![]() ![]() There are also WARN Premium Hubs up front to disconnect the driveline. He went through a few iterations, but the latest features 35” BFGoodrich KM2 tires mounted on 16” Grand Vitara wheels. Of course, he’d need larger tires to go with this setup. Eric also added Bilstein 7100 shocks with remote bypasses, rear disc brakes, and a Rockcrawler 4.24:1 transfer case. That’s some serious running gear for a little Sidekick. Eric also ditched the factory rear end in favor of a Currie Enterprises axle housing with a Nodular 9” 35-spline third member. Out went the IFS and in went a custom Calmini solid front axle with Dana 44 outers, a Spidertrax-like housing, Sidekick third member with 5.12 gears, 27-spline side gears, Superior axles, and an ARB locker. Eric retained this setup for a while and used an IFS setup from well-known Suzuki outfitter, Calmini, along with other components from companies such as Sky Manufacturing, but decided he needed something more stout. To me, it had a lot of deficiencies as built and I wanted-no, needed-to change and rebuild it before it would be something I could enjoy.” THE TRANSFORMATIONįrom the factory, Sidekicks (and their Geo Tracker twins) had a solid rear axle and independent front. “At some point, I began looking at the green machine and started driving it. My Samurai, ‘Wedgee,’ was really fun and suited our needs at the time,” said Eric. ‘Sweet-Pea,’ as she’s now known, sat for quite a while as I wasn’t that interested in it. “We began building and promoting events, gear guides, trail rides, forum, etc.” The vehicle had been used as a Zukiworld promotional vehicle, and was the subject of several builds with well-known Suzuki parts manufacturer, Calmini, as well as a trail rig. His friend, Junior, purchased a Sidekick and Eric already had a Samurai. ![]() This would, of course, be, which Eric still operates. “In 2000 a couple of plucky individuals started a website for Suzuki enthusiasts, the idea was to create a place for like-minded Suzuki ‘nuts’ to get together and share their passion,” said Eric. ![]() So what’s the story, Sweet Pea? SWEET PEA’S START In the beginning … I’ve been wheeling with him several times over the years, and that rig has always impressed me. However, if there’s one vehicle that’s always stood out for me, it’s his Sea Foam Green 1989 Sidekick JX nicknamed Sweet Pea. Oh, he also has a two-door Sidekick race truck. ![]() He’s had everything from vintage LJ80s and Samurais, to two- and four-door Sidekicks and even owns the Nissan-based Suzuki Equator (with a very trick ARB bulbar setup and roof top tent). Eric’s been in the Suzuki game for a long time and knows them inside and out. In 2010, we purchased a two-door 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, aka The Teal Terror, and built it into a great little rig that took us all across the western part of North America.Īlong the way, we got to know a host of other Suzuki owners, including the owner of, Eric Bewley. In the early 1990s, I remember seeing a lifted four-door Sidekick for sale in Auto Trader and thinking it was too cool. When I was a kid growing up in the 1980s, I remember thinking that Samurais were awesome and that someday I wanted one. We unabashedly have a soft spot for Suzuki 4x4s. ![]()
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