Light Duty Expo: Suzuki Sidekick

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Picked up this 97 sidekick for an easy $2000. Of course it came with it's problems but it has a newer block and a pretty straight body and no real rust.
So far the only improvements are fixing all the cheesy, bubba'ed work that has been done by previous owners. Heck, the timing was so far off I'm almost certain the guy didn't use a timing light he just did it by hand. It had 4 engines codes when i started but fixing a bad exhaust leak seems to have solved 3 of the 4 of them. Last one is an EGR flow code, I just picked up the egr gaskets and hope to get it pulled off and cleaned soon. Hopefully the whole valve doesn't need replacing.

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

The old exhaust gasket...



The new...

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

New set of air shocks, they were really cheap $73 for the pair, we'll see how they last. certainly feel better than those old coiled shocks.



The old coiled shocks...


Mounted up...


Here is how you adjust the air pressure in the shocks, both sides are mated to this valve and you fill it with a basic air compressor and a tire valve, mounted it under the bumper near the tow hitch to that its somewhat protected. Topped it with a metal valve cap...

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Pulled and cleaned the egr, it was pretty dirty and the diaphragm was stuck. Seemed to help the engine a little bit. however it does still seem to idle a bit rough. Next i'll pull the intake and give it a thorough cleaning.

 

[Warn Industries]

EGRs are a typical issue on these vehicles. Make sure your vacuum lines are still attached. The lower EGR vacuum hose on my '95 Sidekick fell off. It idled poorly, failed emissions. Reconnected it, and it helped greatly. Also, the last runner on the exhaust manifolds on these have a tendency to crack (mine is)—just another thing to look out for (and another reason to buy a header, since no one is repopping the manifolds for these).

- Andy

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

More tinkering today, cleaning the intake. first off was the MAF and air filter....yea definitely needed.

 

[stolenheron]

i'm interested to see where this little build goes.

 

[duckhunter71]

I'm interested too! Subscribed!

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Thanks. Got to deal w/ the mechanicals first. but I cant wait to start with the fun stuff.

 

[zukrider]

great find. awesome vehicles! when you want some horsepower, a 2.3 swap from an Aerio is AWESOME!

 

[SoCalMonty]

These were very high on my list when I was looking for my next truck, but size was the main reason I went with something larger. I fantasized about a capable 4x4 that also got respectable gas mileage, and that's an extremely rare combo - Sidekicks are one of the few trucks that deliver both. Had I known about the Aerio swap, I might have been a little more inclined to try one out!

 

[05PWrockcrawler]

Great deal. Here is a pic of mine. 4.3 Chevy V-6, 400 auto, 3 speed Stak transfercase, 37" BFG, Toyota axles 5.29 gears and Detroit lockers.

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Picked up a cool little gadget today at the junk yard from an old 4WD Toyota Tercel. At $16 I thought it was a little much for a little gage cluster but after some research it turns out they go over $100 on ebay, so i guess i got a heck of a deal.
Not mine but it's identical. Tested the wiring and got the 4WD to light up on a hot wire, no luck with the backlight for the inclinometer dials but im assuming its just burnt out. With only 4 wires to deal with, and two go to the 4wd indicator wich I probably wont bother trying to actually hook up to the 4wd system (maybe a future project), it should be a fairly simple and cool project for the day.
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj361/88cleve4runner/1102101935.jpg

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Finally got some tunes set up. Just a cheapy stereo that was given to me but it works good enough. Plus this thing is going to spend a lot of time parked at the trail head, don't want prying eyes to see some fancy $100-$200 stereo. Let alone make off with one.



Also some new art, now it's a real NW-Mobile. And I'll fit in with all the hippy Subaru's (no offense to any hippy subaru drivers )





I've been using these produce totes to organize my emergency gear and spare fluids.

 

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

After flipping back and forth on roof rack vs receiver basket I bit the bullet on a heck of a deal on a receiver basket. Got it on amazon for $40, considering it was listed at $90, I picked a "used" one supposedly w/ damaged packaging. We'll see how it works. Taking my the kick out on it's first adventure in a week.