helping build a zuk

[70Cruzer]

just got back from the taking a friend to the rubicon and he wants to build his samarai up now. hes got a transfer case problem right now, but where whould he start. whats the best bang for the buck mods?

[scwafish]

Replace the tc gears with the lowest ones he can afford. Lock rights, spoa, 33s, yee-ha!

[fatkid]

Everyone is tired of me saying it but go with a Toyota SOA. Cost around $300 for a used set of axles. Work from there..

[High5]

wrangler springs, wagoneer dana44's, 5.38's, lockrite in the front and weld the rear (or spool) grsII, lengthen the wheelbase to 97 - 100", and run 36x12.50 swampers.

[fatkid]

Originally posted by high5:
<STRONG>wrangler springs, wagoneer dana44's, 5.38's, lockrite in the front and weld the rear (or spool) grsII, lengthen the wheelbase to 97 - 100", and run 36x12.50 swampers.</STRONG>

Wait, is that all?

[zuk88]

1. T-case gears
2. lockers
3. SOA
4. 31"
5. <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> With the money you saved from not buying all the toy and waggy parts!!! LOL <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[fatkid]

Originally posted by zuk88:
<STRONG>1. T-case gears
2. lockers
3. SOA
4. 31"
5. <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> With the money you saved from not buying all the toy and waggy parts!!! LOL <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Your headed for breakage in serious way.. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[Azrckcrawler]

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>Your headed for breakage in serious way.. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Your kidding right? I ran some pretty hardcore stuff with stock running gear, GRS II, 4.62's and 32's. If you don't drive like an idiot that setup will last you nearly forever. Once you get to 33's the stock running gear is in jeopardy.

[fatkid]

Originally posted by AZ Rockcrawler:
<STRONG>Your kidding right? I ran some pretty hardcore stuff with stock running gear, GRS II, 4.62's and 32's. If you don't drive like an idiot that setup will last you nearly forever. Once you get to 33's the stock running gear is in jeopardy.</STRONG>

I'll say it again, your stock running gear will not last. I don't care how you drive, it's week. As far as driving like an idiot, bring it to the Hammers Oct 13th and 14th.

fatkid <IMG SRC="smilies/vader1.gif" border="0">

[70Cruzer]

any suggestions on specific gear sets, where to buy and such. Also the toy axles idea sound pretty appealing considering he will be running with cruisers that have converted the outers to minitruck discs. Are there any tricks to soa on a sami.
I told him toy axles, lower transfer gears, and lockers. Do you guys have any problems running like a lockrite in the front also? I know the weight is WAY different than my cruiser. Thanks for the feedback so far. also anyone close to stockton that I can check out your rig?

[fatkid]

Originally posted by 69cruzer:
<STRONG>any suggestions on specific gear sets, where to buy and such. Also the toy axles idea sound pretty appealing considering he will be running with cruisers that have converted the outers to minitruck discs. Are there any tricks to soa on a sami.
I told him toy axles, lower transfer gears, and lockers. Do you guys have any problems running like a lockrite in the front also? I know the weight is WAY different than my cruiser. Thanks for the feedback so far. also anyone close to stockton that I can check out your rig?</STRONG>

I run Lockrites F&R, they have worked without any problems not to mention they were cheap. I also like the 5.29's, the 5.71's have too small of a pinion. As for the SOA, it's straight forward. I used a 83 front drive shaft for the rear of Zuk and the stock Toy brake lines, not much too it. <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0">

[Azrckcrawler]

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>I'll say it again, your stock running gear will not last. I don't care how you drive, it's week. As far as driving like an idiot, bring it to the Hammers Oct 13th and 14th.

fatkid <IMG SRC="smilies/vader1.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I am curious how long you ran stock running gear in a Zuk? Stock running gear is the norm down here and we don't baby our rigs. All of the axle breaks I have seen were rear, long side combined with 33's. A couple guys popped birfields but that I'll give ya (I use rings). People like Fred Swanson and Dave king have been running 33" boggers on stock running gear for several years with no ill effects. I know for a fact Fred has done some serious trails in Moab and Anaconda, Axle Alley, the Terminators, etc, etc. Speaking from my experience 32's are the limits for reliable stock running gear (2 solid years of usage, you can check out my webpage and see all the trails I did), 31's should run nearly forever unless you have a heavy foot.

