here's a short vid showing the newest project we built: a 2.2 Diesel powered LWB zuk.

Mazda R2 engine, 2.2 Diesel NA, came from the mazda bongo and mazda b2200 pickup.

-firewall was moved about 2 inches back
-flooring was modified to house new tranny
-3 new propeller shafts were fabricated, from tranny to t.case, then t.case to F&R diffs.
-t.case was moved to allow space for big tranny
-clutch from cable to hydraulic
-new fuel lines
-powersteering a necessity as engine bay would be too tight for old gearbox
-new radiator

Suzuki Samurai Diesel 2.2

any comments and queries shall be welcome!


I had this fear that the stock axles would break on the torque output the new engine would give, but surprisingly the gearing is just right, and the torque manageable. just don't release it too hard. 1st and 2nd gear is quite low-geared, even on 2H

Nice piece of work there, that engine should be a real powerhouse in a Sammy. What kind of fuel milage are you getting from it?

Nice piece of work there, that engine should be a real powerhouse in a Sammy. What kind of fuel milage are you getting from it?

Hello sir,

thanks! very very good mileage! sorry but we base distance here through kilometers, so I would say we get about 11-12 kilometers per liter. that would be about 24-25mpg. not bad at all. my 1300 caarbureted engine was getting almost half of it

Good Job, bet it will torque up just about anything.

Good Job, bet it will torque up just about anything.

quite, 4-Low idling with locked hubs front goes up gutters... simply on 1st gear idling  problem is, I kinda fear that the axle shafts or cross joints will break as the weakest link when facing some tight ruts or rocks. 

You should be fine as long as you avoid pinching the tires.  Just make sure you backup straight.  The birfields break easiest when backing up with the front tires turned when in 4 wheel drive.

You should be fine as long as you avoid pinching the tires.  Just make sure you backup straight.  The birfields break easiest when backing up with the front tires turned when in 4 wheel drive.

Or when bouncing up a steep hill.