Someone please talk me out of getting...

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Author Message   Slider Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 10:53 am:    Ok, so... I have a chance to get a few of these little Suzuki Samurai trucks (if I'm allowed to call them that) 1987 to 1988 models for about $800. some running and some for parts. 1. They're so cheap, you can beat the pulp out of them, if it dies...who cares 2. An entire lift costs what we pay for a set of front disco brake rotors 3. If you roll it, it only takes 3 people to right it...and your on your way 4. 79 inch wheelbase 5. doors come off with-out risking structural integrity 6. it has a frame Seems like these Samurai's would be a good & FUN TRAIL-ONLY vehicle project... What could be bad?? Please someone...talk me out of getting involved in yet another project. Slider   Kyle Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 10:58 am:    The Sammi is a serious Toy. A hell of alot of fun I imagine...... Kyle   Slider Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:02 am:    Serious & Toy Are we allowed to use those 2 words together...?? Am I dealing with a piece of shit motor here? Or is it your typical Japanese, run forever thing?   Kyle Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:04 am:    Oh its a hunk of shit... Underpowered hunk of shit to be exact. But who gives a shit at that price. Drive it till it drops.... And yes , serious toy,,,,,some are quite serious about playing. You can have some big laughs wheeling one of those.... Kyle   Jeremy A. (Jmansphc) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:13 am:    http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/2436/index.html   PerroneFord Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:19 am:    I've wheeled with them, and every time I've wanted one. For under a grand, how can you possibly go wrong. I saw one break an axle and hobble off. Guy was back 2 hours later all fixed up. I asked him what a replacement cost it was a front) he said $59!!!! -P   RVR OVR (Tom) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:39 am:    Slider, You cannot go wrong with one of these babies for every reason you have said. Think of it like a dirt bike or quad, only more fun and cheaper. Tom   Kyle Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:46 am:    No shit , I have to go with Tom on this one. The damn thing is cheaper then a nice quad. And you will certainly care less about it. The Disco would be quite happy towing one of those along on an aluminum trailer too... Kyle   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:47 am:    Where can I find one for less than a grand?? Go to www.izook.com There are some Suzuki's in there that are serious and fun!!   RVR OVR (Tom) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 11:55 am:    Oh yeah. The awesome thing is that you can screw around all day with the suzuki, and if it breaks, the rover can make it in there and back to tow it out. I need a Tahoe to tow my Disco, and there is no way it can go anywhere for a search and rescue. Tom   Slider Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 03:21 pm:    I'm not sure if my wife is going to hate you guys more or me ...I'd rather it be you... Perrone...have you seen them roll over real easy? Slider   PerroneFord Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 03:31 pm:    I've seen them mostly on off-camber dirt trails (check spanishtrailrovers.com past events, Crestview) and they did everything we did and more. Some were on 33s and all looked like a friggin blast! A few of them had weleded up roll cages on them. I think you have to respect their short wheelbase and narrow track, but other than that, they aren't too tippy. I say buy one, strip it, and wheel it. -P   my96disco (Trevorh) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 03:51 pm:    Slider, Are you sure you have time for this project? What with people sitting at home expectantly waiting for the production of your “Little Lad” rear ladders, shouldn’t you be out beating the bushes in “search of volume sales here in the states to make it more affordable to people like myself” :-) The Suzuki thing sounds great. Especially if you like to play in the MUD. When I used to live in OZ, a mate of mine had one and where we would spend a whole day getting a group of Cruisers, Patrols and Landrovers through a section of trail he would just walk through. With so little weight he just seemed to float on top, and not bog down too much. Power really wasn’t an issue. Trevorh   Slider Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 05:50 pm:    Oh...I get the goose bumps with new projects!!! Anyone seen others for sale up in the northeast???   Glenn Guinto (Glenn) Posted on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 08:30 pm:    Slider, Aren't you the guy with the 3 Hella HIDs? Hell, you could trade 2 of them for a zuk and sell the last one for mods. -glenn   Ron Posted on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 01:57 am:    Slider, Check out the www.pirate4x4.com/forum suzuki forum The best part about them seems to be that they are cheap and if you swap in some D44s out of a waggy they become a great little rig that can run 35s. Plus SPOA and some missing links and you get crazy flex. I have to admit I was temped by the one I drove by everytime I went to Tom's house to work on the rovers. Ron PS I saw one once with a series I land rover body on it. it was in england and the guy said it cost him less tham 1000ukp for the whole thing   Blue (Bluegill) Posted on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 03:38 am:    Samurai's are indeed fun. I had a 1988 and it was a freakin blast. The lawnmower engine is taxed with totally stock set-up, and it's complete dogshit with a modified trail rig. But I also had a go-kart with a 5hp Tecumseh engine - it was underpowered too but just as fun....   