I know it's sacreligious, but has anyone ever converted a Sammy to full-time 2WD?  I'm thinking lose the front axle and t-case with all the associated weight and rolling resistance.  And with a stock 1.3, you'ld have a pretty economical daily driver, with the option to take the top off when the weather's nice.  All I would need is a beam front axle, maybe off a mail jeep, and maybe even a higher rear end for better milage.

Don't fret.  I have no such plans for my new-to-me bone stock '87 Sammy with only 61K on the clock.

I'm just thinking.

WHY convert it, when you can simply trade/sell it for a 2wd model? LESS work, and they allready exist.

I agree with T-Rex.... why go through that exercise to build something that will be worth less in value? Just my $.02.....

I know it's sacreligious, but has anyone ever converted a Sammy to full-time 2WD?  I'm thinking lose the front axle and t-case with all the associated weight and rolling resistance.  And with a stock 1.3, you'ld have a pretty economical daily driver, with the option to take the top off when the weather's nice.  All I would need is a beam front axle, maybe off a mail jeep, and maybe even a higher rear end for better milage.

Don't fret.  I have no such plans for my new-to-me bone stock '87 Sammy with only 61K on the clock.

I'm just thinking.

Do you know they made 2wd model Samurai? It has a solid tube axle up front with no diff and a 'dummy' t-case with no front output... So, you could collect those pieces and bolt your 2wd together. I'm not sure you'd get better mileage as it's the aero package that's a problem with the Samurai, not the weight.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

-Eric

LOL Ya, the aerodynamics of a Toaster   

Wild

I would bet the MPG gains would be little to none. I think I would just buy a car. (swift maybe)?

take your front d/s off...

Actually, I would like to build something like this from my one of my many parts Samurais.  Not for economics, but for a cool street cruiser-a safer motorcycle.

Last year I picked up a 2wd Samurai beam axle.  It is actually offset to lower the front end about 1/2".  I was thinking of lowering the Samurai even more by "frenching" in the spring mounts though.

For the engine and transmission, I would use a 1.6 and 1.6 manual tranny.  I would also convert the rear end to a trackick rear end so that the pumkin is centered.  Might even swap over the trackick rear coil suspension over too.  I've also considered swapping in a RX7 Rotary, but it really doesn't make that much power (the carbed versions) over the 1.6 Suzuki engine which is bolt-in.

Of course, I would ditch the doors, targa bar etc, and might even go without a windshield (front cage though).  It would be kind of like a lowered VW Thing or WWII era Kubelwagon.  I would paint it gray or dark green and put a big red dot on the hood-a Suzuki Zero!  Of course, I would drive it around with a leather flight cap, googles, and jacket.  

Actually, I would like to build something like this from my one of my many parts Samurais.  Not for economics, but for a cool street cruiser-a safer motorcycle.

Last year I picked up a 2wd Samurai beam axle.  It is actually offset to lower the front end about 1/2".  I was thinking of lowering the Samurai even more by "frenching" in the spring mounts though.

For the engine and transmission, I would use a 1.6 and 1.6 manual tranny.  I would also convert the rear end to a trackick rear end so that the pumkin is centered.  Might even swap over the trackick rear coil suspension over too.  I've also considered swapping in a RX7 Rotary, but it really doesn't make that much power (the carbed versions) over the 1.6 Suzuki engine which is bolt-in.

Of course, I would ditch the doors, targa bar etc, and might even go without a windshield (front cage though).  It would be kind of like a lowered VW Thing or WWII era Kubelwagon.  I would paint it gray or dark green and put a big red dot on the hood-a Suzuki Zero!  Of course, I would drive it around with a leather flight cap, googles, and jacket.   

this would be a good place for a vw diesel.    40+ mpg maybe?

Quote from: Jonny Rash on April 14, 2011, 06:07:43 AM

Actually, I would like to build something like this from my one of my many parts Samurais.  Not for economics, but for a cool street cruiser-a safer motorcycle.

Last year I picked up a 2wd Samurai beam axle.  It is actually offset to lower the front end about 1/2".  I was thinking of lowering the Samurai even more by "frenching" in the spring mounts though.

For the engine and transmission, I would use a 1.6 and 1.6 manual tranny.  I would also convert the rear end to a trackick rear end so that the pumkin is centered.  Might even swap over the trackick rear coil suspension over too.  I've also considered swapping in a RX7 Rotary, but it really doesn't make that much power (the carbed versions) over the 1.6 Suzuki engine which is bolt-in.

Of course, I would ditch the doors, targa bar etc, and might even go without a windshield (front cage though).  It would be kind of like a lowered VW Thing or WWII era Kubelwagon.  I would paint it gray or dark green and put a big red dot on the hood-a Suzuki Zero!  Of course, I would drive it around with a leather flight cap, googles, and jacket.   

this would be a good place for a vw diesel.    40+ mpg maybe?

There you go sucking all the fun out of a nice ride.



-Eric

this would be a good place for a vw diesel.    40+ mpg maybe?

In that case why not just swap the diesel? I thought they were capable of that kinda mileage in a stock samurai without cnberting to 2wd or any weight-loss

Quote from: Jluck on April 14, 2011, 08:17:28 AM

this would be a good place for a vw diesel.    40+ mpg maybe?

In that case why not just swap the diesel? I thought they were capable of that kinda mileage in a stock samurai without cnberting to 2wd or any weight-loss

Yeah, but the driving experience is boooring... I "think" one of the goals here is to have a fun summer time kick around.

-Eric

Yes, I'm with Eric.  I would like it to be quick with 0-60 under 10 secs.  That's probably doable with the 1600 8-valve and will be easily accomplished with the 16 valve.    It will still get 25+mpg too, especially if the rig weighs less than 2000lbs.

Sad, ain't it, when you consider 0-60 in under 10 seconds to be quick.    If you want fun and still keep it Suzi powered, go with a 1.8 or 2.0 swap. Unless you are a glutton for punishment, that is ( Brdhntr and friends ) then go with a 2.7 V6 swap.

A 2.7 in a 2wd street sammy would be pretty damn cool. Hmmmm, maybe a rat rod style lj with a 2.7 kind of like this...