Hello all,

Just purchased an 87 rag top
1.3
Weber carb (needs tuning)
Calmini 2" shackle reversal
Tri Y header
MSD blaster
29" tires

I have been reading about the Sami for at least a year now, talked myself out of it once then came back to it. My intent is to flat tow it behind my truck and camper and use it for 4 wheelin the passes of Colorado as much as possible. Not really into rock crawlin (not that there's anything wrong with that) just tackling the good heavy duty 4wd trails.

I believe I got a good deal, 72k, straight body, very clean, $2,000.

My wants for upgrading are:
- additional lift to fit 32-33" tall and 9.5" wide mud tires (Calmini 1.5" springs to go with the 2" shackle reversal?)
- High steer setup
- lockers front and rear
- keep the stock axles with the upgrades
- stock transfer case geared to 5.14:1, definitely geared way high right now
- lots more but that is the top priority for now

Has fairly significant bump steer right now, motor stumbles pretty good midrange but runs nice high rpm when it is "on the pipe" (what a cute little motor). I know with a Holley that sometimes signifies that the secondaries are coming in too soon, lots to learn.

Anyway, I live in Lafayette Colorado, 4 wheeled a 72 Bronco and a built 74 Bronco 20 years ago. Have done lot's of dirt biking in Colorado and I'm now ready to go back to 4 wheelin and quite excited about this Sami thing.

Suggestions are more than welcome from the sages, I'll post more specific questions when I get to each step.

Anyway, glad to be here.
Swath

Hey man , welcome to the site, Im a noobie so I cant help that much, Watch out for the addiction 
Tony

with the altitude you're at, might wanna consider a motor swap to get EFI ..

but does sound like ya got a decent base to work from!

Enjoy!

Ya, I imagine I'll look into the engine swap options eventually, I would kind of like to run this current motor ragged first.  No doubt it struggles climbing the little hills just from home to work, I figure the lower xfer case gearing will help that out.

Welcome, from WY.  I'm a big zuk fan!  I have 3 complete ones and 1 parts rig.  You've got a great start now, for a wheeler.  Lockers and maybe some gears either t-case or diffs, and a little more lift and some tuning, and you'll go were no fullsize rig could ever go!!!   Good luck on the build up!!

Hey man , welcome to the site, Im a noobie so I cant help that much, Watch out for the addiction 
Tony

I thouroughly enjoy and relish in my addictions.

Welcome, from WY.  I'm a big zuk fan!  I have 3 complete ones and 1 parts rig.  You've got a great start now, for a wheeler.  Lockers and maybe some gears either t-case or diffs, and a little more lift and some tuning, and you'll go were no fullsize rig could ever go!!!   Good luck on the build up!!

I started building up my 84 F-250, however, no matter what I do to it, it will still be too big to do trails like the Black Bear Pass. So I decided to let my truck be my truck and cary my camper and tow my toy to the mountains and a build a rig that is more suited to trail riding - thus the Zuki...

Seems to me, economically speaking, this is quite a sensible rig to develop, and it doesn't hurt that they seem to work quite well off road. I have a bud building his YJ up, he will spend twice as much as me at the least and time will tell which will be most effective. Too frickin much fun for sure.

Swath

if you're gunna be wheeling with a heep then you'll also need a good tow stap (and or winch) when he's stuck 

I started building up my 84 F-250, however, no matter what I do to it, it will still be too big to do trails like the Black Bear Pass. So I decided to let my truck be my truck and cary my camper and tow my toy to the mountains and a build a rig that is more suited to trail riding - thus the Zuki...

It's a great way to do it. 

Are you looking at just adding an add-a-leaf or put a new spring pack under it?

It's a great way to do it. 

Are you looking at just adding an add-a-leaf or put a new spring pack under it?

The Calmini kits come with that shackle reversal which I already have, so I will add the Calmini springs to what is already there. (leaning towards the 1.5" springs maybe 3") I don't believe add-a-leaf would be the way to go. I'm chasing that "just enough" spot without going overboard for my intended use or making it too weird to flat tow. Maybe I'll learn about some other springs that would do the job as I progress along.

I do want to chase after good articulation, I'm guessing most folks do away with the sway bar right quick?

Swath

   Most do lose the swaybar.i like you prefer good trails,such as the ones here at Turkey Bay,but keep gettin tuned up by my doctors and can't use em.Love my zuki,and youre ideas sound like they will get ya where you are headed.