My new light duty wheeler...Samuari

hlb3 · May 28, 2008

Well I was tired of not being on the trail so I picked up a cheap wheeler. My FJ has been torn apart for like 2 years now, and it still needs a lot of work, and with the price of fuel, I wouldn't be able to tow it anywhere anyways. So I decided to find something that I could drive to the trail and mess around when I want to. It will mostly be driver when it is nice, it is in too good of shape to totally trash (at this point at least), but I do plan to go run some moderate trails with it. I figure this will get me by for a while, hopefully I will be able to get my Cruiser done eventually. It should work out since I will be moving back south to Tenino again shortly, so I will be about 35-40 miles from Elbe.

So here's the specs:
-1987 Suzuki Samurai soft top
-1300cc's of hamster power
-Tcase stuffed with Trail Creeper 6.5:1 gears
-Might Kong t-case mount/skid w/solid mounts
-Evil Twin twin stick kit
-Lock-right rear
-4340 front shafts and birfs
-31x9.50 TSL Radials mounted on 15x8 steelies

So this is what it started as:

Some crazy suspension travel...

So here are the pics of it now... Everything is done except the locker and the new shafts up front

4xjunkie · May 28, 2008

Sweet.:awesomework:

I have been thinking about picking one up also.

bobbed_84_toy · May 28, 2008

cute :fawkdancesmiley:

1 grumpy · May 28, 2008

I hope your not planning on airing down those tire's more than 20psi..
But if you went out and bought 15x6 trailer rim's you can air down too 10psi.How I know this I run 34x9.5x15 swamper's and love them..

Oh and nice zuki by the way:awesomework:

Bunk1 · May 28, 2008

Im curious what it weigh's. Ya got any scales around ya?

hlb3 · May 28, 2008

1 grumpy said:
I hope your not planning on airing down those tire's more than 20psi..
But if you went out and bought 15x6 trailer rim's you can air down too 10psi.How I know this I run 34x9.5x15 swamper's and love them..

Oh and nice zuki by the way:awesomework:

Yeah, I was disappointed to find the that these tires are more like 8.5" wide instead of advertised 9.5". I got these wheels because of their backspacing, had I known how narrow the tires were, I would have got different wheels. :booo:

And thanks. :beer:

Bunk said:
Im curious what it weigh's. Ya got any scales around ya?

Scale weight of a stock one is something like 2100lbs, so I would guess around 2500lbs.

zukkev · May 28, 2008

How do you like the Evil Twin setup? I've got the kit, but haven't installed it yet, as I just resealed the case a little while back, and don't feel like takin it apart; in other words, I'm lazy!!!!:redneck: But I am actually getting my p/s in now---need to get the right size hoses for the return and suction ports tomorrow..
BTW, I have an extra sidekick P/S setup, including the sleeves/bolts for the frame, if you're interested.... Nice Zuk!!!!!:awesomework:

hlb3 · May 28, 2008

zukkev said:
How do you like the Evil Twin setup? I've got the kit, but haven't installed it yet, as I just resealed the case a little while back, and don't feel like takin it apart; in other words, I'm lazy!!!!:redneck: But I am actually getting my p/s in now---need to get the right size hoses for the return and suction ports tomorrow..
BTW, I have an extra sidekick P/S setup, including the sleeves/bolts for the frame, if you're interested.... Nice Zuk!!!!!:awesomework:

Well I haven't got to test it on the trail yet, but it seems to work nicely. I love the ability to have 2-low, I have my Cruiser setup that way and I like it. I don't blame you for not wanting to tear the case all apart, it is a lot of work to get that detent ball out of there.

I will PM you about the PS, thanks! :beer:

WHERESMYHAT · May 28, 2008

Nice looking zuk and thats a good setup for some good wheeling if you can stay out of the wholes that swallow 31's. Almost the same setup as mine and was surprised what it did this weekend.

crash2 · May 28, 2008

Thats a cute lil thing you got there Les--your will have some good fun with it :awesomework:

zukkev · May 28, 2008

hlb3 said:
Well I haven't got to test it on the trail yet, but it seems to work nicely. I love the ability to have 2-low, I have my Cruiser setup that way and I like it. I don't blame you for not wanting to tear the case all apart, it is a lot of work to get that detent ball out of there.

I will PM you about the PS, thanks! :beer:

Yeah, I wish the kit was out when I had it apart......oh well, it'll happen eventually.......
PM returned!

hlb3 · May 28, 2008

crash said:
Thats a cute lil thing you got there Les--your will have some good fun with it :awesomework:

Yeah, it is kind of cute, its almost small enough to run in the RC comps. :redneck:

zukkev said:
Yeah, I wish the kit was out when I had it apart......oh well, it'll happen eventually.......
PM returned!

It's also nice that it gives you a true neutral too, I'm considering getting a tow bar so I can just flat tow it when I am not going on longer trips so that would come in handy.

zukkev · May 28, 2008

hlb3 said:
It's also nice that it gives you a true neutral too, I'm considering getting a tow bar so I can just flat tow it when I am not going on longer trips so that would come in handy.

I'd either just drive it if it's not too far, or trailer it; not real fond of flattowing myself,my thought is all the little vibrations with the gears unloaded could wear stuff---just my .02.....

hlb3 · May 28, 2008

Yeah, I would rather not flat tow it, but that is just an option until I get a lighter/smaller trailer, mine is a triple axle trailer that weighs 3,000lbs. :redneck:

London Gentleman · May 29, 2008

I cant stand up right now... She's def a cool whip!

zukkev · May 29, 2008

hlb3 said:
Yeah, I would rather not flat tow it, but that is just an option until I get a lighter/smaller trailer, mine is a triple axle trailer that weighs 3,000lbs. :redneck:

Someone here posted a CL find--small double axle 'Jeep' trailer for like $500?
Oh, and thanks man! Lookin forward to meetin ya!!!

hlb3 · May 29, 2008

Yeah, I need to find a trailer like that. Hopefully it wont be too difficult to find something cheap. I'm looking forward to meeting you too. :beer:

Got some more parts today, my start likes to click at me on occasion, so I picked up the starter fix. I also got the GM alternator bracket, I'm planning on getting a winch in the near future, so I figure I might as well upgrade the charging system.

This weekend I will be installing the Lock-Right in the rear, one I get that done it should be ready to hit the trail. I think I will try to find a group to head out to Elbe with at the end of June to give her a good test run...

86badboy · May 31, 2008

nice zuk!

Jeepless · May 31, 2008

:011: damn nice color, I had no idea they came factory this way.

Whens the tear down?:redneck:

hlb3 · Jun 1, 2008

86badboy said:
nice zuk!

Thanks :awesomework:

Jeepless said:
:011: damn nice color, I had no idea they came factory this way.

Whens the tear down?:redneck:

Yeah, it is a nice color, I don't think I have ever seen one that color before either.

Hopefully the tear down wont happen for a while, I would like to keep it in decent shape. :redneck: