Hello all, I would like introduce myself and say that you have a nice little corner here. I am a machinist/fabricator by trade, my hobbies are any kind of hunting with any type of weapon, paintball and of course cruzin trails.

Yes I am new here but it seems to be a nice yet informative place and I thought I would join.

I have wanted to build a Samurai for many years and just have not took the time to look for one. I always thought that the best engine swap would be a deisel but I know nothing about them. There are not many Samurais where I live here in New Mexico, so finding one has been tough. I have found a 88 Tintop (actually fell in my lap) all stock and seems to be in very good condition from the pics. But I would like to hear from the pros what needs to be done with what I would like to do and see if its something I want to do. Before I take the plunge and buy it.

I would like to build this Samurai like so many of you have but I dont do any major rock climbing like you crawlers do, although I do love the look. I would like this to be kinda of a daily driver (to and from work) as well as a predator hunting rig. Dont get me wrong these mountains out here can be down right rough even too rough for a nice truck!! Also I may have to do a few hundred miles to get to some good hunting spots so hwy driving is a must!! And on top of that we have a alot of hills here so I would need the Sammy to be able to maintain a 75-80mph speed range.

So what would be my best setup as far as lift and what kind, engine mods or engine swap? I like the 33",34" tire look as well so all the info. I can get as far as what would be the best setup and the best company to deal with would be great!!

Thanks
Wook

to keep highway speeds capable,  you're gonna need a totally different motor.   my 87 sammy just wont go over 73.  I dont think any of them will.     

for tires, I'd consider a 235/75/15 in the model of your choice, which requires a lift, and/or some body modifications to fit, but you gain a lot of aggressive offroad tires that are capable of lots.

Welcome btw,  this place is VERY knowledgeable really in everything imaginable pertaining to the SJ, Samurai, trackick, etc. 

MY samurai is very fun just to drive, and is my daily as well.  handling is best described as being akin to a gocart,  if everythin is tight in the steering system, it just GOES whereever you want it to.    its a good vehicle though.  mine makes me smile all the time.

Welcome. I just bought a samurai myself, so I can't comment too much on what to do with yours but the consensus seems to be as follow.

Motor
1.6 valve swap or vw diesel swap

Suspension
spring over and 31-33" tires if you are not in need of lots of articulation
jeep yj spring over and 31-35" tires if you want a soft ride and lots of flex
cj/ruf will give you not as much flex or as good as ride, but works well

Gears (you will need them)
Transfer case and maybe axle

Axles
Stock axles if you are not hard on them
Yota axles if you want to not have to worry about breaking them

Of course this is a simplified list but it will give you an idea on where to start doing research. Good luck and have fun.

Sweet!! Already have a couple of responses!! 95gstman you have given me a great start!! So for the suspension? I guess the YJ spring over cause it has the best ride, gears, transfer case and axles. Who is the best company for customer service and quality parts?

So the 1.6L 8v or 16v? I would imagine the 16v but anyway, it will give me the power needed for this task? I had been looking at Rocky Off road but I have read a few post from other places sayimg that there cus. service really sucks? So not sure in who to put my trust in.

Thanks for a start fellas I will start looking for these things at some places, then as soon as I know where to buy em I will start a list.

Wook

Welcome to the board. The Sammy is ideal for long highway trips, my shopping list would be:

235s
OME suspension (comfort and lift)
1.6 16V
Underbody armour
some decent seats
maybe some earplugs

Welcome to the board. The Sammy is ideal for long highway trips, my shopping list would be:

235s
OME suspension (comfort and lift)
1.6 16V
Underbody armour
some decent seats
maybe some earplugs

Do I hear a little sarcasm? I cant imagine that the Sammy would be a good vehicle for long hwy trips? Ear plugs? I will probably have a decent sound system that should cover most of the noise. Thats ok fellas just keep the responses coming!! I need all the info. I can get.

Wook

The wind noise for me with the top off on my soft top isnt too bad really.    but earplugs arent a bad idea.   if you add some carpet padding under the carpeting on the floorboards, it could help quiet it down a little more too.   luckily, all the interior carpet is completely removable too.

