I am about to bite the bullet and finally buy a sami. I am looking at a 1986 that seems to run pretty strong and I can pick it up for 1000 bucks. I have been a toyota guy for a long time and have always wanted to build a toy zuk hybrid with the toyota parts I have lying around.

First question has to do with soft tops and the like. The body on this particular sami is cut off right at the front seats, there are no B pillars. I need some type of body to stay out of inclement weather, what do you suggest? I have been looking at bikini tops that would probably do the roof job but what is out there as far as doors? Are there any full soft doors available that I could jimmy on there for the winter months?

Second question has to do with the engine. Supposedly the 1.3 it has in it now was rebuilt 10k miles ago, it runs real smooth even with 2 year old gas in it. Are these engines pretty reliable, what are the chances of it passing california smog on the first go around?

Lastly what are the golden springs for samis. It currently sits spoa on what I assume are stock springs. What are the flexy springs for these. I have had success with 63" chebbys on the rear of yotas and stock rears in front but I assume those springs would be too long, but hell what do I know, enlighten me.

so as far as tops. i dont think i can help you. my body is still stock. and i just stick with the factory soft top.

as far as the motor. i bought mine of a tweeker for 900 bucks. and it was missing a lot of vital stuff. i.e. driveshaft bolts. and i thought i wouldn't be able to smog her the first time. so i took it to a smog go that works a couple doors down from the bike shop i work at, and it took us about 40 minutes, but we got her to pass, the only thing she failed was the gas cap test, she was runnin rich at first but he gave her a quick tune and low and behold. she passed.

and for springs, if your keeping a relatively stock wheelbase, then yj's seem to be the springs to use. i picked up some yjs with 2 inch aal's (i didn't relize it at the time) for 100 bucks. i haven't taken the aals out and i have just installed the rear springs, but it lifted it another 4.5 inches or so. so im sittin on 9" in the back and 4.5" in the front currently, and it looks like shit. but ive seen people use some custom e-150 spring packs, and toyotas. but the yj's are tried and true.

You'll end up having to fab something either to the cage or whatever if you need a top - doubt there is much that'll work for you out of the box.

Engines are reliable - if it has the stock carb it should pass pretty quick and easy.

Wrangler leafs.

Best top sells a windjammer that would work for you for a top. It is a multi piece design. uses a bikini top, and then a curtain that goes down just behind the front seats. I have one that has been modified by a local upolstry shop to fit my cage.

Doors, don't remember who still sells any. Calmini possibly. may have to search that one, there was a thread on here a while back on this subject. Most just make some out of small tube or solid rod and get them covered.

Engines are real reliable if taken care of. Carbs can be tricky, But with a factory manual, you can almost always diagnose them. If you worked on the toyota elec type of carbs these are pretty simular. Need patience though. Typicaly, most seem to get to 120K miles before the rings start to leak oil.

Not sure what to tell you on the top that hasn't already been mentioned.

The 1.3 is a good motor in stock form. A little underpowered, but with the right T-case gearing and axle gearing, its MORE than enough to move these little rigs around.

If you happen to have some laying around all ready, you can use Toy springs on your rig. The offset pin's are perfect for stretching your w.b. some and they seem to work really well. YJ's are the most popular swap by far and there are more than a few vendors who offer kits to put them in.

All I can say is welcome to the sickness!

[QUOTE=twitch88;6325215] Are there any full soft doors available that I could jimmy on there for the winter months?
QUOTE]

Most of your other concerns have been addressed, but I'll take a shot at this one. You can take a set of CJ5 soft doors and make them work with basic modifications. I've seen some half doors that have been done and they fit almost perfect, just a small area on the lower rear corner that doesn't quite match. Full doors would probably fit just fine I would think. I'll post some pics if I can find them.

Everybody tends to replace the stock 1.3 engine with something more powerfull.... I am the odd one out amongst my friends with zooks - I kept and refined the engine. Its aluminium, so very light - anything bigger weighs more and that's all I considered. Weight = stuck & more broke shit; and that's without factoring in extra power...
Sure I can't keep up on the road, but when it comes to the sloppy stuff they all get stuck with their diesels, cages and winches, LOL! I have more power than I need offroad with the 1.3.
Broke shit is not going to be as much of a problem with yota axles, but I would recommend sticking to alluminium engines...

thanks or all the info guys, I just have a couple of questions about toyota axle swaps.

I have a 1985 4runner to get all the parts from, it is complete. My main question is what do I do about the offset rear?

I have the whole 22re, w56, top shift t case drive train. Is it easier to swap the whole thing in rather than keep the zuki xfercase?

if you wanna keep your zuki case. then you better pray to someone upstairs you get your pinion angle right, unless you get an offset housing, two companies make such a thing, sky mfg, and trail tough.

I run yota rear's turned backward's in the rear of mine.I used the stock front mount and welded a 3x4 tube across the frame an move'd the shackle mount to that.I got six in.'s of wheel base with this set up.http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/roktex/Project%20Super%20Frog/froggysideview.jpg

I was gonna go to a vinal shop and have a top made to snap to the Targo bar (AKA B pillar) and cut the bed right behind the targa... But then I thought... I like the extra room for audio and cargo... so I will keep the back.