TECHNICAL & HOW-TO

COTTAGE GROVE, MN - We're extremely excited to tell you about Trail Tough's new offering for Suzuki Sidekick, Geo Trackers, and Grand Vitara. What is exciting is not only that Brent and his fine crew in Medford have bridged the gap between the stock gear set and the 4.24:1 low gear set that may be too low for many applications. They have solved one of the fundamental issues that has plagued Suzuki enthusiasts since we started wheeling the Grand Vitara and Xl-7 or at least, began transplanting those engines and transmissions into Samurai and Sidekicks.

TRAIL TOUGH ROCK BLOCK: DUAL CASES FOR A SAMURAI Editor: Matt Verley Astoria, OR – Which gears should I put in my transfer case? I wish there was an answer to that question!  I’ve owned over a dozen Samurais in the last 20 years, and had every available transfer case gearset in my transfer cases.  The Samurai tcase is a bit …

BUILDING A ‘NEW’ CHEVY TRACKER – FOR A ROAD TRIP Author/Photos: Jeff Simons Editor: E. Bewley Sioux City, IA – I must confess, I’m a Suzuki nut and have been driving Suzuki vehicles for nearly 15 years. When I find one for sale, it’s tough for me to pass on it; especially if it’s affordable. The following story is an example of this scenario. One day …

Custom Front Bumper for a Sidekick Sport Story & Photos by: M. Verley SEASIDE, OR – One of the great things about the 1996-1998 Sidekick Sport is its wide stance from the factory.  The frame rails are spaced a few inches further apart to accommodate a different engine.  Unfortunately, this spacing causes some problems in the aftermarket.  Since Sidekick bumpers bolt to …

Nostalgia: Want a New Suzuki Samurai? Go to India or New Zealand Editor: Andy Lilienthal – subcompactculture.com Portland, OR – The Suzuki Samurai was introduced to North America in 1985 as a MY 1986 vehicle and was on sale for 10 model years. Despite the whole Consumer Reports roll-over conundrum in the 1980s, it remains one of the most loved, coveted, and in-demand 4x4s …

How To: Installing a 2.3 Aerio Engine Into A Sidekick Sport By: Matt Verley, Photography: Matt Verley Seaside, OR – Over the last 20 years, I have owned at least a dozen Samurais, several Sidekicks and Trackers, and a couple of Vitara and Grand Vitara.  About 3 years ago, I stumbled across a 1996 Sidekick Sport with a blown engine in my …

How-To: Suzuki Samurai mini-spool installation Canon Beach, OR – Story/Photos: Matt Verley I’ve seen the “how hard is it to install a locker in my samurai?”  about a dozen times in one way or another; and I didn’t see a comprehensive set of instructions with pics.  So, since I put the spool in the back of a Samurai this evening, AND …

Suzuki Sidekick Solid Axle Swap with 35″ tires and more! Part one… Editor: E. Bewley Salem, OR – The time came when our family had grown to the size that our Samurai and even our 2-door Sidekick just didn’t have enough room for long trips. Adding a child’s safety seat and the associated gear that a kid needs to be …

ON HIGHER GROUND Installing Calmini’s 2 Inch Suspension Kit For The Sidekick Editor: Eric Bewley Story/Photo: Corey Kychik TOPEKA, KS -The first time I took my 97 Tracker out wheeling, I was piloting my trusty Tracker over a breaking ledge and my cross member met up with the rocks in a most unfavorable fashion. It was then, I quickly realized …