I love my Zuk when it is working good but I am starting to get sick and tired of fixing it ALL the time. I don't know why I have so many problems with the darned thing but it really isn't what it cracked up to be. It started out as a nice little grocery getter,

then I put on a 1.5" lift and some 235's, skid plates, and a nicer exhaust.
Got tired of getting hung up on stuff so I put on a 2" body lift and some 30" A/T's
Got tired of getting stuck in the mud so I put on 31" MT's
31" tires were too much for stock gearing so I burned out my clutch
Got a new clutch, put in a new tranny cause mine was on its way out anyway, put in 4.24:1 t-case gears to avoid more clutch abuse
Rear diff came out of adjustment, bought a Detroit Locker instead
Front hubs cut out in the middle of the winter, repacked...good enough for now
Clutch pedal linkage cracked, got it welded back together
Clutch cable busted, replaced
Speedo cable busted, replaced
Upstream O2 sensor busted twice, replaced both times
Downstream O2 sensor busted.
Front wheel bearing siezed up last night on the freeway.
Inside door handle doesn't work anymore
Pass side window never rolled up proper without tipping forward
Drivers side ball joint wore out so I replaced it


The only thing that keeps me from buying something better is the fact that I've put so much into this little rig and I haven't even really got to try it out with the new gears, tires, and locker. I've easily spent as much on parts for this POS as I paid for it which was almost 4000 dollars. Is it just me or does this thing have a curse on it?

Pretty much the only parts that I haven't replaced on this beast are the engine and the front diff...and it's only a matter of time with those two. I'm thinking of putting a Toyota 22RE in with a Toyota tranny and somehow mating it to my 4.24 t case. If the front diff goes I'll swap in a steel unit. Then when my AirCare runs out in 2 years I'll just keep it as a toy instead of a DD.

I wouldn't get too frustrated - if you wheel your truck on a regular basis stuff is going to wear out faster than if it was just a daily driver. A big factor in vehicle reliability is how well it was maintained before you became the owner. I haven't had any big problems with my truck but I spend quite a bit of time on maintenance between trips. If I have been doing water crossings I will come home and check my front bearings. I replace my gear oils twice a year weather it needs it or not. When you say your O2 sensors broke, did they physicaly break or just stop working? Again the deep water crossing are not good for electrical sensors. Just remember how great it is to see the look on peoples faces when they ask you "how did you get that in here?" 

Derek

   I know the feeling.I have had my 91 Sidekick 4 door for almost a year,and I have a laundry list of repairs I have done.But to me it is still worth it,and I am looking forward to finaly getting my lift and such atarted.
  I consider it an investement in the future enjoyment of my rig.With most everything rebuilt or replaced in my Kicker I will get many years of dependable fun out of it.On road and off,as long as I keep my maintainance taken care of,and don't break it!

i think not cursed. just needed the maintenance.
mine is primarily a fishing vehicle, so it sits most of the time.
that does allow me to mess with it at my liesure, which can become expensive.
it was a $600 wonder car that i've put some money and a lot of time into.
good fun and it is getting me into some interesting places(and back-so far).

you also need to keep in mind that all trackicks are anywhere between 11-19 years old. a car that old is gonna have things wear out. if you want duribility go buy a new GV for 26 grand that wont wheel 1/2 as good!
routine maintance is key!

   Build it,wheel it,break it,fix it.I love cars!