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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: aired_down on October 18, 2008, 02:33:45 PM

Title: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: aired_down on October 18, 2008, 02:33:45 PM

Wanting a removable top / removable doors Samurai for dirt roads in the hills / snow in the winter, basically to replace an ATV type vehicle such as the Rhino, that we can drive down the highway rather than having to trailer it to the dirt.

The pickings are not that great around here and the only rig within a 120 miles is an 87 Samurai that has a weber carb installed.

Anything I need to look out for with this vintage?  It has 150K mile on the odometer, a spring over lift on it, 33" tires and headers, other than that not much else done to it.  The guy is asking $2000.

Probably wont' do much to it other than add skid plates, winch and maybe onboard air since we drive in a lot of sand.

Should I be looking for another year or does this one sound OK for the $$?

Title: Re: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: Rhinoman on October 18, 2008, 02:42:08 PM

You should fill in your location in your profile, it makes a difference. I would ask about gearing, 33" tyres will need some lower gears either R&Ps or tcase. How clean is it? Sammys can rust quite badly.

Title: Re: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: aired_down on October 18, 2008, 02:56:48 PM

Thanks for the reply. No major rust anywhere, will ask about gearing.  We won't be climbing much with it, mostly dirt roads/ highways. Will the stock gears work OK for that? I would prefer better gas mileage over hill climbing ability.  I figure I can go to low range if I need it on a dirt hill.

Title: Re: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: idaholwb on October 18, 2008, 03:39:28 PM

 The best thing you can do for that is to put 5.12s in the diffs. You will be able to freeway easily and helps tons with every other aspect. Makes the clutch and driveline parts last longer. Low range isn't that much lower than high range in a Sami. 1.4:1 reduction in high and low is only 2.28:1. Stock Sami diffs are only 3.73:1.

Title: Re: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: Drone637 on October 20, 2008, 11:21:17 AM

I'm a big fan of doing the transfer case instead of putting lower gears in the diff.  I would put a 5.8 or 6.5:1 transfer case gears in to run 33" tires with a stock engine.  You won't be a speed demon, but you should be able to do 60 with the 1.3 as long as you stay away from heavy tires like Swampers.

Title: Re: Hello and a few ?'s on an 87 Samurai
Post by: idaholwb on October 26, 2008, 07:00:46 PM

 Another option is to use 4.16:1 t-case gears with 4.30 or 4.62:1 axle gears with 33s. It would do everything you ask of it with little issue.