Once you go 33's I agree with you. I am looking at a Toy axle swap righ now because these 33 x 15.50 swampers are damn heavy, I started twisting my front long side axle so I know it's time to move up.

[zuk88]

Fatkid,
Hey, I know the Toy axles are the shit right now. I'm not going toys because,
I can't find a set of cheap axles(I looked and I'm just above poverty level),I'm only going to run 32" tires,and I haven't broke anything to justify swapping out good axles.
When I DO break something I'll post it here and you can flame all you want <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">

[fatkid]

I never even bothered with them, because of the fact that the sammy axles with everything you can get for them (rings,full floater,shafts,whatever) would not be as strong as a stock Toy axle. I also watched RokHeep/Rokzuki break a rear axle shaft running the same line that I made in the box last month. If your breaking rears your getting it or you have a problem, not to mention he ran some kind of hybrid Tracker third member thing wich was supposed to stronger than a sammy set up. I've watch countless Suzuki's break there tiny axle shafts for what I thought was no reason. I also can't see there being much differece between the 32's and 33's. If you know I'd like to hear it. One last thing, you can run all the trail in the world and doesn't mean your get'n it...

[fatkid]

Originally posted by zuk88:
<STRONG>Fatkid,
Hey, I know the Toy axles are the shit right now. I'm not going toys because,
I can't find a set of cheap axles(I looked and I'm just above poverty level),I'm only going to run 32" tires,and I haven't broke anything to justify swapping out good axles.
When I DO break something I'll post it here and you can flame all you want <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I'll flame ya when the time comes. As far as getting set up with some axles, seems like lately it's been easier to buy a whole truck than it is to get it's running gear. I see a toy 4X4 sell every week for around $300. It's like that. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[0ILBURNER]

Hey Fatkid,

I was under the impression that the hybrid Sidekick rear axle was supposed to be a lot stronger than the Samurai stock stuff, but I found out that the only thing you gain with it is thicker housing tubing and a larger ring gear. Unless you're breaking Sam R&P's that's no bennie either, cause you lose some ground clearance. As a matter of fact, that hybrid rear axle setup uses Stock rear Samurai axles! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

[Azrckcrawler]

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>I never even bothered with them, because of the fact that the sammy axles with everything you can get for them (rings,full floater,shafts,whatever) would not be as strong as a stock Toy axle. I also watched RokHeep/Rokzuki break a rear axle shaft running the same line that I made in the box last month. If your breaking rears your getting it or you have a problem, not to mention he ran some kind of hybrid Tracker third member thing wich was supposed to stronger than a sammy set up. I've watch countless Suzuki's break there tiny axle shafts for what I thought was no reason. I also can't see there being much differece between the 32's and 33's. If you know I'd like to hear it. One last thing, you can run all the trail in the world and doesn't mean your get'n it...</STRONG>

That's what I thought <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> You Ca. guys are funny, you got a half a dozen cool trails and you think your in the s#!t. I have been wheeling my Zuk for two years (2-3 times a month) and I have yet to see half the Trails in the Phoenix area, not to mention all the new 5.0+ rated trails that have been popping up.

I was invited to the Hammers this year, Oct, not sure if I can swing it. I want to go to Las Cruces in Sept, that'll eat up what I have left of my vacation time. Next year its Moab for sure and something else in the fall, Hammers sounds cool. We are running Martinez Canyon Sunday, going to cross off another trail on my to do list.

