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1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd

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Offline kirk70

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1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« on: January 06, 2005, 02:44:33 AM »
i want to beef up my hunting rig.  educate me. i have 0 and i do mean 0 knowledge of anything mechanical, so bare with me.  the rig has 185,000 miles.  the motor runs great, but i wish it had just a little more umpff.  what could i do in that dept. without spending too much?  i want to raise it up some too, but not too much.
i was looking at a 2" calmini suspension lift.  would that alone be a noticeable lift, or would i need  some body lift also?  let me back up a little i do want to be able to put a little bit bigger tires on too.  i would like to keep the factory bumpers.  is that possible with a lift kit?  help!!!  oh is calmini(spelling?) the only lift out there?
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Offline chet

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2005, 03:12:24 AM »
read through some of the articles on this site. there are some good ones on doing a budget lift.

Some lift companies, calmini, rocky road, skys(coil spacers) trail tough makes some products and there is a new company out of calgary, Canada called Shogun enterprises.

If you want to stick with a 30" tire then a coil spacer and a small body lift may be the easiest route.

For power you can get a header from a number of places. Calmini, rocky road, hawk.

Also a better air filter would possible help (K&N)

You should have no problem keep the stock bumpers with most lifts.

Consider a lock rite locker for the rear single best improvement you can make!
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1991 4 door kick, 2" coil spacers, 30" Coopers, winch, locker, rust, dents, etc.
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Offline hcgalvin

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2005, 03:16:51 AM »
Woohoo! Another 4 Door!!  ;D

Welcome to Zukiworld.

Well, I've got a lot of experience with 4 doors, and I seem to be the starter of a lot of waves in here.. so I'll give this a go.

It looks to me like you want to have a little bit beefier truck, but you're looking to do it on a budget? It can be done pretty cheap.  What is your goal on tire sizes? How much height are you looking for?

As for a little more oomph, some nice plugs and wires help a lot, as well as a better breathing filter (say a K&N) as well as a larger exhaust diameter. I opened mine up to 2" from the CAT back, and used a cheap turbo muffler, and I saw a noticeable difference.

As for lifting it, check out the budget article I wrote - it's currently mirrored on Zuwharrie.com - until I get it back on my site, then I'll have it there too:

http://www.zuwharrie.com/content/view/11/27/

With lifts, suspension lifts do not have anything to do with the bumpers, as they lift the suspension. When you put a body lift on, you'll then have to do something about your bumpers. You can either build brackets for them, OR, I think the Calmini body lift contains the brackets for them. At least the front one anyways.  It might be smart for you to just go with some coil spacers.

When you go to a tire larger than about a 235x-30".. you'll start to notice a drop in performance, just because of drag, and gearing. Not much you can do about that unless you find taller gears.

I'm sure lots of other people on this forum can help you out as well.

Calmini, and Rocky Road www.rocky-road.com , and soon to be Shogun (check the Shogun track kick lift on another post in here) all have lifts for these trucks.

Also, check out my past work done on my truck to get some ideas:

http://www.granitepath.com/friends/kd7hcg/sidekick.html

Heather
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Heather Galvin
2005 GV with Zuki Nation 4.5" Lift.
Sidekick's gone... Still have Bob's Knob.
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Offline Cwkick

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2005, 04:10:55 AM »
You will notice a big difference in ride height with the Calmini 2" lift.  If you look at the opening page of Zukiworld,  you will find an article on the Calmini 2" lift written by yours truly.   ::)

Have a look!   Welcome to the board.

Cwkick
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2005, 04:54:55 AM »
good tuneup will wake tired engines up ... after that, exhaust/header probably best bang for buck (I think intake filter is debatable). Many times a properly tuned engine (even with many miles) will feel oh so much stronger (and is CHEAP horsepower, not to mention the rest isn't worth it if the engine isn't tuned right).

I think you'd be happy with the budget lift options (spacers + perhaps a body lift).

Locking the rear is also a good idea. I hate single wheel spin ...

Enjoy.
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Offline kirk70

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2005, 05:57:07 AM »
i drive this little rig to work about everyday.  my pickup is just gathering dust.  honestly, i wont be in the mud a whole lot during the course of the year, so is locking the rear down still important? this might be a little more of a form thing than function.  will i have to buy new wheels if i go bigger than 30" on tires?  i really like the looks of the 2" calmini supsension lift, but is that my best and most cost effecient lift?  what about other parts?   i am having a heck of a time finding a master brake cylinder.  can't find a new one.  i found one off salvage and it wouldn't fit.  any avenues?
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2005, 07:35:10 AM »
Everyone here will have an opinion as far as lifting.

I fall into lift as little as necessary (and use sawzall/hammer as needed). In my research I've also found what works for some doesn't work for others (seems 2dr vs 4dr makes a diff, and I think Lsi trim matters too for rub).