Gil Stevens (Gil) Posted on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 09:52 am:    slider.. thers a guy in milford that has a gas station with about 6 of them. he also drives an 87 sami with 35 inch boggers.. the thing looks like it must be a ton of fun, although im sure its a bit harrowing in corners   Slider Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 01:37 pm:    we'll see... - do you know that it has a boxed frame... - some gussets here and there should get the beef I want - also it only wieghs 1700 lbs. stock!! Slider   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 04:51 pm:    Slider, I just bought a rolled Samurai for $400 bucks. It's missing both front fenders but who cares it runs and has a straight frame!!! Thus begins project "Sam I Am" After a costly trip in the Disco, the wife has decided to "allow" me to have a dedicated trail rig!! We are going to pick it up this weekend. Ha haaaa - lincoln lockers, 32's, and an SPOA lift, if you stick it, just get out and hang a for sale sign on it!! It's cheaper than a single locker for the disco!! Hank <---grinning from ear to ear!!   E Snyder Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 01:34 am:    Make sure to put plenty of rover stickers on it just to confuse people.   Slider Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 06:43 am:    Already got the rover spare tire cover for it like Brian in the MOAB video!!! Slider   KJ Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 05:36 pm:    Do you mean Brian the Adult Film Star? That was a funny bit o' business in the Moab video..... Karen   jmon Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 06:28 pm:    ive seen those samurai's totally modified getting into all kinds of crazy stuff....pretty cheap and great for a beater truck...   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 11:19 am:    Here it is:   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 11:21 am:    32's, lincoln locked, and spoa lift this weekend!! I wish I didn't have to come to work today. I am ready to get started!!   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 12:44 pm:    Congrats, Hank..... BTW..... the Aspire's gone, she's in an Outback Sport now, and I'm in a 2.5RS.... -L   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 01:13 pm:    Leslie, We picked up the rolled Samurai this weekend and traded it and a winch for this truck.   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2002 - 03:02 pm:    Leslie, Update on the Zuke. 35 inch BFG MT's on bart 8 inch wheels. Replacing the front third member and rear axle from a Tracker, gearing me down to 5.125.(Still in transit) Rebuilt the Webber last weekend, this weekend it gets a new clutch and a brake job. Hopefully the axle and chunk will show up and I can send you pics of it all put together. Then we are going to park it in a friends body shop for a little face lift and some roll bar protection.... Hank   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2002 - 03:09 pm:    Dang! You're gonna do some serious crawlin' w/ that thing.... Gonna do a frame-over on the Series now, I reckon'.... -L   Roverine Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2002 - 07:11 pm:    Very nice, Hank!!! That will be so much fun! ... now, don't go and roll it first time out, hehe What I'm curious about is, did Slider ever get one? Kim (Oh and have fun with the Series, Leslie .. Seems like you mentioned once that you've taught your oldest daughter some mechanics ... I think that is cool - send pics with progress)   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 01:55 pm:    Hey Leslie, Send me the latest pics of the progress on the Range Rover Limo y'all are building!! Kim, Slider never said whether or not he got it? I am going to put a full cage in it before we even take it out. Knowing that it didn't cost anything to build is going to make me push it to the limit more than I would the Disco!! Hank   Blue (Bluegill) Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 02:18 pm:    Hank, curios to know the weight of your sammy after you're finished...even with the hardware it should still be a featherweight compared to late-model rover...   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 03:32 pm:    Blue, When we first put it in the storage building we parked it too close to the work bench. My cousin and I both weigh around 215. We picked it up and moved it, front and rear. It was halarious, "guess you had to be there" kinda deal. I am guessing that with the heavier rear axle (150lbs), front hoop, tires and metal rims, it might top out at 1800, that is actually on the heavy side. I have some plans for angle iron rock sliders and a 2x4 rectangular tube front and rear bumber so it may get heavier than that by the time its all finished. Quote from the Ms. "is it ever going to be finished" My reply, "they are never finished baby, that's the fun of it"   Blue (Bluegill) Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 03:38 pm:    LOL - I had a sammy back in the late 80's. Out doin donuts in a parking lot one night and got it high-centered on a plowed snow pile - no one to help so I scratched my head and then lifted it off & to the side. That little metal piece under the license plate on the rear bumper makes a perfect handle. Sounds like a nice, always ongoing project!   