Hi all, I jumped over here from the Jeep forum to ask about getting a Sammy for my wife. She wants one but cannot drive a stick. Do they come in automatic transmissions?

Some that migrated from across the pond did, but they were not available here in the states. There are a few folks out there that have done a 1.6ltr conversion that have run the sidekick tranny (with some fabrication) but I haven't seen many stock auto trannies (1 that I saw a picture of) here in the states.

I would say just have her learn to drive a stick shift. We just got a Sami for our 15 year old and one of the reasons is so he can learn to drive stick shift. It wouldn't hurt her to know how to drive a stick anyway. Just my .02 worth.

I am also doing the 1.6L engine swap but we plan on using the tranny out of the Sami.

Wish she could but her left hand is disabled and her left foot so no manual transmissions. We decided on a new Rubicon Unlimited Jeep (I may have influenced her decision a little...hehehe)

The Rubi is a good choice then, because the next thing you would run into is the definate lack of power steering. It would prove to be tough over rough terrain. (You could add sidekick/tracker ps, but there are adapters and fabrication needed there too)
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I am new to all of this, so please bear with me...Was that engine swap a really difficult task? I am only 16 but would like the extra HP out of a Sidekick 1.6L engine. What parts do you need other than the engine and the swap kit? Sorry for the "Novice" questions...I just don't really have anyone around here I can ask about this stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Oh and reading up on it there might be problems with the swap if the sami isn't lifted...mine is <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The swap isn't very hard, but it depends on your sami. I did it with a 92 - so it came from the factory with fuel injection and electric fuel pump at the tank. The EFI computer will compensate for the engine change. I just peeled off the intake and exhaust, replaced the engine with the Trail Tough kit, then bolted the intake and exhaust back on. I also reworked the air intake tunnel so it didn't hit the hood. The new Petroworks kit will lower the engine enough so that you won't have to make an adjustment.
If you have a carbed model, you may want to bump up to a weber to feed it.
Use the whole 1.6 - Oil pan to air intake and use the 1.6 starter. You use the sami flywheel.

Let me clarify, if you have a body lift or use the Petroworks kit you will not have any hood clearance issues. The Petroworks kit lowers the engine a little. The only adjustment I made (no body lift, engine at stock level) was to trim a little rubber off the intake hose where it meets the injection unit (looks like a carb). This lowered the overall height of the hose so it cleared the hood. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />