So I'm a student and i work full time. =( What does that mean??? 0.00 or -214234235 in my bank account....

Project Nerd will be a Daily Driver as well as my local mountain crawler/Mt.hood/St.Hellens/Browns Camp/Taco Bell/local 40's go getter ect ect.

I work in Portland Oregon (live in Vancouver, WA)  and i need a rig that can make it up those spiral parking garages.....so Lockers might be out of the question.... LSD might have to do.

To do list:

Calmini 3+3 Lift
2" (1.5) Coil spacers
Front Rear bumpers Nerf Bars from Trail Tough
5.83 F/R Calmini (if they have them)
D/T header
2" custom exhaust
head lights (pair)
32.5 MKII's BFG M/T
(motor Rebuild) not sure what im doing here yet. In time |removethispart|@186k miles atm.
Calmini Skid plate w/ Steering aid.

Done:
OEM radiator
Hoses
Spark Plugs
Wires
Coil
Cap & Roater
Interior Bizzled
Washed Waxed wheeled!!!

So some updates on the zuk as im saving up for SAS.:

New lights came in a month ago and took some pics un installed for people wondering what they get in the mail.

Pic one is the new lights

Pic 2 shows the new set have breathers to vent the condensation. *something the old OEM lights dont have* Well mine anyway.

pic3 shows the lights came with bulbs....... That wasn't in the description from the auto suplyer but i took em anyways

Just a side note on these lights. You will have to disassemble the lights cambering screws. They're made of cheap potting metal and will strip if you dont loosen them up a bit by:

a) holding a Philips in the screw head make sure the Philips head is tight and cant strip the fitting *they stripped really easy*

b) with a steady hand or a handy pair of pliers turn the backing *threaded piece of plastic* back and forth until loose.

all 4 can be detached from the back of the housing via Phillips screw driver and reattached.

I recomend this before installing the new lights to prevent stripping of the phillips screw heads. I had to re engineer the left hand side after stripping it first hand. This can be done by using an old set of lights and adapting the new plastic housing on the back. The old OEM's are steel not potting metal..... Thats the only complaint i have about these new lights.

If other lights on the road are drowning your head lamps out? I suggest getting a new pair of lamps!

Ok As stated NERD is being changed to a SAS Job. I figure this will be a 6 Stage Process:

Step 1: New motor from Hawks
Step 2: Rebuild 85 Toy axles *still need rear*
Step 3: Mach up mounting points for YJ 6.5" Leaf packs
Step 4: Figure out How to hang my front shackles. (took a look at heather Galvins, But her build diary is gone and I really liked her layout. If anyone could give me some pointers on that id be very thankful)
Step 5: Find a samura transfer case
Step 6: Mach up cross member for new T-Case and plan out my drive lines.

I've been beating myself in the head for awhile now on where to take this rig. And its still my DD as much as i love this thing. I might start looking for a 2 door for DD and go all out on this thing.....

If anyone see's any flaw to my logic on how this project will be going please by all means interject.

I would really like to know if anyone runs a locker in their rig and has gone up and down any parking garages that have a corkscrew ramp system. Mines does and i dont feel like risking my r&p on daily trips to work.

Axles: 85 long gusset toyo's W. 5.29 gears running 35" M/T Locked rear (if they'll survive a lock right)

Drive line: Stock sidekick 5 spd, stock transfer case, Samurai divorced T-Case (gearing unknown)

Motor: 1.6 16v W/ DT header 2" Exhaust high flow cat. (go washington)

 

Ok As stated NERD is being changed to a SAS Job. I figure this will be a 6 Stage Process:


If anyone see's any flaw to my logic on how this project will be going please by all means interject.

 

My only opinion is that you run a 1986 + Rear axle. It is 1.5 inches wider on each side and keeps the tires from rubbing, and provides a better width (in my opinion). To match up the front width to match the rear, just buy some 80.00 wheel spacers (Trail-Gear.com)

Why a new motor? Are you rebuilding it? Just pick up a used one.

As far as "hooking up" front shackles: might I recommend you call Sky and see if he can send you some "YJ mounting brackets". Sure, his "kit" is not available yet, but he may be able to send you some parts. Just a thought.


So.. That is my input...

Good idea. As far as an 86 goes (I think thats a full float rear end) I have some cracked housings laying around. Ill have to use those for mach up.

Im buying a 80k used motor. My original motor has 200k+ and is so tired ill rebuild that one on my own so i get to know the motor inside and out. Its not the 1st sidekick i've worked on but my first owned.

Until i get my springs and axles taken care of i dont really see the point of looking for mounting solutions until i see how those 6.5" YJ springs sit. I know ill end up using spacers on the axles  as a safe bet that this thing may end up top heavy. (defeats the point of a zuki but its a weekend warrior) Plus i like the idea of being bigger than a Jeep  .

I know for a fact im going to try and mimic sky's rear end shackle design. I truly think that's one of the best rear hanger designs i've seen yet.

I'm also wondering why people use the ford shock hoops and yet complain about them so much. On *other forums* everyone complains that they have a horrible angle. Im just trying to figure out my parts list and im wondering if i should just call sky and have them custom made? I know they're pretty backed up. Ill need to get an ETA on their fab orders...just a thought

I know OTT is really out there.