This is my first post as a Samurai owner, figured I'd introduce myself and give a little background info, share some pics, and ask a few questions while I'm at it.
My name's Dave, I am 27y/o structural engineer, out of college I got into vintage motorcycle restoration and eventually sailing/windsurfing, but after blowing out my ACL and some other fun stuff playing soccer I figured my motorcycle days were over and after having a hella fun sailboat (also hard to sail with a bum knee and it sucks paying to keep it in a boat slip) I changed my interests and have been searching craigslist for well over two months looking for a Samurai because I it was exactly everything I was looking for:
1. Fun to drive (and slightly safer than a motorcycle)
2. Capable of offroading yet still manageable as a DD (I only go 2.5 miles to work, no biggie)
3. Better gas mileage than my truck
4. Easy to work on
Well, yesterday I went out and looked at one of two Sami's I was supposed to check out and after the first visit I knew I had found my next project (I forgot to mention I'm also renovating my house but I got burnt out for a while even though I only have two rooms left to re-do) The guy was asking $1000 and talked it down a lot worse than it actually ended up being, and even though I would have paid the grand, I got him to take $800 and he even delivered it to my house across town for an extra $50.
Anyways, it's an 88, has a SPOA but everything else is stock, starts up so fast and idles well, the carb needs some work though as it is a little sluggish and doesn't respond too well, a major plus is that the interior panels are already diamond plated so after some cleaning and painting and new seats it will look awesome, and except for some general surface rust and a few dings and a few fixable rust through spots it is in good condition. The PO took the rocker and fender plastics off already in order to begin sanding for a paint job and it sure as heck needs some new shoes (going to go with 235/17/r15's and try to keep stock gearing) and I'll probably black primer it for a while and then concentrate on getting it running tip top and getting all of the stray wiring back to normal. I don't know what the heck is going on with the front bumper, but I don't know how to weld yet (emphasis on the yet) so it will stay for a while.
http://davoarts.googlepages.com/100_2408.JPG/100_2408-full;init:.JPGhttp://davoarts.googlepages.com/100_2417.JPG/100_2417-full;init:.JPGAnyways, first question......
The SPOA looks decent, I know I'll probably do an over the top steering because it looks like it needs it bad, and there is a spacer on the rear shaft but not one on the front. Is there supposed to be one on the front as well with the SPOA?
Thanks!!
