Builds "Salt shaker" the Suzuki samurai build (2 Viewers)

[Roastchestnuts]

You should be able to find either a 15" or 16" rim with the correct offset/backspaceing. Finding a 16" rim opens up lots of "skinny" tire options and may be able to get away without re-gearing with some:

245/70r16 - 29.5x9.3
255/70r16 - 30.1x10
215/85r16 - 30.4x8.5
245/75r16 - 30.5x9.5
235/75r16 - 29.9x9.3
235/85r16 - 31.7x9.3

Probably able to find similar with the correct and narrow 15" rim. The tire/rim combo on there now looks terrible

Yeah I hate hate hate whats on there now. I thought about doing a 700 r15 bias ply with oem rim. but that might look too much like I am going mudding in the 80s and early 90s if you know what I mean. I have the spare oem rim with a really small tire on it. I actually put it on to see what it would look like. I also could do spacers with the oem rims but spacers always make me nervous. I might buy a 700 r15 tire just to see what it looks like. although I think thats a 29" tire. I like the idea of 16 inch rim a little better. with less off set for sure. It has a SOA lift that I really dont want to undo and the 31s look like they have room left on height. But I still like the idea of re gearing if I go to the 235 85 r16 just to be easier on the nearly 40 year old drivetrain. the transfercase gears 4.90:1 I have read are about perfect for a 31-32 inch tire. and its only about 600$ for the gears in a "kit". and the transfer case is a divorced case so pulling it and re gearing should be easier than dropping the trans and pulling the transfer case like on the land cruiser.

all this being said I have found this 16 inch rim that might work and I could paint it white like oem rims. https://www.customwheeloffset.com/buy-wheel-offset/85H6885NS/vision-soft-8-16x8-12?vehicle_type=Truck&year=1988&make=Suzuki&model=Samurai&trim=JX&drive=4WD&modification=Minor+Plastic+Trimming&rubbing=No+rubbing+or+scrubbing&suspension=Suspension+Lift+5"

But IDK I really like oem rims on my stuff. I might have to do that. I am running my self in circles with this haha. I have time to make a decision on it though. The nice thing about the s*** wheels and tires Is I can paint the vehicle and not worry about the tires.

 

[svsisu]

Yeah I hate hate hate whats on there now. I thought about doing a 700 r15 bias ply with oem rim. but that might look too much like I am going mudding in the 80s and early 90s if you know what I mean. I have the spare oem rim with a really small tire on it. I actually put it on to see what it would look like. I also could do spacers with the oem rims but spacers always make me nervous. I might buy a 700 r15 tire just to see what it looks like. although I think thats a 29" tire. I like the idea of 16 inch rim a little better. with less off set for sure. It has a SOA lift that I really dont want to undo and the 31s look like they have room left on height. But I still like the idea of re gearing if I go to the 235 85 r16 just to be easier on the nearly 40 year old drivetrain. the transfercase gears 4.90:1 I have read are about perfect for a 31-32 inch tire. and its only about 600$ for the gears in a "kit". and the transfer case is a divorced case so pulling it and re gearing should be easier than dropping the trans and pulling the transfer case like on the land cruiser.

all this being said I have found this 16 inch rim that might work and I could paint it white like oem rims. https://www.customwheeloffset.com/buy-wheel-offset/85H6885NS/vision-soft-8-16x8-12?vehicle_type=Truck&year=1988&make=Suzuki&model=Samurai&trim=JX&drive=4WD&modification=Minor+Plastic+Trimming&rubbing=No+rubbing+or+scrubbing&suspension=Suspension+Lift+5"

But IDK I really like oem rims on my stuff. I might have to do that. I am running my self in circles with this haha. I have time to make a decision on it though. The nice thing about the s*** wheels and tires Is I can paint the vehicle and not worry about the tires.

That's not a bad looking rim and the price is great. Is the 4.03" back spacing for those rims the correct back space/offset for the samurai?

 

[Roastchestnuts]

That's not a bad looking rim and the price is great. Is the 4.03" back spacing for those rims the correct back space/offset for the samurai?

I was thinking its around 4.25 inches on the stock wheel. the off set is bigger than I thought I read on the wheel above. IDK why I was thinking it was closer to 7. I think stock off set is 5.5. and I want to stay close to stock. Lots of people put the wide tire look on these things.... I hate that Jeep guy look. I think oem is the way to go unfortunately that means I am stuck with 15inch rims. I have found a few places to buy the oem rims with holes. https://www.samuraisalvage.com/product-page/wheel-1 price is steeper though.

a power king super traction 700r15 is only like 120$ it may be worth buying one and mounting it for the spare. use it to see if they look ok under there.

