New to me...Spidertrax Tin Top - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

rbgerrish · 09-30-2008, 05:38 PM

Hi Sami folk,

I'm totally new to Sami's. I normally wheel Mogs and a Haflinger, but I've always love the look of Tin Tops. Well, I stumbled upon this one, sitting at a friends house. One thing led to another, and it ended up in my driveway! Anyhow, I'm putting in a new head gasket and removing the turbo. Apparently the turbo generates too much pressure in the engine, making failure more likely. (Like head gaskets!) I'm switching back to a normal 16v for now.

Off the top of my head:

-1.6L 16v w/ small turbo from 3000GT.
-Warn 8274 w/ sythetic line
-Spidertrax Sidewinder housings, chromoly 26 or 27 spine axles(?), hydro-assist. ARB's front and rear.
-3 link rear, panhard front, flat belly skid
-Douschtech shocks and coils
-Tracker 5 speed, dual sami cases, front Spidertrax reversing box, tracker 3rd member upside down.
-Line locks, driveline disconnect.
-Aluminum wheels/double beadlocks w/ sticky krawlers
-99" wheelbase
-Rhinolined interior

Thanks,
Ryan

Lil' lucifer · 09-30-2008, 05:43 PM

i like, i like.

Not to sure on the beadlock though but inner beadlocks rule!!!

and what's wheelbase???

rbgerrish · 09-30-2008, 05:52 PM

Thanks! WB is 99".

These your old wheels Rick? How'd it do on the Con? I'm sure Dave beat the poo out of it.

blackrider · 09-30-2008, 05:53 PM

welcome to suzukiland...
looks like the shocks might limit flex a bit...

rbgerrish · 09-30-2008, 05:57 PM

Actually, it flexs pretty darn well. It's quite 'slinky,' and would benefit from a swaybar! Previous owners said it leans quite a bit, and that take some getting used to.

blackrider · 09-30-2008, 06:02 PM

that's cool..nice having the tin top in that climate...
when i first did my 4 link it had a lot of sway,the one thing it taught me was to gas it when it felt like it was going to flop,people were always jumping out of the way...
edit;need an hd defroster...

rbgerrish · 09-30-2008, 06:06 PM

I know! I dont have any winter-rain rigs- this one will fit the bill nicely! It's even got a heater!

Hvy_Chevy · 09-30-2008, 06:08 PM

sweet looking ride.
must be a pain taking the wheels off.

flexmonger2 · 09-30-2008, 08:45 PM

Ryan if you grow tired of the sidewinder axles let me know. Seen this zuk rip the crushers with no problem except for the excessive body roll.

blackrider · 09-30-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexmonger2

Ryan if you grow tired of the sidewinder axles let me know. Seen this zuk rip the crushers with no problem except for the excessive body roll.

which like he said,could be cured with a rear swaybar...

Bass Man · 09-30-2008, 09:47 PM

You could probably solve that problem with lower compression pistons...

Wanna sell the turbo setup?

Is there any good wheeling way up there?

That looks like a BIG PITA to take a wheel off.

Pappa Smurf · 09-30-2008, 09:55 PM

What brand of head gasket was on it before? there is a company that sells copper head gasket for turbo app. i would keep it for the fun factor.

supazuk94 · 09-30-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hvy_Chevy

sweet looking ride.
must be a pain taking the wheels off.

no kidding but i have to say the body and exo give me a virtual hard on

SKOP · 09-30-2008, 11:40 PM

fawk ya...sick zook man.

i agree with a couple guys here,bigger shocks and swaybars

what did you get it for $$ ?

Ben Holloway · 10-01-2008, 12:15 AM

whoa blast from the past, if I remember correctly this thing was up at goldendale years ago

Ben

rbgerrish · 10-01-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Man

You could probably solve that problem with lower compression pistons...

Wanna sell the turbo setup?

Is there any good wheeling way up there?

That looks like a BIG PITA to take a wheel off.

I havent decided on the turbo issue yet...

It probably is a PITA to take the wheel off, but my wife has blessed the entire drivetrain with her more powerful Wiccan enchantments, so I shouldnt have to.

