The Kicker III (Info thread for FAQ)

[Whitfield]

The Kicker III is a gear reduction DOUBLER made By OTT industries http://www.ottindustries.com/kicker3.htm 

Cost:  $600 usd.

    The Kicker III is a modified Tracker / Sidekick transfercase that uses the 2:1 Tracker range box as a gear splitter (Low range doubler) while removing the front drive shaft out put.  The Kicker III mounts to the back of a 4wd Tracker Transmission and has provisions to solid mount a Samurai Transfercase to the tail of it.  This changes the Samurai transfercase from a divorced (Non-attached) to a married design.  Changing this design to a married configuration reduces the stress on the Transfercase mounts and arms as the complete engine and transmission mounting assembly now share in reducing the twisting force.

In a Suzuki Samurai with the 1.6L Tracker / Sidekick engine and Sidekick Transmission the married design of the Kicker III locates the Samurai Transfercase in stock location.  Aftermarket type transfercase mounts and arms fit just as they would on a stock application samurai.   


Additional Information:   The rear seal of the OTT Kicker III is size 40X52X7  this is a double lip seal with a provision to have a second (Protruding) double lip seal on the external face.  This is to assist in keeping oil in and dirt and water out at the joining of the two cases.



High Range reduction for IFS 4wds:
      For a Tracker or SideKick this is a good way to gain the High range reduction of the Samurai Transfercase.  This can allow a SideKick to run 33" - 35" tires and stock 5.125:1 gears in high range.   The down side is the Sammy T-case will have an offset rear output creating a complex driveline angle.

Unverified info:   
                           I believe the Kicker III uses the same gear set as the Rock Block (Kick T-case gears).
                           I believe the Kicker III will work behind an early model automatic track/kick transmission.

[Surly]

Thanks for posting this up, Mike. I'd like to give everyone a few days to add additional info before I move it to the FAQ.

[zooky]

Unverified info:   
                                                      I believe the Kicker III will work behind an early model automatic track/kick transmission.

VERIFIED, thats the setup I have.
The Kicker3 is the best gearing option in its price range, behind an automatic its incredible

[weed]

Hey Mike, If I am reading this right, then does theTrack/ Kick front range box split the low range of the Zuk t-case when its all mounted up? and is it a stock geared Zuk t-case you are referring to? 2.28 low? I think?    if so then a geared Zuk t-case ( mine for example 4.89 ) would really get you a low,low crawl range right?   I think this is how it goes if I understand all this,      would my DD Sidekick with a 5 spd. and  5:12 R&P and the offset rear driveshaft be that bad with wear and vibrations?   anybody have this setup? curious on a setup for mine now after reading this.   thanks  Weed

[zooky]

the sidekick box would have no effect in high range but would double the reduction of the sami case when shifted into low. As far as wear and vibration, with the kicker3 there will be less than stock because everything is married. I have an offset driveshaft and my rig is smooth at 60mph with 34" bias swampers

[Joe S.]

you can run a yota drive shaft or something with the (double cardon) joints to help with any vibrations right?

[zooky]

yes

[fleenor]

 Anyone heard when OTT plans to release the cast kicker III setup? I hear there is quite a wait on the machined version!

[weed]

Hey Zooky, thanks for the info, I am brewing up an up coming winter project with a Sidekick I have that seems to be crying out - "modify me some way or another!" LOL  love my Samuria, but the hipe on Tracks and Kicks gets me thinking of a new project!  thanks again , Weed

[MaineZuke]

Sammi case has a     1.409:1 hi range
Kick case has a         1:1 hi range

Sammi case has a      2.268:1 low range
Kick case has a          1.8:1 low range