Suzuki Owners; Let's see your ExPo Trucks

[4Rescue]

Mine isn't grey but I have a 2" lift, 29's, 5.12 gears, roof rack and a snorkle. I just installed some rock sliders that aren't in this pic.

Yours is NOT the one I was thinking of, but it IS one sweet little rig. I lve seeing these little things turned into "sleeper" trail rigs. Man you have a veritble fleet of cool Suzi's. I love it!!! I think thr flat-bed'd Sami is my fave though.

No the truck I'm trying to think of was dark Greay, and might have been a Sportage too??? BLAST why can I not remember who's it was. It was so slick with it's little mini-mudders and snorkel along with a pretty modest lift (IMO trucks of that size show lift more and get funny looking and poor handeling the taller they get. Man, this truck was so cool and I can't seem to find it. I thought that the owner was selling it at one point.

I'm dissapointed that, much like other companies, Suzuki decided to NOT give us the Jimny with it's SFA (I thought) and small size it is one neat little truck. But alas we don't get them. "Land of the Free" my rear-end, Well then let me have a 70 Series Cruiser among other things...

cheers

Dave

 

[silvrzuki77]

Nope no swing out. Didnt even think of that really might have to think about that instead. Thanks

 

[SGV]

4Rescue: Is this it?
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1491&highlight=vitara+grown

Also, I agree about the Jimny. From what I understand, Consumer Reports sued Suzuki in the mid nineties because they felt that the Samurai had a roll over danger. http://www.automobile.com/american-suzuki-and-consumer-reports-magazine-settle-lawsuit.html I think they took away the Sammy after that.

No the truck I'm trying to think of was dark Greay, and might have been a Sportage too??? BLAST why can I not remember who's it was. It was so slick with it's little mini-mudders and snorkel along with a pretty modest lift (IMO trucks of that size show lift more and get funny looking and poor handeling the taller they get. Man, this truck was so cool and I can't seem to find it. I thought that the owner was selling it at one point.

I'm dissapointed that, much like other companies, Suzuki decided to NOT give us the Jimny with it's SFA (I thought) and small size it is one neat little truck. But alas we don't get them. "Land of the Free" my rear-end, Well then let me have a 70 Series Cruiser among other things...

cheers

Dave

 

[4Rescue]

4Rescue: Is this it?
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1491&highlight=vitara+grown

Also, I agree about the Jimny. From what I understand, Consumer Reports sued Suzuki in the mid nineties because they felt that the Samurai had a roll over danger. http://www.automobile.com/american-suzuki-and-consumer-reports-magazine-settle-lawsuit.html I think they took away the Sammy after that.

Yep, that's the one, I love that truck. Thanks for finding the link/thread.

I belive it's the other way around. Consumer reports reported that the rollover rating was horrible and that the Sam i was unsafe. Basicly they slandered Suzuki with less then fair testing and squewed results. Suzuki sue'd CR, and years later, like within the last 10 years, a court ruling found in favor of Suzuki.

Cheers

Dave

 

[sami]

The damage to Suzuki truck sales was most definately seen IMO.. I bet they'd have been atleast slightly more popular.

Here's the reason my name on every forum is 'SAMI'... This little guy was the test rat for Rocky Road Outfitters maybe 6 years ago for thier JP Eater suspension YJ swap..

 

[unimogfever]

here's my. only 1 week old!

just put new shoes today!

love it!

 

[Riptide]

Unimog, that's a really nice tintop! I myself recently picked up a 1990 Sami, pretty much bone stock, and pretty clean at the moment. Got some plans for it, as an exploration vehicle behind our Sprinter camper...

What can you tell me about your suspension, wheels, and tires? I like that front end too, as it utilizes the stock bumper. I want something light, rugged, and reliable for now.

 

[bootzilla]

here's my. only 1 week old!

Nice Sammy - looks like it is in great shape.

Is that your old-school Chrysler Laser the next space over? Can't remember the last time I saw one of those...

 

[unimogfever]

Unimog, that's a really nice tintop! I myself recently picked up a 1990 Sami, pretty much bone stock, and pretty clean at the moment. Got some plans for it, as an exploration vehicle behind our Sprinter camper...

What can you tell me about your suspension, wheels, and tires? I like that front end too, as it utilizes the stock bumper. I want something light, rugged, and reliable for now.

