Another samurai build up

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I figured if every one else post there prodject I might as well.

I'll start with why I even had to work on it. I was driving to work one day and the oil pump said." no more, I can't handle any more abuse" then it died. My pistons did not like that and of course they politley knocked to get my attention. Thus the requirment for a build.

I had another engine that tore down and inspected. I had the head reworked over at Whites Performance in Kingsport. I bought a Weber carb for it and a Doug Thorley Header.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/header.jpg


The other day I went to pull my old engine out. so I unbolted the engine mounts (from the body only). Lifted the engine up. Engine mounts fell to ground. (they weren't supposed to do that) :lol: .

So while the old engine is out I put in some power steering. I couldn't stand trying to turn the tires on the trail. I will have to take current pictures so I should Have them on here soon.

Whats in the works.
-new engine mounts came in 12/12/06. Will be bolted on Tonight.
-I need new Ubolts so I can apply shims to correct the angle of my axle so I do not get a death wobble.
-I have tires and rims to go on.
-Need longer shocks for the front
-put together seat brackets for newer seats.

I have alot to do and I am sure there are plenty of other things I can think of later.

[BillM]

Sounds promising.

[Hilla-GO-Rilla]

BLING BLING :smokin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

The only time chrome may get me home :lol:

[Gubni]

So how are you adapting it to power steering?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I had bought a Suzuki Sidekick power steering unit and ordered an adapter kit from Trail Tough. I know the toyota power steering will be stronger, But this is what i could afford. I think when I do toyota axles I may upgrade to a toyota set up.

[Gordon]

Nick, good deal. Sounds like a plan. Keep the pics a rolling.

[BJack]

I had bought a Suzuki Sidekick power steering unit and ordered an adapter kit from Trail Tough. I know the toyota power steering will be stronger, But this is what i could afford. I think when I do toyota axles I may upgrade to a toyota set up.
I've ran both. Neither really impressed me with anything bigger than 35's. The best setup I used was a Toyota IFS box, at the time noone made a kit for that, they may now, I don't know. Then a Toyota pump off a 22R, not the old Celica one, and any Toyoda resevoir. I had a local machinist make all the stuff when I did it and it cost quite a bit but it held up and worked better than the others.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I think the Power steering will do for the 33's im putting on it. Last night I put the engine mounts on. I am trying to repaint all the metal so it has a nicer look. Plus its nicer to work on. I think tonight I will try and remove the transmission.

[Dino1967]

nice keep us updated

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well the transmission does not need t o come out. I found my alignment tool for the clutch. So that is going to save me time.

[Gubni]

Painting is good. It helps the mud to wash off easier and adds some cheap bling.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Yeah I like the look of paint versus oil coated grime.
My old engine leaked something fearse. Thats part of why it died.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

OK well do to the holidays I was forced to slow down on my samurai.

Pitch was nice enough to give me larger alternators so I am nearly complete with a bracket to attach it. It doesn't look to pretty but its better then spending 50 bucks .
I wish I had a plasma cutter. that would be so nice. :roll:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ON Saturday I ordered 6.5- 1 gears for my t-case. from Trail-gear.com
Seeing that I am going to be running 33'' tires I figured the 4.16-1 gears weren't going to be low enough. so the old gears will be hitting ebay soon. and hopefully this week I will be getting my new gears in. Monday I should be putting in my engine, so that ought to be fun.

[BlueRidgeRunner]

Looks like a great build you got going on there. What gears you runnin in the axles. BTW, LowRangeOffRoad.com (http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/samdrivetrain.htm) has a 6.5-1 gearset made by Trail Gear for $475 on sale right now. Sean is a good vendor to deal with. I look forward to watching your build progress.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Thanks, Yeah i Wish I had known about that website. I could of saved 20-30 bucks. oh well. Water over the dam now. I went ahead and bought the beefier output shaft. If you know anyone that may want a 4.16 set of gears for a samurai let me know.

[Gubni]

Thanks, Yeah i Wish I had known about that website. I could of saved 20-30 bucks. oh well. Water over the dam now. I went ahead and bought the beefier output shaft. If you know anyone that may want a 4.16 set of gears for a samurai let me know.

I know a guy that needs them, but probably can't afford them. How much? Does it also lower the high range?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

yeah it lowers the high range perfect for 31's. Kinda stretches it a bit for 33's thats why i went with a lower gear ratio. I bought them a while back from a buddy for 300. used them for a year then my samurai sat for the last year. I deffinitly recommend them. i'll sell them for 250 OBO

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Thanks, Yeah i Wish I had known about that website. I could of saved 20-30 bucks. oh well. Water over the dam now. I went ahead and bought the beefier output shaft. If you know anyone that may want a 4.16 set of gears for a samurai let me know.

I know a guy that needs them, but probably can't afford them. How much? Does it also lower the high range?

