Another Yota Swapped Samurai

[Beans]

Originally Posted by Nixon984

Small update, been moving and getting ready for school. Started building the tire carrier. I went with the swing down design because I didn't want to spend a lot of money buying a spindle for the swing out carrier design. Went to Ruff Stuff and got their 3/8" tire carrier plate, and two of their DOM bushed sleeves. The carrier is locked on the tail gate with a pin. I am a little worried about it bending the tail gate more than it already is, but this is just temporary until I build my cage. After I build the cage I'll make a cross bar and attach it to that.



The previous owner put two 12" subs in the back, that pretty much took up the entire area. I ripped that out, and will bedline the entire interior.

that tire carrier looks dope. But as to keep it up you could make 2 new tabs on the top of the bumper and run a bushing mount off the bottom of the tire mount to the top of the bumper on each side with some kind of slip pin or something to hold it in place. Just a thought.

[Nixon984]

Originally Posted by Beans

that tire carrier looks dope. But as to keep it up you could make 2 new tabs on the top of the bumper and run a bushing mount off the bottom of the tire mount to the top of the bumper on each side with some kind of slip pin or something to hold it in place. Just a thought.

Exactly what I was thinking as well, but with putting the cage in next, I'm not going to waste the tabs, and the hassle of getting everything on just to take it off.

[D Boz]

Originally Posted by Beans

that tire carrier looks dope. But as to keep it up you could make 2 new tabs on the top of the bumper and run a bushing mount off the bottom of the tire mount to the top of the bumper on each side with some kind of slip pin or something to hold it in place. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Nixon984

Exactly what I was thinking as well, but with putting the cage in next, I'm not going to waste the tabs, and the hassle of getting everything on just to take it off.

The closer you put the pin to the axis of those bushings, the more play there will be in the whole carrier. I tried to secure mine off the receiver hitch, no bueno, there was a ton of movement. If you still want the tailgate to open, you can't pin it off the bumper, it needs to be well above it. I know you've got another plan though

Tube work looks good kid, looking forward to seeing some cage work

D

[Nixon984]

Thank you sir

Hopefully once school starts I'll find time to work on the sammy. Taking way hard classes this semester. We'll see. Definitely going to do an interior cage though, have a general idea of what I want to do, but will definitely do some research and make drawings of exactly what I want. Want to do it nice and right the first time.

[Nixon984]

Been trying to find time to work on the build but it has been hard. Pretty much finished the tire carrier, just have to add another support so the main bar that holds the carrier plate up doesn't bend.

[skyman6529]

I really dig ha style of carrier it looks good. What size tires are you running? Looks a tad bit tall for the tires, how does it handle, and what kinda terrain do you wheel?

[Hvy_Chevy]

tip - make it so you can run the winch down for suck-down.
the air-shocks will always want to unload.

[Nixon984]

Originally Posted by skyman6529

I really dig ha style of carrier it looks good. What size tires are you running? Looks a tad bit tall for the tires, how does it handle, and what kinda terrain do you wheel?

I do as well, I'm not too much of a fan of the swing out, plus I would have to spend a lot of money on a spindle if I wanted to do it right. They are bald as hell 37" iroks which full tread don't even measure 37". Reason why I mounted it higher than I could is because eventually I want to go to 38.5" or 39's whether I go full widths or beef up the yota axles. Front is amazing besides the fact that I need a sway bar up front (have been looking into the Currie Anit-Rock) or get it strapped or a suck down like Hvy_Chevy said.

Rear is good for what it is, plain and simple. With the buggy leaf set up it can keep up with the linked front pretty well, but I definitely need to link the rear soon.

Originally Posted by Hvy_Chevy

tip - make it so you can run the winch down for suck-down.
the air-shocks will always want to unload.

Trust me I know that

I really need to either strap it or run a suck down. Would I have to attach some type of roller so the winch line doesn't go against the metal of my winch plate? I'm guessing so..

[Nixon984]

Took a trip to the Rubicon. My buddy in the yota snapped both front axle shafts right before the slabs so he had to turn back. Buddy riding shotgun and I camped at little sluice and came back out the way we came in. Would have gone farther but with nobody with me I didn't want to push my luck. Damn good time though!!

