Suzuki Samurai

[Skipholiday]

I purchased an 87 Samurai and I am very impressed.
Its not much (if any) wider than my xuv.

Climbs like a goat. For a 63 hp motor this thing rocks.

Places in the mud that slowed my xuv down aren't even a challenge for the sammy.

I love my xuv and my rhino but for $1800 Samurais rule~!

P.S. I will post pics tomorrow.

 

[darkday]

Anything done to it ?

 

[ultrarunner]

I couldn't agree more...

I bought a high mileage 87 Samurai about 10 years ago to maneuver around the "Back 40" and to haul 5 gallon jugs of diesel for my Cat D3 Dozer. It cost me $1050.

This little 4wd has been bulletproof... it can sit for weeks and is always ready to go and the stock drive-train is real smooth and has plenty of torque. I also use it to pull my trailers out of the hollow in wet weather and tow my firewood trailer.

Unlike other small SUV's, the Suzuki is a true, solid axle, 10 spd forward with transfer case, "Jeep"

It's only anemic quality is cruising the interstate at 65-70 mph...

I know you will enjoy it!

 

[Egon]

Those were a really neat little machine. They were great in town in winter and out in the woods. On the highway they were pushed till the roads got bad.

And they got nice fuel mileage too.

 

[Bird]

We bought a new one in '86. It was primarily my wife's car to drive back and forth to work, although one reason we bought it was because we were thinking of towing it behind a motorhome when I retired. We put 45k miles on it in 3 years, but then I retired and we decided on a fifth-wheel trailer instead of a motorhome, so I just sold it back to the dealer we bought it from. A month before we sold it, I had to replace the battery. That was the only "repair" I ever did to it.

 

[Skipholiday]

Anything done to it ?

I installed some mud tires and she needs a top.

I couldn't agree more...
It's only anemic quality is cruising the interstate at 65-70 mph...
I know you will enjoy it!

60 seems about top speed on mine.
I'm very pleased with this purchase.

A month before we sold it, I had to replace the battery. That was the only "repair" I ever did to it.

I had heard they were very reliable. That was the encouragement I needed to get this little jewel.

I looked at the little trucks and they were no comparison and were priced 3 to 5 times more than the sammy.
Also the samurai turns into a truck in a couple of minutes.
Remove the rear seat and your set. Even has a tailgate...

Did I mention I am impressed?

 

[darkday]

"I installed some mud tires and she needs a top."

Take the top off. Then when you wife drives it she will be topless!

 

[Bird]

I had the dealer install a cruise control on ours because I knew we'd be driving it on a few long trips. Then I ordered (can't remember if it was J.C.Whitney or somewhere else) a hard top and put on it since it quickly became obvious that we were always going to be using the air-conditioner and not be taking the top off anyway. I did learn a few years after selling ours that some parts, such as OEM starters and alternators were very high priced.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

the geo trackers are really good too. they have a few of them putting around in the mud down here to with the suzuki's

 

[Skipholiday]

 

[Bird]

I assume you did look things over under the hood and learned where the hood latch is. A few years ago, a neighbor bought one just because it looked and ran good, so he bought it simply because he figured he could sell it at a profit. But a day or two after he bought it, he asked me how to get the hood open.

 

[darkday]

Wow so that thing will pretty much fit anywhere the gator can eh ?

Sure wish I could get a good deal on one around here..

 

[Skipholiday]

I assume you did look things over under the hood and learned where the hood latch is. A few years ago, a neighbor bought one just because it looked and ran good, so he bought it simply because he figured he could sell it at a profit. But a day or two after he bought it, he asked me how to get the hood open.

I studied them for a while before I bought one.
They have gained quite a following in my area recently.
Prices will have to go up..

Glove box is a perfect location for the latch..

 

[Skipholiday]

Wow so that thing will pretty much fit anywhere the gator can eh ?

Sure wish I could get a good deal on one around here..

It goes more places than my gator. Almost a foot difference in height,
and 40 more horses.

I bet if you look you will find one locally.

They were real popular until consumer reports reported they were dangerous in 88.
I never gave them a thought until I watched one climb.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

what kinda tires are you gonna throw on it??

 

[darkday]

Wow if I did get one it looks like I could put my T-100 tire/wheel setup on there... Although I don't know if you could fit a 10.5 inch tire under there.

 

[Skipholiday]

I'm not 100% what tires to go with yet.

Options are endless. I have seen them with 32's.

Parts are very reasonable.
You can find a good set of 2 inch wheel spacers for $100 or less.

4 and 5 inch lifts seem common.

Personally I like a wide tire and a low vehicle stance.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have wide, low profile tires... the combination gives me a little extra low speed pulling power and lowers the center of gravity some.

Best Tops makes several replacement options... they have a Bimini top where you still have canvas over the front seat and the back is open...

 

[darkday]

I'm not 100% what tires to go with yet.

Options are endless. I have seen them with 32's.

Parts are very reasonable.
You can find a good set of 2 inch wheel spacers for $100 or less.

4 and 5 inch lifts seem common.

Personally I like a wide tire and a low vehicle stance.

I have Kumho road ventures on my T-100 IIRC they're 32's. I've had ok luck with them but if you're looking to go mudding with them I would look elsewhere I think. While I have gone through some mud with them I almost got stuck and in the winter I better have that guy in 4wd. Of course that might have a lot more to the weight distribution of a full sized truck and the footprint of the tire. I have however heard lots of good things about BFGoodrich and their offroad tires.

 

[RollTideRam]

You can run 235's if you trim the front bumper braces. If you have any questions, usually they can be answered at Zuwharrie.com
I have lots of spare parts if you need anything. One major thing that will go wrong is a $10 part in the tcase shifter. Factory rubber rots and it will either get hung in nuetral or 4 low. JC