Samurai - in case things get bad
 

I ran across a vintage suzuki Samurai at an estate sale this weekend that has been stored in a building for about 10 years.
The fellow only wanted $300 for it but I knew little about Samurai's and passed.

I spent that evening on Google reading and watching vids and was VERY impressed with what these little jeep like vehicles can do........
so, I just went back and bought it,
$300 is lawnmower money!. :bear_w00t:

I.m thinking this might just be the ultimate SHTF vehicle :565:


Will restore and upgrade it next summer (rebuilding a backhoe this year)

should be good in case things get real bad, and will be lots of fun anyway:s9:

ps., I didn't even need to convince my wife, she liked it right away! (said it was cute:confused_ma:)

check these things out!

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YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS ONE!!!!
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Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

I have been a Sami fan for years!! I have a 1988 soft top. I had mine out on National Forest trails yesterday having a blast. I have many upgrades planned for it, the most pressing being new tires and front seats.

You got a bargain, especially if it is in good running condition and rust free. Where are you located?

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Lightweight, like a Kubelwagen?

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Less than 2100 lbs in stock condition.

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

the first video the kid was not really experienced in driving in the mud, that little rig should have done a lot better. But that kid is getting experience the only way he can! out in the MUD!

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Don't forget about the Sidekick/Tracker
make sure to get the 16valve engine

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Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...1&d=1252367835



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Jin AZ, it looks just like yours (but in blue), it's also a 1988.
This in in NY, because it has been in storage for a long time
the rust is not bad. I have a mig welder and can repair any soft spots.
The more I check online and read about these, the more I like it. There is a BIG following for them, and it is claimed that they will outperform Jeep CJ's. :bear_tongue:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

They are a little underpowered but that can be fixed. Other than that they capable of doing extreme 4x4 feats in stock condition. You WILL have fun!!!
:coolbeer:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

J in AZ, what is your gas mileage?

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

This one looks like the ticket, you can own it today, $8k reserve price on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990-....c0.m245#v4-35

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

I have never checked the mileage though it seems to be pretty thrifty on gas. Mine needs some carburetor and tune up work done on it. It has the aftermarket Weber carb that helps a lot with power but it is running really rich (plus the carb needs a rebuild: someone had it apart at one point and reused the gaskets, it leaks :banghead:). I recently met a guy who rebuilds the Sami motors and he offered to do the work for me.

I am also looking at new springs, maybe with a 2 or 3 inch lift. The factory springs on mine have seen better days and are sagging badly.

My goal is to get mine updated (for mild trail use) for under $4000.00 total invested, with the price you paid you could do a lot better.

Some links for you to check out:

http://www.petroworks.com/

http://www.zuksoffroad.net/

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/index.php

http://zukiworld.com/

http://www.izook.com/tech/samurai/samindex.htm (this site is difficult to navigate but it has tons of good info if you can find it)

http://www.hawksuzukiparts.com/

http://www.rocky-road.com/suzuki.html (these guys have good prices and lots of nice stuff to look at but they have a reputation for poor service )

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

LOL! Oooh, Samurai the truck!

When I clicked this thread I had the image of some GIMMER in a zombie-apocalpyse scenario: piles of spent brass and empty magazines all around, you've been using the long gun as a club for a while, but it just finally broke. Now, FLASH! Out comes the sword that you've been wearing on your back "in case things get bad."

:fight:

Never mind. :biggrin:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

haha I did the same thing!

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

oops, sorry about that!

maybe this will help :smile::bear_w00t:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Oh, good! I'm not crazy!



:4_1_72::111::4_1_72:

Mamboni will appreciate that! :biggrin:

:ok: :coolbeer:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

J in AZ, thanks for the links!
I will sift through them


mtnman, thanks for the tips!
however I must say that
I pictured you driving something more like this:rofl:
.
just ribbin ya! :signs14::cry1:

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Well I do have this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/mtnman37879/T.jpg

But I prefer this: it carries more than the Tracker.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...n37879/toy.jpg

My wife does drive her Tracker daily, right now she�s in Buffalo NY in it.

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

http://www.rpm4x4.com/specs-mike.shtml

http://www.rpm4x4.com/images/spike-avf-shale2-07.jpg

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

I hope that you can handle the thing better than this bloke.


SH

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

And know you and your vehicles limits.

OUCH!

SH

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Yeh,

Stick with the Samurai,

These Jeeps just keep failing, big time!

Ouch, Ouch!


SH

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

Great little vehicle, I have 3 of them and always looking for more, have an 87 tin top that I installed the 1.6 vw diesel, what a kick to drive offroad, and I built it for less than half what it would have cost for 2 4x4 atvs, much better way to go than one of those 2 place mules that cost $10.000 to $12,000 or more, as it's drivable on the highway with a place for 4 and heater in winter and some have a/c for summer. Put a full lift kit, new 31" tires and wheels, heavy duty winch bumper and rear tire mount bumper with nice luggage rack on top, kit for putting the vw diesel etc. built it for app $5.000 including the price of the vehicle, is emp proof, and if needed can be run on all kinds of multiple fuels. depending on variables will get 30-40 mpg with the diesel.

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

There is also a conversion kit to put in a Rover/Buick/TVR ally V8 engine - 400hp will pop wheelies at the lights...

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

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What makes samurai's and sidekick/trackers so good is their light weight.
It's not about having a big engine either. You want Low gearing to mutiply torque when climbing, Lockers to send power to all 4 wheels and Beadlocks to lower your tire pressure.

Stock axles are ok up to a 31" tire. use Toyota axles 32" to 36" tires.

In a SHTF situation i would have very strong axles in relation to the tires as breaking down would not be very desirable.

Re: Samurai - in case things get bad
 

We use smaller four wheelers in my neck of the woods.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...x/400ex010.jpg


Last of the big bore air cooled racing four wheelers, suspension is awesome, high geared for good gas mileage.

Very simple machine to work on, no shafts or complex seals, just simple chain drive, 5 speed motorcycle engine and wet clutch.

4 valve head, electric start, oil cooler radiator, dry sump engine doesn't run the crank dry while climbing.

Goes where a truck/jeep couldn't even dream to go ....




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