Pulling the trigger on a Zuk

[ntsqd]

I've seen a couple 1.6/1.9VW's done, but I haven't had the chance to really look any of them over. Would be my personal choice, but that might be because I have the engine in my DD, have the turbo kit, & have a complete yota 5 spd/t-c. I'd be building a LWB version anyway.
BTW, the 1.6NA's were rated for 53 HP. No real change from the stock 1.3L. Add a turbo and a Giles pump and........

A friend with a HT SWB used the 4A-GE & 5 speed out of a Corolla GTS. ~120HP in a Sami is a hoot!! That 750iL driver really didn't know what to think about being passed by a Sami, and 7500 rpm in Petroworks low range is very strange.....
The middle drive-shaft has no tube in it - just 3 flanges, two UJ's and a slip-yoke; and the t-c was still set back a little. It was a job to make work at that end.

The 20R would be a very large shoehorn.

 

[Bennyhana]

Extreme 4x4 did a VW diesel swap in a Sami a couple of years ago. Ran it on vegi oil. Pretty sweet set up.

 

[PuddleJumper]

First of all just remember when thinking about comparing diesel to gas, even though the diesel doesnt have the HP it has loads more torque, which is what were after in the offroad world. you also have to remember that the powerband and RPM range of a diesel is much different then a gaser.

as for the stock 1.3, if you already have it out, spend the money to put something in with a little more power. you also have to think about what kind of offroading and traveling you are going to do with this rig. rock crawling, mudding, just light trail riding. sami's are pretty good for all around. my sami with a spoa on 32 BFG MT's open/open stock axles and a stock 1.3 with 6.5:1 gears would do black trails at Rausch Creek. if you rock crawl your going to want to rock crawl you cant just think about an engine, with a sami you MUST have a roll cage or Very very good luck. you also have to think about gearing. just putting a larger engine in doesnt mean you can go more places. that just means you have more power to break things up. best purchase i ever made was my 6.5:1 gears.

look at the money you have to spend. if you dont think you can spend more then $500 just throw the 1.3l back in for now. make sure it runs all right, if it doesnt spend the money on a weber. you can pick one up off craigslist or one of the zuki forms for cheap. check out Zuwharrie.com. and then i would spend the money on your gears. once you get another $200 or so, spend your money on a ZOR SNATCH from zuks offroad. then i would challenge myself and do a YJ leaf spring swap for better articulation.

allthough im doing it all at once... .:wings:

http://www.hardrockcrawlers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2027

 

[jh504]

First of all just remember when thinking about comparing diesel to gas, even though the diesel doesnt have the HP it has loads more torque, which is what were after in the offroad world. you also have to remember that the powerband and RPM range of a diesel is much different then a gaser.

as for the stock 1.3, if you already have it out, spend the money to put something in with a little more power. you also have to think about what kind of offroading and traveling you are going to do with this rig. rock crawling, mudding, just light trail riding. sami's are pretty good for all around. my sami with a spoa on 32 BFG MT's open/open stock axles and a stock 1.3 with 6.5:1 gears would do black trails at Rausch Creek. if you rock crawl your going to want to rock crawl you cant just think about an engine, with a sami you MUST have a roll cage or Very very good luck. you also have to think about gearing. just putting a larger engine in doesnt mean you can go more places. that just means you have more power to break things up. best purchase i ever made was my 6.5:1 gears.

look at the money you have to spend. if you dont think you can spend more then $500 just throw the 1.3l back in for now. make sure it runs all right, if it doesnt spend the money on a weber. you can pick one up off craigslist or one of the zuki forms for cheap. check out Zuwharrie.com. and then i would spend the money on your gears. once you get another $200 or so, spend your money on a ZOR SNATCH from zuks offroad. then i would challenge myself and do a YJ leaf spring swap for better articulation.

allthough im doing it all at once... .:wings:

http://www.hardrockcrawlers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2027

Good advice and I think I am pretty much inline with your thinking. I am working on a very tight budget which is why the free 1.3L is sounding so good to me right now. I will be using the truck as a moderate trail truck. It will be towed behind my F250 to wherever camp will be setup and then used to run the trails around that area. The stuff that I usually run are fireroads and logging trails. No rockcrawling, but some of the old logging trails can get technical. Almost all of it could be done in a stock Tacoma or TJ with decent tires. I dont plan on going over 31"-32" tires. I figured if I were really dissapointed with the power it is easy enough to drop a 1.6L Sidekick engine in it.

(Edit) Nice rig by the way, when will it be finished?

 

[loveofjazz]

I've got an '87 Samurai with a 1.3 and stock carb. I have to agree that if you have the 1.3 out already, put something in that makes better power. I'm going to a 1.6 8v soon for the ease of the swap.

