ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: serv on May 21, 2010, 05:11:35 PM
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Welcome! For a long wheelbase, $3000 isnt at all bad.
as far as modifyin goes, I think its important to know what you like to do, and intend to use it for. really there is no universal modification, its one of those make it your own and build to suit your needs/wants things.
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Welcome! For a long wheelbase, $3000 isnt at all bad.
as far as modifyin goes, I think its important to know what you like to do, and intend to use it for. really there is no universal modification, its one of those make it your own and build to suit your needs/wants things.
Thanks a lot for the prompt reply. I now feel better about the $3k I paid for the zuk.
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These are the modifications being done.
1) conversion of front suspension to coil spring - - - Cost is $625
2) 2" body lift - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $312.50
3) Power steering - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $312.50
4) Regearing to 5:12 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -$416.67
5) Front and Rear Tube bumpers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $300.00
6) Steering dumper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -$ 83.00
7) 2 pcs rear shocks - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $145.00
8) Troop carrier Top - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $416.00
9) Rims expands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $213.00
10)5Tires (federal MD 31x10.5x150) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $690.00
Am I paying too much for all of these modifications?
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I dont know what fair prices are, but I would say thats a reasonable price for such modifications.
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It is not really possible to judge the cost of modifications done in another country, in the UK everything is much more expensive than in the US, especially given the current state of sterling. I don't think that the Samurai was avaialable in the US in 1997 and the LWB was not available here then either.
Welcome to the board and where are the pics? :)
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It is not really possible to judge the cost of modifications done in another country, in the UK everything is much more expensive than in the US, especially given the current state of sterling. I don't think that the Samurai was avaialable in the US in 1997 and the LWB was not available here then either.
Welcome to the board and where are the pics? :)
I believe the samurai was availabe in my country up to the year 2001 and all of them are LWB.
Sorry about the pics... everytime I try uploading a pic an error appears. I think it has something to do with the size of the pic. I am waitiing for my son to solve the problem for me. He is more computer literate than his old man. :-[ :-[ :-[
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Finally... The samurai before the start of any modifications.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/SamuraiRightSideView.jpg)
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another pic before modifications.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/SamuraiLeftSideView.jpg)
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start of major work... strpping
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment026.jpg)
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Installation of the suspension arm... this is part of the front suspension conversion to coil spring.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment031.jpg)
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment012.jpg)
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment013.jpg)
I will post the rest of the pics for the front suspension conversion later. Pls feel free to make comments.
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I wouldn't bother with the body lift, but that may just be because I'm not a big fan of them. :)
Looks like a nice clean rig! What did he pull those arms off of that he is using for your coil conversion?
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I wouldn't bother with the body lift, but that may just be because I'm not a big fan of them. :)
Looks like a nice clean rig! What did he pull those arms off of that he is using for your coil conversion?
It is a Mitsubishi Pajero suspension arm. Most of the zuks he converted are using this. I got good testimonials from the owners. What do you think? Your honest comments will be appreciated.
With regards the body lift, the power steering can't be installed without at least 1" lift. I went for 2" lift instead, might look nice with the big tires.
:)
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coil spring installation pics
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment029.jpg)
Coil Spring and Rubber stopper
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment037-1.jpg)
Members pls give me your opinions on this. I want to learn from your experiences.
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looking good so far. im a newbie too and trying to figure things out, wish I could find someone cheap near me to do that conversion for me.
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I think it looks good. :)
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looks good to me too, very clean looking body on it, question though what kind of wheeling do you do there, are there many large rocks it looks like your keeping the stock axles I would suggest some "diff guards" if you will be wheeling in a rocky area very often. I know on my Samurai I hit a rock and poked a hole in the front diff pretty easily.
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Thanks a lot for the encouragement Drone637. I will post more pics from time to time as we progress with the modifications.
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looks good to me too, very clean looking body on it, question though what kind of wheeling do you do there, are there many large rocks it looks like your keeping the stock axles I would suggest some "diff guards" if you will be wheeling in a rocky area very often. I know on my Samurai I hit a rock and poked a hole in the front diff pretty easily.
We go through lots of muddy and rocky trails. River crossings are regular also. Thanks a lot for the "diff guards" suggestion. I will now include it as part of the modification jobs to be done. :)
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I think it looks good. :)
Installation of power steering and 2" lift.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment027.jpg)
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looking good so far. im a newbie too and trying to figure things out, wish I could find someone cheap near me to do that conversion for me.
