No... sorry Bud I am not good enough to weld rebar... Though I have been designing some Diff and Trans armor that re-bar would work good on. Will let you know. Thank you for your comment...my first one all week.

In the front I simply removed the brake lines from the mounts on the struts so they have more travel, modified the driver side fender well a bit. In the rear, the brake lines run across the axel, not much need to extend the travel there...however I did unbolt the E brake cables from the frame cross over to allow for additional travel.

Good tip!

@@tufftrails thank you

Thanks Stevie, They are fun to drive and fix up. But they are getting harder to find, so hang on to yours. Thank you for the comment

@@michael86oct11YES you are correct. I have 2 feet of 3/8” extensions plus a 1/2” adapter to reach all the way behind the engine. Check the previous short

kzfaq.infoIQuPh3CeWT4 Previous video

and this one.... kzfaq.infoFKr-4eNYJWg

Lol ive never heard of anyone doing that lol, obviously it worked

Hey Shane, thank you for your comment. ...and I agree, they are such a lot of fun, while still affordable and very dependable. We have a few, always seem to be working on one... Thank you for watching...

@@tufftrails I have plans for mine, just too many projects that jump in front of it. Done a few things and have recorded some content, just have yet to post the videos. The minor repairs aren't that exciting, I'll probably wait until I have a few things to put together into a decent video. Keep up the great content. I'm in AZ as well out in the Queen Creek/San Tan Valley area, what area are you? Generally, not specifically...

My name is Cal and I am between Surprise and Wickenburg... here is a 89 TinTop Walk Around Video if you would like to see if any ideas work for you or help develop others. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oZmFgMd2ks-WmoU.html if you haven't seen it before.

Hey Pixie, thanks for stopping by.... these are pretty nice seat covers and I do like them a lot. Here is a link and I believe that they are available in different colors as well ...very affordable amzn.to/3WN2DYA Thank you for watching...

...or is it? Wait until you see the engine bay...

Hey Steve. Not sure on a price yet. But if I am able to do everything I want to it… the price will be north of 10k. I’m going to build a very capable and dependable little rig with some cool features Hope you guys are doing good …

@tufftrails have you looked into a VW diesel conversion, anything pre computer. Better fuel mileage and more torque too

No nothing like that... more in the lines of nostalgia and brand loyalty. "Custom "One-Off" Restoration" with very capable off-road capabilities. Something someone would be proud to own...maybe pass down to their kid or something.

@tufftrails Mine needs work now. We had a real bad storm, winds of 50 MPH and 3 inches of rain in an hour. My road was an f ing mess. So I locked the hubs and put the Suzuki in 4 low and got out of here, she held her own. But I started to get a clunking sound, when I went back to 2 high the sound went away. I think its U joints.

Is this the first time that you watched this video??? This video represents everything we do on the channel. It is perhaps one of my favorites Hope you guys are good…

Im not sure lol. I thought we watched them all but it popped up on our feed so we were entertained again :)

well then Thank You for watching it again...sometimes I watch it again to remind me what I am doing here....lol

It is actually kind of rare for one to pop up on Craigslist down here in AZ. I don’t know about FB. I am not on any other platforms than KZfaq

You're clearly not familiar with the channel... That's what we do, keep vehicles out of the junk yard. If you are one of those folks that just cruise around and shit on folks, then good job! I would recommend subscribing so that you can shit on us some more, and follow the build and see what we create from this "Junk Yard Relic..." Thank you for your comment

Thank you...

Thanks for the visit

Nice!

Maybe so … There are a lot of fun though, and very capable Thank you for your comment

lol. I can’t believe how many views it got I was just messing around

Actually no. I usually use the same shocks and struts on all of my Sidekicks and Trackers.

I suppose that it is doable... but to many moving parts to try to hold in place and remain lined up correctly, plus a big bulky drill, ...and you have to consider that you begin with a 1/8" bit for a pilot hole and then to save your bits you step up 4 more times...when you consider that each hole you see here required 5 bit changes for each and every hole... that's like 220 holes with a hand drill.... so I preferred to place the pieces in a vice where I could keep everything from moving around and give myself a better chance at keeping everything conformant.

Yes, not my best work, but it will answer some questions. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mJmfmtpo09uRYIE.html and kzfaq.infoZlcetcjUboE and kzfaq.infoZlcetcjUboE If these do not answer the question or curiosity that you have, just ask and I will be happy to help.

"Pointy" is more scary... (Elon Musk Reference) Ron we don't make the bumper...we only figure out ways to mount it on a Tracker or Sidekick. Trackers and Sidekicks really do not have very many affordable options for a "light weight" winch bumper...yet I feel like there is a question in there somewhere.

