Hello Zukiheads. Lets say, that in about three months you were going to get a used Zuki for the purpose of lifting and turning into a desert rat for exploring and camping trips, but that you could still drive around town (Vegas).

Lets say that you were looking at model years 95-97. Which model would you get and why? Other years? Why?
2 door or 4? Which version? JS? JLX? JX?
Please explain, I'm very confused. (but learning!)
Thanks!

95 JLX 4 DOOR KICK.....REASON 1 95 IS PRE AIRBAG & ABS ..JLX CAUSE I LOVE ALL THOSE POWER OPTS & AIR...4 DR. CAUSE I GOT KIDS & LIKE THE LONGER LENGTH....KICK CAUSE YOU DONT NEED TO PUMP UP THE H.P.'S LIKE YOU WOULD WITH A SAMMY TO KEEP UP ON THE HIGHWAY.......& THERE ARE PLENTY OF MODS. OUT THERE & MORE BEING DEVELOPED DAILY FOR THE KICK........MATTY D.

95 JLX 4 DOOR KICK.....REASON 1 95 IS PRE AIRBAG & ABS ..JLX CAUSE I LOVE ALL THOSE POWER OPTS & AIR...4 DR. CAUSE I GOT KIDS & LIKE THE LONGER LENGTH....KICK CAUSE YOU DONT NEED TO PUMP UP THE H.P.'S LIKE YOU WOULD WITH A SAMMY TO KEEP UP ON THE HIGHWAY.......& THERE ARE PLENTY OF MODS. OUT THERE & MORE BEING DEVELOPED DAILY FOR THE KICK........MATTY D.

Ditto. Although I prefer the manual windows, but working cruise is good to have. I'd prefer a manual trans over the auto as it's a light vehicle with a small 4cyl. 4dr over the 2dr just for the outback setup, longer wheelbase, larger incab space, better towing capabilities (think as in off-road tear drop camper), better carrying capacity especially up on top, among other.
Once you've chosen a vehicle for your needs, I'd suggest for you to look what's available for building the vehicle up for the terrain you will be in as you are not done chosing the vehicle. It'll be a push-pull senario till you actually have to live with what you've got.

I've you prefer, and can afford it, look into the XL-7. You can opt for a 00-01 without the 3rd row seating although that leaves a/c only out of the dash. If you get the 3rd row, you get rear air in the roof area. You can always remove the seat, build a shelf and have a long wheelbase vehicle.

If you buy a 94-95 make sure its a 8 valve.

I heard that the 16 valves from those particular years had a lot of problems with the head.

(though this is second hand info so don’t quote me on this)

Thanks for the replies! We actually already have an 02 XL-7, it's the Ltd Touring version. Got it used, runs like a champ! It's the wife's car however........

I'm looking for something (relatively) cheap that I can do some mods to and then take out in the desert & beat the s**t out of. I'm seeing 95-96 "kicks" in the 3-4k range. I'm thinking a couple of lifts and some real tires to start with. I'm seeing some mad mods done to these things! Jeez, they look awesome.

So the longer wheel base, I thought that was LESS desireable for off road?

Thanks again, still studying, C

94 16 valve still goin strong even with wheeling just about every weekend for two years and i am not a lightfoot

You want a short 2 door for getting in and out of
those desert dips, you know the 6 foot wide and 10
feet deep ones   , with the short WB you can pull it
off, plus it can be build to look like this    

Well I've had a SWB Soft top then a SWB hard top and now I've just got a LWB as I need the extra space if the family comes along but for just me I'd go back to the soft top, nothing like open air motoring and still a low COG when lifted plus it fits places others can't. Also I've gone auto this time as the 4spd auto are pretty unbreakable, great offroad, better for water crossings and mud and a set of crawler gears fixes the only downside, steep hill descents. I see Rocky Road are working with Thorley and Isky for headers and cams for the 1.6 16v so this should help with power.

Thanks for the replies! We actually already have an 02 XL-7, it's the Ltd Touring version. Got it used, runs like a champ! It's the wife's car however........

I'm looking for something (relatively) cheap that I can do some mods to and then take out in the desert & beat the s**t out of. I'm seeing 95-96 "kicks" in the 3-4k range. I'm thinking a couple of lifts and some real tires to start with. I'm seeing some mad mods done to these things! Jeez, they look awesome.

So the longer wheel base, I thought that was LESS desireable for off road?

Thanks again, still studying, C

The wheelbase thing would work out. It's all about knowing your vehicle and it's capabilities. I suggested a longer wheelbase figuring your trips would be a 2-3-4 day trip and not a out in morning return at night situation. If this is the case, I'd suggest the 2dr with a way of carrying what you plan to carry, passengers, food, drink, tools, spare parts, self-recovery, etc.
You should be able to get the vehicle cheaper than $3-4k, then mod with gears, lockers, lift (susp/body), trim fenders, then add largest size tire work with it all. Most have the tires already, then build around that with the vehicle. Either way, it'll work.
Because of the heat, get a light color vehicle.

Thanks again guys. I see Calmini makes a roof rack for the 2 door Sidekick, so that could solve the cargo problem when taking friends/family along.
Was there only the one engine size for the 95 model? Should I look for the "sport" model from 96 with the bigger engine?

Thanks again guys. I see Calmini makes a roof rack for the 2 door Sidekick, so that could solve the cargo problem when taking friends/family along.
Was there only the one engine size for the 95 model? Should I look for the "sport" model from 96 with the bigger engine?

I'd recommend against the sport model. It is a hybrid, an evolutionary step, between Sidekick and Vitara. Many things are different and aftermarket parts are scarce.

Econo-wise for the desert I think the early 2-door 89-94 Sidekick would be a good bet. They are the least expensive with the most aftermarket stuff available.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

-Eric

I recomend 96 through 98 2 door. I like the open air top, short wheel base, 16 valve power, and as far as the airbag... well I still havent been able to make it go off. Im thinking if you hit something hard enough to make the air bag go off then you will probabally be glad its there. As for family and gear... well we drive it all over the country with the whole family(4 of us) and luggage. Im 6'4" my wife 5'6" and 2 kids 6 and a 9 year old. We arnt tight on space yet but mabey someday. :-/ Everybodys got their opinion, thats why they make so many different kinds of the same rig. What we like may not be what you like. Good luck!  

All the cool kids drive 89 2-door Kicks
Zig

All the cool kids drive 89 2-door Kicks
Zig

Yep...

Yep...

Yep