New project - 94 4dr Sidekick / VW 1.6t idi

[Plugers]

Have the truck, engine and just received the Acme deluxe swap kit last weekend.
Hopefully picking up the manual transmission this weekend, the u-pick has 2 possible vehicles, but they don't specify engine or transmission options.

 

[jlee]

pics!

 

[Plugers]

Truck

I'll have to get engine pics ect when I get home.

 

[slag]

That's not a truck...

 

[NutBucket]

Its a better off-roader than anything you can buy today that's same size...only exception being a Wrangler.

 

[Plugers]

Ok, mini something or another, It's a 4x4.

Wanted something small to take off-road or on the dunes with my daughter.
Also wanted a TD after seeing the Samurai VW TD swap on Extreme 4x4.

I've read the sidekick has a lot better highway manners than the Samurai.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Heck yeah, very very cool.


The samurai is great as a dedicated offroader, but the sidekick is much more DD friendly.

 

[NutBucket]

I imagine that's entirely because of the longer wheelbase.

 

[manimal]

sweet project! What have your swap parts cost you so far?

 

[Plugers]

sweet project! What have your swap parts cost you so far?

Swap kit was $995. Included a oil pan to clear the front axel, new oil pump shortened to fit, bellhousing adapter, motor mounts, flywheel, ect.

$500 for the engine. Should be able to get the $500 back for the 16v I'm pulling though.

 

[Plugers]

I imagine that's entirely because of the longer wheelbase.

The 2 doors apparently ride better also.

Could be the independent front suspension and trailing arm coil rears vs. Solid front/rear axel and leafs on the samurai.

 

[Harrod]

Looking forward to your build, is the engine swap for low end torque or a mpg goal?

 

[Plugers]

Looking forward to your build, is the engine swap for low end torque or a mpg goal?

A compromise. A few mods to increase power, but stopping short of dropping the mpgs. Probably shoot for mid 30s for mpg.

2.5-3 inch exhaust and an intercooler to start and play with the smoke screw.

Just want to get it up and running first.

 

[Plugers]

Opinions...

Picking up some powder coat to pretty things up as I go. Seeing as diesel pump handles and fuel tank caps are typically green, I'm thinking either "john deer green" or "Detroit Diesel" green for engine color.

 

[phucheneh]

I'm gonna have to be a pessimist and say there is no way you're getting ~35mpg. Maybe if city mileage is AWESOME, but boxes like that don't do well on the highway. You gonna change the gearing at all?

Is there anything wrong with the Suzuki motor? In general, I mean. If nothing else, I'm guessing the VW has more aftermarket?

 

[Plugers]

I'm gonna have to be a pessimist and say there is no way you're getting ~35mpg. Maybe if city mileage is AWESOME, but boxes like that don't do well on the highway. You gonna change the gearing at all?

Is there anything wrong with the Suzuki motor? In general, I mean. If nothing else, I'm guessing the VW has more aftermarket?

http://www.acmeadapters.com/registry.php

Mpg seems to range from around 30-42 depending on gearing and tires. It looks like I should hit mid 30s with 30" tires if I don't lift it too much. Looks like with 33" tires you're looking at high 20s-low 30s.

More aftermarket and I'd like to run some free fuel on occasion. IE veggie oil, diesel used motor oil mix, looks like if you keep the umo below 50% you don't smoke.

 

[phucheneh]

If you run stock gears, I guess bigger tires are a double-edged sword (in a kinda good way). Heavier (and A/T tread) means less MPG, but a taller than stock tire makes your gearing [numerically] lower. Combine that with a motor that's good at low RPM and I should probably just go ahead and eat my words.

Although a real man would've bought a pink Tracker. :awe:

 

[Plugers]

If you run stock gears, I guess bigger tires are a double-edged sword (in a kinda good way). Heavier (and A/T tread) means less MPG, but a taller than stock tire makes your gearing [numerically] lower. Combine that with a motor that's good at low RPM and I should probably just go ahead and eat my words.

Although a real man would've bought a pink Tracker. :awe:

I could still do the interior in pink :awe: