   If you have a 16V then you have a 30 HP diff over me.  just think about that.  lata stu
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: hcgalvin on December 29, 2003, 03:24:04 AM
Quote
Correction: Autos with overdrive come with 5.12s already. :(

Mike



Duh... thanks Mike..

Heather
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: wildgoody on December 30, 2003, 04:29:55 PM
If the early SideKicks with the Carbed 1.3 came with
5.62 (im guessing the # from their progression 4.62,
5.12, ??5.62?? incraments of .50 ratio)

would this R&P set be available from the dealer??
Would they be physically stronger than 5.83s??
And if so at what price?? more than Cal-Mini's ??
Hmmmmmm.... ::)
Title: Re: Just gettin' started
Post by: NY_SIDEKICKER on December 31, 2003, 07:56:53 AM
WHEN YOU FIND OUT LET US KNOW..... ;D