Hey guys new to the forums. So I bought 2 1987 Sammys one of which runs but needs a clutch and some other odds and ends. I always wanted a Samurai and when I found these 2 they were cheap enough that I picked them up. The one has  got 35s on it and I know that the transmission is not going to like ouching those things without some lower gearing. I'm 17 and kinda working on a budget for this thing. I'm serously considering re-gearing the diffs but I also heard of some guys re-gearing the transfer case. So what's your opinions? I'm not new to this type of stuff as my family has dirt bikes and my friends and I are always tinkering with something with a motor so I can do it it's just what is gonna be better to do. Thanks for all your input!

Thanks...Tim

Hey guys new to the forums. So I bought 2 1987 Sammys one of which runs but needs a clutch and some other odds and ends. I always wanted a Samurai and when I found these 2 they were cheap enough that I picked them up. The one has  got 35s on it and I know that the transmission is not going to like ouching those things without some lower gearing. I'm 17 and kinda working on a budget for this thing. I'm serously considering re-gearing the diffs but I also heard of some guys re-gearing the transfer case. So what's your opinions? I'm not new to this type of stuff as my family has dirt bikes and my friends and I are always tinkering with something with a motor so I can do it it's just what is gonna be better to do. Thanks for all your input!

Thanks...Tim

I'm a fan of t-case over gears.  Mainly because it's a lot less work.  But you do need to make sure you add some bracing onto the long t-case mount or else you can twist it up.  I would recommend just swapping it out for a cradle setup at the same time.

Are you sticking with stock axles?  If so I would go with the 28 spline conversion from Zuk's Off-Road along with some chromoly fronts just to make sure things hold together.

Ok thanks for the input! And yes I am sticking with the stock axles. I'm basically trying to keep it as cheap as possible since I bought it mainly as a beater for my family's property in NY. So is gearing down the t-case better than the axles or just easier?

The nice thing about the t-case gearing is you get both low and high range reduction.  So a 6.5:1 kit is going to allow you to run the 35's on the street as long as you don't need to climb hills to quickly and give you a reduction from the stock 2.8 low range.  So best of both worlds.  I would switch to a cradle style from Low Range or Zuks

http://www.zuksoffroad.com/ZOR-1714-bolt-SUPER-CRADLE-t-case-mounting-system-_p_182.html
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzuki-off-road-parts/samurai/transfer-case.html

What type of wheeling do you do?  I ran 33's with a mini-spool and was fine on dirt style trails.  But rocks put a lot more load on the axles and can cause breakage.  You might be ok with just a set of chromolies front and rear.

Question about the question, when you install a 6:5:1 kit, is there anything else you have to swap? Just install and go?


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The wheeling I'm gonna be doing is not very hard, some little rocky sections here and there but nothing bad. And I live right near Raush Creek Offroad Park (if you know where that is) and just doing some of their easier stuff. I didn't get a title with the Samurai and it wouldn't pass inspection in PA because of rust and what not so it will not be driven on the road.

With the 6.5:1 you need to do some trimming to the inside of your t-case, but that isn't a big issue as long as you have a Dremmel tool.  Just be careful to not go through the side of the case.  And buy some JB Weld just in case you do. 

If your doing light duty wheeling then you should be fine.  More so if you don't run a permanent locker.