Lots of good wheeling in the NW. I'm excited to get it moving again.

rbgerrish · 10-01-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappa Smurf

What brand of head gasket was on it before? there is a company that sells copper head gasket for turbo app. i would keep it for the fun factor.

I have no idea. Even if a more stout head gasket was put on, the previous owner said that the engine needed to be "o-ringed,' as well as reinforced in some other way. (The bottom end can warp becuase it isnt very strong?)

I might not want to deal with all that, so I might just do the regular 16v...

rbgerrish · 10-01-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKOP

fawk ya...sick zook man.

i agree with a couple guys here,bigger shocks and swaybars

what did you get it for $$ ?

Yeah, some nice coilovers or gassers perhaps... On the To do list!

It was a good deal.

rbgerrish · 10-01-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Holloway

whoa blast from the past, if I remember correctly this thing was up at goldendale years ago

Ben

He used to compete with it. I'd love to see some pictures of it competing. They have to be out there somewhere!

jalbrecht42 · 10-01-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Holloway

whoa blast from the past, if I remember correctly this thing was up at goldendale years ago

Ben

I think your right. If it's the one I remember I recall watching it do a crazy spinning piroutte on the front bumper while rolling--and he landed it back on all four. Probably have pictures somewhere....

toykilla5150 · 10-01-2008, 10:53 AM

Pics i have had for a long time....

one on my favorite tintops of all time.

blackrider · 10-01-2008, 12:49 PM

4- 14" regular bilstein(or equivalent) shocks would do it...

TireFryerSS · 10-01-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbgerrish

I have no idea. Even if a more stout head gasket was put on, the previous owner said that the engine needed to be "o-ringed,' as well as reinforced in some other way. (The bottom end can warp becuase it isnt very strong?)

I might not want to deal with all that, so I might just do the regular 16v...

If you keep the boost around 5-6psi (non-intercooled), do a thicker copper gasket to get the compression down a bit, depending on what it currently is you should be fine. You dont need to o-ring the head. As for "warping" the bottom end...Ive never heard that term before but it should be fine at low boost levels.

Does it currently run?

bigzook · 10-01-2008, 03:56 PM

If you end up getting rid of the turbo setup I would be interested. I also wheeled with Dave back when that thing was tan.

rbgerrish · 10-01-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TireFryerSS

If you keep the boost around 5-6psi (non-intercooled), do a thicker copper gasket to get the compression down a bit, depending on what it currently is you should be fine. You dont need to o-ring the head. As for "warping" the bottom end...Ive never heard that term before but it should be fine at low boost levels.

Does it currently run?

I'm not 100% sure what he said about the bottom end- perhaps the bottom of the block is weak and can fail with too much pressure?

Anyhow, it ran briefly, but was eating TONS of coolant, so I've begun tearing it apart now.

09-30-2008, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
rbgerrish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9707 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 186	New to me...Spidertrax Tin Top Hi Sami folk, I'm totally new to Sami's. I normally wheel Mogs and a Haflinger, but I've always love the look of Tin Tops. Well, I stumbled upon this one, sitting at a friends house. One thing led to another, and it ended up in my driveway! Anyhow, I'm putting in a new head gasket and removing the turbo. Apparently the turbo generates too much pressure in the engine, making failure more likely. (Like head gaskets!) I'm switching back to a normal 16v for now. Off the top of my head: -1.6L 16v w/ small turbo from 3000GT. -Warn 8274 w/ sythetic line -Spidertrax Sidewinder housings, chromoly 26 or 27 spine axles(?), hydro-assist. ARB's front and rear. -3 link rear, panhard front, flat belly skid -Douschtech shocks and coils -Tracker 5 speed, dual sami cases, front Spidertrax reversing box, tracker 3rd member upside down. -Line locks, driveline disconnect. -Aluminum wheels/double beadlocks w/ sticky krawlers -99" wheelbase -Rhinolined interior Thanks, Ryan Last edited by rbgerrish; 10-21-2010 at 07:50 PM.

09-30-2008, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lil' lucifer Granite Guru Join Date: May 2005 Member # 47016 Location: Maple Ridge, BC, Canada Posts: 975	i like, i like. Not to sure on the beadlock though but inner beadlocks rule!!! and what's wheelbase??? __________________ 2013 TTC Spotter for SKOPs green bastard GONNA MAKE THE TANK TRAP MY BITCH!

