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1988 Samurai Turned Buggy

Is a chassis for something like this a bad idea to use 1.5” diameter .120~.125 wall tubing?
 
Landslide said:
Is a chassis for something like this a bad idea to use 1.5” diameter .120~.125 wall tubing?
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Not at all, last jhf chassis I saw used 1.5, although he may be using chromo, he's also got a decent amount more wieght with portal axles and 42s filled with water.

I'd also use 1.5x090 on anything that wouldn't touch a rock.
 
Byro said:
I would do 1.5” .120 with out second guessing.

I have a wild idea of doing an air cooled VW motor powered 1.5” cage moon buggy someday.
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I want to use a metro 3cyl :laughing: I've had one before and you can easily pick it up and move it. Same pattern as a Sami 1.3
 
This buggy was built by Cole at RCM Fab years ago. It had a 3 cylinder Geo Metro engine to a Sami trans and t-case. I'm thinking it had a turbo as well but I can't remember for sure. It was a really cool little buggy.

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I wheel with several guys that have 4-banger buggies with Toyota axles and 39" reds. None of them have had much, if any, axle breakage issues either. But we prefer crawling rather than full throttle assaults. So that helps a lot.
 
untchabl said:
I wheel with several guys that have 4-banger buggies with Toyota axles and 39" reds. None of them have had much, if any, axle breakage issues either. But we prefer crawling rather than full throttle assaults. So that helps a lot.
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So much of this depends on where you wheel at, out here you’re not going to be able to crawl everywhere unless it’s dry as a popcorn fart
 
Byro said:
I had to look it up. 110-130lbs depending on the accessories.
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Ya, but somehow seemed way lighter.

The guy with the tiny buggy told. Me they would sometimes swap them into Sami's if they couldn't find a 1.3, he said that they made almost the same power. 55hp vs 62hp iirc :laughing:
 
Talking about ponies or lack thereof, if I’m not happy with this 1.3l I’m going to swap my 16V pistons for 8V. Then run the 1.6 block with the Samurai head.

Pretty much what Tumbleweed has.
 
I had the sprint factory turbo 1.0 in my buggy at one time, then went 1.6 8v propane, now it’s 1.6 16v turbo with gas(best yet).
 
FleshEater said:
Talking about ponies or lack thereof, if I’m not happy with this 1.3l I’m going to swap my 16V pistons for 8V. Then run the 1.6 block with the Samurai head.

Pretty much what Tumbleweed has.
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Isn't that the worst of both worlds? I the the 16v block sucked and 1.3 head sucked? Is it the_ham_sami that has a 16v head on a 1.3 block?

Honestly, just go 2.0 or 2.3. Even the 2.0 is 125hp, which is probably double of a worn out 8v.
 
Byro said:
LS motors are readily available.

LS, TH400, tons, 40s. Now we’re talking. :smokin:
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If you just say down with a pen and paper. It probably doesn't cost much more to buy all the parts to do 5.3/th400/atlas/05+ axles. Fuck it might even be cheaper.

The difference is that you got op over here mooching everyone's back yard junk piles for pennies on the dollar :flipoff2:
 
untchabl said:
Is the chassis 1.5" or 1.75" tubing?

My bare chassis was 696lbs. It's almost all 1.75" .125 wall except the sliders are .188. Belly skid and boat sides are part of the chassis and are 1/4" plate.

I love my buggy with Toyota axles and 40" Irok stickies. Great diff clearance, light weight and so far no broken parts.

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The estimated weight is based off of what bendtech calculates the weight at. i double checked all weight per foot values i entered into the program so the estimated weight should be close but thats also before welding and extra tubing added. I love your rig by the way!
 
YotaAtieToo said:
If you just say down with a pen and paper. It probably doesn't cost much more to buy all the parts to do 5.3/th400/atlas/05+ axles. Fuck it might even be cheaper.

