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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ebewley on June 03, 2012, 01:01:30 PM

Title: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: ebewley on June 03, 2012, 01:01:30 PM
RAPID CITY, SD - Jeff is probably best know in Suzuki enthusiast circles as the man who brought us all the glory of a themed built Suzuki Samurai based on the General Lee from the hit TV Show "The Dukes of Hazzard". The Samurai project was a quality build and even has small features relating to the original car that bespoke of his attention to detail and sense of humor. Several years have passed since Jeff had let that Samurai go. Finally enough time had passed to where the itch to build again could not be contained but what to do next? Below is account of the build that Jeff did with help from friends and family, and with a heart-felt nod to his uncle Rick that made this build happen, In Jeff's words we begin the journey...

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_060112/feature_custom-suzuki-4x4-sidekick-the-bandit.htm

Discuss!
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: jason hutchison on June 03, 2012, 02:48:45 PM
awesome build! I am secretly jealous, smokey and the bandit is my favorite movie!
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on June 03, 2012, 04:03:25 PM
Holy crap that is cool! 8)
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: zuksofhazzard on June 03, 2012, 06:15:43 PM
Thank You for a AWESOME Suzuki Website!

I could not have come up with some of those ideas on my own.

I appreciate the knowledge and friendship from Zukiworld!

Thank You!



Vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/zuksofhazzard?feature=guide (http://www.youtube.com/user/zuksofhazzard?feature=guide)

Pics: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/582877854zRPNqn (http://good-times.webshots.com/album/582877854zRPNqn)
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: TrakJD on June 03, 2012, 08:28:24 PM
Finally, I got to read the entire thing.  AWESOME!  Think you can post up couple pics of the front?  Im really curious about the Maxima V6 cv joints.  It looks like its if you just bolt them on?  No modifications?

Again, Awesome!
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: ebewley on June 04, 2012, 05:33:41 PM
Finally, I got to read the entire thing.  AWESOME!  Think you can post up couple pics of the front?  Im really curious about the Maxima V6 cv joints.  It looks like its if you just bolt them on?  No modifications?

Again, Awesome!

There's a tech article on those shafts in the Travel & How To Archive... Look for articles from Mike Hagen. I'm pretty sure we did a write up about 10 years ago or so on that. Should still be there.

-Eric
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: TrakJD on June 04, 2012, 07:54:01 PM
There was an article that mentioned maxima CV, but mike said its too complicated.  Toyota and ford shafts were the way to go.  I didnt know this were the exact same thing.  I just thought Jeff did his where it were simplier than Toyota.
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: jason hutchison on June 04, 2012, 11:26:35 PM
there used to be a decent adapter kit out there for sale from 37 kicker.. to put the toyota CVs in place of the sidekicks ones.. I drew up parts in CAD to do it but he had em done so no real point in me makin them when he had them done.. I got a guy here at work that can make them if anyone wants a set if 37kicker isn't still makin them.. does anyone know if he is?

but still 39s on maxima shafts  or yota IFS shafts is pushing it.. the auto helps alot in making parts last.

I noticed in the bandit videos on youtube that the rear end looks like it wants to drive under the rig on the waterfall on upper helldorado.. did you have the limit straps on at that point?

nice wheel stand by the way..  ;)
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: zuksofhazzard on June 05, 2012, 04:40:56 AM

I noticed in the bandit videos on youtube that the rear end looks like it wants to drive under the rig on the waterfall on upper helldorado.. did you have the limit straps on at that point?

nice wheel stand by the way..  ;)

Yes, I have limiting straps. They keep the shocks from overextending. I had no idea the rear was going to walk under like that. I know that held me back at times, looking back. It was done and first driven less than a week before we left. I had no trial and error time.

I should have put a ratchet strap or something on it. Kinda like the reverse that the straight axle front guys do, to pull the suspension down with the winch/strap.

