I need to build a trial rig that will be able to handle Tellico, and be alble to do intersate speeds(75mph).  And needs to be something thats pretty straight forward, an all out build up is out of the question considering my garage is my backyard..  I can get space somewhere to do motor swaps and stuff like that for limited amounts of time.  Jeep Cherokees seem to be a good option, plentiful, stock 4.0, decent axles, do a lift, gears, 35" tires, easy upgades, not alot of work just dunno if I wanna drive something that big at tellico.  I do already have two samurais that don't run, one has decent body, both good frames, otherwise pretty trashed.  Just wondering if a 1.6 8v or 16v can push 33's with toyota axles or dana 44's on the interstate, I live in a mountain area I might add, lots of hills.  Hows the stability at that speed, do the big rigs blow you off to the side of the road?  I know it won't be a sports car just wondering if its scary, sorry only drove a sammy for like 2 mins..

I need to build a trial rig that will be able to handle Tellico, and be alble to do intersate speeds(75mph).  And needs to be something thats pretty straight forward, an all out build up is out of the question considering my garage is my backyard..  I can get space somewhere to do motor swaps and stuff like that for limited amounts of time.  Jeep Cherokees seem to be a good option, plentiful, stock 4.0, decent axles, do a lift, gears, 35" tires, easy upgades, not alot of work just dunno if I wanna drive something that big at tellico.  I do already have two samurais that don't run, one has decent body, both good frames, otherwise pretty trashed.  Just wondering if a 1.6 8v or 16v can push 33's with toyota axles or dana 44's on the interstate, I live in a mountain area I might add, lots of hills.  Hows the stability at that speed, do the big rigs blow you off to the side of the road?  I know it won't be a sports car just wondering if its scary, sorry only drove a sammy for like 2 mins..

The 8v motor is good and will work,the 16v is lot better  and if you set it up with the 33's and gear it  right you will flying on the freeway,the hills will be fine-key is to set it up correctly

I need to build a trial rig that will be able to handle Tellico, and be alble to do intersate speeds(75mph).  And needs to be something thats pretty straight forward, an all out build up is out of the question considering my garage is my backyard..  I can get space somewhere to do motor swaps and stuff like that for limited amounts of time.  Jeep Cherokees seem to be a good option, plentiful, stock 4.0, decent axles, do a lift, gears, 35" tires, easy upgades, not alot of work just dunno if I wanna drive something that big at tellico.  I do already have two samurais that don't run, one has decent body, both good frames, otherwise pretty trashed.  Just wondering if a 1.6 8v or 16v can push 33's with toyota axles or dana 44's on the interstate, I live in a mountain area I might add, lots of hills.  Hows the stability at that speed, do the big rigs blow you off to the side of the road?  I know it won't be a sports car just wondering if its scary, sorry only drove a sammy for like 2 mins..

Doesn't the Cherokee have a D30 front a D35 rear? That's hardly decent, especially when you're looking at running 35's. Toyota axles, 5.86's, and 33's should be fine with a 1.6L.

I just bought a '96 2 door with a 16V last night and then drove it over 100 miles on the highways.  Even with 31's and the stock 4.62 gears it's not half bad.  Geared properly it'll be a rocket.  Toyota axles and the right gears for 33's and a 16V would do you fine.  A 8V would be a bit simpler but hey, I like my first 16V so far.

If you can find a cherokee with a towing package I think it has a dana 44 rear, even so you can find dana 44's pretty easy off the old wagoneers or jeep trucks.  I know this is a Suzuki board and thats what everyone will sugust, kinda leaning toward the Samurai anyways, just trying to look at all my options.  My daily dirver is a 01 5.4 liter V8 Ford F-150, Its just hard to belive a 1.6 can turn those big meats at 75mph even with gearing done....hows the little rig react to that semi doing 85-90 flying by you?

Semi Trucks tried to blow me into the
ditch when I was stock.