Hello Guest

Stock 86 Sami locker advice wanted, NO extreme four wheeling, just snow and mud

  • 4 Replies
  • 1646 Views

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

For many years now, my stock 86 Sami has always gone through the snow, mud, and slush we get here in Northern Arizona with no issues.
However, that changed the other day.
After a week of snow/melting/more snow/melting on top of mud that is saturated ground, I lost traction and the car just stopped rolling.
Didn't sink into the mud, just lost traction and I had one tire front and rear spinning.
I am running normal street tires, 225/75-15 on wider than stock rims, so I have a "balloon" effect that I feel has helped me so far.
I want to put a locker of some sort in the front diff to keep me rolling.
Maybe one in the rear.
Don't want to incur the expense of an ARB or heavy duty axles.
And i still have years of use left on the tires, can't afford aggressive tread tires.
99% of the use the Sami gets is on dry dirt roads, and some pavement use.
But when the snow hits and starts to melt, it seems I need some extra help.
Can anybody steer me in the least expensive way to go that will keep me rolling through the crap?
kev

*

Offline Drone637

  • *
  • 8121
  • 116
  • Gender: Male
  • Evil Cow
What you really want is a Limited Slip.  Calmini lists one, part number #SS51LS, but I have no idea if they actually have any but it's in their part catalog!

http://www.puresuzuki.com/CALMINI_Suzuki_Catalog.pdf

Sadly an ARB is probably going to be your best bet, even with the extra cost.  There is the KAM system as well but it costs quite a bit more.  If you want to take a risk you could try a Chinese knock off air locker for quite a bit cheaper.

A well setup Lock-right locker with smaller tires drives pretty well but it does take some getting used to.  And it isn't comparable to an ARB once you get a chance to drive one.  :)
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

Thanks for the info ......
I read some reviews of the Spartan locker thingy, but it sounds like it could break my stock axles and the heavy duty ones are not in my budget.
Of course, if the county would maintain our roads even once in a while, I probably would be okay the way I am now.
kev

*

Online fordem

  • 4326
  • 170
  • Gender: Male
There is the KAM system as well but it costs quite a bit more.

It's my understanding that KAM changed ownership and the focus is now on LandRover only - Suzuki is still shown on their webpage, but the link goes nowhere.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

*

Offline Drone637

  • *
  • 8121
  • 116
  • Gender: Male
  • Evil Cow
I wouldn't worry about breaking axles with your tires.  If your running 31's and t-case gears and like to pinch your tires in between rocks sure, but for light and general driving you should be fun.  I ran a mini-spool with stock axles and 33x12.5" tires and it took quite a lot of abuse before I broke anything.

Shame about Kam, but SJ's are a shrinking market at this point.  At least until I win a lottery and start building new ones.  :D
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing