i have an 87 samurai and want to charge the ac back up. does this samurai use r12 or r134a? if it uses the old stuff can i just put the new stuff in it?

It used R12 from the factory.
Some people use the R12 compatible R134 blend and don't have issues (don't remember the name of the stuff,  off the top of my head).  If it were me, I would do the conversion properly by cleaning out the entire AC system, changing the drier, changing all the orings and putting the 134 type oil and freon in.

i have an 87 samurai and want to charge the ac back up. does this samurai use r12 or r134a? if it uses the old stuff can i just put the new stuff in it?

I have used a refrigerant called Freeze 12 as a replacement for R12 is older a/c units. If I remember correctly it is an isobutane type and is flammable. R134 works well but it would be wise to also flush the system prior to evacuating and charging. You probably won't use as much R134 either and uses a different type of oil called PAG oil.