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Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #30 on: July 05, 2018, 09:29:07 PM »
The XL7 worked excellent with 2 kids in car seats in the far back, 2 grandparents in the middle row, and my wife and I in the front. We did a few hours of driving together and I never heard a complaint from anyone. The only issue is there's not a lot of trunk space but at least I have a big roof rack for that. I am really impressed that this rig still manages to pull 22 mpg with that much of a load!

A while back we spent some time in Prince Rupert, on BC's north coast. There isn't much wheeling there but there is a forest service road that goes to the top of Mount Hayes which affords a decent view of the ocean and some islands on a clear day.




97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #31 on: July 17, 2018, 10:16:10 PM »
Got out to the Telkwa microwave last week with some family:



97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline searacer21

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #32 on: July 18, 2018, 06:38:26 AM »
Looks like you had fun.

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #33 on: August 08, 2018, 09:53:07 PM »
Did an overnight overland trip from Telkwa to Terrace through Telkwa Pass. This is about a 90km "shortcut" compared to driving on the highway which goes around the mountains rather than through them. But it's slow going so it actually takes longer, but it's always enjoyable for the scenery.





I might have some better rig shots coming later from other people's cameras.
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #34 on: August 10, 2018, 09:02:39 PM »
Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #35 on: August 17, 2018, 10:11:26 PM »
Did a checkover on the vehicle the other day and was shocked to find both of my body mount studs at the tailgate were broken off! The spacer and isolator were still sandwiched in between the body and frame, so I just went up to the wreckers and got a pair of new lower isolators and washers, and used some 6" long 1/2" bolts to reattach it. It wasn't too difficult to drill right through the original bolts and then getting a nut and lock washer inside the body channel was easy because there are access holes right beside the body mounts, you just need to remove a rubber plug.



Just a reminder to check your rig over periodically and ensure it's safe for you and others to have on the road!
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #36 on: August 18, 2018, 11:25:23 PM »
Went for a drive after work today. The weather has just been so nice lately, I couldn't resist getting out and getting some 4Lo time in with the whole family. Most of BC is thick with forest fire smoke right now, but for some reason our little valley has been clear skies almost entirely through the summer. <fingers crossed>

This pic is at the top of a loose, steep, shale climb that goes on and on forever. I glanced at my temp gauge at the top and was surprised to see it was 3/4 to the hot mark! I've never seen it move beyond operating temp. I guess the H27 doesn't like to chug along at 2000 RPM or less up a 30% grade with little air movement for cooling.



Coming back down, made me wonder why Suzuki didn't put like 2.5:1 low range in the t-case. 1.8:1 just doesn't cut it for mountain wheeling.


Smithers' most prominent feature, Hudson Bay Mountain:


And some other mountain ranges looking due west towards the coast.


97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #37 on: August 22, 2018, 11:48:14 PM »
Photos of your area are great.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #38 on: August 24, 2018, 09:58:26 PM »
I know it's a long shot, but it'd sure be something to have the next Zukfari around here!
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #39 on: September 03, 2018, 10:05:25 PM »
Did a day trip with a friend up to the Telkwa Range as approached from Houston, BC. Was neat because neither myself, my wife, nor my friend's wife had ever been up there and it was quite nice. I didn't get any pics of the challenging stuff on the way up to the alpine, but I know he did so maybe I'll post them later.








97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #40 on: September 30, 2018, 09:18:10 PM »
Got out this evening and did the Dome Mountain Loop. It's got some minor challenges, more when it's wet and soggy, but a great view from the top, and it's not too long so the kids don't get bored.











97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline JollyZuk

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #41 on: October 13, 2018, 07:43:56 AM »
Olin’s, that is awesome!  My jealousy of your beautiful surroundings is making it hard to think nice thoughts though!!!
1995 Sidekick JLX
16v 5 spd, milled head, LROR Stage 2 clutch
2" Spacer lift, XL7 rear springs,  2nd Gen front springs, W-Body GM Struts on front
OEM ROOF RACK!!!

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2018, 09:53:05 PM »
Added a Night Rider S20 LED bar last week. This is a street-legal 20" single-row "driving light" LED. I got a chance to try it out last week as well when I took my family and some visitors out on a 700km round trip to some hot springs and back. The whole way back was pitch black and the road was wet, and this is where a light like this is worth it's weight in gold. The stock headlights were pretty much useless in these conditions which is exactly why I had been looking for a light like this. The bonus is that with some careful fabrication, I was able to mount it fairly discretely between my bumper and my skid plate where I had a bit of a gaping hole for sticks and stones to bust up my rad. Win-win!

I also swapped out the rear shocks for the proper-length ones for my lift.The old ones were from when I started out with a 3" lift and the new ones are for a 4.5" lift. For some reason Alter Ego neglected to tell me that, nor did I think of it, when they gave me a set of their A-arms to try to bump up my front lift. Should be a little more flexible out there now, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline olija

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Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #43 on: November 28, 2018, 09:56:41 PM »
Went for a little outing yesterday. There is an old road that existed before the current bridge was built across the Skeena River at Kitwanga, called the Hazelton-Kitwanga Backroad. Off the road a short ways is a beautiful little lake called Keynton Lake. It's not possible to get to the lake from Hazelton anymore because many years ago the road washed out 15km from Hazelton, but people have been squeezing around the gate with their quads and bikes for years. I thought it would be neat to see if the same could be done in a Suzuki. The short answer was no, but we found a very interesting quad trail that would have taken us to the lake if we hadn't turned around for fear of having to back up forever if there was a tree down. No pics of the trail but I will definitely be back to finish it off next year probably. Instead, here's a shot at the bottom of the trail by the Skeena River.

97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

Re: Project Zuk 3.0 (rows of seats) - 2003 XL7
« Reply #44 on: December 08, 2018, 08:41:06 PM »
Olija - Another great pic. I spent several months working Canada, a few years ago. The countryside pics are awesome. I have several pics of old farmsteads that are still some of my favorite photos.