First Suzuki

[dabluz]

Hi, yesterday, I bought a 1995 4 door Sidekick with all the options: automatique transmission with overdrive, air conditioning, cruise control, 16 valve engine, electric doors and windows, remote starter switch and external manual front wheel hub locks.

I live in the province of Quebec about 3 hours north of Quebec City. There are no cities or towns between me and the James' Bay. As you can imagine, I do a lot of hunting and fishing. The only roads are logging roads. The bush north of me is crisscrossed with thousands of miles of logging roads. Some still being used and many abandoned roads that lead to excellent brook trout fishing. I was using a 4X4 Aerostar. It was a bit too low to the ground. Now, it's all rusted out and the transmission slips terribly.

The Suzuki is a nice little beast. No rattles and smells brand new. Feels very tight on the road.

How do I open the hood? There must be a lever somewhere. I didn't notice how the previous owner lifted the hood. It seems that she unlocked it from somewhere and I can see a cable under the hood.

Does carrying the spare wheel on the back door cause any problems?

The only thing that does not work is the gas gauge. It marks always "full".

[dabluz]

I have other questions about my 4 door Sidekick.

Are there after market roof racks so that I can install a canoe to the top of my Sidekick? What do most people use for carrying a canoe or kayak? Are there commercially available boat hitches or am I better off getting a welder to make me one?

[mrmugs]

Hi and welcome!
Open your glove box and you will find a handle in there for the hood, pull on it.
I have never heard of a problem with the spare being on the back door, it has pretty big hinges on there.
As for a roof rack just go to Canadian tire. I bought one there and it worked well. The brand name is "Frontier". Look around, there are many options.
Good luck and have fun with your 'kick! Sounds like you got a good one.

[dabluz]

Great thanks mrmugs. I found the handle this afternoon after seeing on a website how a person modified his handle. In the article, I saw a photo and realized that the handle had to be somewhere in the area of the glove compartment.

Concerning the "Frontier" roof rack. Did you have to drill any holes in the top of your Suzuki to install this particular roof rack?

[mrmugs]

No, it just clamps on. I just remembered though, the one I bought caused a leak because it clamps onto the roof above the door and interferes with the weatherstripping on the door when it closes. I probably could have fiddled with it so it wouldn't leak but I am just warning you because these particular racks are $150.

[dabluz]

Yes they are expensive. Too expensive for me. I guess I will use 4 foam blocks. My first expense will be a trailer hitch. I have to go to Kingston to pick up a 12 foot aluminum boat that my nephew gave me. Meanwhile, I will keep a lookout for a used boat rack or a similar model to the "Frontier". I don't need a rack that locks etc.

[dabluz]

I have more info concerning a roof rack for my Suzuki. I already have a roof rack....a cheap one. The rack is supported at each end by a large hollow plastic foot with a rubber pad. I am pretty sure that I can hack away a large notch in the plastic foot so that it will fit on the extrusion that runs along each side of the top of my Suzuki Sidekick. This way, the roof rack will be quite secure and all I have to do is tighten the down the hooks that fit inside the door openings after adding some thick soft rubber under the feet of the rack.