Got the digital calipers out and was taking various measurements of thingys on the Sport, Kick and Grand Vitara.

I was surprised (not really) that Zook & Kia have identical diameter sway bars.

This is a good thing.



Rotational Dynamics makes these discos. I bought a few of the first production run (along with some TBI spacers & adj. cam sprockets) to have a few years ago. I have one on my GV, which was useless as the sway bar trails the A-arms. This meant I had to crawl under to pull the pin. Did that several times then left the pin out. But connected, on-road manners was much better.

Sports are like Sidekicks with the bar forward of the A-arms. A quick pull of a pin and the internal bearing disco does its wonders.

Since the bars are the same diameter, you could install one on the Sport. It does require basic cutting and welding, but nothing difficult.

Here's his site. Disco is under the "Sidekick" link. Great guy and top-notch machine work.

http://home.pacbell.net/idealmfg/

You might need to contact one of the listed vendors on his site to purchase stuff.

I was checking other stuff as well. FWIW -

Sport rear suspension links:

30mm diameter, 17mm bolts

Sidekick- 32mm diameter, 17mm bolt.

Grand Vitara- 38mm diameter, 19mm bolt.

Seems it was suggested that the opposite was true. I'm no "expert" like others may be, but I wouldn't want inaccurate information to be suggested.

Additionally, front Sidekick and Sportage springs are same near identical overall coil diameter, with Sidekick having a slightly thicker diameter coil stock. Kia spring fits a Sidekick spring mount well, so prolly vice versa would apply. Stock Sidekick spring is approximately 1" taller. A lifted Sidekick spring may work up front for lift.

Furthermore, the Samurai and Sportage have the same T-case shift pattern. While I'm waiting for better print-outs of the exploded parts diagram tomorrow, it appears the detent ball could be removed and result in a poor man's 2Lo option, as well as a true neutral. This is a simple trick routinely done on Samurai's.

And lastly, the shift fork layout seems to make for a twin stick possibility. If so, I'll contact a friend who make one of the few types of twin stick setups for the Samurai and see if he'll do a few one-offs for testing and if it works, who knows.

That's enuff Kia stuff for one night, my Zooks are getting jealous of the payed attention.

Pics not working. Will post tomorrow when i'm not on a pda.

I took my sway bar off 32,000 miles ago when I lifted the suspension. never looked back.