Suzuki Samurai

[rmack898]

I had one of these Sami's when I lived in Puerto Rico and it was a fun to drive, economical car. Since the guy I bought my diesel Rabbit from totally screwed me without a title, I went looking for a new econo daily driver and the Sami was at the top of the list. After about a month of looking I found an '88 that was advertised as being "rust free". I told the seller in MD that I didn't want to drive all that way to be disappointed and he assured me that I wouldn't, well he was wrong. The car was no where near "rust free" and as I was getting back in my truck to drive home, he came after me ready to negotiate on the price. We came to an agreement and I loaded it on my trailer.

On the way home my neighbor called me to see if I was OK after the lightning hit my house, I told him where I was and asked him to make sure my house wasn't burning down, it wasn't but the lightning took out every puter and puter related accessory in the house including the surge protectors.

Back to the Sami. While I was searching for a Sami I found out that a VW diesel engine swap is a pretty common thing with mileage in the 40's with the right set up. I ordered the engine swap kit, a suspension lift kit, and 31" tires. The swap kit came but I don't have an engine yet, the lift kit is back ordered and I can't fit the tires until I do the suspension lift.

I've been driving it to work every day but the sami's front end was loose as a goose. So I put new wheel bearings, king pin bearings, and seals in the front axle and it is like a new car.

While I'm waiting for parts I keep finding things I want to do to the sami. The rear tub was coated with spray on bed liner and it was done poorly and I figured that was where I would start. After cutting many paper templates I had a plan for a one-piece aluminum diamond plate drop in tub liner. After 2 nights of cutting, fitting,re-cutting, and re-fitting, I had all the pieces cut, fit, and tacked together. I lifted it out in one piece and finish welded it on the bench. I happy with the way it came out so I cut a piece to cove the tailgate and mounted some speakers in the tailgate.

I found a 1.6NA motor and it will be here on Friday but it will get freshened up a bit before I install it. While I'm waiting for motor parts I think that I'll start fabbing up a new real bumper.

Mx, this is not "Girlie Car II" , I'm calling it "Sardino" (it's another good story)

[LW Hiway]

You cleaned that tub out nicely. I'm thinking that I read/understand that this liner just fits over the original?

Nicely done.

Do the speakers take it to the next level of 'Chick Magnet'?

[randydupree]

i love diesel conversions.

[rmack898]

Originally Posted by LW Hiway

Do the speakers take it to the next level of 'Chick Magnet'?

Chicks tend to just point and say "look at the fat furry bastard in the tiny car"

Originally Posted by randydupree

i love diesel conversions.

It gets 28MPG on the gasser with a heavy foot, I hoping to get into the low 40's with the oil burner.

[Scotts]

There are some hits on google for the conversion that extreme 4x4 did.

Scott

[H80N]

the 4bt swap site has some info on that swap... they are supposed to be a cummins swap site... but they showcase lots of swaps including your vw diesel to samuri... build histories etc..

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/forumd...swagen-Diesels

[Floptop]

Very nice job with the aluminum!
Do you have any pics of the overall vehicle?

[madam X]

Originally Posted by rmack898

Mx, this is not "Girlie Car II" , I'm calling it "Sardino" (it's another good story)

I'm sure you look very manly in yours.


I was simply adorable in the white one I had.

Originally Posted by Floptop

Very nice job with the aluminum!
Do you have any pics of the overall vehicle?

Yes! I want to see the whole thing!

Very cool with the diamond plate.

[digger doug]

I'm cornfused a little.

I thought the little Samuri already got upwards of 40 mpg,
with the factory gas engine,
and I thought the old rabbit deisel's get somewhere near 80 mpg.

And I read you have a rabbit deisel, but no title ?
Why not pull that engine ?

[rmack898]

Doug, I can get 30 MPG out of the gas motor with a light foot. The Rabbit can get 50MPG. The Rabbit I have is a '78 and has the smaller 1.5L engine that had a few short comings, it was replaced by a 1.6L in 1979 or 1980. I made a deal with a VW collector in Michigan, he is buying my Rabbit with no title and giving me a complete 1.6L engine. He is driving down to pick up the Rabbit and should be here sometime tomorrow.