I have been lurking on this forum for quite a while. I finally managed to get my hands on a rig of sorts. It isn't anything too fancy but the price was right. I traded my 2wd 1989 Toyota pickup for a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick. I can't really find any "real" complaints on these things and since it was no money out of pocket i think i did ok. This is 4wd the truck was not, this has A/C the truck did not. I also have a new member in the family so I needed the room that the 4 door provides. It has the 16v engine in it mated to a 5-speed manual. Already trying to figure out the best way to get this thing ready. Mostly going to be a weekender but needs to be ready for pretty much anything. i'll post pics soon.
Suzuki Sidekick
- Thread starter rwmagee90
- Start date
AYIAPhoto
Adventurer
I can't speak from owning one, but my ex had one. We used it a lot when we went somewhere not needing a more capable 4x4. Surprisingly it managed to go places other stock trucks might not because of its size. Things I had to go over in my explorer we could fit around. We threw a set of 235/75/15 all-terrains(stock from my explorer) and a set of cheap steelies on it. They rubbed a little off road but not too bad. Bottom end definitely took a hit, but still got well over 20mpg on the highway. Between the 32s and loaded with gear I was lucky to get 17 out of the explorer(down hill with a tail wind).
compactcamping
Explorer
My Sidekick is great, same setup 16V motor & 5 spd. It has a 2" OME lift & 235's. It's a prefect vehicle for light duty exploring and it seldom drops below 20 mpg unless I'm towing a trailer through the mountains.
You don't see too many of them done but I find that kind of cool about them. I say go out and see what it is capable of and go from there. Most people are pretty surprised by what a stock vehicle can do but that's because they never tried. Definitely a step up from the old 2wd Yota. Congrats!
MicroOverland
Observer
Congrats on joining the Suzuki family. I love "em. We have a 96 geo tracker (same as sidekick) with Calmini 4 inch lift. We have put about 100k not so easy miles on it since the lift (about 190k total) and it is still going strong. It goes just about anywhere you want. Small and light is the way to go!:victory:
Sidekicks are great little vehicles. I have owned and built several. I am currently building a 4 door. I have install a 2" body lift, built a 28 gallon stainless fuel cell with an external fuel pump, and in the process of ordering Old Man Emu suspension. I would recommend replacing the timing belt and water pump. I have replaced a few that were stretch enough to be off 2 teeth, this makes quite a power difference. I am going to building bumpers and a roof rack. I have attached a pic of my 2 door.
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Scott Brady
Founder
Having driven a Suzuki through 20 countries now, I have some respect for the little machines. Your vehicle has the same (I believe) 1.3L as our Jimny. I would recommend only the OME suspension to keep the COG down and a 215/75 R16 tire.
Jeff@QuadShop
Explorer
He has the 1.6L, 16 valve multiport fuel injection that has quite a bit more power than the 1.3L.
Jeff@QuadShop
Explorer
The 1.8L wasn't released untill 96 and it was only offered in the Sport model. He said that his is a 95.