Trail Tough
4.16:1 Hi Reduction 12%
4.16:1 Lo Reduction 84%

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Wooo Hoooo I just spoke with Trail-Gear.......and they said that my gears will be here Monday. I can't wait. T-case coming out this weekend. :grin: :grin: :grin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I the engine is in the process of going in I had to take a break to go fly. But will finish installing this evening. I would post some pictures but my wife took the camera.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

OK engine is in. Transmission will be bolted back up here soon and the t-case is out. Why? because the gears came in. :grin: They're so nice. Wife is back in town so I'll have pictures up here soon. once the t-case goes back in I'll start back on the engine with re-attaching all hoses and belts.

Moving right along

[Dino1967]

kool :!:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I have some pictures now of the inside of my T-case. I marked where I had to ground a little for gear placement.


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010794-1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010797edited.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010798-1.jpg




And here I have most of the gears in. It would be doen already But I am having trouble getting off a drive shaft flange on one of the gears I need to remove.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010800.jpg

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I have pictures of the engine in....Plus a thread where I explained how I did the T-Case Install. http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,53019.0.html

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010798-2.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010797-1.jpg



tonight I will place D/S flanges back on the T-case and it goes back in.

[zukinut]

Glad to see its comin along for ya nick. It looks like you tidyed up your electrical gremlins too. How do u like the 6.5 gears and the stock 3.73s. I love my 5.1 and 5.29s, im guessin your close to that. I would love to go to the 6.5 but id be in 5th on hillclimbs. Im already in 4th doin schoolbus at tellico, jus to get wheelspeed to get up the hill.

Once again, glad to see its coming along.

Will

[zukinut]

Have you checked out the forum zukikrawlers.com. I like it pretty good. Super guys to deal with and very helpful.

Will

[SamuraiGuyTN]

hey Will good to here from you. Yeah its not running yet, so when it is I will let you know on how it runs. I have been meaning to ask you how you did your Toyota set up. I think once the sami gets going I would like to work on yota axles as a next prodject.

[zukinut]

The yota setup is stupid easy. Ill be glad to show you how to do it right. Not tryin to be a know it all. But i have never had any issues with death wobble or bad castor or vibrations what so ever. And i DIDNT do it like most people say too.

Would be glad to help.

Will

[SamuraiGuyTN]

That would be cool. I'll start gathering parts. In your opinion what would I need. I have an idea.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Power steering all done. I would show pictures of me putting the radiator back in. But we all know what one looks like. Plus mine is kinda embarrasing to look at. I think all I lack is a Battery, Some more hoses.( water and such) Longer Ubolts for the front axle, shocks, and some square tubing for the seats to be mounted. Not much I think Maybe another week or two depending on what my schedual is like.


Then later this summer or the next fall I will be working on yota axles.
But that will require an upgrade in power steering and some other things.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I just bought a turbo thrush muffler from auto zine yesterday. I hope it sounds good. has any one else bought one of these before? I used to have a glass pack but it made the little four cylinder sound bad when it was reved up. Kinda like a Blah sound.

[BlueRidgeRunner]

Lookin real good man. Is that Weber mounted backwards?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

to be honest I am not sure if it is mounted backwards or not. But to be on the safe side I am going to be using alot of extra hose so if by chance its mounted forward I can flip it around. even on the trail.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I have oil iin the engine and the other night I poured radiator fluid in, only to have some leak out. So now i have to find where it is coming from. Hopefully its nothing more then a hose I forgot to clamp down. But it looks like its coming from around the water pump(which is brand new). So we shall see.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Found the leak. Its not hose or water pump related :? . its leaking in a funny place but I think a little J B weld will fix it. Unfortunatly the results will not be noted until the engine is running and under preasure. I finally got to test my winch. I used it to pick up my old engine so I can put it on my engine stand. sure beets picking it up by hand. :grin:. So In all honesty the only thing keeping me from getting it running is.... me. My Time alotment is slim at the moment. :oops:

I have some tube doors that just came in the mail. and some yj spring hangors for the rear. I can't remember I mentioned them or not. I traded my old gears for them.

once I get the water issue cleared up. I'll add some good fuel to the mix and hope try and start it. wish me luck.

God answers through "knee mail"

[SamuraiGuyTN]

all the lines are hooked up. And I have been trying to start it. it turns over but not firing. It helps if there is gas in the line :lol:. but the battery went dead. Soooo when it gets charged then I'll try again.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I keep trying to turn it over. Its not getting any gas. And at the same time I need to just go ahead and reset the tappets. The starter seems to be really weak. I guess its because its been sitting for so long. has any one else had the same trouble with the starter?

As soon as I can get it running I'll have to remove the Ubolts so I can get longer ones. I suppose I could go ahead and just do that, but i need to focus on one thing at a time.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I have determined that the reason it wont start is due to the timing being off. Not to mention I can't get the starter to rotate the engine fast enough. ERR

All I can do is keep tinkering with it until I get something. Unless anyone has some Ideas.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ITS ALIVE. WWWOOOOO HHHHOOOOOO :grin: :grin:

I kept playing with the timing and had my Dad on the phone. We noticed that it was pre-igniting. I retarded the timing way back and varoom. I brought out the timing light and you guessed it...Timed it up. Its LOUD. The Turbo Thrush muffle gives it a much better sound then the glasspack it used to have. But it still has a nice deep sound to it.

