Another off-road buildup...

[bell 11]

As some of you know, I came into the Wheel Horse hobby, from the "off-roading" hobby...

Well, It's in my blood.... so, I'm going to build another Suzuki Samurai. This will be about the 15th off-road rig I've built...

I'm starting with a CLEAN 1991 Samurai that I picked up in late November/ early December after the sale of my Tracker...

It will be a fairly basic build...

I will update here as I make progress...

[bell 11]

I picked up the tires today... 33x12.50-15" Interco Boggers.

I also picked up a 4.16:1 transfer case today... It will bring my low-range down by 82%. In addition, I will be re-gearing the differentials from 3.73:1.... to 4.62:1 OR 5.13:1 depending on which gears I find first...

[bell 11]

Here are a few of my previous builds...

[TJ 184]

looks like fun to me. :thumbs:

[Rollerman 290]

Nice buildups there Jon.

Always liked the Samurai's....just don't fit in them to well.

The cut of hard top looked really cool.

Also never made it down to the "Badlands" yet....hope to get down there maybe this year if the fuel prices stay reasonable

[WHC-125 4]

They all look great and I can wait to se how this one turns out and the progress and modifications you will do to it to make it a true off roading machine :thumbs:

[Operator 7]

:banana: Nice little "herd" of Sammys! :horseplay:

Randy

[Rideawaysenior 25]

Those Sammy's and the Geo's sure take the go any where, do anything from Jeep. I had a 98 Chevy Tracker that I bought new and did it up. Nothing like yours, just a set of wheels and had a custom front bumper built for the winch. I was sure amazed. The fact of having the oversized wheels ment most of my 4x4 was in low range so I couldn't keep up as well as some of my buddies with the bigger riggs but the narrow track sure made up some of the difference.

I hear now that there are axle kits ARB lockers ets that you can get for them.

[69DEZ 6]

I give it a :thumbs:

[Bow_Extreme 550]

Is she going to be full hydro? Are you on greatlakes4x4 by any chance. Some of the guys over there have samis as well. A friend of mine here localy has a full hydro sami and I believe he's running 37's on it. It can walk thru mud holes at a crawl and keep on going. Nice rigs!! :thumbs:

[stevasaurus 23,274]

So you get to do this and have a stable of approx. 20 horses...does she have any sisters?

WOW!!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Looks like a great project Jon! Give us some pics of your progress!

[bell 11]

Thanks guys...

I'll update when I make some progress... I'm gathering parts right now.

Bow, it's not going to be "full hydro"... Just a simple/ fun and street legal playtoy.

steveasaurus, My "toys" are pretty much self-sufficient... It just takes a little (tax return) injection every 12 months or so... lol

On the off-road rigs (EXPENSIVE) I have to sell the one I'm wheeling, or part it out... to have enough $ to build the next one...

I'm down to 10-12 horses now... I may have to sell some more of them... Looks like the house is going to need a roof soon.

Yes, she has a sister.... but you don't wanna go there... :lol:

[stevasaurus 23,274]

Jon...you are cracking me up. I guess I got a good wife also...5 boats

9a fleet) and the 4 horses...she puts up with me...I put up with her also. It's a match made in heaven. Pushing 40 years. When I said "I do", I didn't think I would live past thirty.

The off road looks real interesting.

Nedver stop doing what keeps you young!

[bell 11]

I've definately got a good wife!!! (luck was on my side... ) She is a very supportive and strong woman...

We're only 31... going on our 12th year of marriage. That's almost unheard of in our circle of friends.

You didn't think you'd live past thirty....

BTW, here is a link to the 11-MONTH buildup on the orange tracker...

http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,64712.0.html

I started with a TOTALLED 2001 tracker and built it all im my 1-1/2 car garage... It is a long read, but I think y'all might enjoy the fabrication pictures... and transformation...

[stevasaurus 23,274]

ya...my circle also...rare to stay together that long...wouldn't change a thing...enjoyed the back and forth

hope to meet you at one of the shows...for sure the one in Mich in Aug.

Thanks again for telling me about this site.

Can't tell you how much I have learned, and you have saved 4 horses for sure. :dunno:

[bell 11]

Well, I've been working on the sammy a little...

Here's how the wheels came...

I blasted and painted them... Rustoleum "hammered" silver. MUCH better.

Today, I removed the front axle in preparation for the longer leaf springs and missing links (drop shackles... give LARGE amount of suspension droop)

And made my missing link shackle rests... I will trim them up as needed, after I make the missing links.

This weekend, I plan to build the missing links and finish up the front suspension... Hopefully my hybrid rear axle housing (uses larger Tracker/ Sidekick center section with Samurai axle shafts) TT chromoly front axles and highsteer arms will come this week... But, if not, I have 40 feet of d.o.m. tubing to play with (cage)... :whistle:

[Coadster32 793]

I think that hammered paint is awesome stuff. Looks powder coated and is pretty durable too. The build up looks awesome too. :thumbs:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Wheel look great! :thumbs:

[bell 11]

Well, the front is basically done....

I spent ALL DAY Saturday, making the missing links...

This morning, I made a pair of spring perches. I used 2"x2" (3/16") square tube. I like to use this, as it gives you MUCH more surface area to weld than the "universal" perches... I used a 2-1/2" holesaw and "trued" them up with a angle grinder...

I put the axle back in and put the boggers on... It is JUST RIGHT!!! I drilled a second center pin hole 1" behind the center of the perch, so I gained another inch of wheelbase (plus the 1" - 1-1/2" gained from the RUF... I'll do the same in the rear.

As soon as some parts come in, I can start on the rear...

[Rollerman 290]

Jon that is really cool!

Can't wait to see more of the buildup.

So am I reading your post right...you built the rotateing shackles? :whistle:

[bell 11]

Yeah, I built them..... Pretty simple really, just TIME CONSUMING.. lol

Thanks for the comps!

[Operator 7]

Just like "Trucks" and "Gearz's Your good!

Randy

[bell 11]

Randy, thank you... I've been doing this for a LONG TIME.... I must be getting old, as it's taking me twice as long as it used to...

Got some BTA (BROWN TRUCK ACTION) from Trail Tough just a little bit ago....

Hybrid rear (uses Tracker/ Sidekick 3rd member... much stronger and lower gearing.... and samurai axles/ brakes) and minispool!!!

Now, get out there and build somethin'..... :thumbs:

[KyBlue 655]

Yep...doin some great work!!