I'm going to look at a suzuki sidekick sport tomorrow.  Is there anything I need to specifically check other than the normal check items.

Don't sidekicks tend to rust on the read fenders under the doors?

Just keep in mind there are lots of differences between sports and regular kicks, if you plan on modifying it any there is alot less aftermarket support for sports.

The only parts I wish to modify is to:

Fit a bull bar, roof basket, off road tires, uprated pads/rotors.  Its going to be a daily driver so I dont have any wild mods planned. 

With the vehicle being an auto, other than checking all gears engage is there anything else need checking with the transmission?

Hope you plan on a custom bull bar - finding one to fit the Sport is likely to prove challenging (the chassis is wider than the non sport models), I believe it also uses 16" rims (to clear larger brakes) so you may have a narrower range of tires to select from - on the other hand - uprated brakes will probably not be required.

Try to hear the engine start from cold - make sure there is no timing chain rattle.

Wouldnt a sidekick bull bar still fit?

What about the ARB bars?

Hope you plan on a custom bull bar - finding one to fit the Sport is likely to prove challenging (the chassis is wider than the non sport models), I believe it also uses 16" rims (to clear larger brakes) so you may have a narrower range of tires to select from - on the other hand - uprated brakes will probably not be required.

Try to hear the engine start from cold - make sure there is no timing chain rattle.

uhhhh no.

I didn't think having a wider chassis would effect fitting sidekick bars, ill take your word for it.

With regards to comfort, im 6'3, do they have tilt steering and am I likely to fit ok with the seat fully slid back?

Quote from: fordem on January 17, 2011, 03:10:14 PM

Hope you plan on a custom bull bar - finding one to fit the Sport is likely to prove challenging (the chassis is wider than the non sport models), I believe it also uses 16" rims (to clear larger brakes) so you may have a narrower range of tires to select from - on the other hand - uprated brakes will probably not be required.

Try to hear the engine start from cold - make sure there is no timing chain rattle.

uhhhh no.

Uhhh YES.

Let me make it very clear as to what I speak about when I make that statement ...

 - the 1.6l SideKick is an SE series vehicle - specifically the SE416 - there were other SE series vehicles, not sold in the US & Canada
 - the 1.8l SideKick Sport is an SV series vehicle - specifically the SV418 - there were other SV series vehicles, not sold in the US & Canada

SV series vehicles have a WIDER chassis than the SE series vehicles, the rails are further apart - this was done to accomodate a V6 engine, which was never offered in the US & Canada.  The SV series is a wider vehicle, with a wider chassis, with significant differences in the underpinnings, wider axles, different control arms, etc.

If you have a SideKick with Sport stripes fitted by the dealer - and those DO exist - that is not the vehicle I'm referring to

tuesdaysgone - I believe a SideKick bar can be made to fit the wider chassis - I'm not certain about the tilt steering, the SideKick Sport is essentially a US/Canada offering, and there were different options for different countries - if I remember correctly my sister's Vitara has tilit steering (hers is the SV620, essentially a 2.0 V6 engined version of the SideKick Sport) - 6'3" should be fine, but you'll need the seat all the way back, which means no leg room in the rear.

If your willing to fabricate or modify a existing item no shit it can be made to fit anything. I was just supporting the fact that a 1.8L sport ( with out a page of technical crap) frame is different than a regular sidekick. Simply that.

In terms of parts availability for the sidekick sport.  Should I have a problem obtaining replacement parts for the foreseeable future?

As far as sourceing regular replacement parts, wear items shouldn't be a problem. Just to be sure check with your local auto parts suppliers to see if 1. they know the difference and 2. they can get 'em.

Very good question - and one for which I don't have an answer.

The SideKick Sport was a short (three year) production run, as compared to the earlier SideKick (nine years) and the later Vitara (six years) and was a more expensive, less popular vehicle than the SideKick - because of this, there are less after market parts for it, and locating parts will certainly be more challenging - you may find yourself at the mercy of the dealer.

