Hello 2 all, i just had a few questions 2 ask.
i just picked up a kick 96 kick 2 door with an auto trans, i wanted to run 31 tires maybe 32. i know i have 2 change the the gears, i was wondering would it be better to run 5.12 or 5.38 from a four door for this size tire. This vehicle is DD, so alot of highway driving is going to be done. Just wanted to know what every one thinks, any comments are helpful. sorry for the rockie question. thankd ahead of time

Go 5.38 or even 5.62 if you can find some or better still try and find some used Calmini 5.83's if anybody's selling them.

that would probably be too low for 31's...just get some 5.12's. they should work fine

I run the 5.12's with my 31's on an automatic and it works great. The speedometer is just about dead on.
I want the 5.62's or 5.38's so that I can run a 33" tire now!
Jim

I run the 5.12's with my 31's on an automatic and it works great. The speedometer is just about dead on.
I want the 5.62's or 5.38's so that I can run a 33" tire now!
Jim

Can you keep up with highway traffic pretty easy, or are you lagging to keep up?? What are your pm's at? I just want the facts before i go do the swap. How fast can u go??? I know it's alot of questions, but i really appreciated the help, thanks

that would probably be too low for 31's...just get some 5.12's. they should work fine

I forgot that the US didn't get the 4 speed auto and 5.125's in the swb as early as other markets

I'll double check tonight to let you know for sure but I think I'm doing about 4000rpm at 100kms and around 4300-4500 at 120kms. I can get it up to about 130kms on a good day (not driving into the wind), but to be honest I don't think it went much faster then that with the old gears and stock tires. It reads 210,000kms now on the odometer, but when i bought it the speedo wasn't working so I reallly don't know the total mileage of the car ( the engine is getting tired though). Highway traffic is no problem, I commute 120kms a day every day on highways and it fast off the lights.
 I would definitley reccomend the 31's with the new gears, you really won't be disappointed.
Jim

FYI, unless you happen to have a set of 5.62s laying around, you will pay big $$$$ to buy some....they only came in a select few 1989 sidekicks with a 1.3 carbed engine.
I am not sure on the availability of 5.38 rears.  If they make aftermarket ones, then it probably won't be too expensive.....but if you have to find/buy stock OEM ones...they only came in 1991 4 door trackicks with an 8V engine.....so be prepared to pay big $$$$ for them as well.

If your 96, 2 door 'kick has a 3 speed auto it should have 4.30 gears....so a jump to 5.12s would be pretty big, I would assume big enough (without running the numbers) to run 32" tires without problems (other than possibly being geared too low).

Here's some pics from last night of rpm's vs speed for an automatic with 5.12's and 31" trexus M/T's.
Jim