OK so I bit the bullet and got out the checkbook

[Shrock]

As many of you have witnessed here, I've gone round and round on what Sammi to get, from junk yard builder to fully built and evrything in between. This one is bult pretty much exactly like I would want. I might prefer coils and I would want to add a cage, winch, and winch bumper, but that is about it. I figure I will save some serious cash by spending about $5K on this one. What do you think...what should I check out? Pending final inspection and input from the anti-newbies, here is what it looks like I'm gonna get:

-1987 Sammi
-1.6L 16V FI Engine
-Front Axle: LC FJ80 high pinion electric locker with 5.29 gears, LC disk brakes
-Rear Axle: Tacoma, offset, Detroit locker, 5.29, Tacoma drums
-GRS-I
-Crossover steering, not power
-CV Drive Shaft
-SPOA Wrangler front and rear, missing link front
-33 BFG MT
-Tow Bar
-One minor Body dent
-Minor rust in battery tray only

Lastly I'm thinking that while the wife unit doesn't like this idea, I have made it clear it's gonna happen with minimal carnage resulting. I figure it will be worse if I buy one for $2k and then dump another $5K into it check by check. She will look at it and say, "there it is...sitting in the driveway. It works. It goes. Why do you need this gear thing and that axle thing?" :nuke: :nuke:

[Bill4rest]

Originally posted by Shrock
As many of you have witnessed here, I've gone round and round on what Sammi to get, from junk yard builder to fully built and evrything in between. This one is bult pretty much exactly like I would want. I might prefer coils and I would want to add a cage, winch, and winch bumper, but that is about it. I figure I will save some serious cash by spending about $5K on this one. What do you think...what should I check out? Pending final inspection and input from the anti-newbies, here is what it looks like I'm gonna get:

-1987 Sammi
-1.6L 16V FI Engine
-Front Axle: LC FJ80 high pinion electric locker with 5.29 gears, LC disk brakes
-Rear Axle: Tacoma, offset, Detroit locker, 5.29, Tacoma drums
-GRS-I
-Crossover steering, not power
-CV Drive Shaft
-SPOA Wrangler front and rear, missing link front
-33 BFG MT
-Tow Bar
-One minor Body dent
-Minor rust in battery tray only

Is that what you want? Too me, I think the LC axle would be kind of a boat ancor. But you could swap out for a mini truck axle. I would ditch the Missing links as well. IMOP of coarse:D

[super_suzi]

i know a guy selling a good zuk in texas.. email hime at Zukidude@aol.com
spoa.. 31 swamps.. so on...
just an option..

[PIAA_Lites]

Sometimes you see some Suzukis that are really modified for only about $3000. I seen them a couple of times.

[jp008]

There are always some on autotrader.com or on e-bay.

[FeCamel]

Originally posted by Bill4rest

Too me, I think the LC axle would be kind of a boat ancor. But you could swap out for a mini truck axle.

The FJ80 axle is not the typical Cruiser axle. I believe the housing and R&P are similar to truck versions in size, but the FJ80 birfields are HUGE! You would never break one with a Sami. Bobby Long can do his magic on them as well to make super-super birfields. The FJ80 axle is definitely a cool way to go.

[Root Moose]

Originally posted by Shrock

-1987 Sammi
-1.6L 16V FI Engine
-Front Axle: LC FJ80 high pinion electric locker with 5.29 gears, LC disk brakes
-Rear Axle: Tacoma, offset, Detroit locker, 5.29, Tacoma drums
-GRS-I
-Crossover steering, not power
-CV Drive Shaft
-SPOA Wrangler front and rear, missing link front
-33 BFG MT
-Tow Bar
-One minor Body dent
-Minor rust in battery tray only



I say do it.

One caveat and one thing to think about.

First, if the the guy is using a high pinion FJ-80 diff with electric locker I'll guess he has a clue.

Second, watch how well the workmanship is done. Last time I was in Houston I noticed there were a hell of a lot of really nicely built machines kicking around. There must be a shop or two that is building these machines as they looked to purdy for a back yard mechanic. Just watch what was done and how - I don't know the shops down there from a hole in the ground but I'd still find out how and what and what their reputation is. Mind you, if the truck passes visual...

