Im looking to build a 4dr Sidekick up with a trail slayer kit from Trail Tough. What is the best yrs for the Sidekick ? I have a 93 but I know where a 96 with the bigger engine is for sale. Anyone have any opinions ?


                                        Ed

   Im looking to build a 4dr Sidekick up with a trail slayer kit from Trail Tough. What is the best yrs for the Sidekick ? I have a 93 but I know where a 96 with the bigger engine is for sale. Anyone have any opinions ?
                                        Ed

A look at the Trail Tough page reveals that the Trail Slayer is designed for the Samurai, not the Sidekick.

Did you mean the Sidekick / Tracker Straight Axle Coil Spring Conversion Kit, 4 Door ?

By bigger, are you saying a '96 Sidekick Sport with a 1.8 engine??

While the 1.8 is a bigger engine, it's also rare as it was soon replaced by it's bigger brother, the 2.0 liter I-4.

The Sport has a wider-spaced frame and, because of that a regular TrackKick suspension lift, like the "SAS" mentioned above,  may not fit.   Check with Trail Tough for compatability issues.

Try and find a 95 OBD1 16v Auto.

Quote from: FireCkrEd on April 11, 2010, 07:49:59 AM

   Im looking to build a 4dr Sidekick up with a trail slayer kit from Trail Tough. What is the best yrs for the Sidekick ? I have a 93 but I know where a 96 with the bigger engine is for sale. Anyone have any opinions ?
                                        Ed

A look at the Trail Tough page reveals that the Trail Slayer is designed for the Samurai, not the Sidekick.

Did you mean the Sidekick / Tracker Straight Axle Coil Spring Conversion Kit, 4 Door ?

By bigger, are you saying a '96 Sidekick Sport with a 1.8 engine??

While the 1.8 is a bigger engine, it's also rare as it was soon replaced by it's bigger brother, the 2.0 liter I-4.

The Sport has a wider-spaced frame and, because of that a regular TrackKick suspension lift, like the "SAS" mentioned above,  may not fit.   Check with Trail Tough for compatability issues.

Yeah the straight axle conversion kit is what I meant Trail Tough says it fits up to a fits
1989 to 1998 Sidekick/ Tracker or X-90 so I think it will fit. I didnt know that Suzuki put the 2.0 into a sidekick up to a 98 only the later models. What I wanted to know is is the 1.8 better than a 1.6? more reliable ? Didnt the 16 valve get cracks in the head more than the 8 valve if pushed hard ? I have a friend with a 95 4 dr 16valve and he's having all kinds of problems with the POM it needs replaced and it's costly. He says it;s the only yr that suzuki went away from an air flow sensor.

            Ed

Yeah the straight axle conversion kit is what I meant Trail Tough says it fits up to a fits
1989 to 1998 Sidekick/ Tracker or X-90 so I think it will fit. I didnt know that Suzuki put the 2.0 into a sidekick up to a 98 only the later models. What I wanted to know is is the 1.8 better than a 1.6? more reliable ? Didnt the 16 valve get cracks in the head more than the 8 valve if pushed hard ? I have a friend with a 95 4 dr 16valve and he's having all kinds of problems with the POM it needs replaced and it's costly. He says it;s the only yr that suzuki went away from an air flow sensor.

            Ed

1.6 and 1.8 were the only engine options in 98s and earlier, AFAIK.  The 2.0 didn't come along until 99, I believe.
I prefer the 1.6s over the 1.8s myself....easier to work on and used parts are more readily available.
Suzuki used a MAF (mass air flow) sensor in 95.....if that is what you are talking about.  Basically, 92 and 93 1.6 16Vs are the same; 94 and 95 1.6 16Vs are the same (a few more sensors than the 92/93s); and 96 and up 1.6 16Vs are the same (96 was the first year for OBD2 and coil built into distributor).

I prefer the 1.6s over the 1.8s myself....easier to work on and used parts are more readily available.

Although there is a 4dr Sport at my local junkyard with the whole 1.8L intact still, not gutted...
That's what I'd be most worried about, is the availability of parts and also aftermarket support.  It'd be a big part of the decision for me, at least, when buying a vehicle.  For example, it's like my DD is a 03 Chevy half-ton pickup...I've found that a lot of aftermarket vendors sell things for the 1500 trucks like mine, and the 2500HD trucks...but the 1500HD and 2500 trucks seem to be the bastard stepchild for suspension lifts and aftermarket support of that nature.
This isn't a great answer to your question since I'm a 90 2dr 8v owner, but hope it helps.