Hey guys, Ive always had full size 4x4's, then last one was a Grand Cherokee, now I want to go with a Samurai.  It will be used as a trail rig, as I have a nice off road park 8 miles from my house in Hollister; but also want to use as a camping rig. I have a small 2-3 man tent, bed, roll, sleeping bag, and a folding camp chair that all fits in a tupperware tote. I think this will fit nicely in the back seat area.  Now for these camping trips I would have to drive 3, 4, maybe 5 hours to reach my destination.  Im looking at a SOA with 31-32" muds and a locker or 2.  Like this one:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2355462425.html   What do you think about this set up?  Should I go for a Webber carb, header, exhaust?  Not sure about an engine swap due to $$$, work involved, and CA smog laws.  Ive driven Baja Bugs, and VW Bus's so Im no stranger to the slow lane, but can I safely do a road trip in a lifted samurai cruising at 65 MPH for a few hours? Can I get 20-22 MPG out of it? Also doesnt need to ride like a Cadillac, as Ive folded my 6'1" frame into a 96 Miata and driven 300 miles.

Thanks

Can't tell on the one in the ad. Need to drive it and check the steering. The locker in the rear could be an issue but not a big one. won't be a speed demon so you need to drive it to see if it works for you. 65 mph will be about tops with the 6.5 TC gears. Milaage may suffer at that RPM. Weber carbs are not legal in  CA. Thorley headers are the only legal one. Lke I said before, you need to go test drive it and not just around the block.

I know the Webber carb isnt legal, but I figure I can do a carb swap for smog testing.  

Also found one with 4.16 t-case with 5.12 axle gears and 33's.  Too much for highway use? 
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2355714473.html

4.16 with 5.12 gears and 33" tires might not be bad for road use, but you will probably be a bit short on power on the Freeway.

On that other rig, it probably has stock 3.89 gears and not 4.10.  If it actually had 4.10 gears it would be an SJ-410.  A fun rig on it's own, but there are enough differences you want to know what your getting into.

If your wondering about gear ratio's there are a couple of sites you can use to calculate everything out.  I use http://www.solemnwarning.net/transmission/ as it has the transfer cases already pre-programmed.  Just select Suzuki SJ for your series and SJ-413 for the variant.