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 03:52 pm:    Hmmm........ I don't think I've got any of the BDT, but David might.... AND, it's NOT a RR limo, thank goodness.... lol.... I've seen those before, and this is DEFINITELY better.... Chassis' done, axles and suspension on, rear bed and cab and bulkhead tightened down, engine and tranny in-place... waiting on motor mounts, tho'. Once the next container's in, it can continue to progress.... Kim, yep, but, I'm not so sure that she wants to help THAT much anymore.... well, at times she doesn't, but, at times she does... hey, she's at THAT age, lol.... -L   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 12:13 pm:    Kim, Just read on another board where slider did actually get an 88 Samurai.   p m Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 09:35 pm:    well... here it goes... i had some passion for this little trucks. one fun day in los coyotes sometimes early spring of the last year. we go up one trail, there's a little gang of zukis going down. very slippery. at first, the zukis are parked in the only wide part of the trail - but smack in the middle. No, they can't pull off to the side (that means us having to back down somewhat like 1/3 of a mile). After some persuasion, they did something that looked like they cleared the way (in process, one guy backing into another, just 'cause he didn't look). We had to crawl around in fresh snow; the zuki guys authoritatively told me "we're all locked up and we couldn't climb up there. don't bother, you aren't going anywhere." there was some more commotion; my kid asked me if all Sami clubbers were that dumb. I let him drive the rest of the trail for this remark, he had no problems. this seems to be more of an issue with "having to prove something" among many Sami owners. Sort of like people who put 33" tires on an Explorer. peter   Anonymous Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 11:53 pm:    Peter, People like that are everywhere.   p m Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 01:12 pm:    oh, sure, i'm not about to jump to a conclusion on all Sami owners. But it was funny to see not one, but several with the same attitude! speaking of baby 4x4s, i rented a Sami's grandkid in Samoa, called Kia Rio (not to confuse with the ugly car with the same name in the U.S.). Lots of fun, although a gust of wind could send it across two lanes of traffic on the highway. it had two solid axles, full/part time t-case, decent low range, CDL, and 1 liter diesel. A good "disposable" 4x4! peter   p m Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 01:13 pm:    discus and netscape don't like each other. let's try IE:   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 02:21 pm:    The latest pics of the Samurai...   Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 02:24 pm:    Wow! What a difference! -L   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:13 pm:    Hey Leslie, Man have I been busy! Not enough time to cyber wheel since I got the new project going. I am building the sliders tomorrow and hopefully the rear bumper later this week. Since I decided to go with 35's I sold the tracker axles and am going to go with a tcase gearset from Rocky Road Outfitters. That way when I upgrade to fullsize axles I won't have to worry about gearing... Later   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:14 pm:    \image {passengerside.jpg}   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:15 pm:      Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:21 pm:    dammit   RVR OVR (Tom) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:24 pm:    bad ass. how much $ you think you are going to have dropped in this when drivetrain & lift is done, if you don't mind me asking. i am contemplating a sammy of my own... tom   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:30 pm:      Greg Davis Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:30 pm:    Sweeeeet! Way too much fun for one person. Hank, you are really cranking on that thing.   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 03:48 pm:    My prices have been.... Sammi = 400 used lol gears = 450 new tires = 200 used rims = 150 new z-bar = 50 used extended brake lines = 50 (O'reilly auto parts) driveshaft spacers x2 = 40 new suspendion lift = 5 bucks (weld on spring perches from a trailer shop) body lift = 5 bucks 2 inch square tubing and use the old rubber to take it up to 3 inches. You can use the old shocks for a while but will need to upgrade soon. Cheap bastard price of $1350.00 I spent the most money on the t-case, but you dont have too. You can get tracker (5.125) axles or ring and pinion sets for less than that. I chose to go with the t-case gears simply to avoid having worry about gearing when I upgrade axles.... Get some blades for your sawzall and some disks for your angle grinder and dremmel. Your gonna need em.....   