The difference is that you got op over here mooching everyone's back yard junk piles for pennies on the dollar :flipoff2:
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That is clutch, man. Hard to pass up all these Toyota/Zuk deals. :flipoff2:

I’m just building 20 years in the past. Retro build. :smokin:
 
FleshEater said:
That is clutch, man. Hard to pass up all these Toyota/Zuk deals. :flipoff2:

I’m just building 20 years in the past. Retro build. :smokin:
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Thats about what stuff cost back then. Even those cases that seemed like such a crazy good deal. I got for $1000 like 10 years ago and used them for 5. That was even with an x member and twin sticks. But no chromo front output, and not burnt :flipoff2:
 
YotaAtieToo said:
If you just say down with a pen and paper. It probably doesn't cost much more to buy all the parts to do 5.3/th400/atlas/05+ axles. Fuck it might even be cheaper.

The difference is that you got op over here mooching everyone's back yard junk piles for pennies on the dollar :flipoff2:
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Everyone has to do a medium build before seeing the light that is V8s and 40s.

Id have a hard time building a little light rig. My brain automatically goes to 35spl, and big tires. I’m trying to help him along as best as possible.

My other buddy Greg was at my shop Saturday and we were joking cause FleshEater is texting both of us for build pointers. Greg runs Yota axles and strictly rocks, I run tons and drive by braille and instant on 14Bs and all round setup. So we’re both telling him different shit. :lmao:
 
Byro said:
Everyone has to do a medium build before seeing the light that is V8s and 40s.

Id have a hard time building a little light rig. My brain automatically goes to 35spl, and big tires. I’m trying to help him along as best as possible.

My other buddy Greg was at my shop Saturday and we were joking cause FleshEater is texting both of us for build pointers. Greg runs Yota axles and strictly rocks, I run tons and drive by braille and instant on 14Bs and all round setup. So we’re both telling him different shit. :lmao:
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Listen…I can just keep my Chevy, delete the AFM/DOD, and run that LS. My 4l60E has already been built by an excellent transmission builder who built it for my towing. The computer has also been custom tuned on HP tuners.

So TECHNICALLY, I could go LS, 4l60E, Atlas, and 9” and 42’s…but, I want to get wheeling within the next 5 years. Those axle builds alone cost a pile.

In the meantime, I’ll keep listening to Greg tell me everything will be okay on the Toyotas, while you tell me I’m going to kill a busload of nuns and should drink bleach for even considering Toyotas on my 60HP driveline. :flipoff2:
 
Lol perfect.

I never said you’ll kill any nuns, just be severely disappointed with subpar equipment. :flipoff2:


Whatever you choose hurry the hell up. I’m trying to wheel something other than Trackers.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Isn't that the worst of both worlds? I the the 16v block sucked and 1.3 head sucked? Is it the_ham_sami that has a 16v head on a 1.3 block?

Honestly, just go 2.0 or 2.3. Even the 2.0 is 125hp, which is probably double of a worn out 8v.
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Yes, 16v head on a 1.3 block.

If I could ditch the 1.3 altogether, I would in a heartbeat. I'd love to pick some more HP. However, I do like the 16v head on the 1.3 block, its fast revving and likes high RPM. Makes it feel faster than it is lol.
 
It cost way more to build my front Toyota axle than a 05+ Super Duty set. My Trail Gear front housing cost more than the sd60/10.5 I have sitting in the shed ($300 front/$60 rear).

But I didn't want axles that heavy for my buggy.
 
Byro said:
Lol perfect.

I never said you’ll kill any nuns, just be severely disappointed with subpar equipment. :flipoff2:


Whatever you choose hurry the hell up. I’m trying to wheel something other than Trackers.
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Why do you think I’m doing this as affordable as possible and planning to go bigger later? I’m tired of wheeling junk on 32’s-33’s. But if I go to big it’ll push the build out at least 5 years.

untchabl said:
It cost way more to build my front Toyota axle than a 05+ Super Duty set. My Trail Gear front housing cost more than the sd60/10.5 I have sitting in the shed ($300 front/$60 rear).

