Samurai Build x 2. [Archive]

OverEasy

08-04-2009, 02:03 AM

Well as stated in a few other posts I have a 87 Suzuki Samurai. I have owned it for 4 years now. I got it in a even trade with a friend. I traded my 89 K5 Blazer with 8" of lift an 40" TSLs for this thing. The Samurai had been in a field under a tree used as a storage unit for a family. I think I came out ahead!
Pic of Blazer that was traded. Yes its a pic of a pic.
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_1362.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_1362.jpg)
So here it is from start to now.
When I got it home it needed a little TLC! It was stock and smoked just a little, had mold growing on it and had about 3" of sunflower seeds it the floorboards. It cleaned up fairly well. I yanked out all the carpet, cleaned the seats, drained all the stale gas, put a new yellowtop in it and gave it a fresh new rattle can paint bomb, WALLAH!!! A running drivable Samurai!
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_0168.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_0168.jpg)

About 6 months later after running a few trails stock to see how it would do, I was pretty impressed with it. I liked it and had gotten kind of used to the 80" wheelbase thing. And figured it was time to upgrade.

So it began. First I ordered my lift after some researching. I ordered through RockyRoadOutfitters, the 6" spoa full weld on kit. Shocks, OTT Steering . . . . . After that was the 31" LTBs sometimes 33" TSLs on Rockcrawler Soft 8 steel wheels, 5.15 t-case, Lockers F/R. Full belly skid plate, Rock sliders, Homemade F/R bumpers, F/R diff guards and the Ramsey 8.5 winch.
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_0345-1.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_0345-1.jpg)
So after all that I thought I was done for a bit but NOOOOOO. . . . . I had noticed that the Sami had been losing some power and that it was smoking a bit more than usual. Then one day my radiator decided to poop out on me. So I pulled the motor. I knew it was time. So What now?

I traded a good friend of mine a truck to do some work for me. I, by far am no engine builder. He accepted and helped out. The build consisted of the stock 1.3ltr being built. I wanted a 1.6 swap but didn't have the money at the time. I went with the 1.3 and had the head shaved, ported, complete valve job, 30 over, pistons, rods, torque cam, open air intake, stainless header,
new FREE * wink, wink * flow exhaust, stage ll centerforce clutch, GM alt upgrade. . . and a new radiator!
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_0949.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_0949.jpg)
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_0948.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_0948.jpg)

So for now, This is where I am. I'm wanting more out of this thing. I have progressed with my rig and just feel its that time to go to the next level with it. So far I have bought a set of Toyota axles, and YJ leaves for the new lift. My plan is to have my Samurai built like. . . .
YJ spoa lift, Toyota axles geared with 5.29s, 6.5 t-case, semi comp cut body, roll cage, fuel cell, 36-37" tires on beadlocked wheels, F/R lockers, diff guards.
Few other things to make complete but I'll post as it comes. So far I have gotten the axles tore down and cleaned up. Ordered the axle rebuild kits with wheel bearings, cleaned up the YJ leaves, and droped my t-case for my boss to buy.
Crusty junk. . .
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_1457.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_1457.jpg)
New Hotness. . .
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_1498.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_1498.jpg)
axle kit. . .
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/th_100_1595.jpg (http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/?action=view&current=100_1595.jpg)

Well so far that's my build for now. Sorry its so long but I put it all at once so I could catch up faster when posting progress with it.

Thanks for your interest!

Scrambled

08-04-2009, 02:23 AM

OverEasy

08-04-2009, 02:31 AM

Looks good Jer.:thumb:

Iv'e got all the stock soft top hardware from the sammy I sold a few weeks ago.
I know your is a tin top but you can have it if you want it.

Anybody wheeling a Sammy with a screen name like easy over has got to have a good sense of humor.:D:thumb:

Hope to see you and the sammy out on the trail soon.

Later
Sean

That's cool man! I have a friend, well lets see. . . I have one Sami, my boss has two, a friend has two, a x GF has two running and a parts one, and another friend looking at one! Hahahaha! So between all of us any and all donations are welcome! :yup:

And yes I like to have a good time where ever I am! I refuse adulthood! That stuff is for old people! :D

Scrambled

08-04-2009, 02:48 AM

Looks like your family has a Zuki addiction to rival my Jeep addiction. LOL

Drop me a line when you gonna be in town and you are welcome to come pick up the top hardware.

As far as growing up there is a happy balance my friend . . . Kay and I both are cleverly disguised as responsible adults.;):D

Later
Sean

OverEasy

08-04-2009, 03:01 AM

I got ya, I got ya! I guess so!

That's cool man, Not to sure when it will be but I will let you know. If you still have it! A friend and I just finished a Toyota of his * 87 pickup * and will be making a parts run up there soon I hope. So I can let ya know!

YJeXtreme

08-05-2009, 09:07 AM

Looks good... almost makes me miss my Daihatsu... Keep up the good work man,

cootees

08-05-2009, 09:14 AM

What lockers are you going with?

OverEasy

08-05-2009, 10:23 AM

Well as far as lockers go, I am thinking of welding the rear up an using a locker up front. Detroit, lockright, Aussie. . . . I dunno? Any and all info welcome.

cootees

08-05-2009, 10:45 AM

The toy elocker is a great bang for the buck. Jon is also selling an arb locker on the forums.

