Has anyone installed the Grand Vitara front coil springs and Ford rear coil springs in a Sidekick as mentioned in the "Budget Lift" Atricle?  This looks like a great inexpensve lift.  I was wondering if the Ford rear springs will make the ride harsh since the Ford van weighs 5000 lbs compared to the 2200 lbs Sidekick weight?
Also, does anyone know of a discount store to buy Sidekick 4:1 transfer case gears?  It looks like Rocky Road is the cheapest at $850...but that is still pricey compared to Samurai gears at $500.  Or better yet, does anyone have a used set for sale?

 If you want gears, and can't afford the Calmini or RRO stuff, try the OTT Kicker3 setup that mates the kick t-case with the sammy t-case. It goes for about $600 plus shipping, you send them the kick case, not the sammy case. You end up with a change in high range (note: gearing for larger tires), fixed flanges, and 3 sets of low range!.....kick high/sammy low, kick low/sammy high, kick low/sammy low.....how's that for sweet?!

Does the Sammy case come with the kit, or do you have to purchase it separately?

Has anyone installed the Grand Vitara front coil springs and Ford rear coil springs in a Sidekick as mentioned in the "Budget Lift" Atricle?  This looks like a great inexpensve lift.  I was wondering if the Ford rear springs will make the ride harsh since the Ford van weighs 5000 lbs compared to the 2200 lbs Sidekick weight?
Also, does anyone know of a discount store to buy Sidekick 4:1 transfer case gears?  It looks like Rocky Road is the cheapest at $850...but that is still pricey compared to Samurai gears at $500.  Or better yet, does anyone have a used set for sale?

Actually they were GV springs all the way around. The rear gets the ford E150 shocks.  The ride is decent I just need to get the darn thing alligned as the camber is off.

 Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.

Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875

Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95

Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)

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OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1      :$600

Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)

No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.

Does anybody know what year or kinda price for the GV springs?I'm really intersted in trying this

Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.

Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875

Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95

Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1      :$600

Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)

No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.

The stock t-case for a Sami has a 14% reduction? It's not 1:1? So upgrading to deeper gear sets only provides 18% or 20% high range reduction, whereas, in comparison, low range comes in at 4, 5, 6, and 6.5 (IIRC) ratios.

 In the famous words of one of late nights most famous sidekick, get it!

"You are correct sir!"

Hehe!

Does anybody know what year or kinda price for the GV springs?I'm really intersted in trying this

The springs I used came off a 2000 GV. Couldn't help you with a price though as these were freebies.  I would check with Hawk if you can't find them in a Yard near you. Also check the GV owners on the net. If they lifted it then they prolly have a set of springs.

how much lift do you get using the GV springs? and all you need is the GV springs?

The article says" For the rear, we used the rear springs on a 92-02 Ford Econoline E150 van. These springs are 2 inches longer and have an additional 1.5 “ of travel.  The mounting of the springs from the sidekick and ford shocks and they are identical.  To gain extra front travel, we flipped the strut blate to add an additional inch of length. "

Is it a misprint? Did he mean he put the springs from the GV and the shocks from a Ford van?

The article says" For the rear, we used the rear springs on a 92-02 Ford Econoline E150 van. These springs are 2 inches longer and have an additional 1.5 “ of travel.  The mounting of the springs from the sidekick and ford shocks and they are identical.  To gain extra front travel, we flipped the strut blate to add an additional inch of length. "

Is it a misprint? Did he mean he put the springs from the GV and the shocks from a Ford van?

Yup I meant rear GV springs and Ford shocks. Sorry bout that. The shocks are 2 inches longer and 1.5" of travel.  i got that from the gabriel shock website.

Again sorry about the confusion. I was just so excited when we lifted it I must have typed it wrong.

how much lift do you get using the GV springs? and all you need is the GV springs?

I installed it on a 4 dr. Measured from the frame to the garage floor we ended up with 2" in the front and 1 7/8" in the rear. It might give you more on a 2 dr. Also the stock shock was bottomed out when we measured so it might make it closer to 2 inches.

Also food for thought. The origanal measurements that were taken sowed the rea was actually a little taller with the factory springs. Once the GV springs were on there the frame height was Identical front to back.

Separately. They aren't that expensive at a junk yard or any Suzuki only outfit like Hawk, Trailtough, etc.
If you have any question about whether or not that it is worth the money, just look at a few numbers.

Calmini 4.24 t-case gears: $875

Calmini 5.83s (per end, uninstalled), 13.8% lower than stock: $289.95

Calmini fixed flange conversion (not yet available)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

OTT Kicker3 (when used with a stock sammy case) 4.104:1      :$600

Stock sammy case (used) 1.4:1 reduction in high, a.k.a. 14% lower than kick stock: $250 (approximately)

No need for the diff gear modifications, or fixed flange conversion.
The t-case flange location is very close to stock kick location.
You have endless gear selections available for the sammy case for very good prices.
There is benefit after benefit to go with the kicker3 in your kick or sammy.

Scuse my math, but I think 1.409:1 is a 40.9% reduction not a 14% reduction.

Perfect for 35" rubber - no good without at least 33" rubber

I installed it on a 4 dr. Measured from the frame to the garage floor we ended up with 2" in the front and 1 7/8" in the rear. It might give you more on a 2 dr. Also the stock shock was bottomed out when we measured so it might make it closer to 2 inches.

Also food for thought. The origanal measurements that were taken sowed the rea was actually a little taller with the factory springs. Once the GV springs were on there the frame height was Identical front to back.

Tried the GV springs on my 88 2 door... less than the existing 2" kings springs in lift and ride was similar (ie totally harsh and crap).


Aussie model so your springs may be different thoguh.

Better to find someone who does decent aftermarket springs first time... your back and your butt will thank you for it.

About 4 different sets of springs in this thing now and still not right... next time will be custom not off the shelf or "that looks about right".