But I didn't want axles that heavy for my buggy.
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Man when they say I’m getting deals, these brothers are hooking me up here. Wuz-A-Zuk gave me 4 complete Toyota axles with all the rebuild stuff for one front axle, and like 6 third members. For a $350 Tracker engine and trans pulled and delivered 4.5 hours out to him.

Then YotaAtietoo sold me a W56 and doubler for $500. Shipping was steep, but with a chassis delivered to my door I’m right around $7,400 right now.

That would almost build my 9” axles…and that’s it. My drivetrain and axles are pretty much done. Just need air shocks, steering and all the guts to make this go.
 
FleshEater said:
Man when they say I’m getting deals, these brothers are hooking me up here. Wuz-A-Zuk gave me 4 complete Toyota axles with all the rebuild stuff for one front axle, and like 6 third members. For a $350 Tracker engine and trans pulled and delivered 4.5 hours out to him.

Then YotaAtietoo sold me a W56 and doubler for $500. Shipping was steep, but with a chassis delivered to my door I’m right around $7,400 right now.

That would almost build my 9” axles…and that’s it. My drivetrain and axles are pretty much done. Just need air shocks, steering and all the guts to make this go.
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I started collecting parts over 5 years ago. I actually started out building a cheap Sami buggy. Had the 2.0/4-speed auto from a Tracker I had that the wife totaled and a Sami t-case. Was going to be on Yota axles and 35's. That build took several years and never got past basically a roller but I had kept buying more parts and upgrading my parts pile. After a few years, I kicked that project to the curb and had Marsfab build my buggy with the parts I had acquired.
 
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Byro said:
Everyone has to do a medium build before seeing the light that is V8s and 40s.

Id have a hard time building a little light rig. My brain automatically goes to 35spl, and big tires. I’m trying to help him along as best as possible.

My other buddy Greg was at my shop Saturday and we were joking cause FleshEater is texting both of us for build pointers. Greg runs Yota axles and strictly rocks, I run tons and drive by braille and instant on 14Bs and all round setup. So we’re both telling him different shit. :lmao:
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Probably doesn't help that a know it all from the opposite side of the country is also telling him something different :flipoff2:

My first samurai had basically the same recipe as this build. 103" wb, 37s Toyota shit, zuk motor, ect. Just in a much shittier chassis.

Never had any issue following guys on tons and 40-44s. Usually mine would make stuff they couldn't if anything.

But there is always places where bigger tires rule, no matter what. Either way, the whole point is to have fun and I think chasing bigger, rigs with way more money into them in a small little cheap rig is a lot of fun.

the_ham_sami said:
Yes, 16v head on a 1.3 block.

If I could ditch the 1.3 altogether, I would in a heartbeat. I'd love to pick some more HP. However, I do like the 16v head on the 1.3 block, its fast revving and likes high RPM. Makes it feel faster than it is lol.
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I feel like the Sami 4600 guys could put just about any zuk motor in there and no one would care. Even with an 800hp V8, an 80" wb rig on leafs will probably never see the podium. There is another 4600 Sami who did some pretty extensive frame mods that I doubt are legal, although I can't imagine anyone challenging them.

But damn if there is anyone else having as much fun on the lake bed :smokin:
 
untchabl said:
It cost way more to build my front Toyota axle than a 05+ Super Duty set. My Trail Gear front housing cost more than the sd60/10.5 I have sitting in the shed ($300 front/$60 rear).

But I didn't want axles that heavy for my buggy.
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Hopefully he can get away with stock housings for a while. It is funny how much a complete TG Toyota front axle is on thier site, pretty sure you can buy a crate 60 for a very similar price if not less

Although I do have to laugh at guys worried about axle wieght, just to then add 250+ lbs of water per tire:flipoff2:
 
Byro said:
I would do 1.5” .120 with out second guessing.

I have a wild idea of doing an air cooled VW motor powered 1.5” cage moon buggy someday.
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Shannon Campbell had that setup, moonbuggy competing in WERock in the early 2000’s. You can find videos of it on YouTube.
 
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