The reason I drive a Suzuki (I have two - a '93 Swift & a '98 Grand Vitara) is parts availability - I can walk into my local dealer and walk back out with perhaps 90% of the mechanical parts I'm going to need - anything else would have to be special ordered, at which point it becomes cheaper for me to source it myself from the US - before buying the GV, I did consider a V6 Vitara, but chose not to buy it, and one of the reasons was that I foresaw challenges locating parts - like the SideKick Sport, the V6 Vitara did not have a long production run and was made in relatively limited numbers.

To be honest - in my first response, I wanted to list parts availability as a reason not to buy - were I the one making the choice, I'd try to find either a good 1.6 SideKick (the SE series) or a Vitara/Grand Vitara (99~05 - the SQ series - this last is what I have, but it was not sold in the US untill '99) - let me make it clear, this is largely personal preference, but I have personal experience with all three series of vehicles - albeit not the 1.8 SideKick Sport itself, but the v6 engined version - it's a good vehicle, it's a strong vehicle, and if properly maintained, a reliable vehicle - I just am not willing to be forever on a parts hunt.

I have a 1997 Sport that I'm very happy with. Parts are not a problem to find. 95% of them are the same as the standard Sidekick. Pluses are Forged "A" arms instead of stamped Sheetmetal. Wider Stance, Larger Fuel Tank, Biger brakes, more HP & Torque. Afetr market parts sometimes have to be modified to make them work. On mine I added a ZOR front Bumper, RR lift kit with 2" body lift & 2 1/2" suspension lift with OME struts, shocks & springs. Rock sliders, BFG Mud Terrain tires, and a Lock Right Locker in the rear.

tuesdaysgone- I looked at your profile and it didn't say if you were in the USA or not assuming you are replacement parts (mechanically    speaking) should be as easy as going to auto zone or Napa. I hardly ever have trouble getting basic mechanical parts no matter if i'm working on a 1946 ford tractor or a 99 land rover.


tom slick- nice ride!

Very good question - and one for which I don't have an answer.

The SideKick Sport was a short (three year) production run, as compared to the earlier SideKick (nine years) and the later Vitara (six years) and was a more expensive, less popular vehicle than the SideKick - because of this, there are less after market parts for it, and locating parts will certainly be more challenging - you may find yourself at the mercy of the dealer.

The reason I drive a Suzuki (I have two - a '93 Swift & a '98 Grand Vitara) is parts availability - I can walk into my local dealer and walk back out with perhaps 90% of the mechanical parts I'm going to need - anything else would have to be special ordered, at which point it becomes cheaper for me to source it myself from the US - before buying the GV, I did consider a V6 Vitara, but chose not to buy it, and one of the reasons was that I foresaw challenges locating parts - like the SideKick Sport, the V6 Vitara did not have a long production run and was made in relatively limited numbers.

To be honest - in my first response, I wanted to list parts availability as a reason not to buy - were I the one making the choice, I'd try to find either a good 1.6 SideKick (the SE series) or a Vitara/Grand Vitara (99~05 - the SQ series - this last is what I have, but it was not sold in the US untill '99) - let me make it clear, this is largely personal preference, but I have personal experience with all three series of vehicles - albeit not the 1.8 SideKick Sport itself, but the v6 engined version - it's a good vehicle, it's a strong vehicle, and if properly maintained, a reliable vehicle - I just am not willing to be forever on a parts hunt.

CAN IT BE?.......

Thanks for the guys, I appreciate it. 

Tom what kind of gas mileage did you get before the mods?  Are there any common rust places other than under the fender flares?  Anything in particular I need to look for?

Tom do you mind me asking how much was your bumper?

Where can I get a large roof basket?

To fit a trailer hitch do I need to cut the rear bumper?

With the towing capacity at 1500lbs does this include weight thats in the sidekick or just what is being towed?

Jluck I updated my location, im in Birmingham, AL.  I'm originally from the Uk where the sidekick is common and dirt cheap, plus we get the turbo diesel.


Can anyone recommend a good inclimbometer?