Suzuki Steve's '97 4-door Sidekick Build (the real build thread)

Because of this thread, I notice every slightly built Sidekick on the road. Your's oughta be pretty slick when it's done with the transformation... Minus the motor. ;)
 
yeah, i sure hope it turns out well. As long as I can keep the crankcase pulley from stripping then I should be keeping the motor for a while. I'll keep those 4 studs tight.

It should be a great little rig once it's done. it'll be fun, and it'll at least look big even if it can't do big obstacles :D
 
Removed the IFS tonight. I finally feel like I'm making some progress on this rig. I still need to cut the front crossmember, but the suspension, front diff, and steering are all gone.

Yes, I have the greatest wife in the world who lets me wrench even on valentine's day (don't worry, we went out earlier).

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It actually went REALLY smooth. Except for the brake lines that wanted to keep dripping, everything else was really straightforward. It was definitely due to the fact that this is a CA car and there was ZERO rust or stuck bolts. Everything came right off. I didn't even need a cheater bar. On the past 2 trackers I've had, the front a-arm bushings were siezed and I had to torch them out. These ones just came right out.

I'm also glad I remembered to wash the kick before I got it up on jackstands, paying special attention to get the under-carriage spray to prevent tons of loose dirt falling into my eyes.
 
well, my online friend Manny (who i've never met) helped me realize that I need to move my jackstands off the frame because they'll interfere with the links. I was wondering if that was going to happen. So, for anyone doing a similar build in the future, put the jackstands under the crossmembers. The instructions should probably be updated to include that note. Thanks Manny!
 
Trail tough emailed me to let me know that my springs have shipped :busted:

I got the rear axle off tonight. Surprisingly, it took just as long as removing the ifs. It took me forever to figure out how to remove the ebrake cable. Then I stripped the brake fitting (I always do that, even with a flare wrench). But I eventually got it off. It's nice when you're throwing away the parts you're taking off, you can take some extra liberties when removing things.

Anyway, here are the pics.

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It's amazing how much lighter the sidekick rear axle is over the toyota. It's not that much smaller in appearance.
 
I'm closer than you are :p

It should be pretty close to done on saturday if everything goes as planned (but it never goes as planned).
 
I'm still waiting on wheels, but I have some stock yota wheels to run for a few days. I'm not going to install my t-case with lower gears until I get my undertaker. The undertaker could take anywhere from 1 month to 5 months to get in...

Other than that, I'll be done. I'll need to wire my elocker sometime, and install a CB and roofrack, but then I should be completely done. Either way, I hope to have it off jackstands and close to drivable on Saturday night.
 
sixstringsteve said:
I'm still waiting on wheels, but I have some stock yota wheels to run for a few days. I'm not going to install my t-case with lower gears until I get my undertaker. The undertaker could take anywhere from 1 month to 5 months to get in...

Other than that, I'll be done. I'll need to wire my elocker sometime, and install a CB and roofrack, but then I should be completely done. Either way, I hope to have it off jackstands and close to drivable on Saturday night.
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You don't need to wire the e-locker. Just un-bolt the motor every time you want it locked. Wait sorry wrong rig haha.
 
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