3.5" Calmini suspension, stock chrome wheels, 31x10.5x15 Goodyear wrangler Territory A/T (more like a mud-AT tires), power steering. You need to chop/trim off front bumper a little to fit in these 31"s, (not all 31" are same size, last set has no rubbing but new ones get some minor rubbing, need trim more). You can go with a 5" calmini with 31" without worry about rubbing.

future plan: 1.6 vw tdi.

its my dd now, reliable is my first concern.
cheers

 

[unimogfever]

Nice Sammy - looks like it is in great shape.

Is that your old-school Chrysler Laser the next space over? Can't remember the last time I saw one of those...

old-school Chrysler Laser - Yes, not mine. it's really in a good shape, I might buy it off from my neighbor.

 

[Riptide]

future plan: 1.6 vw tdi.

its my dd now, reliable is my first concern.

Ditto, although mine is just a fun diversion right now, not necessarily a DD. I bought mine with the intention of doing the diesel swap. I already have a rebuilt 1.6TD with the Sami adapters sitting on a pallet. I'm going to slowly accumulate the other needed bits as time allows...

Love the color too. I looked all over for a clean silver one; came up short.

 

[Backroad Explorer]

unimog, I agree very very nice tintop :safari-rig: :safari-rig:. By the way who makes the winch-brush guard on your sammy I am looking for something just like it. Thanks to all who have posted up your ExPo Suzuki's :victory: Please keep them coming !!!

 

[REasley]

Here is my Zook on an excursion thru the San Rafael Swell in Utah.

 

[SRN]

1986 Suzuki Samurai JX Hardtop

Engine: G13BA SOHC TBI 1.3L bored .020 over with high compression pistons, Hawk Torquer Cam, Doug Thorley header and Trail Tough high flow 2" exhaust. Trail Tough 'Unbreakable' motor mounts

Transmission: Stock 5-Speed Manual, Trail Tough 'Unbreakable' rear mount

Transfer Case: 4.16:1 GRSI, Trail Tough Mighty Kong mount/skidplate

Front Axle: Stock

Rear Axle: Stock gears, LockRight locker, Trail Tough disc break swap using 1982 Subaru front calipers and Samurai rotors

Suspension: Old Man Emu Dakar 2" lift springs, Petroworks Heavy Duty 3/4" lift shackles

Steering: Sidekick Power Steering

Wheels and Tires: 235/75 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's on 15" American Racing black steel wheels

Bumpers: Custom (read: cheap) front and rear with LED tail lights

Fuel Tank: Petroworks 15 Gallon with zinc plated skidplate

Interior: 50% of 50/50 split rear seat from a 1991 Samurai SE

Navigation: Gramin eTrex Venture Cx w/dashmount

Communication: Cobra 75 WX ST

Stereo: Broken!


When my Dad came home with a 1987 Samurai Hardtop way back in 1990 I knew that I wanted one of my own when I came of age. So in 1999 I bought this one and it's been with me ever since. Over the past 10 years it has been through many different suspension setups and engine mods, but about a year ago everything started to just fall apart. I was faced with the decision of either getting rid of it and buying something different or rebuilding it.

Being a person who gets emotionally attached to vehicles I had a really hard time with the thought of getting rid of the Samurai. With the encouragement of my wife, whom I met in large part because of the Samurai, it was decided to embark upon a complete overhaul.

The purpose of the rebuild was to set the Samurai up for my current 4-Wheeling habits, which have changed a lot over the past decade. Before all I really wanted was something that could tackle Moab. I succeeded in that and slowly Moab has lost the allure that it once held. Now I'm more interested in expedition style travel, so that is what I have attempted to build the Samurai for.

What you see here is 85% complete. The entire drivetrain has been rebuilt or upgraded. The only things remaining are completing some body work to repair the rusted out rear inner fenders, DuraBak the rear quarters to match the front, repaint the rest of the vehicle and build integrated steel rocker panels. Beyond that, I would love to get a roof rack and snorkel.

Rear Disks

Suspension

Tank and Skidplate

Rear Seat. Nice bit of extra space.

 

[SRN]

Here is my Zook on an excursion thru the San Rafael Swell in Utah.
View attachment 35139
View attachment 35140

How heavy is that trailer and how well does your Samurai tow it on the highway?