[Alex456123]

Alright, so here is the new build.

Basic rundown on it:
I picked up a 97 sidekick sport with a blown engine for next to nothing, not rotted out like every other one. Threw a rod out the side of the block but I drove it on the trailer, a/c even still worked.

I had a suzuki aerio 2.3 laying around, so it was the perfect fit for this rig. Nice jump from 120hp stock with the 1.8 to 155hp.

Goals is to build a comfortable and capible rig that can get me across the country to the rubicon and moab and back.

Phase 1 (done)
Swap the engine, rocker chop rock sliders, spool in the rear, snorkel, throw on a small lift and 31s and wheel it until I gather all the parts for phase 2

Phase 2:
Toyota axle swap, 5.71 gears, chromo shafts, lockers, and IFS hubs with 4 wheel disk brakes
35 inch tires
3 link front and 4 link rear on 2.5x12" locked off-road coilovers
4:1 transfer case gears
Plate bumpers/winch
Basic roll cage

 

[Alex456123]

I have a set of toyota axles I picked up on the cheap, looks to be a pre 83 short gusset front axle and a 86+ ifs rear axle. I've had IFS hubs and brakes sitting on the shelf waiting for a build like this to come together.

 

[Alex456123]

Some updates, months later. I wasn't happy with the performance on the stock style lifted setup, so I front and back halfed the frame, installed a Toyota ifs steering box, 3 link front and 4 link rear with 2.5" johnny joints, built up the rear axle housing, front still has some trussing to do. Also picked up something exciting, a doubler setup that cuts down the tracker transfer case and mates it to a Toyota gear drive transfer case. Stronger, solves driveshaft length and size issues, and double low will be fantastic.

I still have lots to do, but I feel like I'm getting closer.

 

[Alex456123]

Just a few more pics from the past couple months

 

[Alex456123]

Thanks guys, can't wait to get back out wheeling again.

 

[Alex456123]

Looks great!!! How difficult is/was the motor swap?

Essentially it involves swapping the 1.8 intake/exhaust manifold/coolant tube/engine mounts/accessories onto the 2.3, and putting the 2.3 injectors onto the 1.8 intake. The 2.3 injector harness plugs right into the factory 1.8 harness so no need to change individual plugs. The 1.8 coils need to be put into the 2.3 as well. it's pretty straight forward. The 2.3 does not have a provision for the mechanical fan, so you have to run electric. Not a big deal since the 1.8 fans are known for kerploding for no reason. The swap will work for sidekick sports with the 1.8 and any 2nd gen tracker with the 2.0

 

[Alex456123]

^^^^ Thanks, I imagine it is a more difficult swap coming from a 1.6?

Yeah, you would need custom motor mounts and a standalone harness to swap from a 1.6, and at that point I'd keep the aerio 2.3 engine control setup and accessories to retain the correct tune and knock sensor. The trans bellhousing is the same pattern but the flywheels are different. It's worth the swap if you can find the stuff you need for reasonable prices.

 

[Alex456123]

Rolled it outside with blocks between the frame and axles, roughly at 4 inches of uptravel to full bump in the front. Other than the factory Toyota wheels, I absolutely love the look of it so far. Hopefully I can go to some machined finish method beadlocks in the future and ditch the wheel spacers.

 

[Alex456123]

Finally got my shocks and bumpstops in from locked off-road. The 2nd gen shocks are nice units and come standard with dual rate compression adjustment. The fit and finish is nicer than the first gens as well. Can't wait to get them installed!

 

[Alex456123]

So I'm considering some bad ideas... Quick Photochop for visuals

I'd probably build the bed out of steel rather than aluminum just for cost savings. Makes for longer rear links too, which would help. I'm kind of at the stage in the build where I can do something like this without undoing much of the stuff I already did.

 

[Alex456123]

Well, things got complicated very quickly 🤣

 

[Alex456123]

More updates

 

[Alex456123]

Got the upper coilovers mounts all set In stone and bump cans mounted.
Picture of my ugly ass next to it for scale. Why do I like tiny vehicles?

 

[Alex456123]

Welp, I picked up this tracker for a friend a few months ago, and good lord did I fuck up.

It looked great from the top, rockers were still mostly there. So my dumb ass assumed it was all fine. Well, little did I know that every body mount and the entire floor was completely rotted below the carpet. So bad the body had sank 4 inches in the back. I am really kicking myself for not catching that.
So my sidekick went to the back burner, all the floors got replaced with 14 gauge and all new brake lines ran. It also got a 2 Inch lift with grand prix struts and Thunderbird rear shocks for more travel and durability.

So now that that is all done, time to shift focus back to the sidekick.

 

[Alex456123]

You've got an entire half size offroad club at this point lol

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Yes, yes I do 😂

 

[Alex456123]

Shock mounts tacked in, I cycled everything and it clears good. Just have to finish up the bumpstop pads. Then it's on to the front.