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Sidekick model designation

8.6K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  Sloppybeast  
#1 ·
I'm going to be ordering parts for my '95 & '97 Trackers from Megazip. They offer 2 different Suzuki models, SE413 & SE416. Does anyone know the difference, or which applies to my Trackers? Both are 2 doors with 16v engines. TIA & Merry Christmas.
 
#2 ·
Your's are SE416.

The SE is the vehicle series, the 4 says the vehicle has a four cylinder engine, and the 16 says the engine has a displacement of 1.6 litres.

The SE413 was a Sidekick with a 1.3 litre engine that was only available in 1989.

If megazip allows you to select a vehicle based on the VIN I would suggest you use that feature, it reduces the possibility of your selecting the wrong model and ending up with the wrong parts.
 
#3 ·
Thank you, good stuff to know.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Along these same lines I have a 1997 4DR, do I also fall under the SE416 classification? Also, when I look at the diagrams (provided by BEX in a different thread, www.catalog.ssg.asia) to get the part number I need there is a column for "Additional information" with the option of C or V. What does that stand for? One of the brake lines that runs from the 5-way joint to the LSPV burst so I am replacing all 5 hard lines that run under the car and cleaning-up the LSPV while I am at it.
 
#11 ·
I live now in Ireland, and most of the Suzuki parts will fit my Tracker (other than left hand drive/right hand drive). Some of the parts will have different connectors (like the alternator). But all of our 1.6L engines (whether 8 or 16v) will be the SE416 engine. If you have the 2 door, in the catalogue it will be listed as ‘C’ (and I believe that this is even if you have a tin top, at least as far as my info). The 4 door is listed as V. In my Snap On catalogue, there is no differentiation between 8v and 16v in the parts list - it is solely done using C and V....????
 
#5 ·
I'm really not certain about the Geo/Chevy Trackers - and somewhat uncomfortable as it relates to buying spares - in some cases Tracker parts can be different to those used on a Suzuki of the same year.

If your car was a Suzuki Sidekick, it would be an SE416 - the C & V are Convertible and Van.
 
#7 ·
First - I'm well aware that all Trackers prior to 1998 were Geo, and from 99 onwards were Chevrolet - my point is that none of the Trackers are Suzukis and GM made changes to suit themselves.

If you use Suzuki based information to source parts, there is a possibility you can end up with the wrong parts - you need to be aware of the risks involved.

Second - and this reinforces the point I made above - a convertible is a soft top, and a van is a hard top, regardless of the number of doors - Suzuki did build SE416 hard tops in both two & four door body styles.

There will not always be a Tracker equivalent to a Suzuki version.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I have always use SE416 when ordering parts for my 96 and all the parts were a correct fit. The strange exception to the Geo/Suzuki Track/Kick is the wavy washer front axle nut used on the 97 & 98 model.
From Wiki:
The Geo Tracker was a mini SUV introduced in late 1988 as a 1989 model. It was developed by CAMI which was a joint venture between General Motors of Canada and Suzuki. North American Models were to be built in CAMI's Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada plant alongside its almost identical twin the domestic-built Suzuki Sidekick (Escudo). All 1989 and some 1990 Trackers were built in Japan and imported to the US because of delays at the CAMI factory in Canada. In 1990, production began in Ingersoll and all Trackers were then being built there.

The Tracker was originally powered by Suzuki's 1.6L SOHC 4-cylinder engine producing 80 hp (60 kW). The trim levels in 1989 were base convertible, base 2-door hardtop and LSi hardtop. LSi equipment included Air Conditioner, Chrome Rally Wheels, intermittent wipers, rear window wiper/washer, spare tire cover, 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission, tinted glass, and special red/black front and rear bucket seats. In 1990 the LSi trim was made available on the convertible models also. All Trackers were four-wheel drive until a base two-wheel drive convertible was introduced in 1992. The two-door hardtop models were available until 1995 when they were discontinued to make way for the four-door hardtop wagon that was to be introduced the following year. Although Suzuki started importing Sidekick 4-doors in 1991 CAMI didn't start producing them until the 1996 model year, when America got a 4-door Geo Tracker, now powered by Suzuki's G16B 16-valve 1.6L boasting 96 hp (72 kW). In 1998 the Geo nameplate was merged back into Chevrolet and all Geo Models including the Tracker were rebadged as Chevrolet in 1998.

