Just curious, what do people regard as the better vehicle? I went with the sammy because of all the options for it and it's been around a long time. However, I've been seeing alot for sidekicks and trackers than I would have expected prior to buying my sammy.

Bill

Sammy = easier to mod

TracKick = easier on the body

They are both good  

their have been many debates about this subject.  it always comes down to some one saying that if you want a hardcore solid axle trucklit then a sammy.  i DO NOT think this is true.  both are equally as capable, its all up to the builder.

stu

I pulled up the Nov 16th thread on the same subject...   may take on it is:   Sammys are plenty capable but Kicks break less and come better equipted.


I prefer the Kick / Tracker as it is newer and updated,  Comes with EFI & Power steering.   Also seems like they corrected many of the sammy breakage issues, But don't get me wrong!  Sammys are cool too  

If you get a Samurai you will most likely run into some of these items that will need to be replaced due to age wear and abuse.

Steering Rag joint (1)
Transfer case rubber mounts (3) $52
Transfercase shifter sheet (1)  $10
5-spd Trans Shifter locating bolt (1)
Engine mounts rubber (2)

Then in short order you will find that the Trans bearings are noisy (Place the t-case in neutral) and go thru all 5 gears listening to the bearings.  5th gear noise will scare ya!    Replace the Trans bearings ($100 kit)  Don't forget the new front and rear main shaft seals or the gear oil will leak out when you park on a hill and kill your fresh rebuild.  

Then you find that the lower king pin bearings are worn / rusted from abuse / holding water.  

So you replace all (4) king pin bearings and do the knuckle seal kit.  

Then the Rear wheel axle bearings go bad.  So you replace both sides.  While also replacing both of the  rear wheel brake cylinders as both are locked up and not moving.  

Now that it is running and being driven daily you can concentrate on the oil leaks from the front and rear crank seal  and Distributor O-ring seal.    

ANd don't ever overtighten the lug nuts as they will strip in the hub and spin making them not removable.  

Always lube and torque the lug nuts properly.  

Now your kids can go for a ride with your in the newly rebuilt sammy, But while (playing) entering and exiting the vehicle they manage to break both the inner and outer door handles on both doors along with the window crank handles and glove box door.    

Than Ya hit the Key and CLICK...  let up hit it again CLICK...    

Sammy owners, You've Gotta love it.  

I love my Trackick!

God, you have to laugh at the sammy door ahndle debacle.

it's totally funny looking back now when i broke my first sammy door handle.  It was the drivers side and i delt with it for a few weeks, till i couldn't take it any more.  so finally i fixed the broken handle.

the very next day the passenger side one broke.

i loved my sammy but my #1 gripe is they leak REAL BAD!  i've owned 3 and they ALL leaked from the firewall and filled the floorboards with nice little wading pools.

My only other gripe is now an easy fix, lack of power.  nowadays you can do a 1.6 engine swap and that pretty much fixes that problem. and i've heard of a company that makes metal door handle to fix the door handle issue.  if there was a surefire fix for the Samurai leaking issues i'd be in my 4th samurai instead of my 2nd sidekick.

but i admit i like the comfort of the tracker over the kidney busting suspension of the samurai.

   Whitfield, that's hilarious!  Except you left out the clicky starter troubles.

    Hey, Chief I like the black & yellow!
Here's mine.

just from knowing people who have owned multiple trackers/samurai's

the tracker is a better daily driver and very good trail rig
however...
the Samurai can just get places easier...
Solid front axel
Samurai is simple and extraordinarly light and tough
get a sami
1.6L conversion
transfer case gear w/ high reduction
SPOA lift
and rims/tires
you got a super offroader already and due to the weight no traction aid is really necessary

add lockers if you're really hardcore go anywhere offroad vehical

but for onroad, yes springs will giggle your kidneys to death, they are somewhat scarry high speed driving, due to bump steer from the SPOA
they don't heat very well, as the heater core gets plug'd like crazy
and finding one with a good body is rare
has a super short wheelbase which also makes it more scary at high speeds

trackers, well they're awesome, but just I think the only flaw is the IFS in the front
lift isn't as easy to gain body clearance as the sami's
longer wheel base and a bit heavier
but at least they do everyday driving as good as the next car

  Whitfield, that's hilarious!  Except you left out the clicky starter troubles.

    Hey, Chief I like the black & yellow!
Here's mine.

Hey, nice paint job!  

It's sort of an issue that won't matter soon.

I imagine it's getting hard to find either in decent shape in areas where the salt the roads. Sadly, 3 years ago, you could find nice HT Sammies for sale locally. (No salt/rust) Now they are getting hard to find & Kicks aren't far behind.

They get thrashed then trashed.

i vote tracker!

Bill,
First off, welcome to the BBS I believe that it is all what you want out of a vehicle and how much you are willing to work on it to accomplish a certain task.

Kick/Tracker: More room, more confort, better ride, more power, LESS AFTERMARKET OPTIONS. I love my Kick and would not trade it for a Sammi, but it has taken alot of work (like with any 4x4) to turn it into a geared, locked, lifted Zuk on 33's that can jump on the interstate and confortablly run 75 all day long I do not tow to rides unles it is realy far away (6 hr or more drive). It is realy cool to pull up in your trail rig while everybody else is unloading off of the trailers, ride all day and drive her home.

Sami: Thanks to Mr. Bewley I had my first Sami experiance in November. Kick gears, SPOA, 33's, (here is a link http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050104/feature_trailtough_yjlift_install.htm ) It was a very confortable ride throughout the weekend. The 'Sami lack of power' only was a problem in the steep grades going through the pass. I realy enjoyed driving it and it has had me looking for a good deal on one since the trip. LOTS of aftermarket goodness available. So basically you can determine how far you want to go with a Sami, call up a vendor and order what you need.

If you are a Solid Axle Suspension guy, dont be fooled, an IFS Kick/Tracker can hold it own with a comparable built SAS vehicle (Sammi, Heep, ect...).

I am biased to the Kick because it has been my ride for years

My 2 cents,
Zig

what about these two videos

SAMMY http://www.zukiworld.com/month_120104/movies/mov02101.mpg

Kick
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_120104/movies/mov02105.mpg

i admit the kick i think belongs to Eric and has the sas calmini on it but some other vids in the vault have IFS doing it good.

I would say a stock sammy against a stock kick the Sammy would win!

I was surprised by all the sidekick guys on here. When I picked up my sammy there were two main reasons I went for it. 1. all the existing options/kits for it. 2. cost, I only had about two grand to get started and I found the one I have for $1900 with a SPOA, 31" tires and trail lights. It was straight, no rust and for being 19 years old, it really good shape.  I'm not sure I could have found the same thing in a kick.

My wife has a blazer 4x4 but it's a 2dr. She wants a 4dr so I am trying to talk her into a 4dr sidekick 4x4. Wish me luck!

Thanks for all the info guys, this BBS is great!

Bill