G.I. Jane |
ZUKIWORLD's
tricked out little Samurai |
Editor:
Eric Bewley |
ALBANY, OR -What is at the heart of
a Samurai owner’s lust for a vehicle that has been shunned by the masses? It appears
that there are two completely diametrically opposed camps that find the Suzuki attractive.
The first is a group that is looking for an affordable means to either be a part of the
off-road society or to use as a platform to demonstrate fabrication skills and engineering
talents. The bottom dollar is primary motivation and regard for the vehicle is at a
minimum. For example, I was speaking with a Samurai owner a couple of weeks ago that was
extremely proud of their new 1.6 8-valve conversion they just installed. There was a
twinkle in his eye as he pontificated his bargaining skills in regards to engine and
adapter kit. When asked why there were ball-peen hammer marks protruding from underneath
the hood, they stated: “I used a hammer to beat the hood up so the air cleaner bolt
wouldn’t hit it.” Not fully understanding the motive for destroying a perfectly
good hood; I mentioned there may have been an alternate, less damaging, method for fitting
the engine. In response, they proclaimed, “Who cares? It [referring to the Samurai]
didn’t cost me hardly anything… This is my beater.”
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The second group of Samurai owner has a real love
affair with this orphan of automotive legal grievance. There’s something about this
little car that engages this owner. Not only do these owners spend hours in their
vehicles, exploring, traveling, and sight seeing; time is spent thinking about their
Samurai. Dreams of modifications to enhance performance awake the individual and true
happiness is spending “Quality time” in the garage. Money is of little concern,
and modifications that involve hacking half of the body tub off with a torch, removing the
inner and outer fenders for that extra inch of wheel clearance, or performing a permanent
motor mount repair by using a few links of chain from the hardware store never cross their
mind. A repair or modification must be done right and make sense to this group of Suzuki
evangelists. A group that loves their vehicle and the involved driving experience it
provides. |
You have got to want to
drive a Samurai; for driving a Samurai is not a beige experience like most of today’s
cars. There’s no turn the key, dial the cell phone, and drink your cup of coffee
while whizzing down the freeway to pick up your kids from soccer practice. You know your
driving this vehicle and it needs you to be a part of that driving experience. The
latter group embraces this concept and revels in the little idiosyncratic ways the Samurai
is different from the crowd.
| Meet G.I.Jane a Suzuki Samurai that flies in the face
of the modern 'bigger is better' hack and slash ideology. A concept vehicle, if you
will, that focuses on what makes a Samurai special to their owners and accentuates the
positives of this rugged platform. After experiencing many sizes and forms of Samurai, I
felt that the 'most joy' came from when I first discovered the Samurai. My modifications
were light, simple, small. In fact, the whole vehicle was small but it didn't detour from
the adventures that were had. G.I. Jane has few but important
modifications. A, tried and true, Sidekick 1.6L 8-valve engine with isky torquer cam,
header and 2 1/4 inch free flow exhaust. This engine package, Installed with a CALMINI
adapter kit drives a stock transmission and a GRS2 equipped PetroWorks t-case, stock ring
and pinion with Detroit EZ lockers put the power to the ground through 29x8.5 TSL Super
Swampers. |
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I felt it important to show off the
really great lines a Samurai has under those D.O.T. legal-schmegal fender flares. So, the
flares were removed and the body cleaned up underneath. A 2" CALMINI lift kit is all
that is needed to easily run the tires. Bumpers were modified for fit and to pay homage to
the Samurai predecessor, the SJ410.
  
  
Other subtle choices included retaining the stock
Samurai induction which works well with the 1.6L engine. A Swift GT steering wheel and
Samurai JX instrument cluster grace the clean yet Spartan interior.
G.I. Jane captures the spirit of Samurai. Adventures
are extremely fulfilling in this simple effective vehicle which looks just as good getting
groceries as it does out on a 12 day desert adventure.
 ZW
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