[Azrckcrawler]

Originally posted by 0ILBURNER:
<STRONG>Hey Fatkid,

I was under the impression that the hybrid Sidekick rear axle was supposed to be a lot stronger than the Samurai stock stuff, but I found out that the only thing you gain with it is thicker housing tubing and a larger ring gear. Unless you're breaking Sam R&P's that's no bennie either, cause you lose some ground clearance. As a matter of fact, that hybrid rear axle setup uses Stock rear Samurai axles! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I have been trying to figure out what all the fuss was with these things? I know several people who are saving up for them, but unless they let you run the bigger sidekick rear axles it seems like a big waste of money. I have never seen anyone break a ring gear other than the older Richmonds.

[mudlite]

All rear axles in Suzuki 4x4's are the same size, same spline count. From the LJ80 , SJ410, SJ413 and Sidekick. The only benifit is larger ring gear. You only have to buy one parts truck to get a set of gears. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
33's are as big as you can go stock, and that is open in the front. Lock the front, ditch the stock shit. I have been running Zuks for 12 years, and I've broken my fair share , and on stuff 1/2 the difficulty as the West coast. 6 axles in one year was too much for me, and I am of the " School of Finess" <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

[billjohn]

Originally posted by AZ Rockcrawler:
<STRONG>I was invited to the Hammers this year, Oct, not sure if I can swing it. I want to go to Las Cruces in Sept, that'll eat up what I have left of my vacation time. Next year its Moab for sure and something else in the fall, Hammers sounds cool. We are running Martinez Canyon Sunday, going to cross off another trail on my to do list.</STRONG>

I just did Broad Canyon on Saturday and the rain changed many of the obstacles... So the Salsa Bash (the trip in Sept) is gonna be fun!

[fatkid]

"Us Ca guys" will be on the Hammers Oct 11th thru the 14th. If you think you can get it with your stock axles by all means, see what the wreck'n ball will do to those stock axles and 33's. As far as me wheeling the stock running gear, why would I? If you know its weak to start with why even put money into it? Too me that would be a waste of time and money not to mention <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0">. If you don't have an excuse come October bring it.. <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

[Azrckcrawler]

Originally posted by fatkid:
<STRONG>"Us Ca guys" will be on the Hammers Oct 11th thru the 14th. If you think you can get it with your stock axles by all means, see what the wreck'n ball will do to those stock axles and 33's. As far as me wheeling the stock running gear, why would I? If you know its weak to start with why even put money into it? Too me that would be a waste of time and money not to mention <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0">. If you don't have an excuse come October bring it.. <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

As I and a few others said, 33's are the cutoff point. But here you are telling people running 31's they need to swap it out for heavier gear when it just isn't so. Hey, if you got the bucks/parts/talent, by all means do it. Once your bitten with the bug you will want 33+ tires on there. I told myself I'd never go bigger than 32's, now I got pontoons. But if your going to stay with small tires for a while there is no need to swap unless your a hardcore throttle jockey.

BTW I made the 2000 mile round trip to the Con last year. Have you ever ventured out of Ca? It's easy to tell someone to bring it when the trail is in your own backyard. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> Truly hardcore is driving or flat towing your rig thousands of miles from home knowing you have to drag/drive it back when your done. The Hammers are on my wish list, along with the Sierra Trek, Moab, some Colorado trails, Las Cruces, Farmington, Tellico and the Zukimelt. Tell ya what, if I win the powerball on Sat I'll be there, heck I'll even buy a set of 32's and show you how it's done. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[zukmike]

gotta agree with the man from AZ...still running stock with 33's. broke once on each side over 4 years. granted, im not wheeling every weekend. done all the ruff stuff in moab (upperhell,proving grounds, etc.) and tellico with no problems but, toy axles are on my list. rubicon is on my list too, but the 4000 mile trip is a bummer. when we get there, ill let you know fatty. and sorry AZ, im winnin' the powerball... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[billjohn]

Still running stock axles and R&P, and I've only broken 2 (one last weekend) birfields and a lockright so far... oh, I'm running 32" swampers (sx's). I live 20 minutes from Las Cruces, so I know what a rock tastes like.
I think it is a very capable combination, and I don't baby it. Check out my ride if you want... http://home.elp.rr.com/zook

[70Cruzer]

cool site <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0">