So I live in Washington, the lower right corner. I drive a Ford Taurus now and lets just say...
So I need a 4x4 that is easy to work on, fun to drive, and can get threw snow no problem.
I stumbled across a Suzuki Samurai and think it is a perfect fit!
Here is the link...
http://lewiston.craigslist.org/cto/2532404517.html
Anyone give me info on what to look for?
Is this a solid rig?
What do you think the mpg will be with the current motor mods?
As long as it is 23mpg+ we are solid!
Please help!
Thanks

Also...Though I would kill for one of the Tin tops...
Anyone know of a solid hard top, (not solid as in one piece, but really good! )?
I need just a basic one really, I can modify it as needed.
Thanks again!

I think that that rig is a members on here lol

Well, it's expensive.  How deep of snow are you looking to go through?  Is this for a daily driver or just for winter driving?

Not to crazy. During the winter where I will have to drive can be anywhere from 2 inch up to a couple feet (snow drifts). It would be for a daily driver, 76 miles round trip 5 days a week!

JMO, but you'd be a lot more comfortable in a Sidekick or Tracker and still get 27+mpg.

It might be a bit wearing on you if you drive that much in a Samurai.  It is not a vehicle that rides very well on long distance drives - which is what your one-way trip would border on.

Also, you need to drive it on the highway to see how fast it will go.  It might not be a speed demon with that gearing and tire size.

If you want a DD Samurai I would start with a lower base unit.  There are quite a few in the Seattle area right now for under 2K that look pretty nice, and 4k is a lot of investing. 

My Tracker is a great DD, gets 25mph with the 235/75 R15 tires.  It used to get 27 with the old engine, has more room inside and a lot more creature comforts.

For a Sammy DD/Adventure build I would go with some 30" tires, a 1.6L and 2.5" OME springs.  There are quite a few Sammy's running this build and they can go anywhere.  Some lockers and you are set for anything other then tire size obstacles.

Even with the gearing at 3.73 and running 33's? I would think that it would cruise great at 55-60mph. I thought the ones with 5.xx+would have that problem...Ill have to ask him what the cruising rpm's are.

As for comfort, no need to worry really. I have driven some very crappy cars/trucks in my day and dont mind so much. What do you think makes it such a bad DD? I would get a tracker or something but they are kinda hard to find, and I want one that is already lifted...

Oh and BTW!
This is the one I really want, but he doesn't know what gearing it is running.
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2516010504.html
As it says, he says it gets 25mpg. I called him and he said
the rpm's are just over 3000 at 55mph...is that good, bad?

They do that stock. 

The 6.5:1 transfer case is designed to run 33-35" tires, so you should be in good shape.  Just beware the swampers, they are a lot heavier then some of the alternatives out there and can be a pain to balance.  If he is running the stock drivetrain then you will want to be careful until you learn the limits of the axles, most people find 33" and up is where things start to break.

It's a tin-top as well, so if you roll it then things get bent up in a hurry. 

Well Rolling wouldn't really be a problem. It may see some light off roading once in a awhile but nothng extreme! It is a DD after all...
How hard is the power steering upgrade on these?
Ive read that toyota is the way to go, but is it that hard?

Got a new one pretty close to me!
Good deal?
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2539911045.html
Now a little high on the mileage for me, but...It does have a hard top which is a big factor for me!

That looks nice. 

That looks nice. 

What kind of miles before one of these needs a rebuild normally?