So here is what I have on the books to do.
1.Finish cleaning up loose ends around the engine. (i.e. water leak, Loose bolts)
2.Put Fluids into T-case and fresh oil in Tranny.
3.check fluids in Diffs
4. Drive it around block
5. Fix Top Kingpin bearings
6. re-do exhaust pipe
7. Fix seats
8. clean out old grime in back.
9. Put on New Pro comp Xt's
10. Go wheeling

[Monstero]

congrats on gettin it fixed....a relief for ya I am sure.

[Dino1967]

=D> =D> happy for ya man

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Yeah I am so glad to have it running. Means Im not a complete moron after all. :lol: . But I still have allot left to do. Im in the process of setting up dual batteries right now. One up front and one in the back. One in back for when Have a reciever hitch so I can run my winch from the back without causing problems.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I drove it down the street. I forgot how it rides. A bit more rough then the car. But thats ok. unfortunatley it over heated. only cause the water level was lower then I had expected. so I turned it off as soon as the t emp got up there. I let it cool then tried to start it again. nothing. Luckily a neighbor had some cables and jumped me off. Then back into the garage it went. I am gonna have to through in some stop leak for the small water leak I have. DOES anyone have a suggestion as to which brand to use :?: I have seen them Do more harm then good. I am going to flush the radiator out and hopefully it will clean every thing else out to.


Most of the other stuff to do on it is just trivial. I just have to find the time to do it.

and I need Jack stands.

[TiredIronGRB]

Fix the leak, Stop-Leak just clogs everything up and will let go at the worse possible time.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I guess I'll just have to take the water pump back off then. :(

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I went out to fleetpride and had some longer U-bolts made the other day. Now I can use the shims I have for the front camber? to be at the right angle. If I drive it now over 10 mph the bump steer is killer. There for a while I would run tire pressure really low so the bump steer wasn't noticable. But I wanna make sure my new tires last longer. Speaking of which I belive I will try and get them mounted throughout this week. Seeing as my wife won't let me drive her Tacoma I'll have to take each tire one at a time and get them mounted.

I still need to work on the water leak when I get some more time. Also I was able to get one of my new tube doors mounted. Right now they are black but I was thinking painting them red what does every one think :?:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/nicksPhotos015.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/nicksPhotos015edited.jpg

[pplblazerdude]

Id stay black. Looking good though.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/nicksPhotos012.jpg

Here is a view more from the front of the door. Black does look good. Excuse the mess in the garage. I'll blame it on my wife. :lol: J/K she doesn't go on that side of the garage.

Man I can't wait to put on the bigger tires. 8)

[LoOnaTik]

Nice, I'd stay black on the doors too.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I think It'll stay black...for a while. I can see the end to this current project of getting it back on the trails. But my current hurttles are finding time. :? .......

I went back and aligned my current front tires to 1/4 of an inch. I may have to redo it again when the new tires go on.

[BroncoMike]

Looking good man! Keep it up!!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I started on replacing the U-bolts up front. The Left side went in with out to much problem. The right side on the other hand. ahhhhhh. yeah the Ubolts I had made are not wide enough. hmmmm.

SO this is what I did and what I am still doing.
Using my highlift and a chain I was able to bend the Ubolts out some. worked really well. Alot better then smacking the ubolts with a hammer like I was told. I did that with the left side. now on the right side I have done the same thing. Only because that side is bigger, so I widended the Ubolts a bit further. Using some straps and my winch, I am rebending the ubolts around the axle housing. So here in the next day or two it should be done as I find time.

Now I have been doing some research on some new lifts and I have decided on going coils when the mullah is available.

http://www.rocky-road.com/coil.html

I am gonna go with the delux toyota kit. cause how awesome would that be, running yotas with a coiled suspension. Also the ride quality would be way better. Plus the kit would come with some driveshafts to fit the yota axles. My only concern would be the wheel base. I think as it stands My wheel base is around 82" Eventually I would want to stretch it out a bit and I am not sure if the kit would allow it.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I got the ubolts on. It wasn't has hard to modify as I was originally having. What I did was t o take the highlift and use it to widen the Ubolts. then I used a spair birfield to resize the Ubolt. worked out great. :grin:

So now My axle shims are in place and it looks like the camber is in the right position. Next thing to do is to hmmmm......... Get some shocks i suppose. I measured the compression and extension of the front last night. fully compress 19.5"-20" ( it was kinda hard to measure with it being really tight) / fully extended 28.5"..so that gives me 8-9 inches of travel. Kinda dissapointed...I t hought it would have been more then that. But the front springs are pretty small. Good thing though was that I had no negative movement on the springs. When fully compressed the springs are just above being flat. Thats because I used the Stiffer CJ springs to back up the samurai main Leaf. It still flexes pretty good.

