Hi Guys,

I have a 1997 4 doors sidekick and all the truck have a rust problem. I have no more rocker panel.
I know i can buy it online but i would like where i can get part # to buy.

This is a project, i don't know if its a good idea haha but i like this kind of truck.

thanks for your help.

If you are going off road, or even through a ditch, I would replace the rocker panel with rock sliders.  Done right they look almost stock, and do not bend up like the rocker panels.  The were my first modification to my Tracker and have saved me the most.
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/

thanks for your link,

I take some picture of my rocker, does it's possible to use your method?
what i need? i don't see any part description in your link.





I have lots of job to do, but i think it's possible! hehe

thanks

That is a serious amount of rust. PierPaul did a major rust restoration with the rock sliders.  http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/shop-drawing-suspension-kit-sidekick-%28gen-1-platform%29-1989-1998/  He would be a good person to contact.

While I have made a lot of changes to my Tracker, the body is basically sound.  Frequently we have dead trackers that are going a few hundred or less.  So major rust restoration seems a lot of work for small gains (like I should be saying that).   

That area can be rebuilt, and when you are done you will have learned a lot.  Sometimes that is a good thing.

Hi, sorry for long reply.

What do you want to mean by lot of work for small gains? You talk about money? i don't do that to resell my car for more money i paid, i want to learn to work with a body. I start to get some tools to work on body and i'm ready to learn to get big project like muscle cars after i get lots of experiences.

I love this sidekick a lots, don't know why, hehe but i know that if i can do a good job and can continue the job and take care of him, he can give me some fun again!

And thanks for the contact, i will write him a pm to see what he did.

Thanks again, i hope to learn with this funny truck!

What do you think about this 1.6 with the fuel price? i think it's a good truck with the gas price for now, not?

like BRD HNTR rock slider is a must and in your situation it's will be maybe less job to put a 2x4 steel tube than try to fit rocker panel and body filler and etc...

We all work on our rides because we like them.  I have just spent months redoing wiring that I caught on fire.  It mostly took that long because of loose connections in a couple of different plugs.  As soon as I get it on the road, I will forget how many hours it took, and say it wasn't that bad.  Others can do major restoration on rusted up East coast vehicles, and make it look easy.
Look at how I did my rock sliders, and how PierPaul did his.  Then look at your Kicker and figure out how to do the same.  Mine was easy to come out looking good, because the body was in good shape.  PierPaul had more work to do, to make it look good (and the speed he did it in must have some experience). 

You can learn.
The 1.6 will move your Kicker along , and get 20+ mpg (depending how you drive), most get much more.

Keep us informed on how you are doing, and ask for information you need.

Hi BRD, thanks for informations, i contacted PierPaul, give me great ideas how to process.
For the 1.6, you talk about +20 mpg? really? i must have a engine problem! haha for now my last time i get around 9-10 mpg. Hmm i will work on my rust before the engine, step by step!

I will create a new thread to talk about the before/after work.

I will not spend a lot of time on it for now, but i would like to get a nice result before summer!

thanks again PierPaul and BRD for your support and help! hehe