The ride seems firmer or more solid...I wouldn't use the word "Stiffness". I am running big 33" tires, bigger and heavier than stock wheel and tire combinations and I operate almost exclusively off-road. Not sure if I can put it into words, but when I go to the gas station on the black top, the Sidekick feels more solid, but not so solid that mirrors and stuff start to rattle or vibrate or anything like that. It represents a Firm, Solid and controlled ride on or off-road. With that said, if you are nut running a lifted suspension, I am not sure why you would consider a heavy duty extended travel shock. These shocks have 4 to 5 extra inches of travel that you will not realize on a stock suspension except when it contributes to you you spitting a spring. Thank you for your question, I hope I answered it to some degree.

@@tufftrailsi have a 2” coil spacer lift in the back, so i dont need the longer f-150 shocks. I was looking at the e-150 versions that have about a 21” extended length. I want to drive fast on washboard roads and to not have the shock be the limiting factor in my suspension travel. I might add lift springs later on, but only to get rid of the coil spacer.

@@tufftrails yes thanks for answering all my questions, i really appreciate the help. I ended up getting some kyb 343149 shocks for a corolla since it more closely resembled the weight of the 2dr tracker and by cross referencing the same shocks I see that they also work for a toyota sienna van. It seems that alteredego uses these same shocks in their 2” lift kit. They wont tell you online what the shock actually is, but people online have confirmed that is what they offer. The compressed length is 12.91” and extended is 21.57”, so it should work pretty good on the spacer lift i have. I’m going to leave the front as is for now, but eventually I want to replace the stock springs and spacer with some lift springs.

The floor Jack carries the weight of the lower Control arm, (subframe) set at 11.5" from the ground while the bottle jack adjusts the hub to zero camber identifying the proper bolt positions for the oversized Pontiac struts after altering the top strut mounting hole.

Actually referred a guy to you today asking about alternative mounting methods... he has a two door.

@tufftrails I will have see if he left comment

"T" did you really open a KZfaq page today to ask this question? Try this, [email protected] This "short" that your commenting on, illustrates a kit for a 4dr model. So it would depend if you have a 4dr or 2dr. This video, though long, shows you how to make your own kit. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aKdgoMydkquVaXU.html So one day I see this affordable JL Bumper on amazon...so I grab a couple...figure I can figure out how to mount it....then folks wanted a bolt-on Kit...so I made one for the 4dr and the 2dr and sent the prototypes to viewers to see if they worked as I welded mine on. To make these kits is a "pain in the ass" with simple hand tools, drill and metal saws. So to answer your question, if I had enough interest, I would buy a drill press and a chop saw and make these kits for people. I am a Tracker Sidekick enthusiast, I own 6 of them, so I really enjoy helping out my fellow enthusiasts. But at the moment I am not making these kits...

This is the bumper.... 38pounds I do not recommend the heavier versions. amzn.to/3LRZUYx But they get sold out often and you have to wait and watch when they become available again and grab one.

@@tufftrails Thanks for the quick response....I have a 1990 2 door Tracker Lsi 4x4 with plastic bumper cover removed just the stock front metal bumper...watched the video...my tracker looks like it has no horns to mount from like the 2 door in the video....in your opinion what would be the best way to mount a JL bumper without a welder ??..or is there a way at all..... problem I don't own a welder. Thanks again really dig your Tuff Trails videos...Thanks T

"T", It is possible to drill holes through the horn and then through the Large support mounts on each side of the frame...however, once you go through all of the frustration of drilling through a support mount, you will see how much better welding would be. This 110 welder is only $60.00 amzn.to/3LTCB0C and I have seen budget or beginner welders at Harbor Freight as well. So YES it is possible but it will be a pain in the ass....remember, to make your own mounting kit, like in the video, you will be drilling like 250 holes because you have to use 5 bits for each hole to step up...(The step bits will fail quickly, so get a few) 3/16" pilot hole, then a 1/4", then a 5/16", then a 3/8" and finally a really good 1/2" Bit. A strong weld doesn't have to be a pretty weld, you're just melting metal and pushing it around in it's melted state. There are a ton of beginner welding vids on KZfaq that you can teach yourself good enough. Also, If you do get this bumper mounted on your Tracker, you will be able to take on more DIY projects like Rear Bumper, Rock Sliders, Roll Bars, and Under Armor. Though unscrupulous in nature, I have heard of folks ordering a welder from Amazon, making the few welds and then returning it for a refund. The video shows you how to make a horn for the 2dr and where to position it at depending on whether or not you have a body lift. The video shows you where to drill holes through the wide support mounts. I welded my 4dr and one of my 2drs with this bumper. Different mounts, different method. My welds are terrible...but it isn't coming off lol. You don't happen to live in AZ do you?