The Tracker was different from most other light SUVs on the market in that it is based on a rugged light-truck chassis and certified as a Light truck. Although it appeared to be a comfortable passenger SUV, it was bolstered by a sturdy off-road 4-wheel-drive system with a conventional light truck engine and transmission coupled to a hi-lo, 2-4 transfer case. The Tracker had a strong front suspension with a rugged recirculating ball steering box. The conventional front differential was rigidly mounted ahead of the engine, with CV axles connecting the coil-spring front hubs to the differential case. The rear axle was a conventional light truck unit on coil springs. As a result of the truck-like underpinnings, the Tracker had a fairly truck-like ride, but the benefit was its notable durability in harsh conditions.

The production of the first generation model of the Tracker (and Sidekick) came to an end in Ontario after 1998 in order to make way for the second generation of Tracker/Vitara. However the first generation Sidekick continued in production in other countries until 2004.

When the Geo Tracker was introduced in the United States, the Geo brand was not being sold in Canada. Because of this the Tracker was introduced there as both the Chevrolet Tracker and the GMC Tracker. The Chevrolet Tracker was sold at Chevrolet dealerships in Canada starting in 1989. Initially there were 3 models: a base convertible, base hardtop and a CL hardtop (CL is equivalent to the LSi in the Geo line). In 1990 a CL convertible was added to the line-up. 1991 was the last year for the Chevrolet Tracker as the Geo marque was brought to Canada in 1992 and all Chevrolet Trackers were renamed Geo Trackers, yet they continued to display the Chevrolet "Bow Tie" symbol on the front grille emblem until the end of production in 1998. All 1989–1990 Chevrolet Trackers were four-wheel drive. From 1991 on, the Geo Tracker sold in Canada was identical to its US counterpart. The GMC Tracker was also introduced for the 1989 model year to be sold at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealerships in Canada. Just like the Chevrolet and Geo initially there were three models: base convertible, base hardtop and SLE hardtop (SLE being equipped the same as the CL and LSi of the other marques). In 1990 an SLE convertible was added to the lineup. 1991 was the last year for the GMC Tracker as GM introduced the Asüna marque in 1992 and the GMC Tracker was renamed the Asüna Sunrunner. The Sunrunner was marketed as more upmarket and had no base model, with all of the Sunrunners being equipped like the SLEs were. The Asüna brand did not last long though and after only two years (1992 and 1993) the Sunrunner was rebranded as a Pontiac. The Pontiac Sunrunner was sold in Canada from 1994 to 1998 in both base and top of the line GT trim. It was available in two- and four-wheel drive and in both convertible and hardtop body-styles. While the Geo Tracker was also sold as a four-door wagon beginning in 1996, the Sunrunner never got this body style. The Sunrunner was discontinued in 2000 and was replaced by the Aztek.

In 1999, the Sidekick was discontinued, and a second generation Tracker was introduced, differing from the Sidekick's successor, the Grand Vitara. A Suzuki version of this North American-exclusive Tracker was sold in the North American market as a Suzuki Vitara, which is shorter than the Grand Vitara. In Mexico, the second-generation Tracker remained in production and was sold there as Chevrolet Tracker. The Tracker series was discontinued in the United States and Canada in 2004, but all models including the LJ80/Jimny are still in production in other Suzuki plants. Some Trackers and Sidekicks were made at a Suzuki plant in Kosai, Japan.

The later (1999 and up) Tracker models reverted to a lightweight automobile-type rack and pinion steering, and thus unpopular with rural and off-road users since the rack and pinion is easily damaged. The 1st generation Tracker was sold as the Chevrolet Vitara in Latin America, and the 2nd generation Tracker is sold as the Chevrolet Grand Vitara in Latin American countries. In North America, the first generation Tracker was sold as a Chevrolet in 1998 after GM discontinued the Geo brand. In Central America GM made the Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara and sold as Chevrolet Vitara/Grand Vitara (Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela produced in GM Ecuador), Suzuki Grand Vitara (Argentina) Chevrolet Tracker (Brazil and Mexico) Both Produced by GM Argentina. On January 27, 2004, production of the Chevrolet Tracker was discontinued at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario and replaced with the Chevrolet Equinox.



B95
 
#9 ·
Ok, got it. Thanks for the heads up. I'll dig around a bit more to be as sure as I can that I get the right part if it exists otherwise I'll be bending my own tube.

I figured you knew the Geo-Chevy history, chalk it up to my inexperience that I still feel the need to make sure others know. :)
 
#13 ·
Awesome, that helps a lot, thanks! I sent an email to the vendor asking about compatibility with my vehicle concerning the steel brake line part numbers I am considering. I left out that I have a Geo but I described it as a 1997 4DR non-abs. If they respond, I'll let you know.