The Sammy's can be great for long runs, you just need to understand the limitations.  You just can't haul a lot of people. 

If your looking for a slightly different Diesel swap a couple of people have used the Nissan engines with success.  There is a thread over at http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/general-suzuki-forum/nissan-diesel-swap/msg226292/ that makes for good reading.

Hey thanks for the info. fellas. I have run into a snag? The person I was dealing with has fallen off the face of the planet? So my search begins again? I have been reading a lot and have found many Sammys everywhere but where I am at? I am tryin to figure out if its going to be cost effective for me to go out of state to buy one of these little guys? I have also found a few that have some mods and some that have a lot of mods done to them. Prices vari so much its not even funny. There is one on REPower that is a tintop (whole body have been Line-X'd) light blue and has the 1.6 16v conversion tires and lifted, looks outstanding and is what I am looking for almost to the T of what I want, at least in the looks department. But for $14K  I dont think so. So i will keep an eye out in the classifieds and see what comes up.

Thanks for the respones fellas and keep em coming, just cuz I dont have one right this second doesnt mean I dont ned the information.

Wook

For $14K, a sammy better come with a woman that doesnt age, or do anything but pleasure you when you want it.   I cant justify paying more than $5k TOPS for one, and thats if its rust free, looks showroom new and runs/drives PERFECTLY.   

For $14K, a sammy better come with a woman that doesnt age, or do anything but pleasure you when you want it.   I cant justify paying more than $5k TOPS for one, and thats if its rust free, looks showroom new and runs/drives PERFECTLY.   

That was my thought as well. I found another oner one but its really not what I am after, its a convertable and in very rough shape. The interior looks like .... well its bad and exterior is not any better but it does have a brand new set of meats on it and a new shackle lift. He wants $1500. for it? He prolly has $900 in tires. I think I will wait. So $5K is what one of these babies are worth even with the mods. done to them and they need to be very? Hmm... thats some even better info. thanks bobthebiker!!

Well I'm not 100% sure thats what they're WORTH, but thats what I draw the line at,  unless its got a killer cummins 6BT swapped in with a BEEFY transmission and axles.  then I'll consider more........   I LOVE the sound of a straight piped 6BT.

Yeah I am having a tough time tryin to figure out whats what? I have looked them up and depending on what year it is, the ones I have looked up are worth $2500 and at that price it needs to be close to perfect or a complete restoration done and everything in tip top shape. The one I spoke about earlier that is so much money looks like this http://www.suzukiconversion.com/suzuki_151.htm very clean looking and has all the goodies except the axles. But what a price tag!! We will see what the days bring. If money was not an option I would have one just like this. http://www.rocky-road.com/media/zuk2.jpg That is incredible!!! If you read the build sheet, this cat has gobs of cash wrapped up in this dude. I would be done and not have to do one other thing to it.

Wook

Buying a modded sammie or any car for that matter can be a double edged sword. It is good because you can get if for a fraction of the price that it took to build but if the previous owner was an idiot, you may wind up redoing the work that is already done. I find myself in the second position. I just recently obtained a samurai and the previous owners had no idea what he was doing. He has a z-link steering that looks like it is made out of rebar and held together with bubble gum. I am going to have to fix that and re-wire pretty much all of the "accessories" he has hooked up.

But if you can find one that some of these guys on the board have modded, you will probably be in luck. I know that with all of the previous cars I have modded, all the work I did to them was done correctly and looked professional. All of those cars have been sold for far less than the money that I had into them.

95gstman, I completely understand and am prepared for it. I would rather have to spend time on a rewire than to say have to buy a lift and motor swap. I am mechanically inclined I have built several extremely fast mustangs and the last one was in Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, 10 pages all color!! I have been looking at one that guy has here but am undecided at the moment cause after searching the web I think I can get more bang for buck!! Besides the shipping from where ever to me is not making me too happy.

Thanks again fellas keep em coming!!

Wook