@@tufftrails Great info...cheap welder in my future...hahaha. to bad there's not a bracket that screws right back in the original holes for the stock bumper that would work and fit to a crawler bumper. that would be so easy... thank you so much for the info...I need to learn how to weld anyway....gonna give it a try.....thanks again. T

Actually I misspoke, we used to use Gabriel's but they either stopped making them or they are no longer available on Amazon. In the video these are the Monroe's amzn.to/4d7oXDb that we use. I also have a set on out 89 Overland TinTop. On the tintop, we have not experienced any "Floaty" feeling, Just feels a bit more solid... This is the TinTop Build if you have not seen it kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oZmFgMd2ks-WmoU.html On the 92 featured in this video, we have just completed the front suspension and have not driven it at all. We will be doing the engine next, and then paint and some custom stuff. Thank You for your question.

They are very popular, I am asked about them frequently... Do you still have your Sidekick?

Sorry it was so long, just didn't want anyone to not understand... It can be complicated for the beginner, though it may seem easy for others. Thank You for your comment

Pulling the engine first

Ok ill be patient :)

I was going to do some bodywork and paint it this weekend...already have the paint and supplies. But when I started it up, after 7 years...it has a knock in the bottom end. So I need to rebuild it, or swap it out and rebuild it later. This one will probably be for sale and I do not like selling problems. So it has to be right.

Front Bumper amzn.to/3YsZ9Na If you are asking about the rear bumper, it is homemade from a Jeep JK Rock Slider

This is the video for the rear bumper...kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hMV2ib19sKqYpZ8.html

@@tufftrails yeah the rear is what caught my eye, ive seen the front bumper or similar on barelybuiltright. The rock slider is a great idea, I hadnt even considered that route. Right now Im looking on CL for something close enough to cut up and make fit.

@@HomesteadOC Yeah, I did the same thing....got a set for $150 that's about 36" of 1" and 7/8 steel tubing I am going to make sliders out of it as well...

Thanks Duane, Pinned your comment

A lot more to go, gotta pull the engine and rebuild it, prep for paint, then paint and then put it back together with some custom additions.

Born Poor...Learn to take care of shit, or learn to live without shit... Just an old guy passing on what he learned so others can do the same. so pass it on sometime. Thank you for your comment.

Thanks guys,... not sure if it's my favorite build...I need to paint it first and see how it comes out. This may be my last build even though I have two more to do. The KZfaq thing was supposed to be something fun in my retired years... a hobby of sorts. still waiting for the "Fun" part. Thank you for your comment.

It is definitely a ton of work. Love seeing your stuffs :)

If you don't have all of the fancy professional equipment, it works for us, we get our camber pretty close to "0"... so we are not chewing up our tires. Thank you for your comment.

Mike, this system uses 4dr Springs on a 2dr Sidekick with a 2" puck lift, 3" Body Lift and Extended travel GM Struts, we do not use camber bolts. If you only have a 2" puck lift and you chose these aftermarket struts, you would NOT use Camber bolts. We only use camber bolts with a 2" puck lift and original struts. Thank you for you question

Auto Art...Auto Fashion.....like putting lipstick on a pig... lol "Suzuki Vogue"

Haha I love it :)

For now…. Probably going to sell this one after I am finished. Will be painting soon Thank you for your comment

amzn.to/3Sojrnl it is holding up well even in the ridiculous heat we have to deal with here in AZ

Here is another option... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mZ50lddizt-XoIU.html this is the bumper we use amzn.to/3y8ZTfB Thank you for your comment

Good Question... YES, you can do it without the rubber support mounts, however the rubber is part of the original mounts. So you may lose 1/2" to 1" of lift if you do not re-use it. So the next question is" "Is it worth all of the effort to net only 1" of lift? Also, if you live in an area with lot's of rain and snow and you have a rust issue, the square tubing will act as a hammer and further weaken the already weak mounting positions....possibly! Thank you for your question...

They are GM Struts and are used on several different models. (93 Pontiac Grand Prix) You can start your search here if you like. amzn.to/4bSXG5Y Thank you for your question

Thank you for your comment

What car or truck are them struts for? And was it easier than ur tin top ? Lol

They are GM Struts and are used on several different models. (93 Pontiac Grand Prix) You can start your search here if you like. amzn.to/4bSXG5Y Thank you for your question

Dustie, I am going to establish camber in a much easier way this time...I will make video with the other method that you can use....no welding required.

Thanks. It gets a little better.