 

[svsisu]

I was thinking its around 4.25 inches on the stock wheel. the off set is bigger than I thought I read on the wheel above. IDK why I was thinking it was closer to 7. I think stock off set is 5.5. and I want to stay close to stock. Lots of people put the wide tire look on these things.... I hate that Jeep guy look. I think oem is the way to go unfortunately that means I am stuck with 15inch rims. I have found a few places to buy the oem rims with holes. https://www.samuraisalvage.com/product-page/wheel-1 price is steeper though.

a power king super traction 700r15 is only like 120$ it may be worth buying one and mounting it for the spare. use it to see if they look ok under there.

Agreed, I'd want to stay close to stock wheel back spacing. I think the wide tire look aka "Jeep guy" look is terrible. You should be able to find a 16" rim that has the correct back space. And there are enough tall skinny's in 15" size that can be found. Those 700r15 look pretty sweet and I would go well on the salt shaker. I think Kanati (mud hog) and TSL still have skinnies for 15" rims too, but more costly.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Agreed, I'd want to stay close to stock wheel back spacing. I think the wide tire look aka "Jeep guy" look is terrible. You should be able to find a 16" rim that has the correct back space. And there are enough tall skinny's in 15" size that can be found. Those 700r15 look pretty sweet and I would go well on the salt shaker. I think Kanati (mud hog) and TSL still have skinnies for 15" rims too, but more costly.

Yeah I am going to pick up one of those 700r15 off road tires and see how it looks using the spare rim. then maybe pick up stock rims and those tires soon.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I did quite alot this weekend. I keep saying I am ready to start adding parts back. But then I just remove more. over the weekend I did remove the carb. I found a weber 32/36 for cheeeep it was 120$ with shipping. it probibly will need rebuilt so I bought a kit. I found it on ebay and it actually came off a samurai so it had some of the mounting parts I need and the top hat to make it work with the factory airbox. Its at the post office and I need to pick it up today. The reason I decided to to replace it is because there are so much vacuum lines and smog crap that I could not even reach the idle screw. also I am a big fan of strait simplicity. one of the nuts holding the carb on was very difficult to remove. I had to remove the dizzy, fuel pump, and valve cover to get it off. The air cleaner housing makes for a good place to put your tools while you are working.

Look at all those vacuum lines! that carb was also caked in oil from an undercoating or somthing. That below is after I powerwashed it!

I also removed the passenger fender because I bought a new one. it was cheep 150$ and easier to just replace it than fix the rust areas on it. because I new I was not going to run fender flairs I removed the flair attachment from the new fender and its no wonder these rust there. No primer or anything behind that spot welded on part. it was asking to rust through!

Below is after I removed the flair attachment on the new fender. Look you can see where it was just bare metal under there. it ws like that on the fender side too!

I also bought a portable carport to make my temporary paint booth! so once that comes in and I have finished getting the tub welded up, I can start gettting to some of the more fun stuff.

Filling the spot weld drill marks where I pushed the bit too far. Its hard to use those things without it jumping out. I ran completely out of gas on the last tac...

The mayhem of the rabbit hole....
Ill have to fix that one rust hole too around the lower door hinge. the structure seems solid but water will get in there and eat up stuff.

Non samurai related my friend @theglobb found a fan shroud for the pup! fit like a glove. I also put a new thermostat in the little puppy too! I put this in here because these two engines are very very similar.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

No metal work done on the samurai yesterday. I did get more MIG gas on Sunday so I will be ready to go this weekend.

I started the tear down process on the weber 32/36 I got for the sammy. I bought a rebuild kit, Water Choke, and a new fuel inlet for it (the fuel inlet was broken in shipping). I am glad I bought an accelerator pump for it as the diaphragm was very dry rotted. Used barrymans carb dip. I got it cheep on JB tools. it was only 28$ compaired to almost 40 everywhere else. When I was using my air blow gun to spray out the water from cleaning, I forgot about the emulsion tubes. I shot that thing clear across the yard! Luckily I saw sorta where it hit some brush and thank goodness I found it.

I think I am only 170$ all in on this genuine weber so I feel I am doing ok on price for it.

You can see where the emulsion tube missle silo is.

Webers are so simple I get why people love them.

I took alot of pictures like this to remember where the parts go. Lots of dirt was caked on it. Ill be sure to post a picture of it fully rebuilt. Realisticly the only thing I think was keeping this working would be the accelerator pump diaphram. i dont think I really needed to blow the whole thing apart but it will be worth it for a nice working weber.

Additionally I am planning on rebuilding the stock carb too.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I finished rebuilding the weber 32/36 I am still waiting on the water choke attachment and fuel inlet. it should be pretty fresh now. Crossing my fingers it does not have any issues. I replaced the rubber diaphragms in it, the needle and seat, and air air horn gasket. It was pretty clean already but I did dip it in that berryman cleaner stuff. and blew out all the ports and whatnot with compressed air. Its nice and fresh looking now.