Only think I would change, deeper t-case gears and ~35" tires. But that is tuning if you are starting with this as a base.

Do dicker on the price though. :)

r@m

[misatori]

Is that rig in the houston area?

[Rudezuk]

Id agree about Root.....Tcase and 35's should be in the plan......

But it looks like a pretty good start! Power steering?? Id loose the missing links too!
Maybe throw some Waggy springs on there (rancho 44044) when you went bigger tires, and get rid of the missing links.

[Shrock]

This rig is on the west coast. It was built by someone on this board. I have a list of about 10 used car sites I've been scouring for a month or so. Most of what I've found has been stockish or setup in way way that I know I would just end up re-doing most of it anyway, so why pay more for that. :confused:

RE Tires and Tcase. Right now it is at about 80:1 crawl and this combo is running about 4400 RPM's at 65MPH. Not that I plan to do a ton of highway driving, but I'm not sure I'd want to take that option away. SUMO would be 4900, seems awfully high. Calmini 5.8 would be 4600, probably OK. 35's would bring all this down though. :D Seems like it will be a good starting pont to decided where I want to go from here after wheeling it for a while.

Thanks for all the feedback!

[Root Moose]

Originally posted by Shrock
This rig is on the west coast. It was built by someone on this board. I have a list of about 10 used car sites I've been scouring for a month or so. Most of what I've found has been stockish or setup in way way that I know I would just end up re-doing most of it anyway, so why pay more for that. :confused:

RE Tires and Tcase. Right now it is at about 80:1 crawl and this combo is running about 4400 RPM's at 65MPH. Not that I plan to do a ton of highway driving, but I'm not sure I'd want to take that option away. SUMO would be 4900, seems awfully high. Calmini 5.8 would be 4600, probably OK. 35's would bring all this down though. :D Seems like it will be a good starting pont to decided where I want to go from here after wheeling it for a while.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Hmm, RPMs are a little high for highway. No biggie, just a tad high for long range. Maybe add the 35" tires without touching the t-case... If it feels under powered then regear the t-case and/or do some tuning to the engine.

On second thought maybe only change the t-case gears if you feel you need them after wheeling a few times.

r@m

[gunracer1]

hell the front axle is gold as in the 1200 to 1500 range. you will never break it with a light weight zuk. if the workmanship is good the thing is a deal. but it all comes down to how well it was put together. i would strech the wheel base if you plan on going to 35s. it sounds like it is set up pretty well right now. mike

[SamuraiChris]

I got my Sami for sale for the $3500 range, built a little differently though equally as capable as that unit. Check out the link in my sig. Only problem for most of you is that I live in Pennsylvania.

[Shrock]

Any specifics to watch for on the workmanship? Here is what I have already found out.

Trail Tough did the work on the Tacoma rear axle. Both of these are sprung over in stock config I believe, so I think the only welding would be the spring perches. TT spring perches were used. TT wiring harness work and transmission adapter for the 1.6L 16V engine.

I really don't know what to look for on the steering.

Any good shops in Phoenix or near Oakland/the Bay Area for an independent appraisal you could recommend?

[fatkid]

Sounds like a good start, now all you have to do is pick it up and Flogg the shiat out of it...:)

[tdavis]

Originally posted by Shrock
Any good shops in Phoenix or near Oakland/the Bay Area for an independent appraisal you could recommend?

you want someone to look at it?

Is it in Oakland?

I can look at it, take pics, and get an idea if it's in good shape or not..

[zukin]

sounds like mas2's rig in concord.
I bought his old 1.6 8V short block from him.
I saw the rig up close and it is set-up really nice.
Wish I had the cash at the time.
Enjoy!!!

[Shrock]

Yep, it's mas2's truck. I sent him a deposit today, and we are going to meet 1/2 way b/t TX and CA in two weeks. Wooohooo!

[jims4x4]

kewl