[totaltec]

Phil,

Look in:
XLite/View/Controller.php

protected static function getSidebarFirstHiddenTargets()
{
    return array(
        'cart',
        'product',
        'checkout',
        'checkoutPayment',
        'checkoutSuccess',
    );
}

I would try extending/decorating this class, then redefining this method. Leave out the line for 'product'.

If that works, you might still have some CSS playing to do.