Build thread on a 1990 Samurai.

catfssh · Post by **catfssh** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:10 pm

I just joined up so I figured I'd show a small build thread for my 1990 Samurai.

I bought it off a guy in Roanoke, who used it as a daily driver. It was in very good condition and was the fuel injected years (no carb!)

I started getting some used parts from local guys and came across this nice little setup.
Geo track axle housing/Samurai axle shafts/ 5.12 gear ratio vs 3.73 stock.

With a front 5.12 third member to plug into my stock front axle.

31's were the original tire size I wanted, but now I'll be geared for 33's so why not.

Stripped out all of the carpet

Website · Post by **tsmall07** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:19 pm

Lookin good so far. I wouldn't mind building a sammy sometime in the future.

catfssh · Post by **catfssh** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:19 pm

I got a set of Jeep Cj springs with missing links and taller shackles for an awesome deal from a local guy.

With the SPOA (spring over axle) lift I had planned, I went to a guy who makes custom samurai parts and got...

Extended brake lines. Front and rear.

Driveshaft spacers:

Custom Spring perches, new bushings, and tons of more stuff.

Getting the axles mounted under the springs.

Then bought some used 15x10 rims to mount some tires on. I grinded down all of the rust and repainted.
When bought:

After:

Then I got some new 33x12.50x15 BFG mud terrains (and was poor for a while)

Took off the front bumper and test fitted the tires.

And as it is now, far from finished but good enough to get through this school year.

I drive it everyday at radford and it manages to ger 23mpg around town. It's slow as shit though, tops out at around 70ish.

Next summer I want to have a 1.6 16valve from a sidekick and at least a rear locker.

Thanks for lookin.

Lukipela · Post by **Lukipela** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:51 pm

Very nice

catfssh · Post by **catfssh** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:38 pm

Lukipela wrote:Very nice

Thanks,

Now I just need to see what it'll do in terrain it was built for. As of now it's just seen mud. I took it to a few bogs, usually resulting in me breaking something oem from 20 years ago. I'm pretty sure it's reliable now though, shit I've replaced almost every oem part on that truck haha.

Post by **Trailduster79** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:34 am

catfssh wrote:
I drive it everyday at radford and it manages to ger 23mpg around town. It's slow as shit though, tops out at around 70ish.

Ha....that isn't slow. Mine tops out around 60 if the wind isn't blowing, and tops out around 50 if I have a headwind......

catfssh · Post by **catfssh** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:33 pm

Trailduster79 wrote:
catfssh wrote:
I drive it everyday at radford and it manages to ger 23mpg around town. It's slow as shit though, tops out at around 70ish.

Ha....that isn't slow. Mine tops out around 60 if the wind isn't blowing, and tops out around 50 if I have a headwind......

I guess my 5.12s are helpin the top end. I guess I can't complain now haha.