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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: optimus prime on February 28, 2009, 01:39:21 PM

Title: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: optimus prime on February 28, 2009, 01:39:21 PM
Hello all im new to this form!! and i need some advice!

1990 sidekick, 1.6 L , manual,
3inch calmini lift
3inch body lift
16' rims and 33's

I want to increase power without doing a motor swap any suggestions
such as gears...

if anyone can point me in the right direction with links and such that would
be awesome!!
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Hillbillydave on February 28, 2009, 02:25:54 PM
Hello and welcome to the sickness!!

The only gear option you have is to put in lower ring gear and pinons. Right now you have 5.12's, you need 5.38's, 5.62's, or 5.83's. Check with Hawk Suzuki, they are one of the sponsers of this site.
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Jeremiah on February 28, 2009, 03:02:05 PM
* Toyota axle swap with 5.71 diff gears
* "Drag race" upgrades (CAI, headers, 2"+ exhaust, high flow bits)
* Turbo (though, this is just as expensive and complex as motor swap)
* 31" tires (yes, seriously) and lockers will be just as good as 33" tires open
* 35" tires (yes, seriously) and samurai t-case (the 1.4:1 hi-range reduction re-gears for 35/37" tire)
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Hillbillydave on February 28, 2009, 05:06:46 PM
Well I was thinking about staying close to stock, but Jeremiah's suggestions are good as well, although most involve a good bit of work.

Whatever you decide to do, take lots of pics to show us!!! ;D
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Jeremiah on February 28, 2009, 09:35:51 PM
Any tire bigger than 31" (and arguably 30") requires deviating well away from "close to stock". Trackers are very limited on their gearing options *sigh*
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Hillbillydave on March 01, 2009, 04:41:57 PM
I guess the best suggestion is to say: "sell the sidekick and get a samurai", there are not enough options to make your sidekick any better. The lift was just for looks, and the tire size was waaay to big for the vehicle! You should have left the vehicle stock height and maybe some 235/75/16's you would go plenty far off road. There was no reason to lift this ride!
A Samurai case does not just "bolt in", it will require a good deal of fab work for brackets and connecting to the trans.
Swapping in Toy axles is definitely not a bolt in, considering that you would have to use a Toy IFS or straight axle in the front, both would require a lot of custom fab work, unless there is a kit I haven't seen. Oh yeah there is the trailslayer kit, for the measly sum of $3000, not including the axles!!
Cold Air Intake, 2" exhaust, and headers are very good ideas.
Sure, going down a size when it's time to buy new tires is not a bad idea. This Sidekick already has 33's though, And since the owner metioned gears, swapping in a lower ring gear and pinion set is the best advice in my opinion. I do not know or pretend to know what ratio's are out there aftermarket, but there are 5.62's, when you can find them. And this would be a "stock" replacement.

Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Jeremiah on March 01, 2009, 07:36:06 PM
Dual case isn't that hard to install if you get the adaptor. It's just $$$. Anything larger than 31" requires $$$. There's no way around it....

...even if he purchased a Samurai  ;)
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Hillbillydave on March 01, 2009, 08:19:10 PM
 ;)
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: optimus prime on March 05, 2009, 09:27:35 PM
Hi guys looking at putting 4.24 two 1 gears in t case what does anybody know about these gears told that it will perform the way i want .What does everbody think. looking for info on the gears and anybody useing them thaks for all your help guys.
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Lindenmooch on March 05, 2009, 10:26:09 PM
I watched a tutorial on replacing gears in a diff....and I would rather saw my own legs off than try that myself.

Why don't you just find something from another make or model with the gears you want, and replace the whole rear end and/or transfer case.

Like some have said already....I'm sure you can find a toyota axle with a ring and pinion that will do you good.   I pray I never had to open a diff cover in my whole life.....not with all the measuring and shims and special tools you need to install new gears.
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Drone637 on March 05, 2009, 11:12:22 PM
 I pray I never had to open a diff cover in my whole life.....not with all the measuring and shims and special tools you need to install new gears.

It is a lot easier on the Suzuki's due to the 3rd member and no shims.  You have these adjustable sides that you use to get the gears in the right place.  It takes about an hour to tear apart a third, put the new gears in and crush sleeve and to put it back together, all you need is the correct sockets and a good torque wrench.  :)
Title: Re: 1990 sidkick help needed!!!
Post by: Jeremiah on March 06, 2009, 08:45:11 AM
Hi guys looking at putting 4.24 two 1 gears in t case what does anybody know about these gears told that it will perform the way i want .What does everbody think.

You have not said how you want it to perform, so I can't comment on that.