OverEasy

08-05-2009, 08:04 PM

The thing about the ARB is I just don't like the idea of having a air line ran. I have also seen problems with the O rings in the compressors having problems. I just don't want to be stuck in a spot because of something as small as that.

Whats all involved with doing the Toyo E-locker in the front with a 8"er?

I am thinking that I want locker that I don't have to second guess. You know, press the gas its there, let out its disengaged.

I had LockRights in the F/R of the Sami axles and never had a single problem one out of them. I had had em in for about 2 years daily driven/wheeler also.

cootees

08-06-2009, 08:38 AM

It's not bad. It just comes on with the push of a button. Installation wasn't really difficult. You take a few studs out drill and tap for longer studs and that is it. Except for the wiring, there are schematics online but I ended up just buying a harness from www.offroadsolutions.com

hadfield4wd

08-06-2009, 09:11 AM

The thing about the ARB is I just don't like the idea of having a air line ran. I have also seen problems with the O rings in the compressors having problems. I just don't want to be stuck in a spot because of something as small as that.

Most ARB problems are user error. People run air lines wrong, pinch the orings or not lube them when installed etc.

OverEasy

08-06-2009, 07:56 PM

Most ARB problems are user error. People run air lines wrong, pinch the orings or not lube them when installed etc.

I'm sure most are user error. I just don't like the room for error that comes along with the ARB. Don't get me wrong, I think they make great lockers. I have a full recovery setup from that company. I just like the fact that when I hit the gas, its locked. The fact that its optional is cool but I feel I bought a locker for a reason I'm gonna use it. No on off switches, lights, airlines. . . .

OverEasy

08-09-2009, 03:48 AM

Well got a small amount done to the Sami. I got the T-case that's in it, out.
I had previously busted the case. The shift rail was hanging about 1 1/2 - 2" out of the front of it. I'm still not sure how this happen. Anyway, I got the case dropped and taken to a friends house for an inspection of the gears. * 5.14s *
Under a good inspection the gears have seemed to survived!

My boss is buying the Trail Gear 6.5 for me in place of the 5.14s he is getting from me. He also wants the axles and steering off my Sami now to!!!! That way I now can buy the R&Ps for the Toyo axles now! I still have things to take care of but at least it will be getting close to the downhill part soon! Just trying to get my " ducks in a row " first. This is my first actual build other than just bolt on stuff. I'm learning here! Hahaha!

Scrambled

08-11-2009, 02:36 AM

OverEasy

08-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Give Brant at Trail Tough a call he's a great guy has a wealth of Suzuki knowledge that is 2nd to none.

Most T-case failures in a Sammy are caused by the week stock mounts ripping out and the case banging around unsupported.

Look into an upgraded out put shaft for your next Tcase as well as a Mighty Kong mount from Trail Tough. Both will help keep your new case in the Sammy in one piece.:thumb:

Later
Sean

Yeah, Brent knows me by name just about! Hahaha! I am no stranger to Trail Tough! Brent and Linda are both great people to deal with!

Nothing around the case is stock. It has a Kong mount and bullet prof mounts. There is kinda a story/theory behind what we " think happen " to the case. I looked at the Mount and mounts and they were good to go so I know that wasn't the prob. with it.

Thanks for putting Brent & Linda's shop out there!
Trail Tough + Samurai = Happy :bowdown:

hadfield4wd

08-12-2009, 09:09 AM

I may have a sammy case if you need it.

OverEasy

08-12-2009, 04:22 PM

I may have a sammy case if you need it.

If so do you know what year it came out of? This would be a great help. The guy who is supposed to be getting me one keeps yanking my chain. I would like to tell him I found another!

Sweet let me know! Thanks!

hadfield4wd

08-12-2009, 04:43 PM

'88. It's at a machine shop. I just need to pick it up. It is stock. It may not have the drive shaft flanges on it. We were going to use them for the jedi buggy then he decided to go a different direction and i haven't talked to him in a while. I can verify and get back to you if you're interested.

OverEasy

08-12-2009, 05:36 PM

OverEasy

01-13-2011, 10:52 PM

Holy crap! Has it been that long? Wow.....

Anyway, LMAO @ all my hopes and dreams and people building my rig for me. This is what I ended up with.

Going with the revolvers f/r, stock YJ springs, 34" LTB's (for now, came across a friends dad selling them for a great price and couldn't not buy them), 6.5 t-case . . . . a few more things.

When the gears go in it will be drivable again. I can run it how it is, just need to get these things addressed soon.

Still need new wheels (mine have improper bs), shocks(least of my worries), tcase gears put in (I have them and a case), need to do something with the front shaft.

Recap. . .

From this.
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/100_0168-2.jpg

To this.
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/DSCN0026.jpg

And here's my pile as it sits now, I have found a new love for and can't wait to wheel with again. :friends:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/IMAG0010.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/Samurai012.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/Samurai014.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv311/watjeep/IMAG0014.jpg

Now back on track, more soon hopefully. Thanks!