new sidekick owner 4wd question

[fbodylvr]

Like 3800 in overdrive. 3 speed i think

[Bex]

Pretty much normal. At 3000 rpm, with the 5 speed you would be going 54 mpg. You can change the gearing a bit with larger tires. The 3 speed is geared a bit differently, so you might be going a couple of mph slower at 3000 rpm. The car is not a highway cruiser, but does't mind the high rpms. At 4000 rpm, my car is going about 75, which is good enough for most highways, and I don't feel like an idiot with everyone passing me. Of course, mpg is reduced at these speeds.

[Scudo]

If it has an o/d switch then you've got a 4 speed. If not then a 3 speed.

Torque converter clutch failure on 3 speeds seem to be a common topic of discussion, but users on here know the checks to confirm and fixes which are apparently not too hard for the guy with a tool kit and a will.

But as bex says all the transmissions and trims sit higher up the rev range on cruising rpm.

[Bex]

Originally Posted by fbodylvr

Like 3800 in overdrive. 3 speed i think

No overdrive in the 3 speed, and as Scudo says, no o/d light with the 3 speed either. Purely mechanical. You haven't advised what size tires you are running, which would also affect the gearing somewhat.

[fuzzy1]

He has a 4 door. which will have the 4 speed auto. The only exception would be '91, which is also the only year 4 door with the 8v.
3800- 4k RPM's at cruise speeds is totally normal on stock tires... with any trans. It puts the engine into the proper torque range for cruising. This is why the 3 speed uses taller gears in the axles. (4.30 as opposed to 5.125.)

Hth,
Fuzz

[xxx]

my 4wd page and speedo page
shows the RPM for many tires sizes and the math for DIY.
its no 300cuin v8
its a lil 4 banger.

do you need the torque /hp curves?

final drive ratio proves engine rpm.

i think there are 100s of posts now on topic. many....
it not a 4cyl vw, but more like 4cyl motorcycle.
look up over square and under square, engines,wiki it


http://www.fixkick.com/part-time-test.html#bigtires

[fbodylvr]

It is also a 1.8L. From reading a little on here i guess its a rare engine?

[Bex]

The 1.8L engine is in the Sidekick Sport - not many of them made, and not very well supported.

[Cobb]

I had a problem getting my car into 4wd as well as out of it. Seemed I had to go in reverse for 12 feet to do either. I removed the auto locking hubs which were bone dry and soaked them in a degreaser. I worked them by hand so both were free. I then jammed them with red wheel bearing grease from walmart. I used black rtv to make a new o ring and packed those things full. I also packed the hub and pushed it together and bolted it down. Now I can go in and out of 4wd as fast as I move the lever. Basically the 4w hub is like a bike clutch that if turned it locks if the center doesnt turn, but the outside does, it freewheels, so it needs power to move like using a jet ski in water.

Yes, these car rev high.