Stephen's 1986 Suzuki Samurai

[Stephen]

Stephen Nielson, Salt Lake City, Utah

1986 Suzuki Samurai JX Hardtop

Engine: G13BA SOHC TBI 1.3L bored .020 over with high compression pistons, Hawk Torquer Cam, Doug Thorley header and Trail Tough high flow 2" exhaust. Trail Tough 'Unbreakable' motor mounts

Transmission: Stock 5-Speed Manual, Trail Tough 'Unbreakable' rear mount

Transfer Case: 4.16:1 GRSI, Trail Tough Mighty Kong mount/skidplate

Front Axle: Stock

Rear Axle: Stock gears, LockRight locker, Trail Tough disc break swap using 1982 Subaru front calipers and Samurai rotors

Suspension: Old Man Emu Dakar 2" lift springs, Petroworks Heavy Duty 3/4" lift shackles

Steering: Sidekick Power Steering

Wheels and Tires: 235/75 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's on 15" American Racing black steel wheels

Bumpers: Custom (read: cheap) front and rear with LED tail lights

Fuel Tank: Petroworks 15 Gallon with zinc plated skidplate

Interior: 50% of 50/50 split rear seat from a 1991 Samurai SE

Navigation: Gramin eTrex Venture Cx w/dashmount

Communication: Cobra 75 WX ST

Stereo: Broken!

Favorite Trails: Golden Spike, wherever else I get a chance to go!


When my Dad came home with a 1987 Samurai Hardtop way back in 1990 I knew that I wanted one of my own when I came of age. So in 1999 I bought this one and it's been with me ever since. Over the past 10 years it has been through many different suspension setups and engine mods, but about a year ago everything started to just fall apart. I was faced with the decision of either getting rid of it and buying something different or rebuilding it.

Being a person who gets emotionally attached to vehicles I had a really hard time with the thought of getting rid of the Samurai. With the encouragement of my wife, whom I met in large part because of the Samurai, it was decided to embark upon a complete overhaul.

The purpose of the rebuild was to set the Samurai up for my current 4-Wheeling habits, which have changed a lot over the past decade. Before all I really wanted was something that could tackle Moab. I succeeded in that and slowly Moab has lost the allure that it once held. Now I'm more interested in expedition style travel, so that is what I have attempted to build the Samurai for.

What you see here is 85% complete. The entire drivetrain has been rebuilt or upgraded. The only things remaining are completing some body work to repair the rusted out rear inner fenders, DuraBak the rear quarters to match the front, repaint the rest of the vehicle and build integrated steel rocker panels. Beyond that, I would love to get a roof rack and snorkel.




Rear Disks


Suspension


Tank and Skidplate


Rear Seat. Nice bit of extra space.

[bobmed]

lookin good
and you live in a good area too

[Mope]

Good looking zuk.
I wish I had the space, there is a red tintop in the junkyard here that I wouldn't mind fixing up, and building very similair to yours.

[cruiseroutfit]

I have a soft spot for Sami's

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by bobmed

and you live in a good area too

Only the cool kids live in this area!

Originally Posted by Mope

Good looking zuk.
I wish I had the space, there is a red tintop in the junkyard here that I wouldn't mind fixing up, and building very similair to yours.

It has been fun to actually get it done. I've been dreaming of 'finishing' my Samurai for a decade. Of course we all know that it's never 'finished', but I'm much closer to what I want than I ever have been before. I haven't had much of a chance to test it out on long trips yet, just a few over nighters. I really want to see how well I can fit a weeks worth of gear into it and how it handles a couple hundred miles on the dirt. I have confidence, those OME springs are like butter compared to stock. Big thanks to Kurt and Cruiser Outfitters for the hookup on those! In addition Kurt found all the parts that I needed to rebuild my axles, quality Japanese parts too.

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by Stephen

...I have confidence, those OME springs are like butter compared to stock. Big thanks to Kurt and Cruiser Outfitters for the hookup on those! In addition Kurt found all the parts that I needed to rebuild my axles, quality Japanese parts too.

Thank you. For anyone else that may be looking, I stock the Samurai axle rebuild kits

[Stephen]

A rainy President's Day produced this:

[LT.]

Nice shot!

LT.

[yellowjacket]

Wow Stephen, I need you to come take some shots of my rig!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by yellowjacket

Wow Stephen, I need you to come take some shots of my rig!

Anytime.

[SmokinCamel]

It got bigger!!!! well sort of Glad to still see ya around.

[zukijames]

i love tintops good lookin sami!

[solidfrontaxle]

Yeah, I like how solid it looks. Most samis look like they are about to just start coming apart.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by zukijames

i love tintops good lookin sami!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by solidfrontaxle

Yeah, I like how solid it looks. Most samis look like they are about to just start coming apart.

I've really striven to build it as solid as possible. My project objective was, "To rebuild and modify with the highest quality parts for the longest durability."
I think that I've succeded with that so far. Once I get those rear quarters patched I'll feel even better about it not looking like it will fall apart!

[BCGPER]

So do those that own them. It's located between their ears....

Originally Posted by cruiseroutfit

I have a soft spot for Sami's