I every body im new in zuk  and im from QC Canada (sorry for my bad English)

so... i recently buy a 96 sidekick only 90 000 miles


my project is to make a daily drive (only ride 1mile to go work) but with some skills for off road with some 31 or 33

first i plan to make body out to refresh and paint the frame and body, 3 inch body lift ,rockslider, body pan,diff guard ,winch and bumper hd (for the winch are you running with a bigger alternator swap if yes wish one you take)

for the lift kit i want 3" lift coil spacer front and rear  and strut spacer for front and longer shocks for the rear (i fond in Monroe a shocks 3 1/2" longer  (note all the kit will be home made and local shop build)

my question is if i did a front diff drop 2" should the CV Axel be ok... (if some one did home made bracket for the drop or cut the old one and rebuild new, will be very hopefull

after that i would like to modify the idler arm,

my second question i about steering damper often calmini is other company made it and it is necessary ....
what about a rancho universal kit or other universal shock solution or costum build ....

and finally for the rear diff i plan a 3inch spacer for the third link
longer trailing arm ( what about cut the link in 2 and weld a tubing betwing the 2 section,
and a locker.... what your choice lockright spartan .....


i know its a lot of question but i search a lot but i don t found all my interrogation

thank for all

nice ride!

I would go no more than 2" with the body lift

there are several companies making diff drop brackets, I would look at the Altered Ego drop brackets seeing you are up in Canada as well.

Also consider the sky manufacturing idler arm, beefy as all heck.

I have "heard" both and the lock rite makes less noise, but I am not a fan of lockers on a daily driver.

3" body lift is a lot, and requires more than just putting spacers in.  A 2" kit would be a lot easier.  You have steering rod extensions shift lever extensions, brake line repositioning, ect. to do.
3" coil spacers are pushing everything up.   You will probably find that you will be at the top and your A arms and do not have any drop left.

A 2" diff drop should be enough to keep from blowing your CV's.  Buy extended brackets, or build your own. Factory ones are cast and do not hold up after extending (welding) them (voice of experience). 
Buy a dropped pitman arm as stock one is cast and getting a good weld on cast without making it brittle is hard. 
If you cut the end off the idler arm, turn it over, weld it back on and then plate the sides of your weld and install it upside down (or with the end in the proper direction), the drop will be almost correct.  Also I ran a brace to bottom of Idler to keep it from bending.  I believe there are also some heavy duty dropped ones available.

I have not had to run a steering damper, and currently am running 31x10.5x15's.

Extending the trailing arms is not hard to do (whether cutting and extending or just building new arms).  The third link mount needs to be raised (I believe '96 has a brake proportioning attachment).  This raised mount needs to solidly built, there is a lot of force on it especially with larger tires.  Or do a 4 link.

I ran a Lockrite in back for a couple years.  It takes a while to get used the changes required to operate with it at slower speeds on pavement.  Finally I was given an ARB for Fathers Day for the back end.  IMO ARB and an open diff are the only things to run up front.

I have done a lot of what you have listed, check out my build http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-] [url]http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-$30-steel-frnt-diff/ 
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Other than the rock sliders, I suggest that you start using you Sidekick and then see what you need to do get it where you want to be.  Work into your modifications, as your driving needs & skills require them.

do you think 3inch is to much for the a arms I'm losing to much travel ?

i very like your rockslider probably go in that way because my body under the door is very self destruct the owner before me did some repair cheap with fiberglass

As noted Above. Just start using your Sidekick, then determine how far you want to go. I think you'll be suprised by it. You'll go far with an Aggressive Tire!

I like 'em with 2" coil spacers and 235's too. (red tracker with white top)

My personal favorite, and actually very affordable, I like Sky MFG's 2" coil spacers and 2" body lift and no bumper covers. Then I put 31's on OEM wheels, I like 'em a little more usable. (black sidekick)



This is V6 Tracker Coils and 3" body lift with 31's. (red tracker with black hard top)

Here is a pic of the Altered Ego 4.5" suspension lift.

Absolutely awesome hunting vehicle now and a very capable DD! The only item that is needed right now is a 4.24 lowrange gears

this guy put 3 +3 calmini + Thornbird 31x12.5  (may be 12.5 is to much ) i think a home made kit 3+3 should give a nice ride ??

do you think 3inch is to much for the a arms I'm losing to much travel ?

i very like your rockslider probably go in that way because my body under the door is very self destruct the owner before me did some repair cheap with fiberglass

3" coil lift is right at the limit.  At that point the A arms are almost all the way down, so there is very little left.  Without a diff drop you WILL start blowing CV's when you drop the tire the little that is left, or get on the skinny pedal in 4WD.

Yeah, I bent up one of my rockers just driving through a ditch, came home and started the Rock Sliders.  I found an old thread on doing the Sliders, and added my photo's and notes to it.  Probably the best modification I have done (although I REALLY DO LIKE MY MOTOR).

what about give a bend on the a arm to get the spring correct and regive travel
or just did some new control arms ....

just cut bend neer bushing and weld bullet proof


im insdustrial designer ... its not big deal for me to redraw new part  like calmini or zukination 
i have all software to did it and all the resource

Sounds like you are the man to take on the challenge. I have made guys some 3" coil and strut spacers. I never heard how they worked or what broke but they knew they could make them work. If you do need and custom urethane parts I can take care of that. I can spacers from .5" - 3" tall.

anyone did some custom a-arms or new one home made I am interested about that...


tanks

Yes I have the Altered Ego 4.5" lift, it includes custom A-arms that pushs the front knuckles forwards 1.5", check out my build in this section a few threads down.

yes i know those kit and also calmini build a-arm ,but what i want is custom made a-arms not by compagny 

what about give a bend on the a arm to get the spring correct and regive travel
or just did some new control arms ....

just cut bend neer bushing and weld bullet proof


im insdustrial designer ... its not big deal for me to redraw new part  like calmini or zukination 
i have all software to did it and all the resource

I cut around the spring mount on front A arms and raised the outside edge to correct the spring angle.  Springs were bowing outwards and during stuffing a wheel the spring bow would shove spring caliper enough to displace the brake fluid, leaving ow brakes for a stroke and half.  Besides getting more lift, it eliminated the temporary loss of brakes.