How would a suzuki samurai have fared in this snow and ice?

[glen-bob]

Had an 87 that we used as a tow vehicle behind a motorhome. After selling the MH used it hunting. In 4 low 2nd gear it would crawl over / through anything. I regret selling it on a regular basis. Reminded me of a mini Tonka truck.

 

[Brothers In Arms]

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

I came across them when i started my inquiry to the sami's. I like that they have something for all aspects of the truck.

 

[swampbuck62]

Mitsubushi Montero,

had an 89 montero or as I called it my Jap G wagon..lol

stock v6 and auto trans.. then built a custom 3" suspension kit and 3" body lift and ran 35"s it was a tank and damn good ORV... One of the few vehicles I sold I wish I still had..

 

[T-Man]

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.

Drooling

That is bad***

 

[Brothers In Arms]

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.

Good, very specific info here..thx. I have looked at xterras also, but they seem to be $5k and up, without mods. My goal is cheap.....good, but cheap, around 3k. I know, you get what you pay for, but thats where im at.

 

[2001SportTJ]

That's badass!


As much as it pains me to say this, being a Jeep guy and all, those Samurais are really capable offroad vehicles that with very minimal mods will go anywhere. My buddy used to have a Samurai that was running 31" tires and he went everywhere my Jeep TJ with 35's and lockers went and then some. Those little things will go places that you wouldn't think possible.

 

[attison]

My brother in law has one and went everywhere with no problem in the snow. They also go rock climbing and trail riding in them, and by trails I mean little goat trails. They are very nimble and great to just putt around in.

 

[Brothers In Arms]

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.

Actually, i do lean more towards the hard tops for reasons you mentioned and also MAYBE more break in thwarting. Your example is right up my alley. Of course i dont know what internal mods were done from the picture. Ideally there would be sufficient engine, trans, susp, mods done, in addition to tires around 31" in size, no larger. I would like a winch as well. And i absolutely would want to buy one with all this already done.

This would not be an every weekend fun vehicle as i have never even been offroading. I did enough outdoor activities in the Corps. Strictly bad weather/bug out/take my brother to the outdoor ranges for bang bang fun...vehicle.

 

[Dbodt]

I own an 87 Sammy. The parts are crazy cheap. I just replaced my water pump it was 7 bucks. It goes everywhere. I have never been able to get mine stuck. That being said it is pretty well built for off road. Unfortunately my battery gave it up in the cold so I did not drive it during the storm. I have no doubt It would have made it where most vehicles did not.

 

[Brothers In Arms]

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.

Realized my last post messed up.....meant to say this is a perfect example of what im looking for. Theres one on autotrader today at $2999 that looks maybe possible.