Hi, How do you guys drive a Sidekick?

Alfonsito · 02-14-2008, 06:52 PM

Hi, this is Alfonso from Toronto-ON (Canadá), Well with a totally blank knowledge of Suzuki Sidekick (Always a VW fanatic

) I'd decided that I want one but I have never ever driven a 4x4 so I need lots of help

. The one that spotted the other day is a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick Sport JLX or something like that, it's auto, which is good for mr because of so many years divind VW's with standard tranny plus heavy lifting at work have scrwed up my poor knees. So please tell me everything I must know about this car all pro and cons and also how to operate that tiny shifter which has marked 2H-4H-4L or something like that.
I'm obsesed with small engines and that 1.8L twin cam is calling, he he he he.
Havent bought the car yet and even if some one does it before me, I'll keep looking. Guess I caught Suzuki fever

cowtipper · 02-14-2008, 07:03 PM

Well first of all I have a 4 door Sidekick automatick 1.6 liter 16valve and I wouldnt trade it for the world the one thing about the 4 wheel drive in mine is u must be completely stopped to engage it. I also have a Samurai 1.3 liter 5 speed and love it as well. Dont know if you like to lift your vehicles but the sidekick can be lifted 2 inches with ease by simply cutting and placing a solid pipe over the spring and I have had zero problems with it and a buddy of mine installed one in his as well. I built and installed my own in under 3 hours. Dont go more than 2 though (not safe). If you put a premium in ride quality I wouldnt suggest putting a lift in like that does make the ride pretty stiff.

jtgh · 02-14-2008, 08:56 PM

naked, with the smell of burning rubber and screaming happy woman.
heheheheheh

mtgeorge741 · 02-19-2008, 02:05 AM

hmm hey cowtipper can that be done on a geo tracker? what do you do? cut a pipe 2 inches longer than the spring and weld it beside it?

cowtipper · 02-19-2008, 09:33 AM

sure it can george. we just put in 3 on trackers this past weekend. its easy as can be you can make it and install it in a couple hours!

mtgeorge741 · 02-19-2008, 11:07 AM

kewl can you give me more instruction on going about doing it?

cowtipper · 02-19-2008, 01:58 PM

On the front just take the 3 bolts out for the axle the 3 bolts out for the strutt drop it all down you need a spring compressor take 3 inch diamater pipe cut it to 2 inches tall weld it to the top of the spring and put it all back together the rear is simple you dont need instructions for it. DO NOT put more than two inches with this type of lift it will comprimise the axle angle 2 inches is completely safe we've put it in several here. If you just sit down and do it you can complete the job in 2 hours easy. I will warn you it will stiffen the ride but if you're like me you didnt buy one of these rigs for ride quality.

freezin4 · 02-19-2008, 10:40 PM

Alfonsito,

Unsure what you mean about how to drive it, so forgive me if it sounds like I am insulting your intelligence.

Drive it in 2H on dry pavement.
Drive it in 4H on slippery surface (snow, gravel).
Drive it in 4L on the beach and in mud or on trails.

If you have manual locking hubs, then you have to switch the front hubs from Free to Lock manually after you put the transfer case in to 4 wheel drive. Then back to Free after you are done with 4 wheeling.

If you have Auto locking hubs, it will lock for you without you having to switch it.

Does this help?

PS: VWs are cool! I have owned a Scirocco, an 86 GTI, a Passat VR6, an 88 Cabrio. All great drivers.