i am in a bit of a cross roads with my Zuk. I currently have a 1.5 Toyota engine and 5 speed (I know, stupid choice but at the time 5 years ago it was the option based on price) mated to my Suzuki Samurai transfer case with crawler gears. On the weekend I completely blew the transfer case apart, teeth poured out of the drain hole. The case was put together incorrectly so hopefully it is still under warranty. The problem is the toyota stuff and the Suzuki stuff are causing problems, too many custom bits and angles all al ittle off etc.

So my question is: Do I go back to a Samurai engine, gearbox and transfer case with the crawler gears or
Sidekick 1.6 auto or manual, sidekick transfer case with crawler gears.

I am running 34 Swampers with an air locker
What do you think?

Will a W56 or R151F Toy tranny bolt up to the 1.5L? If so replace trans with Toy components! Kerry @ SOS

Originally posted by grimbo
The problem is the toyota stuff and the Suzuki stuff are causing problems, too many custom bits and angles all al ittle off etc.


The Solution: Fix your custom bit's angles - your combo sounds cool. :D

Behind that little engine you could run any of the Toy truck trannies - even the old 4 speeds - without a problem.

The simple fact is that a Toyota is the cheapest vehicle to get in the 200:1 gearing area. If you can find a way to mate a tranny out of any 79-95 4 Cylinder Toyota truck/4runner to that engine, then you can fit dual cases onto it. That's the way to go, since it would be bulletproof in a Zuk, too.

If it won't bolt up to a Toy truck tranny (what did you get this engine out of anyway :confused:.) then getting a 1.6L and going back to Sammy stuff may be the way to go.

Or maybe an old 79-88 20/22R carburated Toy 4-popper would work. I dunno. I'm planning on putting an all Toy drivetrain into a Zuk - but going with my EFI engine. Someday... someday...

I find out about the warranty issue this weekend, so hopefully it will all be replaced and i can get back to fixing the driveshafts, the jack shaft, the gearbox/transfer case alignment and installing line locks.
If the warranty falls through what do people think about the Sumo 6:1 gears, anyone use them, know someone who uses them or heard any good rumours about them? I know they are expensive but I am still running stock RPs and running 34's so with the Sumo everything should be ok without the price and hassle of having to buy lower RPs and the added weakness.

I think ALL Sumo products are cool. :D The reasons I don't have 6.1's is.............

1. I can't afford them right now (even at the current price)
2. I need to get Toy axles or stronger zuki axles.
3. I need stronger u-joints
4. I need t-case arms or bucket
5. I need anti-wrap bar



Oh well..............(sigh) someday.

If you are happy with the power etc of the little Toyo i'd suggest keeping it if you can fix up the angles etc.

Did you have to cut motor mounts etc to get the Toyo donk in there? If not then it will be easy to go back to a Zook engine. I've installed a 1.6l SOHC 16 valve EFI and i'm pretty happy with that. Back it with your stock tranny or a Vitara tranny (prolly have to do some mods if your taking off the xfer case OR you could use the xfer as well and add another 1.8:1 to you crawl ratio). One of the Suzisport guys in Sydney has (did have last time i spoke to him about a month ago) a low kilometer 1.8l donk out of a late model Baleno GTX. It even comes with aftermarket chip. THAT would rock, though I suspect it would be more power up high than torque down low.

Have you considered a diesel? I'm not sure the kinda wheeling you do exactly but it might suit you. There would almost certainly be more fabrication work involved, and the extra weight of a diesel would be something to consider as well.

Let us know how you go.