I did notice unfortunatley that alot of my bushings need to be replaced. But I am unable to that right away.


5. Fix Top Kingpin bearings
6. re-do exhaust pipe
7. Fix seats
8. clean out old grime in back.
9. Put on New Pro comp Xt's
10. Go wheeling

Still a few things left from the List to do. Not to mention the water leak. BUT its coming along.

still my first trip is going to be Bays.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

http://suzuki.off-road.com/suzuki/data/articlestandard/suzuki/532005/277446/samyota2.jpg

I found a samurai that I want to model mine after.

[Rtaylor]

http://suzuki.off-road.com/suzuki/data/articlestandard/suzuki/532005/277446/samyota2.jpg

I found a samurai that I want to model mine after.

I'm just offering this as food for thought. I don't claim to know anything about Sammys! The back of that truck looks pretty light. It was a strange feeling to have such a light rear-end in the Unimog. :shock: The truck often felt like it was going to roll over face first until I built a bed for ballast.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

http://suzuki.off-road.com/suzuki/data/articlestandard/suzuki/532005/277446/samyota2.jpg

I found a samurai that I want to model mine after.

I'm just offering this as food for thought. I don't claim to know anything about Sammys! The back of that truck looks pretty light. It was a strange feeling to have such a light rear-end in the Unimog. :shock: The truck often felt like it was going to roll over face first until I built a bed for ballast.


I agree. I am looking at that idea as good base to start with. I'd wanna have a spare tire and some tool boxes back there. With has many spare parts that I normally carry It should be more then enough weight.

But It wouldn't happen any time this year. Simply because of money. But it doesn't seem like it wouldn't be all that hard to do. I like the way the guy use the diamond plate coners to cover up the where he connected everything.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I worked on it again last night. I started to work on the passanger seat to get it ready to put in. I also attatched the other tubed door. and I went back and straightened the steering wheel. when I had added power steering, I had left the rag joint in. Then I found out that its not needed. So out it went. With it in I noticed it kinda deffeated the purpose of having power steering.

[Want2Wheel]

That is a good looking sami.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Thanks...
...Im trying to take my time with this Build. I originally threw together its first lift and such. It worked out pretty well, but There are several things that needed to be corrected. I am so far pretty pleased with the engine. The gearing is super low for the 31's. and I can tell that all the torque is coming from the T-case. So I know that axle breakage and upgrades are inevitable. I have some YJ front springs to go in the back and some better shackles for them. Once it gets rolling again my next concern will be to replace the bushings around the springs. My Missing links have eaten them up. But thats ok. Eventually I would like to change the complete style of the suspension.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I was wanting to work on my samurai last night but my wife and I bought one of those deck fire pits. looks like a fancy fire place that you can have out side. Its all metal and took like 3 hours to put together. And there was one spot where the chinese drilled a section wrong. I didn't know it was from china until half way done. Either way its going to be nice to ba able to sit out side and enjoy a fire. :smokin:


I'm waiting on my parts guy to come up with some shocks. Unless anyone has some lying around that meet my specs.
I also need to get ahold of one of those generic steering stabilizers. My stock one is bad and the power steering from the sidekick doesn't allow the samurai stabilizer. Or do I even need one now that I have power steering? Im not sure.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I got tired of waiting, so i went out and purchased some F-350 monroe shocks from advanced auto. I can't beleive at how much they cost. but I can't complain I have them now. and they are big. they are actually a little bigger then what I need but they allow the room for full compression and extension.

Also this weekend I built some brackets for the pax seat to bolt up to the OEM slide rails. I just have to drill a couple more holes and the seat will go in.

Im trying to rap up alot of the smaller things before I jump back into water issue. :roll:

So I still need to come up with an answer on the steering stabilizer. Does anyone know where I can pick up a generic one that bolts to the axle and the trac bar?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Here is another samurai that someone turned into a truck. I really like the idea of changing my samurai over to this. Just cut the back where the door is and bring it forward to meet the targa bar. I could then lengthen the wheel base in the rear quite a bit. I think I would make the Bed look better then the one shown.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/samuraiTruck.jpg

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Last night I was able to find some time to work on my samurai. So I finished the Pax seat. The brackets I made for the seat are a little tall. I can sit in the seat fine but I know that if anyone taller them sits in it and I hit a bump hard...they're gonna hit the their head on the bar. Luckily no one wants to ride in my sami, so I won't have to worry about it. Actually my wife will but she is shorter the me so it souldn't be a problem. if I feel that it may turn into one i'll shorten the brackets.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

OK My X-Terrains are finally on :twisted: and they look so awesome. Lets just say ruts shouldn't be pulling off my snorkle anymore. They tire is now extend 3-4 inches away from the body. I drove it around my neighborhood too. the bump steer is almost gone. all I really need now is a good steering stablizer. I noticed that the tires were really quiet. But my muffler isn't. Getting so close.

:grin:

[duke_lover_13]

Pics??

