Bingo...exactly the kind of info im after...thanks.
Any stories of weather dominating suzuki supremacy by anyone. I want justification that one of these is a good cost effective choice over any other 4bys out there.
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How would a suzuki samurai have fared in this snow and ice?
- Thread starter Brothers In Arms
- Start date
Bingo...exactly the kind of info im after...thanks.
Any stories of weather dominating suzuki supremacy by anyone. I want justification that one of these is a good cost effective choice over any other 4bys out there.
"Its more about how you drive"....Yesterday the spinning i experienced was in long lines of other cars, stopped for long periods on some hills... then when we started moving again....boom....spinning. Sucked because i knew there was nothing i could do about it. In fairness, the trucks tires are NOT offroad by any means.
Now thats funny....not so subtle...but funny
calmini is your friend as far a after market sammy parts I have bought a ton from them over the years..
They sell everything you need to make your sammy an off road beast.. getting harder to find a nice one thats not chopped up..
http://www.calmini.com/brand.php?b=2
They sell everything you need to make your sammy an off road beast.. getting harder to find a nice one thats not chopped up..
http://www.calmini.com/brand.php?b=2
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An '88 model with 31's can do most anything. My bro had one back in the day. We climbed the stone mtn access rd one night....got banned for life and went back the next week. Sweet hunting vehicle if you can find a good one since they are getting harder to find.
In the same breath I'd say a 2.5L YJ is also nimble, capable, and gets good gas mileage. Also more plentiful and can take a beating.
In the same breath I'd say a 2.5L YJ is also nimble, capable, and gets good gas mileage. Also more plentiful and can take a beating.
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Look for a "tin top". They cost a bit more but WELL worth it when it comes to safety and also better insulation during cold weather.
Also remember that running larger tires greatly affects the final drive ratio. Bigger tires without lowering the gear ratio will strain the already puny 1.3L engine. You can get good all season tires in 27" and 29". I recommend Yokohama Geolanders.
Also remember that running larger tires greatly affects the final drive ratio. Bigger tires without lowering the gear ratio will strain the already puny 1.3L engine. You can get good all season tires in 27" and 29". I recommend Yokohama Geolanders.
Look for a "tin top". They cost a bit more but WELL worth it when it comes to safety and also better insulation during cold weather.
Also remember that running larger tires greatly affects the final drive ratio. Bigger tires without lowering the gear ratio will strain the already puny 1.3L engine. You can get good all season tires in 27" and 29". I recommend Yokohama Geolanders.
that is awesome.
Sammi's are awesome. The only problem is that their drivetrain components are small and overall the vehicle is pretty antiquated.
With that said, upgrades are common on the samurai. Mostly replacing the stock engine with a tracker engine, upgrading to Toyota steering, and toyota axles are common.
Look around for one someone has already built. They are out there and really are decently priced.
If you are just in the general market for a good SUV, look for an Izuzu Trooper, Mitsubushi Montero, Ford Explorer, or a Nissan Xterra. All are underrated SUVs for off road performance (overshadows by the Toyota SUVs) but are darn capable, especially in stock or mildy modified. These SUVs can typically be had for cheap and are actually pretty bulletproof aside from the normal aging vehicle issues (bushings, radiators, clutches, tires, brakes, etc).
Personally, I would've rather weathered the storm in a Trooper, Montero, or gen 2 Xterra, 3rd or 4th gen Explorer than a Sammi. Far more comfortable and very capable vehicles especially when equipped with decent tires. I'm seeing more Xterras and Explorers on the trail, even the 3rd gen Explorers with full independent suspension. Wisdom has taught us that independent suspension is bad for off road. But really for 33" tires and less, it doesn't matter. Also considering the newer vehicles have traction control, that helps out A LOT. While not as good as a locking differential, its a lot better than nothing and can get you through the occasional obstacle. I think for the 4th generation Explorers, they got the traction control from Land Rover (Ford owned LR at that time). Despite being an older system, it still works pretty darn good.
Dunno, just wanted to throw out other options that are solid in their own respects.
With that said, upgrades are common on the samurai. Mostly replacing the stock engine with a tracker engine, upgrading to Toyota steering, and toyota axles are common.
Look around for one someone has already built. They are out there and really are decently priced.
If you are just in the general market for a good SUV, look for an Izuzu Trooper, Mitsubushi Montero, Ford Explorer, or a Nissan Xterra. All are underrated SUVs for off road performance (overshadows by the Toyota SUVs) but are darn capable, especially in stock or mildy modified. These SUVs can typically be had for cheap and are actually pretty bulletproof aside from the normal aging vehicle issues (bushings, radiators, clutches, tires, brakes, etc).
Personally, I would've rather weathered the storm in a Trooper, Montero, or gen 2 Xterra, 3rd or 4th gen Explorer than a Sammi. Far more comfortable and very capable vehicles especially when equipped with decent tires. I'm seeing more Xterras and Explorers on the trail, even the 3rd gen Explorers with full independent suspension. Wisdom has taught us that independent suspension is bad for off road. But really for 33" tires and less, it doesn't matter. Also considering the newer vehicles have traction control, that helps out A LOT. While not as good as a locking differential, its a lot better than nothing and can get you through the occasional obstacle. I think for the 4th generation Explorers, they got the traction control from Land Rover (Ford owned LR at that time). Despite being an older system, it still works pretty darn good.
Dunno, just wanted to throw out other options that are solid in their own respects.
had a buddy who used to own a 4x4 shop in Smyrna rough country four wheel drive .. when they first came out he did a ton of Spring over the axle conversions anything over 33" and the axle tubes would bend over time, like I said you better beef one up if you plan on running bigger then 31"tires..
I had one with 38"ers but we swapped out the stockers for cut down Dana 60s also did a ton of mods to the trans and tranfer case and eng..
I had one with 38"ers but we swapped out the stockers for cut down Dana 60s also did a ton of mods to the trans and tranfer case and eng..
