I just got out of a long relationship with a 84 Toyota and after a short layoff the Sammys have really caught my eye! I have my sights set on a 1988 in GC for $800. I would jump on it but need more input on the 1.3 engine w/ stock gears. I have done a lot of searching but can't find anything other than "its underpowered." I want it to be somewhat roadworthy but I have heard they barely do 60mph with stock tires??? I would be driving around town and to/from trails but is interstate out of the question with:eek:29's:eek: and stock gearing. I have read that a 1" shackle lift and some trimming allows 29x10.50s but will the stock gears be sufficient until I have the $$$ for the proper gears.

I have the cash for a GRS1 T-case and close to enough for a Calimini Shackle Reversal lift. It will be a while before I can afford gears so I am hoping stock won't be too bad until then. I am hoping to do gears and new 31's at the same time though.

Sorry for the lame 29" newbie tire questions :( but I gotta start somewhere:flipoff2:

Make your own spring over with some YJ springs....Get a 6:1 tcase and you can run 33's.

GRS1 will lower your high range in addition to the low range. Youl be fine with 29". I think it corrects for 31's in high. I know it's 12% lower in high range, so you'll probably be geared a little low even, which is a good thing.

I Bought my samurai in May of 90, by July I had on 33's stock gears in march 95 I bought 35's from a swap and meet and made the truck fit the tire. I had stock gears. I drove it everywhere, work was a 45 min 1 way trip on the highway, still hit 60-65(wind behind me flat ground) ;) in 4th gear and wheeled it hard for what I had locally. It was fine. I never had a reason to gear it cause I never took it out of the area to wheel, and really cause I didnt know of the Suzuki aftermarket industry until 99 when I got online.

So my point.

It might not be the best, but unless your engine is a dog, you should be fine

why go with 31's???? You will want to change them out before they wear out!

Do it right the first time!!!

YJ's and 33's with the 6:1 case will take you a long ways.....and they are something that you can use when you decide you want 35's or 37's!!

Im only going to post this once......Not trying to get my post count up like Doug O:flipoff2:

I agree with Rude. YJ's, spring over and 33's are the way to go.

Your best bet to start off would be to throw a spring over on there with missing links. You can throw some 4.16:1's in there pretty cheap, but you're definately better off going with some 6:1's.

If you're not much of a fabricator, then I would consider the Trail Tough YJ setup. You can get it going for a pretty reasonable price considering what you get. Shocks, brakelines, and so on are going to be needed no matter what lift you go with.

If you're on a tight budget, I would say throw in some 4.16:1 gears, a spring over and some 31's. Don't forget that you're going to need new shocks, brakelines and driveline spacers or extended slip yokes.

it depends on where you live. here in placerville, i got a 4.16 on 32's, and it flat out sucks to get onto the freeway (as in going up hill i'm in 3rd gear and doing 45mph if i'm lucky). i use backroads as much as possible. my friend has done a bunch of stuff to help my sammy run better. Make sure your engine is in top shape (valves are good and do the carb hesitation thing, it helps alot).

personally i'm installing stock 5.12's out of a sidekick/tracker, which is alot cheaper then buying aftermarket gears and OEM gears are usually alot better anyhow. as soon as i get them in i'll tell ya how much of a differance that has made.