09-30-2008, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
blackrider Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37690 Location: Siskiyou County Posts: 2,282	welcome to suzukiland... looks like the shocks might limit flex a bit... __________________ . . . . 4.3 vortec/tbi,yota axles/dual cases,40's, stauns,oba,4 linked,coilovers,zook tub [COLOR="blue"][SIZE="3"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]NotQuiteRight Wheelers[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

09-30-2008, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
blackrider Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37690 Location: Siskiyou County Posts: 2,282	that's cool..nice having the tin top in that climate... when i first did my 4 link it had a lot of sway,the one thing it taught me was to gas it when it felt like it was going to flop,people were always jumping out of the way... edit;need an hd defroster... __________________ . . . . 4.3 vortec/tbi,yota axles/dual cases,40's, stauns,oba,4 linked,coilovers,zook tub [COLOR="blue"][SIZE="3"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]NotQuiteRight Wheelers[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] Last edited by blackrider; 09-30-2008 at 06:07 PM.

09-30-2008, 06:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hvy_Chevy Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14094 Location: Maine Posts: 4,463	sweet looking ride. must be a pain taking the wheels off. __________________ Size does matter. Leave the Zukes to those who really understand.

09-30-2008, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
rbgerrish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9707 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 186	Thanks! WB is 99". These your old wheels Rick? How'd it do on the Con? I'm sure Dave beat the poo out of it.

09-30-2008, 05:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
rbgerrish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9707 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 186	Actually, it flexs pretty darn well. It's quite 'slinky,' and would benefit from a swaybar! Previous owners said it leans quite a bit, and that take some getting used to.

09-30-2008, 06:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
rbgerrish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9707 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 186	I know! I dont have any winter-rain rigs- this one will fit the bill nicely! It's even got a heater!

09-30-2008, 08:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
flexmonger2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26536 Location: Hillsboro,OR. Posts: 158	Ryan if you grow tired of the sidewinder axles let me know. Seen this zuk rip the crushers with no problem except for the excessive body roll.

09-30-2008, 09:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bass Man Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Member # 50557 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 897	You could probably solve that problem with lower compression pistons... Wanna sell the turbo setup? Is there any good wheeling way up there? That looks like a BIG PITA to take a wheel off. __________________ Sounds like bay, not ass. Last edited by Bass Man; 09-30-2008 at 09:50 PM.

09-30-2008, 09:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pappa Smurf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12401 Location: Buckeye AZ Posts: 1,541	What brand of head gasket was on it before? there is a company that sells copper head gasket for turbo app. i would keep it for the fun factor. __________________ Toyota axle parts www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8789642#post8789642

09-30-2008, 11:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
SKOP Granite Guru Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 109734 Location: BC,canada Posts: 722	fawk ya...sick zook man. i agree with a couple guys here,bigger shocks and swaybars what did you get it for $$ ? Last edited by SKOP; 09-30-2008 at 11:40 PM.

10-01-2008, 12:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ben Holloway Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 6054 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,062	whoa blast from the past, if I remember correctly this thing was up at goldendale years ago Ben

10-01-2008, 10:53 AM	#21 (permalink)
toykilla5150 SMASHurai Join Date: Jan 2006 Member # 65463 Location: Sacramento,CA Posts: 921	Pics i have had for a long time.... one on my favorite tintops of all time. __________________ you cant fix stupid people 87 zuk- modded/wheeler/DD 86 zuk- tub/registered propane 88 zuk- firewall/last rig 87 zuk- invisable w/title

10-01-2008, 12:49 PM	#22 (permalink)
blackrider Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37690 Location: Siskiyou County Posts: 2,282	4- 14" regular bilstein(or equivalent) shocks would do it... __________________ . . . . 4.3 vortec/tbi,yota axles/dual cases,40's, stauns,oba,4 linked,coilovers,zook tub [COLOR="blue"][SIZE="3"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]NotQuiteRight Wheelers[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

10-01-2008, 03:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
bigzook Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27199 Location: Salem,Oregon Posts: 231	If you end up getting rid of the turbo setup I would be interested. I also wheeled with Dave back when that thing was tan.

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