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I should here in the next day or two. But let me tell you those tires make a world of a difference in the looks. Now I can't wait to get some Yotas under it.

[LoOnaTik]

Ok, it's been 3 days where's the pics............ :lol:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I'll Take some today but the compouter I have at home is incredibly slow when it comes to pictures. I'll give it a try though.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Ok here are some pictures.......
Pictures don't do the tread on the Pro Comps any Justice

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010865.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010866.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010867.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010868.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010869.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010870.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010871.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010872.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010873.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/P1010874.jpg

[Monstero]

Love the looks of the new shoes.... :wink:

[duke_lover_13]

Man... That thing looks BEAST!! I REALLY like it!!!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

:grin: Thanks

If Now I could get it to drive down the road, :lol: :lol:

[BroncoMike]

I like the rig and da new shoes!!!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I like the rig and da new shoes!!!

I bet you can hear me start it up from your house. Or at least if I rev it up. You may have heard it today.

[BroncoMike]

I like the rig and da new shoes!!!

I bet you can hear me start it up from your house. Or at least if I rev it up. You may have heard it today.

I was working today. I was trying to figure out where your house is from the pics. I/you need to swing by sometime and take a closer look at that beast!!!!

[Dino1967]

nice rig :wink:

[LoOnaTik]

Nice! Looks real good.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I like the rig and da new shoes!!!

I bet you can hear me start it up from your house. Or at least if I rev it up. You may have heard it today.

I was working today. I was trying to figure out where your house is from the pics. I/you need to swing by sometime and take a closer look at that beast!!!!

Yeah I'd like to either way. when are you normally off. I think you said you worked nights.?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Looks like I have a steering stabilzer coming and possibily another battery for a dual battery set up. :smokin: The second battery will be going in the back because its larger. The idea is to have a bumper with 2" reciever hitch So I can place my winch in the back if I need it. Or run a smaller winch in the rear. hmm Yeah I like the sound of that. just a small 3500lb one. 8) :idea: =P~

[SamuraiGuyTN]

well the steering stabilizer came in. I test drove it tonight. It helped but I am still getting bump steer. So I think the next step is to replace some bushings around the front shackles adn I have soem kingPin Bearings that I am going to replace. I sure hope that helps eliminate the bumpsteer.


Also I have decided that once I get running officially I am going to put on a quieter Muffler. Loud is cool but sometimes it just gets old.

Any one have any more ideas on the Bump steer situation?

[Hokie_YJ]

Have you installed a drop pitman arm to help with your drag link angles. Too much drag link angle can cause serious bump steer.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I have Over the knuckle steering. But I did lift the vehicle again since then. I may have to get a drop down pitman arm after all :? My bump steer really didn't start happening until I lifted it more in the front.

[Bluegill]

Did you get a new stock type stabilizer, or a beefier aftermarket one? When I went to 33's on the TJ, the stock stab was still working great but didn't have enough gumption for 33x12.50 tires. Once I installed a Rancho replacement the bumpsteer disappeared :grin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

yeah Its a kit for a larger vehicle and the stabilizer is 2-3 times bigger then the stock one. So I am pretty happy with it.

Now I have a question about the drag link. when its at a higher angle then stock....does it become a leverage issue? And thats why there is bumpsteer?

[Bluegill]

I wouldn't call it leverage, more like deflection - but yes. If your linkage is an "inverted Y" type, the steeper the drag link angle to the pitman arm, the more deflection it has.....thus causing more bumpsteer.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ahhh ookkk I have been thinking about it all day. well then hopefully a 3" drop down pitman arm will work. From what i can tell the drag link at the pitman arm is about 4-5 inches above the drag link at the steering knuckle. What would you say is the apropriat angle for a drag link. If I get the 3" drop down pitman arm I think it should bring the drag link back to low angle.

[NC_James]

when is there going to be pics

[SamuraiGuyTN]

You not like the pictures on page 4? :(

I am assuming that your wanting pictures of it on the trail or something. well I could drive it on the trail but someone would have to trailor me. My next purchase is a pitman arm. But that'll take a few weeks cause I don't have a hundred bucks. and when I do get some free money it'll still take a week or two to get here. Unless someone has one for a sidekick to sell.

[Bluegill]

Sounds like the 3" drop pitman arm should do the trick :wink:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Hey Bluegill thanks for clarifying. I thought about it some more and kinda sounds like when i tried to add a panhard bar. You have to keep them neutral other wise they bind. But I took the idea of that and applied it to the drag link and it make sence.

when the drag link has a high angle and you hit a bump or drive to certain speeds. The side ways movement from the tire or a bump allows vehicle to actually lift causing the draglink to pull the tire. as the vehicle settles back down the drag link pushes the tire. But because there is speed involved the proccess begins again and the next cycle becomes more violent then the previous. Only when you take the speed out of the pictures does the process slow down or stop.

