Wait.. The stock gearing in that sidekick is lower than a samurai?? or does it have different gearing in between that and the wheels...

Wait.. The stock gearing in that sidekick is lower than a samurai?? or does it have different gearing in between that and the wheels...

A samurai has 1.409:1 high range gearing in the tcase.
A trackick has 1:1 high range gearing in the tcase.

So if you want to compare overall reduction, then take 3.73 (actually 3.727) and multiply it by 1.409 and that will give you the effective "gear ratio" of a samurai.  So a samurai has the equivalant of 5.25 gears, when you multiply the tcase ratio by the axle ratio.

So they have essentially the same gearing before it hits the diffs at least? no high or low shift? does this become a major drawback for the sidekick?

So they have essentially the same gearing before it hits the diffs at least? no high or low shift? does this become a major drawback for the sidekick?

Umm, no.  They have essentially the same gearing at the wheels.
Both have a low range in the transfer case (assuming they are both 4wd).  2.268 for a samurai and 1.82 for a trackick.
Just look at it this way....both are geared pretty much the same, with the samurai being just a little lower overall.  But the samurai also has a smaller, less powerful engine, so it needs to be geared lower.

oh I figured the diffs would be higher in the sidekick cause of ifs, okay so I don't need to think about the gearing Thank you, again.. Most help I've ever gotten on a forum. okay I think I'm done with easy questions, thanks guys!

I'm sorry skihiranger, I should've read your answer more clearly.. that makes sense now
I have a new question D: I've just gone crazy looking at mods for the sidekick and I came across this additional transfer setup called the "undertaker" which adds a 1.5:1 ratio behind the transmission and in front of the stock transfer. I'd like someone to tell me if I'm looking at this right (http://www.trailtough.com/index.phppage=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=233&category_id=46&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53 is the link to said product)
Is this essentially the same setup as a marlin crawler? As in when applied it compounds the transmission output and when released then highway gears remain the same.
If so this looks like a great dual transfer for the sidekick to avoid all the transfer or diff gears (or killing the clutch)

link didn't post right
http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=233&category_id=46&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53

Hi everyone, I'm austin I just registered with zukiworld because I had an important question pertaining to me.
I have a 96 subaru impreza that I've been trying to sell to replace it with a samurai, however someone just offered me a trade for a sidekick and I was wondering what you guys thought
it's a 95, 4door, manual, 4wd with 160,000 miles... any thoughts or warnings? it is in good shape and he says it has no issues, is this high mileage for a sidekick?
I figured this hasn't been asked before, but I'll try searching also.

The Sidekick will  go more places than the Subaru, more after market stuff as well and a lot cooler looking rig. You see lots of  Samurai's and Sidekick's, I have yet to see a Subaru on the trail.

I'm sorry skihiranger, I should've read your answer more clearly.. that makes sense now
I have a new question D: I've just gone crazy looking at mods for the sidekick and I came across this additional transfer setup called the "undertaker" which adds a 1.5:1 ratio behind the transmission and in front of the stock transfer. I'd like someone to tell me if I'm looking at this right (http://www.trailtough.com/index.phppage=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=233&category_id=46&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53&vmcchk=1&Itemid=53 is the link to said product)
Is this essentially the same setup as a marlin crawler? As in when applied it compounds the transmission output and when released then highway gears remain the same.
If so this looks like a great dual transfer for the sidekick to avoid all the transfer or diff gears (or killing the clutch)

It is not a dual range, it is a constant 1.5:1 underdrive, this will allow the use of 33"+ tire/wheels while running the smaller and stronger stock differential gear ratios of 4.3 and 4.8:1

I realize the sidekick will go more places hence the urge to get one, I live in fresno and I Constantly visit the mountains and I have wheeled before but I've only had a stock rav4 and subaru in the past 5 years to do so in.

So I'd be best off doing a 4.24 gear swap then? I'm just scared of the top speed in low range then, according to my figuring fifth gears top speed would be like 26 miles an hour comfortably.. but then on the trail why would you want to go much faster I suppose. These have been the thoughts rolling in my head the past couple days then I think WAIT I need to Get the stupid Sidekick first. xD

When you eventually go with larger tires and wheels(you will if you continue to offroad drive) the 4.24 txfer case gears are really needed. I have 31's and 5.13diffs and the stock low range is NOT deep enough by any stretch of the imagination, LOL

I just looked at another pair of track/kicks, one sorta drivable and one parts car for 600$(enough parts to make one solid dedicated hunting truck) The sidekicks and trackers will become addictive.....

I have yet to see a Subaru on the trail.

We have a local Subaru wheeling club.  They actually look pretty cool bobbed with 30" tires. 

I realize the sidekick will go more places hence the urge to get one, I live in fresno and I Constantly visit the mountains and I have wheeled before but I've only had a stock rav4 and subaru in the past 5 years to do so in.

So I'd be best off doing a 4.24 gear swap then? I'm just scared of the top speed in low range then, according to my figuring fifth gears top speed would be like 26 miles an hour comfortably.. but then on the trail why would you want to go much faster I suppose. These have been the thoughts rolling in my head the past couple days then I think WAIT I need to Get the stupid Sidekick first. xD

I would get the Sidekick and put a full set of 235/75 R15's on it, try it on the trails before doing any spending on it. I think you will be surprised at the places you will go with just a bit bigger tires than stock.