Hello,

I am in the market for a zuki. But, I would like to put a diesel motor in it. I have read the cost range from $3000-$5000 complete. So, I am also weighting out getting a CJ5 or CJ7 instead and just getting a V8. Can someone give me some feedback or input?

Thanks

if your not going to be doing any hard core wheeling get a cj-7 with a 4.3, there is one up here for sale by the oregon cali border in medford oregon, about 5k, they get about 27 mpg with 35's with an auto.

I will not. Just basic driving at Pismo beach and some light trail riding, some dunes. I assume I want something pre' 1975 to avoid California smog? I will only use it for this. Otherwise it will sit.

The VW diesel powered Samurai and Sidekicks are realatively slow so highway driving will not be the best. If you plan of driving your vehicle to the dunes and light-trail riding, you'll want to take secondary and tertiary roads (which can be a plus). If you like to cruise on the freeway, please reconsider the diesel swap. You'll be a slow moving road block on the freeways.

An all-around better deal would be to get a Samurai and install a 1.6 8-valve or 16-valve engine, The wiring and hardware kits make this simple and with extra care, you can get smogged. Or, you could get a Sidekick with the better engine in it already (smog, no problem) and then swap a set of Toyota mini-truck axles under it, or beef up the IFS depending on preference. Both of these scenarios can happen in your price range.

So the question arrises.... Do you want/need round headlights?

-Eric