:-k
Newton's Third Law "Every action, has an equal and oposite reaction"

Now thats why there is a steering stabilizer. Because the a nuetral drag link can't deflect all of the side ways motions due to bumps or vibrations. The Stabilizer takes care of the rest.

[Bluegill]

You got it! ;-)

[SamuraiGuyTN]

well yesterday I decided to play around in the yard. I went back and flexed on my brick wall and played on a stump. But I think some time while I was climbing my wall I ripped a T-case bushing in two. :oops: Thats ok, just means I can get some Polly ones now. Or I just may change out the entire T-case mount. IM not sure yet. I do know that I am gonna need a skid plate for it. And I really really really want to do a coil suspension on it. I am currently looking for some coil Kits that are out there. Rocky-Road.com has one , but I don't think it will allow me to keep my wheel base. And I found another but it doesn't have near the amount of hard whare the Rocky-Road one has. Both kits require welding and I know that I won't be able to do that. I have a small welder. But I am still learning and I would want a vetern at welding to do mine.

Oh yeah still waiting on a pitman arm.

[Dino1967]

i have a small mig and i just make overlapping passes and they hold fine so far :wink:

[Jeep07]

i have a small mig and i just make overlapping passes and they hold fine so far :wink:

yup.

samuraiguytn Just prep your edges good and then make multiple passes building up and your good to go.

However I wouldn't switch suspension types right now. Just fix the tranny mounts and wheel it this summer. Then this winter do your switch.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

the mounts them selves didn't break. Im not sure how alot of other vehicles have their T-cases mounted but on a samurai the T-case has mounts on the tcase that conects to mounts on the frame through rubber bushings. My T-case bushings are just 20 years old. so when more money comes in I will be ordering some poly bushings for my Tcase. ALso on the samurai the Tcase is divorced. I wish I could weld it back together but I think I would just end up burning the rubber :lol: . I'll try and take pictures and show you what I am talking about.

[NC_James]

When is there going to be pics?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

:? I'll try and take some more. BUT until I get my pitman arm they'll just be similar pictures.

I ordered some newer syle bushings for the Tcase. And I forgot to mention that a week or so ago I washed the inside out and after wards I backed it up my backyard. JUst a little gas and no tire slipage. The slope behind my house is pretty steep. So far I love the new gear drop. I can't wait to get the yotas and even lower gears. :roll:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Pitman arm coming this week :grin:

Hopefully the tcase Bushings will come in too. 8)

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I know I need to finish this current project and get the Sami driveable. BUT I have already started planning its next phase. I mentioned a couple of times before t hat I wanna turn it into a truck. SO my next project is gonna be called SAMITRUCK. :grin: . Just a quick run down of what I wanna do.

To start the truck prodject off, I am going to cut the tub off and take the back door and move it to be hind the Targa bar.

I found a beafy coil kit a guy makes outta Oklahoma. Its over built and It'll allow me to adjust the wheelbase. I want a wheelbase around 100 inches. so...Im gonna move the rear axle back. which makes the gas tank's current location a problem. SO.....fuel cell.

the rear is going to look like a flat bed. but will contain an area for a fuel cell near the cab. and a storage area for tools and such. these areas will be in between the frame rails. I'll also have a roll cage installed in the cab. As far as teh front clip goes. its going to remain pretty much the same for except for the suspension. and a little trimming around the wheel wells if needed.

My axles are going to be Yotas. Starting with stock gears of 4.10's and then moving to 5.29's. Im still gonna be running my 33's until I can go bigger. 36-38's are my goal.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/untitled-1.jpg


So that so far will be my plan for I guess this winter. I am gonna start buying axles and suspension componants this summer. My only thing is I will defenitly need alot of help on this prodject, for I lack the proper welding and tube bending skills for a such an endeavor.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Pitman arm just came in. :grin: so Im gonna cut outta work a little early and install it.

Man I hope this helps take out the wabble.

[Pitch]

I know some guys that can help with that menacing tube bending, welding, fuel cell, suspension fab problem.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Hmm sounds good to me. ...all I know is that once Project SAMITRUCK gets finished. Its gonna look :smokin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I installed my drop down pitman arm while on my lunch brake and then took it for a test drive. did great until I was reminded of my Tcase mount being messed up. :oops: Doh!!! The wobble came at a higher speed and when it did, I hit the brakes. Some where in the midst of all that, my rear drive-shaft pulled apart and beat the under side some ](*,) . SO I truned around put it in 4 wheel low and crawled slowly home. Luckily I was only a few houses away from home. SOoooo. I guess Im gonna go ahead and replace those kingpin bearings and order some bushing for my front leaves. It seems that each Time I replace something the bump steer/ wobble gets better and better. But its still there disgust . :scratch: Eventually I'll get it all sorted out.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I found a guy that has a similar flat bed setup that I wouldn't mind doing with a few exceptions. The height of it is just right.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i278/samuraiguytn/flatbed.jpg

[Want2Wheel]

If the top of the rails were a little higher, and the bottom of it allot lower it would look right.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I think I see what your saying. I wouldn't want to lower the top to much because of when it flexes. the tires may end up rubbing. But that is why they make bump stops. :-k

I'll have plenty of time before starting on this project. I'll do more research on how it should be done prior to jumping in. :homework:

oh and my new bushings for the springs up front came in yesterday. So when I find some time I'll be replacing the worn out ones. Hopefully that will help with my bump steer. Im also still waiting on my Tcase bushings to come in. I recieved an email stating they will be here next wednsday. I can still replace my top kingpin bearings, but they really aren't that bad. When I do, I am gonna use marine bearing greece to lube the bearings, I've seen some guys do this to help water proof the bearings.

