I knew that the Chevy Tracker was basically a Suzuki Sidekick that was built in Canada by Cami – a joint venture manufacturing operation between Suzuki and GM, but didn’t know how much of the Tracker was of Suzuki origin.

Well, yesterday I popped the hood open to add some windshield washer solution to cope with our usual winter muck and slush. I’ve been under the hood before, but really didn’t pay too much attention to what was in there.

This time, I took the time to look around and lo and behold, I saw the name Suzuki on several parts in the motor compartment.

It certainly looks as if there are more Suzuki OEM parts than I imagined.

Does anyone out there know if all parts, except perhaps for the distinctive body parts, are interchangeable with the Suzuki Sidekicker or, if there is some kind of parts reference manual where interchangeability can be checked? If so, please leave me a note.

This could be very handy when it comes to replacing parts on the Tracker.

With the price of new parts skyrocketing, having access to a larger parts base though Suzuki Sidekick interchangeability would be a great help.

Make it a Great Day!

Marc L

Winter came in with a bang a couple of weeks back, up here in the “great white north”.

We’ve had a lot of snow and since I live in an area where main thoroughfares are sanded and salted, but smaller residential streets aren’t we been treated to everything from tons of slush and slop that cars sometimes slide on, to black ice and hard packed snow that acts pretty much like ice as well.

I’ve never had a 4wd, nor have I driven in winter in a rear wheel drive in more years than I care to count. I really just didn’t know what to expect. Got 4 winter tires and figured that I could always add studs if necessary to keep from skating all over.

Boy, I was in for a really pleasant surprise. By default, I two wheel it and in rear wheel drive that gave me a couple of thrills (read sliding turns and stops) as I made the adjustment from front wheel drive.

When we had our 1st  major storm and several inches of snow, I was unable to get out of the parking spot in 2 wheel mode because of the bank of snow that had been built up behind me by a passing plow – I swear the plow drivers get sadistic pleasure out of plugging up driveways and snowing in cars.

Well, I sure as hell wasn’t going to shovel that stuff, so I slapped the thing into 4 wheel drive and …….. Voila! I just plowed through that stuff as if it were the middle of summer. I could tell I was gonna love this.

Out on our roads, the Tracker in 4 wheel mode cut back on the sliding stops and seriously straightened out the curves.

As I thought back to my initial intention to get a sports car (which have all been scared into hiding for the winter), I couldn’t help but think what a genius I was choosing a Tracker-Sidekick convertible.

Not only do I get a super little drop top to tool around in during the nice weather, but as a bonus, I get a rugged snow eater for the winter.

This really is the best of both worlds!

Later,

Make it a great day!

MarcL