![]() ![]() New clutch, new steering column boots, new driver's side CV shaft, new glow plugs and harness, resealed injection pump, new Bosio (stock size) injection nozzles, radio, steering wheel, front brakes, clutch cable.on and on and on. The tachometer was adapted to work properly with the TDI computer. The transmission was rebuilt with all new bearings. The whole hood was then repainted to match the stock color. The hood was modified to clear the TDI engine with the addition of a custom fiberglass hood scoop. Since the tires are larger they'll rub on the frame when making very sharp turns - wheel spacers would take care of this but I never have gotten around to installing them. The vehicle itself has a 2" lift (aluminum spring spacers, proper driveshaft spacer on the rear, and new longer shocks) and larger (235/75R15) Firestone Destination A/T tires. Even the instrument cluster was modified to add the glow-plug light to the indicators in the cluster. The turbo was rebuilt with all new seals and bearings. The engine conversion was accomplished with an Acme kit, which included a new modified oil pan to clear the front axle, flywheel, engine-transmission adapter plate, mounts, alternator bracket, and angled oil filter mount. The exhaust was rerouted by a local shop using top-quality pipe and laser-cut brackets - totally custom from the turbo down to the muffler, and NO cheap flex pipe! Power steering was added by retaining and relocating the original VW pump with a custom bracket, and swapping in a power gearbox from a '93 Sidekick. The intercooling system was also completely rebuilt with a new/larger intercooler and piping. The cooling system was totally rebuilt from the ground-up with a new (larger) Vitara radiator, Spal slimline electric cooling fan, as well as upgraded hoses and wiring, thermal switch with custom inline hose fitting, and a fully customized radiator mount. The engine had a basic rebuild (all gaskets & seals, rings, all bearings, water pump, lifters, valves, freeze plugs, glow plugs & harness, etc - see below for full list). All of the electronics, computer, sensors, wiring harness, etc. Since I had the whole donor vehicle I had everything necessary to do the conversion properly. This has a VW 1.9TDI (1Z) engine from a 1997 Jetta - which was my daily driver until I decided to do the conversion. And I'd just like to note here that after having literally sat idle for probably 10 months, it started up today with only four revs of the engine! It is excellent in the snow and off-road and has gobs of low-end torque that the diesels are legendary for. It's just an all-around great little 4x4 and you can't find a current production one that's anything like it. It's a blast to drive, especially with the tops off in the summer, and because of its light weight it will go where many heavier 4x4s bog down. Although I hate to let it go, it would be better off with someone who will get some regular use out of it. I have a new Jeep Wrangler now and the Sidekick has mostly just been sitting since last summer. I had this up for sale last year but didn't get any bites, so I'm lowering my starting price. I completed the conversion in late 2013 and have put about 20,000 miles on it since then. Here's your chance to own one of the very few fully electronic TDI Sidekick conversions in existence. ![]()
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