Suzuki Samurai Custom Camper Build
- Thread starter trackhead
- Start date
High Country Hillbilly
Observer
have the rocky road 6.5's in mine...kinda noisy. any one have an opinion?
Now you can have a snorkel too:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/com...est-news/293-new-suzuki-samurai-snorkel-.html
http://www.expeditionportal.com/com...est-news/293-new-suzuki-samurai-snorkel-.html
This idea was originally spawned to go on a trip for ten days around Utah with my wife, but as her pregancy goes on, she bailed on the trip, not wanting to bounce around in a bumpy Samurai at 7mos pregnant. So I went on a moto trip.:victory:
Now that I have time, I decided to do it right. I took the other camper off and cut off the back of the Samurai a few days ago. I want to build a fancy foam/fiberglass sandwich/monocoque design. I've been reading up on that a bit, and think I might try to make something like this, with the direction of "pop up" yet to be determined.
I'm not a 3D expert, but here's what I'm working towards.
I've recently been monkeying around with composites, making a pannier system for my moto. I learned a bit doing that, and I think I can translate some of that experience into a camper.
Going to spend the next few weeks thinking, designing, and rethinking. Then after I pay my damn taxes, I'll start building.
Now that I have time, I decided to do it right. I took the other camper off and cut off the back of the Samurai a few days ago. I want to build a fancy foam/fiberglass sandwich/monocoque design. I've been reading up on that a bit, and think I might try to make something like this, with the direction of "pop up" yet to be determined.
I'm not a 3D expert, but here's what I'm working towards.
I've recently been monkeying around with composites, making a pannier system for my moto. I learned a bit doing that, and I think I can translate some of that experience into a camper.
Going to spend the next few weeks thinking, designing, and rethinking. Then after I pay my damn taxes, I'll start building.
thebrassnuckles
Explorer
amazing. cant wait. I will be following closely.
tamangel
Adventurer
I didn't see where anyone answered your question, here's what I found:
'You've Been Spiked' by Chris Joss
Its on you tube..
mike
150-200lbs of junk (seat, roll bar, body) removed from the Samurai today, ready to start building. I'd like to do a construction process like these guys did.
adrenaline503
Explorer
Are you going to use kevlar/carbon or fiberglass?
No, I used that stuff on my pannier system and it sucked to work with. I've worked with regular carbon fiber before, and it's not too bad.
airmanwilliams
New member
very nice man we will have to hook up some time so I can come see that. I have a buddy as well as myself that have wanted to make campers for our sami's. are you on rme4x4.com at all? I go to sandy quite often to go to a buddy of mines place to tinker on my samurai and would love to come by, send me a pm.
Been working on the Samurai for a couple weeks.
1. Chopped the entire body off behind the seats, then made a 'tub' out of fiberglass (no rust).
2. Used 2' foam panels sandwiched in fiberglass/epoxy.
3. Bondo and fiberglass around the doors.
4. Final layer will be one or two layers of black carbon fiber.
5. Windows and back door will be cut out and added after the carbon.
This thing is super stiff already. When you push on it from any angle, the whole vehicle moves. It's also very light. Certainly no more than a stock Samurai with a fiberglass enclosure.
Still have a ton of prep work to do before laying carbon. Things like making the corners as clean as possible, making a solid wheel flare to cover the 1" of tire hanging out past the wheel well, sanding, and more sanding.
These flares over the door are/were a difficult. Tons of time in them, and a ton more to finish them up before carbon.
1. Chopped the entire body off behind the seats, then made a 'tub' out of fiberglass (no rust).
2. Used 2' foam panels sandwiched in fiberglass/epoxy.
3. Bondo and fiberglass around the doors.
4. Final layer will be one or two layers of black carbon fiber.
5. Windows and back door will be cut out and added after the carbon.
This thing is super stiff already. When you push on it from any angle, the whole vehicle moves. It's also very light. Certainly no more than a stock Samurai with a fiberglass enclosure.
Still have a ton of prep work to do before laying carbon. Things like making the corners as clean as possible, making a solid wheel flare to cover the 1" of tire hanging out past the wheel well, sanding, and more sanding.
These flares over the door are/were a difficult. Tons of time in them, and a ton more to finish them up before carbon.
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airmanwilliams
New member
GREAT work trackhead. I look forward to seeing the finished product at some point. you should bring it to the lowrangeoffroad show and shine this summer. I believe its on september 10th but sean would know for sure.