If the bushings don't fully fix the steering issues, Im gonna have to get a small z-link to help. :sad1:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Update, new bushings went on. actually with alot of ease. I couln't belive how easy they went on. and I could deffinitly tell a big difference once they went on.

I then took it for another test drive. went down my road...no bumpsteer, went down a little fast no bumpsteer. went even faster...30mph hit a bump in the road and yup still there. but its getting better each time I do something. SO..... I guess the next thing is to replace the top kingpin bearings and get dirty. Im also gonna get a Z-Link, or at least I think I will. Tired of this wobble.

[Jeep07]

post some pictures of the front of your rig so we can see your setup.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I'll do my best. may take a day or two.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I forgot to bring my camera to work today. But I think I may have found the problem. I noticed in another post that someone mentioned the rod ends going out. Well I thought about that and when I went home I was thinking about my tie-rod. Well at least one side is seems to have worn out some. I noticed an odd movement. I have another tie-rod and will trade them out. I hope that works. I sure am getting tired of not being able to drive it. If the other one I have is bad, Im gonna have to order the other portion of my over the top steering. $$$$$$ :cry:

[Want2Wheel]

ah, progress.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Sorry I have not posted pictures yet. I went on vacation. It was nice. I haven't had a real one since My honeymoon. My wife and I went to Orlando, FL and went to a few of the parks. I really needed it.

Before I left I ordered the rest of my over the top steering. which will give a new track bar. a straigh one with tight rod ends. and Some drive shaft spacers. I could get a new drive shaft but I didn't want to spend that kind of money when I am gonna just change out the axles anyways. it all comes in this week so hopefully I will be able to drive it once again. Im also gonna go ahead and get it registered this monday. doesn't hurt to be legal when It comes to driving it. :grin:


Oh yeah a few weeks ago my wife and I bought a little bass boat so unfortunatly the samurai has been sleeping outside. :cry: I had to actually put doors back on and I went ahead and locked them. Sure some one could still break into it, but I want to make it tough on them. the dirt inside is valuable....... :lol: actaully I think all the good stuff is on the out side of it so I took off teh winch and tucked it in to the garage.


It looks so lonely out there. :cry:

[Gordon]

Glad you had a good trip to Florida.

Whhhaaattt??? The bass boat ranks above the trail rig? :shock: You can tell I don't fish. J/K :lol:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Bass boat does not rank above my samurai. However boats on trailors are easier to steel. and boat engines are expensive to replace. Im not much of a fisherman. My wife and I got it because of the price. we live really close to patrick henry and we love to think we can catch stuff. I usually have better luck at a trout farm. Its just another nice way of leaving reality behind for a couple of hours. We took it out and zipped down the lake and back and it just sipped the gas, very economical.


But the first night it was in the garage I must admit I was extremely sad the sami was put out side. But now I like seeing it when I leave in the morning and when I get home at night. Besides when I start driving it again, It'll be parked out side anyways.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

well I got another upgrade done......

















............Got it registered.












still waiting on my steering parts to come in....suppost to be friday.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

OK the rest of my steering came in and I put it on. well for the most part. it came with out the needed bolts some I have to get my own.


Also I won't be on here as much as I would like anymore, I no longer work at the flight school I tell every one why in another post.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I had my samurai in the driveway the other day and while turning the wheels back and forth I noticed that there was alot of sideways movement. When I turned the steering wheel, the body would move. So I bought a panhard kit. I installed it today, only it came with one bolt missing. I had one that was slightly smaller. there is still alittle play, but the wobble I had was from the entire axle moving and not just worn out parts. ( which I replaced everything) I still ended up with a little wobble from not having the correct bolt size. However its nearly all gone except from that bolt. Woo Hoo. Looks like I will be wheeling soon.

On another note. I no Longer work at the flight school like I said before. My finances finally hit a big positive and aloud me to pay off my boss. I told her that when I was going to return from vacation I would pay her off. A day or two before I left for Orlando, she called and asked me to give her my keys to the business. I thought this was strange, seeing as she has never asked for my keys before. When I returned from vacation things still seemed very strange. I asked a friend at my old job at ASA if they had a spot open. He said yeah come on in.