I had no choice but to get the help of a conversion expert to do the job for me. I do have some mechanical knowhow but I lack the expertise to do the conversions plus I dont have the time for it. My old man always say if you can find someone who can do a better job than you can, hire him... :laugh:
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I wish we had good mud trails around here so far though I have not found to many good ones near me and only have found very small creek crossing that are doable they are kinda cool though
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I wish we had good mud trails around here so far though I have not found to many good ones near me and only have found very small creek crossing that are doable they are kinda cool though
I live in a tropical country with lots of rain from June to November. Heavy downpour makes coutryside roads muddy and that is when we do most of our fun trails. Two feet deep mud is normal with a lot of heavy winchings. I witnessed some river crossings done by new zuik owners here and it looks scary especially if there is water current. The zuks float in water :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
The veteran zuk owners approach river crossings with caution. If water is two feet deep or more, they load their zuks with sacks full of sand just to add weight. It is a cool sight and I am learning a lot from them... Once all necessary modifications are done with my zuk, I will definitely try those river crossings. :)
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ongoing bumper installation... The original front/rear bumpers and side rockers were all removed.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/Samuraiupgradedevelopment035.jpg)
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If it's not required I would be tempted to run with just the winch plate. :D
What size winch are you putting on? You need to send us pictures from you water crossings.
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If it's not required I would be tempted to run with just the winch plate. :D
What size winch are you putting on? You need to send us pictures from you water crossings.
I am tempted too but the old zuk boys here are urging me to get one. I am planning to put on a 3.5 tonner winch from Japan. I will definitely post pictures of water crossings. It is almost rainy season here and the zuk conversions are due completion before that. I hope I can get some really good pictures of the zuk crossing rivers or swimming in it. :laugh:
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:laugh: yeah I want to see those river crossings too they are always cool shots I live in Utah about 5-6 hours north of Moab and it is mostly rock here until winter then we get a good amount of snow to play in it is fun but I like the mud too till it comes time to wash it off anyway LOL
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:laugh: yeah I want to see those river crossings too they are always cool shots I live in Utah about 5-6 hours north of Moab and it is mostly rock here until winter then we get a good amount of snow to play in it is fun but I like the mud too till it comes time to wash it off anyway LOL
When it comes to offroading, the one thing nice about a tropical country is you get plenty of river crossings, rocky and mud trails in just one outing, kind of "three in one". This is true specially after a heavy downpour. I know a place that is only about 1 and a half hour from the capital city where offroaders can get three kinds of trails in just one outing. The toughest I experienced in said area is the uphill and downhill 1 and 1/2 feet deep mud trail. Very tricky and slippery with a lot of heavy winchings. I will post some pics here in a few weeks or at the onset of rainy season.
The suk is almost done and I will post more pics later. :)
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The zuk is almost done. I will post here the pics in a few days, unless someone tells me this isn't the right thread to post pics of modified suzuki. :)
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Post them wherever you want. :)
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Post them wherever you want. :)
Thanks Drone... The zuk is partially done, no winch yet and diff guard. I am planning to drive it to my farm this weekend. I will post the pics after the farm visit. :)
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This is the new look of my Samurai. Winch and diff guard not yet installed. The soft top will "shrink to fit" according to the maker. The pic taken infront of my house. Will appreciate comments from members.
Sorry about the pic, it was drizzling and I can't wait for it to stop because I'm rushing to leave for the farm. I will post pics of my first outing with the Samurai on Monday.
(http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af331/servalpha/Samurai/DSC00007-1.jpg)
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That is a really clean build. Try not to roll it first time out. :D
Did you go with a spring over axle in the back? Why did you put a plate over the air intake for the heater system?
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That is a really clean build. Try not to roll it first time out. :D
Did you go with a spring over axle in the back? Why did you put a plate over the air intake for the heater system?
I just got back from the farm and my first outing with the zuk. Fortunately, no rolling happened. The trail to the farm wasn't at all hard. It was fun though, until I got to the farm.
No I didn't go with a spring over axle in the back. I used a bnew set of springs that is normally for another suzuki vehicle, the fit was perfect for the 2" lift, and it gave the samurai a better ride.
The plates are just for asthetics :-[. Well, according to the zuk converter who put it there, another purpose is for somethig to step on if there is a need to stand on the hood. Iin his years of offroad experiences he sometimes need to stand on something high and the zuk is the only object available. :laugh:
Drone, I am going to post my pics re "first outing with the zuk" in the adventure forum. I think it is more appropriate there.
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That is a really clean build. Try not to roll it first time out. :D
Did you go with a spring over axle in the back? Why did you put a plate over the air intake for the heater system?
The first wheeling with the zuk was fun... my experience in the farm was horrible.