Need info on 94ish sidekick

[Logan]

Going to look at a 1994 suzi sidekick for a winter beater sunday. I know it will need some body work, but I have no experience with these. What are major issues to look for? Its a 5spd with 240 000km, owner says runs and drives great. Any info would help. Basically need it to go to work on mondays, go home on fridays. And booting around town on the weekends.

 

[Twinkie]

There isn't much to them really. STandard things like no smoke on start, no knocks, blah blah blah. Wiring tends to rot on them, not much you can do to check it as it runs under the carpet. Check inner fenders under the hood, they rot through and let salt in to the motor compartment. That itself doesn't sound bad, until you find that the main fuse block sits right above the inner fender, check for rotting wiring there, bring some sockets with you, pull it out (2 8-10mm bolts I think) and inspect the wiring. 10, 12 & 14mm sockets & wrenches become your friend with a Tracker, you almost don't need any other tools. LoL

 

[Logan]

Ok, so as long as engine runs smooth and the wire isnt rotten im good. If some of the wiring is rotten, is there an aftermarket harness to fix it. Or is it all rewire yourself? Its a few hundred, so I dont expect a mint vehicle.

 

[whateverworks]

Pull up all the carpet in the area behind the rear seat... I have seen the complete floor rotted out back there...
Check hubs to see if seized...
Check front wheel bearings and cv's as well...
Inner rear fender wells as said above...
Check the third link on the top of the rear diff for the ball joint wearing out...
Check the strut towers for rot in front...
Heater fan control switch can pull apart... nuthn crazy glue won't fix
Rad fins rot away as well...
Engine mounts seperate...

For wiring it's not that hard to repair if somone has molested it or rotted away...
ACK's FAQ's http://www.acksfaq.com/sitemap.htm is extremely helpful with factory service manuals...
Hope that helps...
Kelly

 

[Twinkie]

What Kelly said. For my 2 that rotted the fuse block connections, it required wiring in a new fuse block by hand, not a big job, easy to do. One of mine also rotted the wiring to the fuel tank/rear lights, that just required soldering in new bits of wire. Again, not a big job, just a PITA when it happens on New Years day and you're 3.5 hours from home. Other then that, I never had any problems with CV's and strut's, I ran 30's on mine with the strut flip and a body lift. I do recall replacing the BJ in the rear on one of them due to wear. Ohh, and check for rust at the firewall for the door mounts, that can rust and let the doors sag/fall off. No, it didn't happen to me, but we all know someone who it did happen to. LoL I can't think of anything else to look for. The 1.6L always seem to run well when taken care of, and they are very hard to kill, just ask Andy (Leadfoot).

 

[Logan]

Ok, thanks guys. Ill let you know how it turns out. Might go down in the morning.

 

[Logan]

Ok, so I'm picking up a 97 tracker tonight. What are some good cheap mods to it. Or what's a good forum that lists what I can do to it?

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[Twinkie]

97 huh? That's the newer style, don't know much about them. You can check on ZookPower.ca

 

[Logan]

Looks the same as the 94 I looked at

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[Twinkie]

Maybe I'm confusing that with 4Runners. 98 may be the change year. If it looks the same, them the same things apply.

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[Kunker]

Maybe I'm confusing that with 4Runners. 98 may be the change year. If it looks the same, them the same things apply.

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Sport models are an odd beast and a lot of the suspension stuff doesn't quite fit if I remember correctly.

EDIT: more as an fyi than saying something about your specific Zuk.

 

[Logan]

hehehehe... Happens to be painted like my Blazer... Its a Geo Tracker LSI, with a suzuki steering wheel... Pics tomorrow, and a pre safety as well.

 

[szabotage]

if it's a geo tracker LSi you should be safe. the one to avoid was the 4 door sidekick sport with the 1.8. I'm guessing you either have the 1.6 16valve or the 8 valve. either one is an excellent motor. if there's ever a part you need that kenny u pull doesn't have, talk to denis (aka. trackerguys) in st.albert for cheap parts.

 

[zuk4life]

there is very little differencein the 1994 to the 1997 , the dash and obd2 engines management. most parts will fit from 1989- 1998 what do you plan to do to it . i allso have a lot of parts . i can tell you part numbers for a cheap lift

 

[Logan]

I wanna lift it as much as possible without running into big issues, and get a half decent size mud tire. For now, something to commute to work with. In the summer on one warm day...after a few drinks, with the welder and sawsall near bye.... hehehhe.... Who knows what it will turn into.

And yes, its a 97 LSI 1.6L 16v. Any tips to do the timing belt?

 

[boosted_nismo]

wheres the pics?

 

[Bones]

Timing belt is cheap, under $60.00. should only take about an hour to change, just do it. It's easyer in your garage at home than on a trail.

 

[Logan]

Pics tomorrow. Been super busy. Doing timing belt on the tracker and civic next weekend.

 

[szabotage]

pull the rad before attempting the timing belt if you were thinking of saving time by leaving it in, i don't think an explanation is necessary, would also be a good time to lose the clutch fan and wire in an electric. i believe one from a taurus fill fit. that should gain you a few ponies

PS if you do snap a timing belt it's good to know that it's a non interference engine so no damage to your pistons/valves

 

[Logan]

Ya, I was going to do a rad flush and pull the rad anyways. I have 2 2001 Taurus fans, but they dont look like they will work without making a shroud. The fan sticks out about 1/4" from the housing.