Just bought a 87 sami. What's first

[TheLakeRat]

Sorry to bother you guys. All I've ever messed with is Jeeps and full size. There isn't anyone around here that wheels Sami's and the better half wanted one so I found one for $200 for her. It run's like a champ and the body is perfect. But the tranny is Fawked. I ordered a new clutch and a tranny rebuild kit today. Total investment is only about $500 so far, so we still have some $$$ left in the budjet. I want her to be able to rock crawl with the best of them so what should I build for it?
Don't be shy, Let me know what you really think.

[M.Martian]

If you want to turn it into a flexible crawler, then put in either CJ fronts in the rear and rears up front with missing links front and rear or put in some YJ springs.

The biggest bang for the buck seems to be running the CJ's/rear up front with missing links. Then just throw on some longer brake lines, shocks, and driveshaft spacers or extended slip yokes.

Also throw it spring over for a little more flex.

Check with Luigi. He's got some CJ's with missing links for sale over in the forsale board. http://www.pirate4x4.com/cgi-bin/ubb...c&f=8&t=011374

[fatkid]

Toy Axles. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[littlejackass]

Gears, gears and then more gears!

[fatkid]

You should build your stock axles and then realize that there still weak and then decide to change them out. That's what I would do IMHO. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ 09-21-2001: Message edited by: fatDRM ]

[SeaBass44]

Ummmmm hydro steer <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> 38.5X14.50 SX's, dual 44's, toy motor trans dual and 4.0 gearset, or the adapter when it's out to mate the toy trans, to the sam motor then go duals and 4.0 set.

[TheLakeRat]

Thanks for the info guys. I've already decided to do the spring over but the CJ rear springs are a good idea. I've got several sets of those laying around.

I'm definatly in on the gear set. I built a 4to1 for my jeep and love it. Figure the sami set will be even better. Does anyone have some good pics of a crawler kit, Or can someone measure their gears so I can be a cheap bastard and build them?

The hydro assist steering is a must. Not only because I build them but Lisa will need the help. She's not a very big girl. Except in the stadium seating area. DON'T TELL HER I SAID THAT!!!
Figured that I would just weld up the diff's until she broke them and then upgrade to something better then. It will take her a while to get up the nerve to try anything really hard, so I figured they would last a little while. Sounds like fatDRM may have some good ones that I could swap in.

Keep It coming guys. Thanks

[Jeepdude_Jay]

Originally posted by M. Martian:
<STRONG>If you want to turn it into a flexible crawler, then put in either CJ fronts in the rear and rears up front with missing links front and rear or put in some YJ springs.

</STRONG>

What's the benfit of "fronts in the rear"? Why not do rears for both ends? Why waste time with the shorter narrower ones? Just curious.

[scottz]

The hydro assist steering is a must

my buddy has had really good luck with saginaw boxes on these. I think he uses a camaro box, I'll take a pic of it tommorow.

[M.Martian]

Originally posted by Jeepdude_Jay:
<STRONG>What's the benfit of "fronts in the rear"? Why not do rears for both ends? Why waste time with the shorter narrower ones? Just curious.</STRONG>

The CJ front springs are 2 inches wide and about 42 inches long. The CJ rear springs are 2.5 inches wide and ?? inches long.

The suzuki springs are 2 inches wide front and rear. By using the CJ front springs in the rear, you are gaining about 3 inches in length, but don't have to make all new spring hangers. They will bolt right up with the help of missing links and relocating the axle about an inch (can't remember if it's forward or rearward).

The zuk rear springs up front (with the overload removed) will increase the length 2 inches. The front will also require missing links. I'm not sure if you need to shift the axle or not.

If you are going to go through the trouble of going to a 2.5 inch wide spring, it's better to just goto YJ springs which are 46 inches long.

[scottz]

here are a few shots of this, it's a camaro box (I think) a YJ dropped pitman arm and YJ springs. The plate the box mounted to is something he bought from Capitol Jeepers Supply and the "Z" bar is 1 1/4 .250 wall DOM tube, the tie rod end slid right into the end of it and it's nearly bulletproof.

This was really easy to do and it seems to work really well, the plate made it totally easy to mount the box- just stick it up there and weld it on...
<IMG width=390 height=250 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/sagbox1.jpg"> <IMG width=390 height=250 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/sagbox22.jpg"> <IMG width=390 height=250 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/sagbox3.jpg">

[TheLakeRat]

Thanks for the pics Scottz. That will help alot.
Any one have any pics of a t-case gear set?