Backroad Explorer
Adventurer
Salid nice kick you have there and WELCOME to ExPo :victory:
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Suzuki Owners; Let's see your ExPo Trucks
- Thread starter Backroad Explorer
- Start date
Not quite ExPo ready, but certainly summer ready. Next year, roof rack, bumpers, suspension, air lockers, smaller wheels and tires... basically install all the junk I've accumulated for it.
The rear cage was my main focus for this year, as well as updating and freshening the interior, and making sure it was reliable.
We've used the snot out of it this summer so far :smiley_drive:
The rear cage was my main focus for this year, as well as updating and freshening the interior, and making sure it was reliable.
We've used the snot out of it this summer so far :smiley_drive:
Attachments
mannytranny
Observer
I've got one.....well, it's my dad's but I did the 1.9 AHU conversion for him a few years ago. (It was a learner compared to my 4runner diesel conversion, but that's another story...)
It's a 5 speed 1989 Sidekick. 100k miles at the time of the engine swap, clean southern California car. I put in a 1.9 TDI (I sourced a mechanical pump which will be coming off when I turn it back into electronic injection) but the little truck makes plenty of power even with the mechanical pump.
I would strongly advise those who do this swap to stick with the electronic injection. That really is the magic of the TDI as a mechanical pump does not come close to the power, smoothness, quiet and efficiency of the electronic setup. The immobilizer is no big deal....just have it tuned out! Along with the EGR and a few other unnecessary sensors...Even with the MTDI, it gets 35 mpg. It's intercooled also.
I used an acme kit and kept the 5 speed. I can slip the HD kevlar clutch even with MTDI. Gearing is way short given the power output and the life of the trans is in question with the power the TDI makes. Off road, however, it does amazingly well. Killer MPG, incredible low rpm torque makes it a real easy drive off road. 31" tires help a lot too.
Even so, it spends most of its time on the road...
It's a 5 speed 1989 Sidekick. 100k miles at the time of the engine swap, clean southern California car. I put in a 1.9 TDI (I sourced a mechanical pump which will be coming off when I turn it back into electronic injection) but the little truck makes plenty of power even with the mechanical pump.
I would strongly advise those who do this swap to stick with the electronic injection. That really is the magic of the TDI as a mechanical pump does not come close to the power, smoothness, quiet and efficiency of the electronic setup. The immobilizer is no big deal....just have it tuned out! Along with the EGR and a few other unnecessary sensors...Even with the MTDI, it gets 35 mpg. It's intercooled also.
I used an acme kit and kept the 5 speed. I can slip the HD kevlar clutch even with MTDI. Gearing is way short given the power output and the life of the trans is in question with the power the TDI makes. Off road, however, it does amazingly well. Killer MPG, incredible low rpm torque makes it a real easy drive off road. 31" tires help a lot too.
Even so, it spends most of its time on the road...
Attachments
life_w_vagabonds
Explorer
mannytranny, sweet setup! Got any pics of the swap? or just an under hood shot?
BTW welcome to Expo
BTW welcome to Expo
Trondomatic
New member
Great site! My wife and I are currently into our second year of travels in an '87 Samurai through South America. We started from Vancouver on motorcycles, but decided to switch to "Yuki the Suzuki" in Arizona. Glad we did cuz the little machine is a blast. All stock except for tires, used seats from a Dodge Neon, a roof rack made in Costa Rica and a roof box made in Colombia.
Saw tons of Samurais in Costa Rica. Had the tranny bearings replaced in Medellin Colombia for $300 (would have been a grand in Canada!). The mechanic knew the Samurai well because they were making them in Bogota right up into the mid-90s. Perfect size for some of these narrow mountain roads when you meet a large truck, but it's too small to sleep in. A long wheel based Samurai with a rooftop tent is one of the ideas for our next trip.
Our blog is at http://www.contactpictures.com
This pictures was taken last month in Ecuador on Mount Cotopaxi at 15,000 feet. Yuki was gasping, but she made it fine. 12,000 miles and this gal doesn't want to quit!
Cheers,
Trond
Saw tons of Samurais in Costa Rica. Had the tranny bearings replaced in Medellin Colombia for $300 (would have been a grand in Canada!). The mechanic knew the Samurai well because they were making them in Bogota right up into the mid-90s. Perfect size for some of these narrow mountain roads when you meet a large truck, but it's too small to sleep in. A long wheel based Samurai with a rooftop tent is one of the ideas for our next trip.
Our blog is at http://www.contactpictures.com
This pictures was taken last month in Ecuador on Mount Cotopaxi at 15,000 feet. Yuki was gasping, but she made it fine. 12,000 miles and this gal doesn't want to quit!
Cheers,
Trond
life_w_vagabonds
Explorer
Wow, great pics, and a great read. Thanks for sharing. Keep us posted. Welcome to expo!!
Backroad Explorer
Adventurer
Trondomatic x2 on the WELCOME to ExPo. How long is your trip in the sammy going to last? Great lookin Samurai by the way :smiley_drive:
SRN
Adventurer
Great site! My wife and I are currently into our second year of travels in an '87 Samurai through South America. We started from Vancouver on motorcycles, but decided to switch to "Yuki the Suzuki" in Arizona. Glad we did cuz the little machine is a blast. All stock except for tires, used seats from a Dodge Neon, a roof rack made in Costa Rica and a roof box made in Colombia.
Saw tons of Samurais in Costa Rica. Had the tranny bearings replaced in Medellin Colombia for $300 (would have been a grand in Canada!). The mechanic knew the Samurai well because they were making them in Bogota right up into the mid-90s. Perfect size for some of these narrow mountain roads when you meet a large truck, but it's too small to sleep in. A long wheel based Samurai with a rooftop tent is one of the ideas for our next trip.
Our blog is at http://www.contactpictures.com
This pictures was taken last month in Ecuador on Mount Cotopaxi at 15,000 feet. Yuki was gasping, but she made it fine. 12,000 miles and this gal doesn't want to quit!
Cheers,
Trond
That is wicked cool. Great pictures.
Trondomatic
New member
Thanks for the warm welcome folks! To answer your question Backroads, I suspect we'll be traveling for another year or so. South America is HUGE and there's so much to see. :smiley_drive:
That sounds like a great trip.
I can attest to the Samurai as a great vehicle for trips like this, i drove from Edmonton down the west coast of the states to costa rica and back up the east coast and back across canada for over 34000km trip over 7 months or so and the truck never missed a beat. wish i had some scanned pics somewhere, it was years ago and i only had a 35mm camera.
I can attest to the Samurai as a great vehicle for trips like this, i drove from Edmonton down the west coast of the states to costa rica and back up the east coast and back across canada for over 34000km trip over 7 months or so and the truck never missed a beat. wish i had some scanned pics somewhere, it was years ago and i only had a 35mm camera.
Thirty-Nine
Explorer
Some great looking rigs here. I'm a Suzuki fan myself. Looking to get a Samurai, Sidekick, or Tracker soon.
Metal Twister
Highly Motivated
Helped build this a while back... Its a 49 Crosley on a Sami frame and running gear. Don't be surprised if you see it in the middle of no where.
Thirty-Nine
Explorer
That is awesome.