I had a tin top a while back that had the Weber, and I have to warn you about putting yourself in an off-camber situation with a carb that will bog out. It's quite dangerous. Found that out the hard way at Uwharrie. That's why there's info out there regarding how to mount a Weber. If you mount it facing forward like I did, it can bog out going up a hill. If you mount it 180 degrees off, it will bog out going down a hill (which is easier to deal with - at least you can see where you're going).

Saw a friend of mine today. His Dad's Zuk has a 20R carb mounted on with a custom plate he fabbed himself. Said he's had it in some funky spots and the carb has yet to bog out That's the direction I'm headed in now.

I had looked for a Toyota 3KC carb. Those are rare as hen's teeth, but they will bolt up to a Samurai carb intake.

 

[jh504]

I've got an '87 Samurai with a 1.3 and stock carb. I have to agree that if you have the 1.3 out already, put something in that makes better power. I'm going to a 1.6 8v soon for the ease of the swap.

I had a tin top a while back that had the Weber, and I have to warn you about putting yourself in an off-camber situation with a carb that will bog out. It's quite dangerous. Found that out the hard way at Uwharrie. That's why there's info out there regarding how to mount a Weber. If you mount it facing forward like I did, it can bog out going up a hill. If you mount it 180 degrees off, it will bog out going down a hill (which is easier to deal with - at least you can see where you're going).

Saw a friend of mine today. His Dad's Zuk has a 20R carb mounted on with a custom plate he fabbed himself. Said he's had it in some funky spots and the carb has yet to bog out That's the direction I'm headed in now.

I had looked for a Toyota 3KC carb. Those are rare as hen's teeth, but they will bolt up to a Samurai carb intake.

Thanks for the info, and welcome to the site! I just joined over at Zuwharrie, are you active there?

So does your friend with the 20r carb have it mounted on a 1.3L? Do you know how the power was compared to a Weber?

PS: Puddlejumper, welcome to ExPo as well and I noticed you have some parts for sale over on Zuwharrie. I may be in contact with you about a few.

 

[jh504]

So I got a hold of the 1.3s and me and a buddy started tearing down the one I will build. Its going to need knew pistons and the cylinders bored. So I will be making a trip to the machine shop.

 

[jh504]

So if anyone is still looking, I am prepping the Samurai for paint this week. It will be desert tan. I will post some pics when its done.

 

[Riptide]

So if anyone is still looking, I am prepping the Samurai for paint this week. It will be desert tan. I will post some pics when its done.

Oh yeah, I'm watching!. Man, I'd love to be painting mine...

 

[jh504]

Sold the Zuke. A guy came by and made an offer I just couldnt refuse so I sent it down the road. Bought another XJ with the winnings. So starting a different build......

 

[macguyver]

I did a vw diesel swap a couple of years back. Its nice to have vw turbo but its really not needed. A factor keep in mind that turbo can be a rather tricky thing to maintain and when it kicks in it can make driving a sammi more dangerous given short wheelbase lifted big tires. The major obstacle is clearance you have to lift the sammi in order to do this wap. On the flip side you can get upward to 40 mpg on hwy with big tires.

 

[4Rescue]

Man I'd love to have a LWB Sami with a little Toyota Diesel in it...

Sorry to hear you let the Sami go but it sounds like you're happy so that's all that matters eh mate.

But another XJ...Didn't you learn your lesson yet (just ribbing ya) Rattle-Rattle-Rattle Clank-Clack-Bang...it's a Jeep thang

Cheers

Dave

 

[jh504]

Man I'd love to have a LWB Sami with a little Toyota Diesel in it...

Sorry to hear you let the Sami go but it sounds like you're happy so that's all that matters eh mate.

But another XJ...Didn't you learn your lesson yet (just ribbing ya) Rattle-Rattle-Rattle Clank-Clack-Bang...it's a Jeep thang

Cheers

Dave

Dont worry! I sold the XJ the same week. I have car A.D.D.
I usually will buy something at a good price and then post it for way more than I paid, just to see if someone will buy it. Sold these two right out of the gate.
I think you will be even happier with what I am going to pick up tomorrow. Check the Landcruiser section for fj62 build in the near future.

 

[4Rescue]

HAHAHAHAA yeah that's a bit funny you change cars like most folks change their socks...

Can't WAIT to see what you come up with next eh. An FJ62 is something I've been dreaming of as well lately, hope you end up keeping this one

Cheers

Dave

 

[jh504]

HAHAHAHAA yeah that's a bit funny you change cars like most folks change their socks...

Can't WAIT to see what you come up with next eh. An FJ62 is something I've been dreaming of as well lately, hope you end up keeping this one

Cheers

Dave

I will definitely be keeping this one for a long time. It is one of my dream cars. Its an 88 fj62 in great shape. Paint and body are excellent and so is the interior. The only issues are a dead battery and a little rust on the rear quarter panel. I will be starting a thread featuring it soon.