[rubiguy]

how did you attach those two bars to the side of the cab? im confused lol

[Nixon984]

Originally Posted by rubiguy

how did you attach those two bars to the side of the cab? im confused lol

They aren't attached. Yet. The tube that are welded to the stinger, and the cross tube between the two, are more than enough to hold them in place. Going to weld a tube from my shock hoops to the tube, and that will give it more stability.

[rubiguy]

oh ok, that makes more sence. im thinkin about doin the same to mine. gives it a real nice look.

[Nixon984]

Finally finished the spare tire carrier, welded in that cross bar so the main bar wouldn't bend.



Also mounted the hi lift on it.



That's about all the fab action I've had on it in the past few months, school is kicking my ass. I still get a little mall crawling in though

[grant00]

I heard your springs were pretty twisted up there.....

[Nixon984]

Yeah they were bad, surprised I haven't snapped a main leaf yet. Just another few weeks till I start the rear link's and cage.

[wickedwenzel]

What is your belly height? Bottom of frame to level ground? Nice build! I'm trying to copy some of your ideas. I'm having a tuff time trying to fit everything under my frame rails. How much up travel do you have on each side? Does your panhard hit the frame on the passenger side?

[Nixon984]

Originally Posted by wickedwenzel

What is your belly height? Bottom of frame to level ground? Nice build! I'm trying to copy some of your ideas. I'm having a tuff time trying to fit everything under my frame rails. How much up travel do you have on each side? Does your panhard hit the frame on the passenger side?

Not sure on those two measurements, will get them when I can. Front I have about 3" of up travel, need to tune the shocks, and mount them higher so I can have a bit more up travel. No, panhard doesn't hit the frame.

[Nixon984]

Went up camping with a buddy one last time before I tear down the Samurai. Haven't done much since I last updated, put on Warn hubs because one of the aisins seized up.

Only have a poser pic from the trip



Picked up an IFS Rear for $150



And paid a visit to Ruff Stuff again, hooked me up.



Again, 7/8 heims. Fabricating a crossmember for my uppers frame side with tabs from Ruff Stuff, and have a truss in mind. The rest of the brackets are from Ruff Stuff.

Rig will be down for a while, building the cage, linking the rear and finishing up a few things in the front (bumps/straps, re-doing shock hoops). I'll keep the thread updated when I can.

[Nixon984]

Old rear axle out last night, finishing up the truss on the new one today, as well as the link mounts tacked in and coil buckets.

I'm going the coil route in the rear because it definitely looks like if I were to run co's/air shocks either the shock would hit the frame or when I flex up the tire would rub the shit out of it. Has anybody ran co's/air shocks with the stock frame, not tubing the back half? If so speak up because I would way rather run co's than coils.



I ordered 12" 200 lb QA1's, and went back to Ruff Stuff and got their coil spring stuff. Coils will be sitting 2" outside of the frame rail. Hoping 12" was enough, with my desire to be low I think they will do fine.

[novahoe]

bump

[Nixon984]

School started up so I've been slacking on the build. Got the axle cleaned up, truss made out of 1.5" .120 wall with 1/4" plate on top. Coil mounts and lowers tacked in place until everything is mocked up and checked for binding/clearance.



Decided to have some fun, so comp cut it and bent up some tube fenders. I like how they came out. Going to run tube from the frame to the fenders, and then skin it with sheet metal to use as a fender well.







I've kind of jumped all over the place during this tear down. I have the crossmember made for the uppers, made out of 2x2 .188 wall with 1/4" plate on the sides that wrap around the frame. Also started on the rear part of the cage. I have the weekend off, so hopefully can get the lowers mocked up, and the wishbone made.

[Romix]

I would have gone through your aisin hubs before putting warns on, but that's just me. Your rig is awesome though, keep up the good work!

[Nixon984]

I will go through them soon and have them as spares. Thanks man, appreciate it.

Crossmember in place


Lowers mocked up, I will have the same length link lowers rear and front so I will be able to carry a spare if I want.



Wishbone made



Still need to plate the wishbone and add a cross tube. Lower links cut out just need to tack bungs in. Finalized the WB at 98". Could have had it rolling this weekend but of course ran out of gas when I needed tack some stuff and then fully weld everything. Going to get more gas Tuesday and should hopefully have it driving by the weekend.

[RawkPunx4x4]

Looks good man. How did those pentadapters work out? I have not read much about them.

[Nixon984]

They worked out perfect. Folsom, eh? I work at the Safeway in Folsom, if ya ever need help on your zuk let me know.