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 04:00 pm:      Moe (Moe) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 04:57 pm:    Hank, sweet looking project and good price for a toy that can get beat without worrying. In my opinion you might want to look into aftermarket springs. A friend went with national and received a much better ride and better flex. I advise against add-a-leaf, as it makes it too stiff and more tippy. You are probably experiencing axle wrap? The geared down transfer case mihgt add to that, and you will also have to stengthen the tcase mounts. And with those big tires and offset rims, be prepared for wheel bearing replacement on the trail. Can't wait to hear how it performs off road for you.   Rob Davison (Pokerob) Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 05:31 pm:    damn , what is the approach/departure? looks like 100 deg! rd   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 10:34 am:    Moe, I plan on carrying birfields, axleshafts and wheel bearings with me on the trail. I am going to weld a 3 inch piece of threaded pipe between the body and frame (where the body lift left me some room) and put the spare parts in there. I also plan on using a spare hub to mount my spare tire on the swing away. (sneaky huh) As far as springs go, when I upgrade axles, I have a set of yj springs and missing link shackles that will be going on the rear, at which time I will move the rear springs to the front. This will provide a cushier ride and will extend the wheelbase a little. My brother is upgrading the axles on his K5, I am going to build those axles for the Suzuki!!! I have the t-case mounts under control as well, a Suzuki owner near me just bought the toughest one on the market and is reproducing them in his garage for 50 bucks each, I am third in line for one of his spinoffs. I'm just really ready to get it out of my driveway and on the trail. Rob, I'll get you some pics this week of the approach/departure angles. They are pretty sick! Later   Moe Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 10:58 am:    Great, Hank. I like the idea of the spare hub to mount your spare tire on--very sneaky. Just watch the rear axle on your first time out. There might be rotation and that will put pressure on your driveshaft, especially the yokes. My friend, Rex, broke his rear 'unbreakable' drive shaft after the rear spring gave due to axle wrap. His solution was to fashion a center link for the rear axle. It sounds like you have it sorted out. Have fun with that new toy   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 03:18 pm:    Can you get some pics of his center link?? I have access to a race shop that has a monster junk pile that is full of interesting things to weld on and bolt on to the rig. I had a similar idea to stopping the axle wrap but haven't gotten to it yet....   Brad Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 03:54 am:    My friend just had an accident with his sammy the day he fixed it and put a locker in and a bigger rear axle housing. Some guy in the jeep cherokee cut a corner and hit him on his driver side right on the front corner of the engine compartment we thought he would of died and all since they are so small and made out of nothing but it was raised high enough that the jeep hit it and pushed everything up instead of back. He came out of the accident with a cut on his knee were the floorboard came up and cut him. And when the cops come they asked him if he was on drugs and stuff and never even bothered about the guy with the jeep and it was his fault. Probly because it looked like crap and all and he had a Go-cart in the back that flew out and broke and he just fixed that too.   Moe (Moe) Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 09:31 pm:    I'll try and chase down some pics and also ask him to snap a few of the other setups that he runs with. His sammi resides out of town so it might take a little while, unless he already has pics. I have a few pics of his suzuki in my photo gallery (matt moe) and maybe in the evans creek orv pics. I actually liked it best when it was close to stock, and I think he is now having second thougths about having modified it too much.   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 10:55 am:    Yea, from all the info. I have read, most people go back to a 32 or 33 inch tire after having broken everything on their rigs. Or they do an engine and axle upgrade. I have my eye on an efi v6 out of a small chevy truck, but I have no idea where Im going to put the radiator! lol   Embarrased to say I love dem sammys Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2002 - 09:24 pm:    4.3 chevy fits well, not that much tourque Radiator? Mount it out back like the trophy trucks do. You 'da man.   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, June 17, 2002 - 10:14 am:    Lights, bumper, and sliders..... check..   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Monday, August 12, 2002 - 03:26 pm:    Here is what I've done lately on the Samurai. 33x12.50 Swampers GRS1 (4.16 to 1 transfer case gears) Full cage. Custom front bumper. Rancho 9's I will post pics tomorrow...   Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 11:33 am:      Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 11:35 am:      Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 11:36 am:      Hank (Disco_Tex) Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 11:38 am: