Project Fordzuki

[Loanranger]

I'll be there come hell or highwater. I just posted in the regional forums about a poker run on saturday that's going to be there, so I'll probably run that.
I got the pan pulled tonight, just to check everything out, and to wipe the pan out, and everything looked good. There was a little milk in the bottom of the pan, but everything wasn't coated in there like I was fearing. I have to put it back on tomorrow, and flush it one more time, then refill with a new filter and it should be good. The cylinder walls looked awesome, so I don't think there is any damage there, the rings just might not last to 100k miles now. I got the new shaft in tonight too, I just need to button up the spindle and hub, and I'll be all set there. And as far as the starter is concerned.... I pulled it tonight, to pull the pan, and the nosecone is definately aluminum like I thought, so I won't be welding the ear back on like I was hoping, I'd like to find a nosecone off a bad starter, but I doubt that will happen. I will more than likely pick up a new one on the way out of town friday, and install it at camp.

 

[mototrevo]

ive just bought a 88 samurai yesterday and its nedding an engine, what problems did you run into doing the swap? other than the radiator in the back and motor mounts, all the obvious stuff?

 

[Loanranger]

ive just bought a 88 samurai yesterday and its nedding an engine, what problems did you run into doing the swap? other than the radiator in the back and motor mounts, all the obvious stuff?

The swap is really fairly simple. Like you said, the motor and tranny mounts, the radiator you might be able to get away with in the front. There's a bit more room under the hood of your sami than the lj. Take all the wiring with the motor and trans, and get a good wiring schematic, so you can simplify the harness. You'll need to make a short adapter shaft to go between the trans and transfercase.

 

[mototrevo]

ive set the engine down betweeen the rails right about where i want it and measured the space ive got to fit a tranny(4speed) and im coming up about 4inches too long. like its passed the transfer case 4 inches. are there different types of bell houseings or what can i do to make this thing shorter? wait you lengthened your frame right so did the engine get moved forward also?

Thanks any help is appreciated!!

 

[Loanranger]

You're going to have to move the transfercase back. If it's still on the stock arms, this would be a good time to make a cradle for it, using the stock mounts, plus the holes around the rear output. There should be a picture back in the first couple pages of this thread of mine.

I didn't lengthen the frame on mine, and the LJ is shorter than the samurai. When you move the transfercase back, you'll have to shorten your rear driveline, and extend your front.

 

[mototrevo]

thats what i thought it would come down to... thanks

 

[Loanranger]

If you do the shafts yourself, 2" .120 wall dom works great.

 

[compleckz]

still love this rig

 

[blackdog76]

Much nicer than the Zuk I saw on a K5 Frame, that thing was hedious

 

[doorgunner]

Super Freaky

 

[Loanranger]

Small progress. Since the build, I haven't had windshield wipers, or rather a motor. Because the original motor was locked up. A samurai wiper motor will work, but with the roll cage, the motor wouldn't fit anyways. So I came up with this idea after using the linkage to manually wipe the windshield.

So I used an old Ranger window regulator and crank handle, cut the stub that the handle fits off the regulator, and welded it onto the back of the drivers side wiper stud. This is what I came up with, and it works great. And best part is, no wiring.

 

[dogboy]

Oh! I thought you were saying you used a power window motor for it, not just the hand crank type regulator.

 

[woodyedmiston]

That is the only Suzuki I've ever seen that I liked. Great stance.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

thats one crazy......thing but its cool!!!

 

[Loanranger]

Well, it's getting new springs here shortly.

Today I broke another halfleaf on the back, this time it was the dodge leaf running mono, so the back corner collapsed. The axle was still held by the links, and the shackle was supporting the rig somewhat, so I ratchet strapped it together so the leaf wouldn't fall and pull the shackle forward.

So for now, I'm going to run the good monoleaf on the left side, and the old set of ranger leafs on the right side, that should get me through wheeling this next weekend, and then I'll swap them out for the set in my ranger. We used Exploder springs in the back of my dad's ranger, so his old set of ranger springs will get cut in half, and used in the LJ.

It has also come time to replace the front springs, which if you remember are Datsun pickup rear leafs. I have another set of mainleafs, but not complete packs, so I will probably end up mixing and matching some leafs in. The other option I've been researching, is Pinto rear leafs are the same dimensions, 47" eye to eye, 2.5 wide, but the centering pin is at ~19" compared to the Datsuns ~21.5. So it would essentially move my axle forward another ~2.5" which would be nice, other than the fact the steering box is already as far forward as it can possibly be. It's either that or move the rear spring hanger back 2.5 inches....