My guess, a set of 1.5" spring spacers would give you enuf suspension lift to get 30x9.50 under it fine (on stock rims). You'll probably have some rub at extreme travel and possibly some rub while turning. If you have rub, you can either hammer/slice the metal away, or do a 2" body lift (or live with it).

Spacers and body lift you'll be under $300 (easily).

I don't think the calmini lift would make you unhappy either, but saving cash means you can get better tires :)

some links to work from ...

calmini ... http://www.puresuzuki.com/
rocky road ... http://www.rocky-road.com/sidekick.html
trail tough ... http://www.trailtough.com
sky ... http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/suzuki.htm

Rob
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Offline kirk70

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2005, 08:26:56 AM »
will 30" tires look ok with 2" susp lift?  or do i need a little bit bigger?  will i rub with 2" susp kit and bigger tires?
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2005, 09:38:11 AM »
here's some "side" pics to get a feeling ...

stock ....



with body lift (and still stock tires) ...



with spacers plus some trimming (and 31" tires)




Had I gone with 30" tires, I doubt trimming woulda been necessary.

30's would look fine  ;D

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

Buy-it, Build-it, Beat-it, Part-it
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Offline kirk70

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2005, 10:14:36 AM »
snofalls how much lift do you have?  body lift or suspension?
someone told me (obviuosly wrong)  you might not be able to do a body lift since your rig has a uni-body.  keep in mind i know nuttin' mechanical.  will the 2" suspension lift provide a better ride than doing a body lift?  i have worked on computers every day for 10 years.  how do you get the pics on here?  i wanted to post what i was working with.  your pics are the look i am wanting to achieve.  where did you get that trim around the bottom?
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2005, 10:53:13 AM »
Quote
snofalls how much lift do you have?  body lift or suspension?


2" bodylift and 1" spring spacers.

Quote
someone told me (obviuosly wrong)  you might not be able to do a body lift since your rig has a uni-body.  keep in mind i know nuttin' mechanical.


Common comment from someone that doesn't know squat. Trackers/Sidekicks are not unibodies ... they have a body on frame like a *real* truck.

Quote
will the 2" suspension lift provide a better ride than doing a body lift?


Body lifts have no effect on suspension (but taken to an EXTREME can feel loose).

The spring spacers made it feel a little "tighter" up and down the gravel road, but bigger tires ride softer so feels better than stock now.

Some suspension lifts will ride harder (e.g. stiffer springs), but if you're asking if the calmini 2" will change the ride? Others that have done it can chime in.


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 i have worked on computers every day for 10 years.  how do you get the pics on here?  i wanted to post what i was working with.  your pics are the look i am wanting to achieve.
 

I host my own web server, so I serve my own pics ... there are lots of free pic hosting services you can use (e.g. http://www.imagehosting.us/)

Quote
where did you get that trim around the bottom?


I herculined the interior, and went ahead and did the beltline down too ....
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

Buy-it, Build-it, Beat-it, Part-it
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Offline kirk70

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2005, 11:22:46 AM »
that is the look i want.  i don't want to skip on money too bad.  to the point that it looks like crap.  do i need to get new shocks with something like you  have done?  the ones on there are factory.  is herculiner like rhinoliner?  what do you mean you did the interior too?  have you done anything to boost hp?
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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2005, 11:37:16 AM »
Quote
that is the look i want.  i don't want to skip on money too bad.  to the point that it looks like crap.  do i need to get new shocks with something like you  have done?  the ones on there are factory.  is herculiner like rhinoliner?  what do you mean you did the interior too?  have you done anything to boost hp?


I did skimp on money :) ...

I'm running stock shocks and struts, but plan on getting some longer napa $15 specials for the rear.

The herculiner is the DIY "rhino liner like" stuff. I stripped the interior out, sanded and cleaned it, and applied the stuff outta the can with a roller and brush. I did the full floor and up along the sides of the tail. pretty much any thing that was exposed inside after pulling the carpet. Ended up cutting the carpet to just cover the hump between the seats. Got rubber floor mats under foot up front, and a rubber pad so my dog has some traction in the tail.

« Last Edit: January 06, 2005, 11:39:47 AM by SnoFalls »
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

Buy-it, Build-it, Beat-it, Part-it
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Offline kirk70

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Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2005, 12:01:26 PM »
i took out the back 1/2 carpet and cut down an old truck bed liner.  i actually thought about doing the whole thing in rhinoliner on the outside.  here are some pics.  i like the idea of the body lift.  get a good one cheaper and then buy really good looking tires.  URL=http://www.imagehosting.us/?id=116774&type=viewpic][/URL]
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95xl7

Re: 1993 sidekick jlx 4dr 4wd
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2005, 12:01:53 PM »
For a little more umphh,you could add one of these.....
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