I decided that I needed to write up a 2 week notice. And I gave one to my boss along with my check to paying her off. She said she would of course except the check, but would not except the notice. Instead she said I was fired. :? I was shocked but ok. Then she proceeded to ask how much money I had stolen from her. :shock: I said WHAT. I haven't stolen any money from her. she disagreed still and said she new about a flight I had made for money. The flight I had made was for a guy outside of work. I told her the flight I made had nothing to do with her. But she insisted that it had. I can go into exactly why the flight was legally mine. But I don't wanna boar you anymore then I already am. either way she was out to get me because I made 150 bucks away from her business. Im still in shock that she treated me like garbage after the year and a half I spent working for her 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week. And all the good business I brought in. It really hurt me that she was like that.

But thats ok. God wanted me to move on. In the last week and ahalf I have been able to nearlly finish my kitchen.....Spend alot of time with my wife.... And I am now a Multi engine commercial pilot. I was able to go down to a small city in north carolina and get Twin engine training. All that I lack to be eligable for the airlines is to get an upgraded medical.

God kept hinting to me that I would be moving on. I just needed the patience.

[Jeep07]

Glad the rig is about ready.. Also I hope the new job goes well.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

yeah the steering on the street is so much more responcive. and get this, with the new job I have most of SAturdays off along with Sunday and Monday. So I can actually wheel with every one else.

[Want2Wheel]

Nice, are you going to Harlan on Sat?

[SamuraiGuyTN]

No, I wish I could. I may go to the lake though. I still have to get the bolt I need and some drive shaft spacers. Right now I am in ATlanta do some basic training for ASA. I will not be returning until Friday night. Im also gonna have to do some work around the house seeing as I have been out of town for a while.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

I installed the bolt needed for the panhard. I can now drive it up to about 25-30. I do belive I am just down to aligning the wheels again. I drove it to the gas station today and while going down a super steep hill in my neighborhood, my rear driveshaft came apart. it kicked my samurai upin the air some and locked up the rear when the driveshaft smacked the right springs. luckily I was only going 5 mph. The only real damage was that I broke the rear u-joint. So I am gonna try and get another one today or tom. then I will had my driveshaft spacers and work on the front end alignment. I think its off by a 1/4". SO I may be able to hit a trail this upcoming weekend. Or better yet be able to take it to the 4th of July celebration. I'll just have to avoid the water seeing as I do not have any hoses connected to my axles for ventilation.

So cross your fingers and say a little prayor that it will finally come together.

[BroncoMike]

I drove it to the gas station today...

That thing is looking good! Glad nothing serious happened when the shaft came out.

Jenn said you were behind her yesterday morning (Sunday) when she was going to church.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

oh yeah. thats cool. What was I driving?

[BroncoMike]

The sami!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Well I got to take the sami over to George's place and tryed it out. I think it did really well..........Until I decided I wasn't playing hard enough. I know, I know I said I was gonna take it easy. well I didn't and I grenaded the rear U-joint. Oh well. I replace teh rear driveshaft and I am will ing to take it out on a trail. Hopefully Bays this weekend if any one is interested.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

still waiting on some time to work on my rear shocks. I Started at ASA adn now I have lost the time to work on it. BUt I did notice the other night that when I apply t he gas. the rear axle roatates just a bit more then What I like. So I think I am gonna invest in a traction bar. Or if some one here can build one for me, let me know. $

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ordered a track bar for the rear and lower shock mounts. Trying to get all the corners so it will work better.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Lower shock mounts came in today. So some time this week I will weld them on. then its just a matter of waiting on my track bar to come in. Hopefully I will be ready for a local trail this weekend if some one is interested.

[Want2Wheel]

Glad to hear that you are getting closer

[SamuraiGuyTN]

rear shocks are now attached. I added some lower shock mounts. My welding was ugly But I think its got the job done. I am also thinking of re-angleing the shocks so they don't lean so much inward. / \ to l l . But even with them / \ is still alot better then not having any at all.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ok here is a link to a samurai that started my Truck Idea. But just imagine it without the rear roll cage and just a hair longer. http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/features/02064wd_1986_suzuki_samurai_rock_crawler

[Want2Wheel]

I like it alot.

[BroncoMike]

That's one sweet zuki!!!! DOO IT!!!!

[SamuraiGuyTN]

oh yeah, I plan to. and mine will be better. cause im gonna go full coils and through in a diesle conversion.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

ok here is a link to the coil suspension I want. Also Want2wheel you need to check it out, cause it has the same lift on a Yota.

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=5624&highlight=coil+suspension

[BillM]

That would be Art Lilley's rig.

He was a member of this board.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

yeah Actually I didn't know that. even more reason to get that setup. I have heared nothing but good stuff from his rig.

[Jeep07]

ok here is a link to the coil suspension I want. Also Want2wheel you need to check it out, cause it has the same lift on a Yota.

http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=5624&highlight=coil+suspension

Dont do this until like Jan/Feb. That way you can work during the cold months and not miss too much wheeling.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

It looks like I am getting Yota axles soon, I dunno how long I'll be able to hold out before the go under it. :)

But then again If I gather all the parts I need, Much can be done in a small amount of time.