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Hello All

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jp200157

Hello All
« on: June 20, 2007, 09:15:58 AM »
I'm new to the forum in the last month I have acquired a 1997 Suzuki Sidekick JX 16V 4X4.  This is my first Suzuki, I use it as a daily driver and take it through a few lite trails. I'm wanting to improve its offroad capability without taking away to much from its road performance. I also have been looking for a few parts to fix her up with and the main item I am having trouble finding is a new backseat seeing that the previous owner removed it and never put it back in. Any ideas on a setup that would be good on and off road?
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2007, 11:38:43 AM »
Welcome to the board. What is your budget?
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2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org
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jp200157

Re: Hello All
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2007, 11:58:02 AM »
My budget is very flexible I only ended up spending $500.00 for the rig which seemed like a great deal to me since the 16v is in great working order.  All the problems are cosmetic. I would like to clear 31" tires and i was think a 3" lift would be the way to go. But I'm up for any ideas I'm looking for some experienced insight to the suspension system and what seems to work well and not. I don't like budget jobs for the most part I always say if your gonna do it then do it right!
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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2007, 02:29:09 PM »
Coil spacers work well. I sell a combo kit of 2-1.5" spacers for the front and 2-2" for the rear. It lifts the rig a full 2" overall and levels it out great. You should get 31" tires under it no problem with just a little fender trimming. The cost is $80 to the US or $85 to Canada. The price includes all shipping. No one has been unhappy with my spacers and they seem to work well. Let me know if you are interested. PS, welcome to the forum.
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1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE
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Offline bentparts

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2007, 04:31:16 PM »
An OME lift or rocky road 4.5" lift will clear most 31's. A Calmini 6" combo lift is more involved, will also clear 31's. OME/Rocky Road lift rides better IMO, and most others. Calmini gives more overall lift. Good luck, use the search function for more indepth info, it's all been said or done before. Welcome!
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The usual stuff, and 2nd generation Air to liquid intercooled TURBOCHARGER
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Offline RACER X

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2007, 06:22:04 PM »
cheaply start with intake and exhust threads can be found on this site then whwn you seee th potenial spend sum bucks
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98 kick
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Offline PHX96TRACK

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2007, 10:15:38 PM »
Consider 30 x 9.5 tires, you can do it with 1.5" - 2" coil spacers. Some light alloy wheels 15x7 or 8" will do fine. You will not need a body lift and it's pretty cheap. Flip your strut mounts and get some cheap Monroe shocks for a '91 Ford Crown Victoria. I'm very happy, my '96 4 dr is set up that way.

You are getting pretty good clearance, you won't have to hack up your fenders, just some hammering inside in the back. For a Daily Driver it works out well. I can take most Jeep trails with no problem. The higher you go, more the wind plays with it at high speed. The bigger the tires, the more power to turn them. Unlesss you are a hardcore rock crawler or mud bogger you will be fine.

A $250 2.5" cat back exhaust job will restore your power to a bit better than stock with the tiny 215 tires.
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96 4dr Tracker - 30x9.5s on 1-3/4" spacer lift. 2.25" Cat-back with Turbo exhaust.
DD is a Stock 93 Toyota Paseo- great car
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IC1993

Re: Hello All
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2007, 03:55:06 AM »
Just registered: I've had my little samurai for 14months now and only recently am I using it every day. I'm in it for up to an two hours five days a week and even since I bought the 1993 model I have replaced tones of stuff just to keep it going but I'm also interested in improving it for the road without hurting the off road capabilities.
My thinking was to go out and up, I have 25mm spacers on the wheels but I want to go further and I have 40mm shackles ready to go on but not until I go out first. After that I want to add more power with either better fuel economy or a bigger tank because at the moment I'm going to the gas station 2 to 3 times a week.

Does anybody know where I can get a bigger fuel tank for a samurai?
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2007, 04:46:23 AM »
For a DD Track/Kick you might be better off with the Calmini 2" kit. The 3" kit needs a lot of weight up front to make it work right.

IC1933 - Welcome to the board but start a new thread otherwise we could get confused mixing Sammys with Track/Kicks
« Last Edit: June 21, 2007, 04:48:15 AM by Rhinoman »
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2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org
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IC1993

Re: Hello All
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2007, 07:05:09 AM »
Newbie, Sorry about that and cheers for the welcome.
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jp200157

Re: Hello All
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2007, 07:29:15 AM »
thanks for all the info!! i've actually been looking into either the calmini 2" or 3" kit they both look like good quality to me I'm not to big into the coil spacers.... when talking about the 3" kit needs more weight up front are you talking about wheel & tire weight?
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Hello All
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2007, 01:09:11 PM »
Quote from: jp200157 on June 21, 2007, 07:29:15 AM
when talking about the 3" kit needs more weight up front are you talking about wheel & tire weight?

That and a big winch bumper and winch. The 3" will give the most articulation but can be a harsh ride. The 2" is reputed to give a much better ride.
Consider a good set of skid plates too, the rear gearbox crossmember is particularly vulnerable.
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2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org
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jp200157

Re: Hello All
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2007, 01:29:43 PM »
Sounds like the 2" is the way for me but if i run get to the point where I want the larger bumper with winch am i going to have to much weight for the 2" kit? Thanks for all the info I'm getting very excited about working on my rig and doing a lil trail riding!!
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