New Car, Suzuki Samurai

seabeerob213

Well, as some of you may remember, I was trying to find a Lada Niva old enough to bring home with me. I gave up, none of the locals selling their's wanted anything to do with the export process or military base, and with mine being a 92, i was kinda screwed there.So, I bought a friends Suzuki Samurai instead. It's an 87, US spec, 1.3 carbureted, all black, and almost bone stock. Physiclly in awesome shape, and the engine is being rebuilt following a blown headgasket.(already got it apart, why not?). the hood has a dent, but otherwise it is in beautiful condition. I have so much i want to do to it I dont know where to start.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98578300@N08/11573460763/

F1nut

That one does look in nice shape. I take it that it had/has bigger wheels/tires?

Funny story. I had a far from stock '74 LandCruiser back when the Samurai first appeared in the US. So, one day for S&G's I decide to check one out. Climb into it for a test drive, close the driver's door only to find my left arm is now jammed between the door and my body. I look at the salesman and say, this will never work. Hopped into the Crusier, drove over the parking lot curbing, across the sidewalk and into the street. Looked over to see the salesman laughing as I drove off.

seabeerob213

i dont think it did, h lust liked the look. yeah its a tight fit, im 6'3" and 240, im going to re-mount the seat for more room.

4xoddic

F1nut wrote: »

That one does look in nice shape. I take it that it had/has bigger wheels/tires?

Funny story.

It does look to be in decent shape. Those flares covering up any rust?

Maybe not so funny:

I bought a new 1977 FJ55 LC. Traded it on a "crew cab" Hilux in 1980, as gas was way too high (LOL).

Bought a new 1988.5 Samurai hardtop when Consumer Reports offered $1500 Suzuki "discount." I never managed to get the Samurai stuck. (I did twice w/the FJ55.)

You could roll down the passenger window from the Samurai's driver's seat. The FJ needed valve adj every 15K. We bought an 88 FJ62 in 1990. The Samurai had only routine maintenance until traded in for an Isuzu Pickup in 92. Bought another (no rust Colo.) 88 FJ62 in 2007. Would still have them IF not for township salting the road in front of our house.

Bought a 1991 EFI Samurai in 2000. Sold it to my BIL in exchange for installing a Swift GTi DOHC 105 HP 1.3 engine into a '90 Samurai. Have yet to complete the wiring for that engine swap. The BIL's GM family had 5 Samurais within a couple years.

I do have a basement-full of Samurai parts. I bought another 88 Samurai hardtop about 5 years back. Installed a Harley MY-SIDE1 CV carb kit, Doug Thorley header, OME 2" lift, 215R15 mud tires. Since bought a 2002 Vitara 2.0 4 cyl 4 door & put ~ 1.5" OME coils on it. It's the dog hauler.

As the name suggests, all my vehicles are 4X4s. We had a 97 Lexus LX450 until we tired of the oil leaks. Replaced w/2009 Xterra OR.

Best wishes on modding the Samurai to your heart's desires. ZOR is a great place to deal with:

http://www.zuksoffroad.com/MY-SIDE1-Do-It-Yourself-kit_p_15.html

seabeerob213

thanks, what order would you recomend i mod, i wanna get gearing and power improved before i add lift and tyres. I think it will be less broken parts and better performance that way. Also, do you have any spares or unused parts that you'd sell?