ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Captain_Jack on February 01, 2004, 01:10:39 PM
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I am captain Jack Smith, The Salvation Army Officer (Pastor) in Bend, Oregon. I have spent the last month reading all the posts I can on this site. You have given me great insight into what works and doesn't work on a Samurai. We have an 88 1/2 that came to us needing help. We have order from Steve at Calmini a 3" lift, from Brent at Trail Tough the parts to overhaul our transmission and the adapter kit to put a 1.6 16Valve in. He's going to do our wiring also. I have had nothing but great service from both businesses. When I clled with a question (there were many) they were right there with the answers. Tomorrow the engine and related items gets pulled from the 95 Tracker. Then the fun begins.
Thanks again to you all. I will have questions. Any of you near Bend?
Captain Jack
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Welcome to the boards!
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I'm just down the road from you in k falls, I'm also in saturn (ham radio s.a. ) I have not been on in a while but was under Major Mc pherson out of Chicago, but have not gotten a x-mas card from him in a while(I hope that he is ok.) maybe with all the mc donalds money I will get one this year. LOL ttul Dennis.
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Hello ;D
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Welcome Jack. What are you building the sammy for? And why did you go with the Calmini 3"? You will find that it rides like a buckboard! I have had some experience with that lift, everyone that I know that has had it has wished they did a spring over instead, it's about the same cost with a better ride and better offroad manners.
Just a thought from someone that knows.
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Welcome Capt'n ! :)
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Why we're building the Samurai. As The Salvation Army in Central Oregon we are respond to all Search & Rescue ? Fires in this area. We provide radio communications through our Saturn Network, personel to man the lines. Our mobile feeding Unit (Canteen) prepares food and drink for those in the field.
We had been using a 4 wheeler with a trailer to haul this food to the lines. The person who donated the use
of the vehicle moved. i was at the San Diego fires and got the op[portunity to be in Samurai that was set up beautifully.
When I returned home I decided to find a Samurai to setup for us.
The Sami I rode in had used the Calmini suspension. I don't know enough to know the difference between a smooth ride and a soft ride in a Sami. He had used it because it gave the necessary clearance for the 1.6 conversion. The 1.6 16V is used because it was partually donated by a local wrecking yard. Trail Tough for the adapter and because they modify the wiring. Both Steve at Calmini and Brent at Trail Tough have been good to us in the purchase of their product.
We are open to suggestions as to what else we can do.
Sorry so long.
Captain jack
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Welcome Captain_ Jack!  :)
In my opinion You found the best BBS and people there are on net net . I'm new here to and Love it, in fact I need my Zukiworld fix daily now! Good luck building that zuki You made a great choice there to. ;)
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greetings Jack. what kind of tires and size will you be running?
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Welcome!!!!!
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As to tires and wheels? As of now, we have the stock wheels and tires. I have no idea what we will end up with. Will depend on the cost. We would be open to suggestions. The "Rescue Sami" will be used in snow during the winter, mud in the spring N fall and dry dirt during our hot summers.
I have read where we need a max. of 3" offset on the rims. Is this true? We would be open to good used rims.
Today, we did get our engine, wiring, computer and power steering out of a 96 Tracker LSI. Took two of us 3 hrs. to get everything out.
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i think some BFG M/T's are the rubbers for you. swampers might be a bit too aggressve for snow.
Stu
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Hush, those nasty words >:( I love my TSL sx 29x10.5x15 they do far superior then any BFG- offroad or in the snow but not on the road :-[for S&R i would go with a lil more aggressive tire ;Djust my 2cents ;D ;) ;D
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i have never played in snow yet but wouldn't you wana stay on top insted of digging?
Stu
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i only sink when i stop but thats not even that much!Ienjoy the side bite and its versatility but like i said thats jus my opinion ;DI wheel in the Cascade MT &Pilchuck and also MT. Baker these are the terrains iam use too jus so you have an idea about what i drive in :)
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is that your final awnser? lol :P ;D :P
Stu
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MY suggestion for the tires for the winter would be something with plenty of tread separation and plenty of siping (small biting edges cut onto tire to help displace water in wet and icy conditions). Use a more agressive mud type tire and have the same tire shop put sipes in them. The best way to address this problem would be to have 2 sets of tires, siped and studded for the winter, and something like a swamper for every other season.
Good luck.
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Just had a great conversation with Steve Kramer owner of Calmini. He admitted the first generation 3" lift was a bit harsh in the ride dept. A few years ago they redesigned their package and as a result have developed a much smoother ride. After talking to other folks that have done other conversions. I feel this is the one we need to put on. This is a highway limited offroad non rock crawling vehicle. Thanks to all for their imput.
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WELCOME CAPT. JACK TO OUR HOME ;D LOOKS LIKE YOUR IN GOOD HANDS ...DONT FORGET TO TAKE SOME PICS. OF THE PROCESS...AND POST THEM HERE FOR US TO SEE ;) MATTY D. 8)
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Thanks to all who responded. Not having been envolved in a project like this before. It's a great help to have a place to go and get questions answered. It's kinda nice to be able to ask a question and get so many varied perspectives.
It's coming into the shop this afternoon for the teardown. Trans is going to a shop and getting a bearing and syncro kit put in. We figured as long as the trans is out - this would be a good time to freshen it up.
Will take pictures.
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good ide, i have never driven a sammy but i hear they are nasty.
Stu
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good ide, i have never driven a sammy but i hear they are nasty.
Stu
??? :o
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??? :o
i ment nasty to shift. not nasty off road, well at least not after driveing my tracker. lol
Stu
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good ide, i have never driven a sammy but i hear they are nasty.
Stu
MY 1ST ZUKE WAS A STOCK SAMMY...LOVED THAT LITTLE BEAST YOU COULDN'T KILL IT...BEEN KICKING MYSELF IN THE A$$ EVER SINCE I GOT RID OF IT..... >:(...BUT WERE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY IN MY KICK...... ;D MATTY D. 8)