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Opinions on a BUILT Sami'...???

TheBeast_88K5

TheBeast_88K5

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What are yer guy's opinions on built Samurai's? :dunno:
The more I think about cutting up the blazer,
the more I consider a readily available option.... such as the Sami'.

I just want a small 4 seater, that the tundra can tow, anyways.

Do any of you have experience with these little beasties?
If so, what are the general In's & Out's of owning one?

I'd imagine, that with dual winches, you'd be unstopable. :dunno:


anywho... I like this one. :D
Maybe even a modified, go fast version.
IMG_9979.jpg



IMG_9980.jpg
 
I am thinking about getting one. I would never sell the Burb, But sometimes I get left out, Because I cant fit!!! I like the rig.

By buddy wheels this one, And Its super fun to ride in.


6c4844e1-9d13-a4fa.jpg
 
They are short, so for buggy type of rig they need stretched, motor is good but gutless, frame is great, fully boxed, they are way light ( curb weight for a stock one around 2k) axles need to be swapped.

I like zuks ( see user name) and have had several. I have often thought about going full buggy with one using landcruiser axles for their width and offset. I would stick with a zuk motor ( 1.6 tracker best) for the weight.

toy axles are an easy swap in.

If I were building a zuk I would accentuate the positive, light weight, small size. Keep it low, keep it light, and widen it out with toy axles.

A very mildly built sami can keep up with some pretty impressive rigs.



Now the counter point to that is this. I love driving something different. Samis are a well known commodity now adays and the price reflects that. Horton is way long, so I can make climbs other rigs can't make and I make me look easy. Of course a sami buggie would be way more maneuverable and so opens up other lines. Its fun showing up in Horton because anyone in a Jeep or shorter wheelbase discounts the full size truck simply because they have been fed the same crap for years. Full sizes can't do this that or the other.

I would stretch a sami out to 100", full hydro, toy axles, 1.6 kick, not sure on trans or t case yet, I love the auto but with insane sami t case gearing makes the 5 speed easier.

I would love the chance to do a sami again
 
i think this it what im going to try and pick up while im in japan. since everyone has talked me outta bringing the k5.

I've driven a much less modified one on 31's locked in 4x and we couldn't kill it had a pvc snorkel and the damn thing basicly drove under water
15951_1178889747811_1095150144_30505032_603791_n.jpg
 
Newer samis ( in japan and pretty much every other country except USA) have coils all the way around too, slightly better dash and a more powerful motor.

That would be after 95
 
Just for kicks ( pic whoring) here is the last sami I had.

SPOA with rears up front and a SR and CJs out back with a missing link. Custom steering (what would now be called an OTT kit) 4:1 t case 5.38s lockrites both ends, traction bar, 1.3l with a backwards weber sliders 33s etc etc etc etc

oldzuk.jpg


It went pretty good. I could put it just about anywhere I wanted to and I knew the limits of the axles so I didn't break that much
 
supermotard750 said:
Is that on stock axles? I don't know all the zuk lingo like sr's an cj's
Click to expand...

Yep stock axles ( well kind of stock) they had birfeild rings on em.

I used CJ-7 rear springs with an extended shackle thingy called a missing link, SR is shackle reversal, OTT is over the top steering.

The motor in it was sweet, samis run a reduction in high range so that coupled with 5.38s in the diff meant running about 5500 rpm at 75 mph and it would do that all day long and get 20 mpg too.

I also had custom shock mounts with 14" travel shocks, it flexed pretty good. I need to scan in some more pics my buddies have found we lost alot of pics in our housefire.

I had also redone the inside of the wheelwells and moved my flares up a bunch and modfied the firewall to fit the tires. Those 33" SSRs were the same as a 35" BFG so pretty tall tires. Wish I had a pic of it but I had it on some 35" boggers for a while it looked way cool.

They would really make a good basis for a buggy if you want a fully weatherproofed buggy with a full interior already done. Seating for 4. Even on toy axles it makes em wide enough you aren't going to readily destroy the body. On tons the body is damn near impossible to damage.

I had some good times in that rig, that was back in the day when samis didn't get any respect at all. So it was fun showing up somewhere and everyone going hmmmmm a lifted sami, well we got bigger trucks here so when you roll over or can't make something we can pull you out. Then go and do most obstacles with no problems.
 
Hell, I still have a sami.

Was thinking it needed the complete toy drive train. Motor, trans, Xcase and axles all the way down.

Just way to damn gutless a motor for me.

33" tires would be just fine for me personally.
 
i know a guy that used to build these all the time some people buy a geo 1.6 motor and conersion kit and they get lots more power caause thay r very gutless but they r very short and sometimes can be hairy going DOWN hills but will go up aanything great in mud too cause soo light they just ride on top of everything but you need to watch out for rust they rust like crazy
 
I love samis. Had one in highschool was stock with plans to build but never came to completion.

I will say they are super strong. Dont plan on getting 4 people in one and gear. Im 6'5" and long legged and I had to drive the thing bow legged with stock seats.

I was aiming to build mine with jeep springs, locked 5.38 toy rears, and 34 LTBs. Probably would have gone everywhere. In fact Id still like to build that truck but with a 22re (or even a 1.8 volkswagon TD) toy 5 spd, dual t cases.
 
theres a couple kits, or one at least that I've seen to bolt in a VW turbo diesel. deadly wicked that way if you ask me. the 1.9L turbo thats in my jetta.... whoa would be killer in sammi. believe me I've thought about it. I would way rather boot around in a turbo diesel sammy than the coupe jetta.
 
I told the wife about the Jetta TDI swap, into a Sami'.
She said, and I quote:

"You can trade/sell the K5 for ANYTHING you want... It just has to be done, already."


:haha:

"Done..." there's that gawdamm word, again! :D
 
Thanks to everyone that's posted Sami' info... :D

If I do go Sami, it will be trailer-only.
No worries about bringing too much gear.

Just the basics. :pimp:
 
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