I assure you, it will be addressed before I really get after it again.
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: warbird on June 05, 2012, 08:07:44 AM
The Thunderchicken decal ROCKS!!! Gotta love a small truck with a big attitude!
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: TrakJD on June 05, 2012, 09:33:18 AM
there used to be a decent adapter kit out there for sale from 37 kicker.. to put the toyota CVs in place of the sidekicks ones.. I drew up parts in CAD to do it but he had em done so no real point in me makin them when he had them done.. I got a guy here at work that can make them if anyone wants a set if 37kicker isn't still makin them.. does anyone know if he is?

but still 39s on maxima shafts  or yota IFS shafts is pushing it.. the auto helps alot in making parts last.

I noticed in the bandit videos on youtube that the rear end looks like it wants to drive under the rig on the waterfall on upper helldorado.. did you have the limit straps on at that point?

nice wheel stand by the way..  ;)

On my old tracker, I used toyota IFS cv.  But I had a friend make me adapters and used some different parts.  But When Jeff posted Nissan Maxima, I thought he mustve found a way around it.  But now I know its probably is same as what Mike Hagen did to his.  ITs all good! 
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: zuksofhazzard on June 05, 2012, 10:07:50 AM
But When Jeff posted Nissan Maxima, I thought he mustve found a way around it.  But now I know its probably is same as what Mike Hagen did to his.  ITs all good! 

Yeah, I would say it's what Mike had done.

I actually bought the 9" rear, Calmini Anvil and CV's from Zukipilot when he built a new rig. I can't really take any credit for anything on that. These are some of the parts that I've picked up over the years, still with no failure or repairs. So basically, Zig, you could still be running these parts!  :P
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: TrakJD on June 05, 2012, 09:16:25 PM
THink you can post some pics at the knuckles?  did the knuckles require some clearances?   It looked like you're using Warn hubs.... 27 splines? or 26???

To use toyota IFS cv, I had the knuckles machined... more of a clearing, and used couple toyota parts off instead of making HUB spacer......  Made couple small adapters to adapt the inner axles to the CV.... 

Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Zukipilot on June 06, 2012, 12:47:58 PM
Awesome rig and kick a$$ video... Way to break her in right.....   8)
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: ROPADOPA on June 06, 2012, 01:17:41 PM
Bad ass
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Bigzook on June 06, 2012, 05:05:20 PM
So, do you still tow with the caddy? ;D
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: zuksofhazzard on June 07, 2012, 04:34:17 AM
So, do you still tow with the caddy? ;D

Caddy had been replaced with an 2008 F250 Diesel a few years ago.

It's 'pert near a 3/4 ton Cadillac with all the goodies it has. ;)
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Bigzook on June 07, 2012, 01:46:37 PM
That's right I forgot about your truck. Freaking sweet ride man.
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Drone637 on June 07, 2012, 01:48:21 PM
Sounds like you have a lot of tire rub, need longer bump stops?
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: zuksofhazzard on June 07, 2012, 02:45:18 PM
1st trip out. No trial and error.

I have bump stops and limit straps, but the rear drops out so much it allows the tire to teeter in and rub.

I have some fine tuning to do.
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: heiney.5 on June 20, 2012, 12:34:21 PM
That's a great article, and awesome rig. Thanks for sharing the info. I think I mentioned it before....I really Luv the stance of that thing.

I was surprised when I saw wheeling pics with no rocker protection, I would have been scared to tear up something that looks so pretty....very nicely done zuksofhazzard .
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Junk-Yard-John (03-SWB Vitara) on October 19, 2015, 04:35:08 PM
very awesome rig.  im new here but i am about to put my 87 LT1 FireBird away for the winter.  i also have an 03 vitara trail-buggy project so this is very cool to me
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: 4x4Johnny on October 19, 2015, 09:14:41 PM
what an awesome rig. nice write up, by the way.
Title: Re: FEATURE ARTICLE: The Bandit - A Custom Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 With Cool To Spare
Post by: Ridjobradi on October 19, 2015, 10:43:53 PM
Great article to read again.  I just wish some of these builds never end.  They make excellent reading when I am traveling.