ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Samurai (All SJ Platform) 1981-1998 => Topic started by: ZukiSami on April 06, 2012, 07:15:14 PM
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Hi guys. After shopping around for about a year, I have finally purchased my first Samurai. Unfortunately, the one I found is a 2WD but since the body is very solid, I bought it anyway. Can someone give me some details as to what I need to convert to 4WD? My plan is to do a frame-off restoration and install a 1.6 16V. I have access to a '89 Sidekick. I'm not sure if it has the 1.3 or 1.6 engine. At any rate it's not a 16V so I'm not inclined to use it. In my younger days, I did a lot of hot-rodding so feel pretty comfortable that I have at least the basic skills to do a decent job.
Thanks for your suggestions and advice.
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Front axle, T case, drive lines, tools, patients, time, band aids, and a love of the addiction.....Boxcar...
PS: You might want to find a complete bucket of a Sammy to use as a donor. It will simplify things...
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Boxcar, thanks for your comments. Can I use the drive train out of a 1989 4WD Sidekick. Or, better yet from a 16V Sidekick or Tracker?
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The Tracker/Sidekicks make a nice engine donor but the entire front-end is different. You need to find a wrecked Sammy.
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Yes I know that the Sidekick has IFS. At the risk of being banned from this website, I'm giving some thought to converting my Sami to IFS. Finding a wrecked Samurai for the necessary parts down in this part of the country is not easy, but I'm looking. Also, I won't be doing much if any crawling, so SAS is not all that important to me. I'll be on the road 80 - 90% of the time and the few times I need 4WD, it'll be mud and sand. I think IFS will work fine for me, if it's not too complicated a conversion.
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I'm not going to say that it can't be done. God knows I have done more complex conversions.
But I will say that if you want a side kick buy a side kick....
If you need the parts to convert your Zuke to 4wd Just ask....I have them all.
Of course, I live in Astoria Oregon. A beautiful place to vacation. Bring a trailer....Boxcar...
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Thanks for the offer Boxcar. I'm sure it would be a great trip. But, yesterday I was able to make a deal to buy the necessary parts to convert to SAS 4WD. And, they're a lot closer to home. I do have one question though (for now that is); will I be able to use my 2WD transmission?
Thanks again for your help. Oh, by the way, I love your Sami!!
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Only if your using a divorced transfer case. The stock t-case will not bolt up to a 2wd 5sp transmission unless you cut down the output shaft. The splines start at the same point, but the 2wd is about 3-4" longer. Not sure about with the auto.
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Thanks for the offer Boxcar. I'm sure it would be a great trip. But, yesterday I was able to make a deal to buy the necessary parts to convert to SAS 4WD. And, they're a lot closer to home. I do have one question though (for now that is); will I be able to use my 2WD transmission?
If you are talking about a samurai, then yes. Samurai's don't really have "2wd" and "4wd" trannys, since the tcase is not mated directly to the tranny.
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Thanks for the offer Boxcar. I'm sure it would be a great trip. But, yesterday I was able to make a deal to buy the necessary parts to convert to SAS 4WD. And, they're a lot closer to home. I do have one question though (for now that is); will I be able to use my 2WD transmission?
If you are talking about a samurai, then yes. Samurai's don't really have "2wd" and "4wd" trannys, since the tcase is not mated directly to the tranny.
Oh yea, this is the SJ thread. I was thinking this was the X90 thread. Man, I am off my game...
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Sounds like all you need now is time...Boxcar...
PS: godd wrenching...