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These things came in for my Birthday yesterday! the wells that I had were pretty rough where it meets the sides. it ws easier to just replace them. Its nice they are pretty much primed already.

Also my wife got me a air cat branded spot sander thats pretty cool! she actually asked around about usful sanding tools. it was really a nice surprise. I cant wait to test it out in the nooks and crannies of this samurai project.

 

[SC-Cruiser]

Happy Birthday!!

Also here for the show. Like the body work you have done so far

FYI, will be out on Ocracoke Sept 25-29. Beers at Zillies ?

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Happy Birthday!!

Also here for the show. Like the body work you have done so far

FYI, will be out on Ocracoke Sept 25-29. Beers at Zillies ?

Thanks! I am hoping to tackle the tub here in the next week. Heck yeah that sounds good to me! I look forward to seeing you again!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Started on the tub this weekend! and wowowow you never know till you really dig into a project. I think It was about what I was expecting. The wheel wells I felt are un savable so I used an air chisel to get it out, then used a spot weld bit to get the rest out. I started measuring it out and trying to find as much original material I can keep on the outside.

In the end I cut out more than I wanted. It will be nice when I get it all zapped in.

Check out how much material was missing from rust!

 

[svsisu]

Started on the tub this weekend! and wowowow you never know till you really dig into a project. I think It was about what I was expecting. The wheel wells I felt are un savable so I used an air chisel to get it out, then used a spot weld bit to get the rest out. I started measuring it out and trying to find as much original material I can keep on the outside.

View attachment 3924677

In the end I cut out more than I wanted. It will be nice when I get it all zapped in.
View attachment 3924680

Check out how much material was missing from rust!
View attachment 3924684

Well done! I really do need to come down and check out your "operation". Looks like enough of a project to keep you occupied and stimulated and seems like you are tackling it very well.

Congrats on school being out and being neck deep in the silly season

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Well done! I really do need to come down and check out your "operation". Looks like enough of a project to keep you occupied and stimulated and seems like you are tackling it very well.

Congrats on school being out and being neck deep in the silly season

Thanks! yeah the backyard and my "machine shed" Yeah I love the project part of it all probibly more than actually driving these old things. Come on down any time. and how about that storm yesterday evening. I had just finished cutting out that panel when the thunder started rolling in!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Bought some epoxy primer. This is what I went with, Ill probably buy the color through these guys too. Gray Epoxy Primer & Sealer 2.1 VOC (Gallon Kit) Anti-Corrosive DTM High-Performance Primer for Automotive & Industrial Use - 1 Sprayable Gallon - https://tcpglobal.com/collections/custom-shop-epoxy-primers/products/gray-epoxy-primer-sealer-2-1-voc-gallon-kit-anti-corrosive-dtm-high-performance-primer-for-automotive-and-industrial-use-kit-2-qt-epoxy-primer-2-qt-epoxy-hardener-1-1-mix

The plan is to sand much of the paint off, epoxy primer, smooth out everything, then urethane high build primer, block sand/prime till its right, then Rachael and I both have agreed on a 70s burnt yellow color sort of like the original Suzuki LJ20. its a toyota paint called suntan yellow. the paint code is 1750

 

[svsisu]

Thanks! yeah the backyard and my "machine shed" Yeah I love the project part of it all probibly more than actually driving these old things. Come on down any time. and how about that storm yesterday evening. I had just finished cutting out that panel when the thunder started rolling in!

That storm was intense! After I saw your post, I thought about that tarp trying to withstand the storm and keep the salt shaker dry. Might have to add some rice to the salt shaker.

 

[onemanarmy]

Killer progress!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

That storm was intense! After I saw your post, I thought about that tarp trying to withstand the storm and keep the salt shaker dry. Might have to add some rice to the salt shaker.

haha. it was really bad. I need that temporary car port to get here pronto.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Killer progress!

Thanks man!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I got tired of waiting on rain to finish stuff... This cheep amazon carport should work as my painting booth once I put the sides on and do some modification too. I didnt put the sides on because I will be cutting and welding and I didnt want to melt holes in the sides.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I cut the patch for the rear drivers side yesterday. annoyingly I found some more bondo in the rear after removing the paint. just beyond my vertical cut. I am not sure why this bondo is there. It must have had a dent at some point in its life. but its very subtle. Ill probibly just fill it the same as whoever did it before. it was not rusting through or anything.

I got the weber installed with a new fuel pump. I installed the water choke too witch I thought would be easier since the original one is a water choke. It looks good under there. I was test fitting everything like the air cleaner stuff and its going to need some fiddling because of a vacuum port.