Dead locked 80 with donor Samurai

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Big question will be is which motor should I source for the samurai? I’m thinking a 20R, the axles have 4.88’s with 35’s.
 
VW 1.6TD or a 1.9TD or a 1.9NA converted to TD. More then enough to get around trails as well as higher fuel economy. Some competition rock crawlers with sami's use VW diesels.
 
Big question will be is which motor should I source for the samurai? I’m thinking a 20R, the axles have 4.88’s with 35’s.

Thunkin the 22re would work and the price tag would be reasonable.

My preference is to stuff a old 3B diesel H55 with nice low first gear between the frame rails and put one of Marlins toy boxes behind that and stretch the wheel base a buntch.

Link it and bobs yur uncle....


Rob
 
Thunkin the 22re would work and the price tag would be reasonable.

My preference is to stuff a old 3B diesel H55 with nice low first gear between the frame rails and put one of Marlins toy boxes behind that and stretch the wheel base a buntch.

Link it and bobs yur uncle....


Rob

I would love to go diesel but here in Mexico none of the parts exist and I would have to import everything. I know ACME diesel conversions are supposed to be good. Is there anywhere where all the parts for the conversion can be purchased? With the 22RE do you have to run a computer? You guys up North are super lucky.
 
I would love to go diesel but here in Mexico none of the parts exist and I would have to import everything. I know ACME diesel conversions are supposed to be good. Is there anywhere where all the parts for the conversion can be purchased? With the 22RE do you have to run a computer? You guys up North are super lucky.

yes with the 22RE .. but you can choose ( what I didn't like ) use a carb with it .. anycase the ECU aren't really a big deal ..

Plenty of sources out there .. for start check on LC LC Engineering
 
Sooo, donor samurai for the dead 80 = Stretched sami body on the 80 frame?

Yep, lots of options for 22r/ tranny/multiple t.cases. Could do a 3.4 too I guess, maybe it would fit under the hood.
 
I would go either a 22re, 22r on propane, I've heard the fuel injected sidekick engine is a good fit. I am not exactly sure what your doing though? Your putting a sami body on a fj80 frame? I'm just a little confused. I had a buddy put an aluminum block Buick v-6 in one. Major work and a whole new firewall, it was s.o.a on 33"s and could do wheelies. I think it was too much engine, he destroyed it in one weekend.

The coolest sami I've seen was on Upper Helldorado in Moab. It had a coils mounted flush at the back of the frame, linkage on dana 60's. It was running 44" boggers, and a Chev 350 I think.
 
So I have a locked 80 down here in Mexico with axles in reasonable shape running 4.88’s. My plan is to just put the axles on the Samurai. The problem is I Have to take the 80 out of Mexico on a trailer and it has to look like the complete truck is leaving more or less. You guys are suggesting I cut the 80 frame and attach the samurai body….? The current cruiser has an OME heavy lift, arb winch bumper, snorkel, etc. There is also a real common Nissan truck engine here in Mexico 2.4L that fits right in the samurai.
 
So I have a locked 80 down here in Mexico with axles in reasonable shape running 4.88’s. My plan is to just put the axles on the Samurai. The problem is I Have to take the 80 out of Mexico on a trailer and it has to look like the complete truck is leaving more or less. You guys are suggesting I cut the 80 frame and attach the samurai body….? The current cruiser has an OME heavy lift, arb winch bumper, snorkel, etc. There is also a real common Nissan truck engine here in Mexico 2.4L that fits right in the samurai.

I didn't know what you meant based on the title alone, Makes sense now. I don't know much about the 80 axles other than they are a high pinion in front. That is badass, never seen them on a sami though. You need a drivetrain that will work with a t.case that has outputs to match the axle. Would be a cool choice on axles, if you can get it to work. I would stick with Chev. or Toyota stuff, if you kept all the zuki parts they would be weaker, NO NISSAN. Tough axles will find a weak point somewhere else to break. I really don't know sami's well, mabey turn to a forum that is based for them. Individuals there may have done this swap, and would have more info.
 
A 22re or 20r would not be a wise choice for a Sammy. The drivetrain options for it are way too long for the samurai body. Swapping the Sammy body over to the 80 series is a step backwards, seeing that the Sammy is known to be light weight. With the combo of the light weight sammy with 80 axles it will be a very strong set up.

Stick with a small motor with some high rpms, a short automatic tranny and a t-case with low gears.
 

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