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1986 Samurai Build... "SAMMI"

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by 01GREENTACO, May 31, 2011.

  1. May 31, 2011 at 8:06 PM
    #1
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Member:
    #8672
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    1,262
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    Male
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    My best friend and I built up a 1988 Suzuki Samurai soft top (build thread in signature) but we have always wanted a tin top. We've searched and searched and found a few but they were either in terrible condition, too expensive, too far away, or some combination. We spotted one last summer out near his farm but someone bought it out from under us before we could get in touch with the owner. So we began the search once more. Nothing for a year, then last week, the man who bought the Samurai out from under us had posted it for sale on Craigslist and this time the price was right.
    His original posted asking price was $3750 but we were able to talk him down $1000 and walked out with a box full of spare parts and a 1986 tin top Samurai for $2750.
    The truck is in spectacular condition. No windows busted out, no tears in the seats, 4x4 functioning properly with 4low, no dents in the body, no rust whatsoever anywhere on the truck. We picked it up today around 3:30 are still in shock about the price and the condition of everything.
    This is going to be a fairly modest build and the truck will mainly serve as a daily driver more than an off-road monster. The truck came with a 5" SPOA lift installed by the original owner but the previous owner installed brand new 265/75/15 Master Craft Courser A/T, an engine that was rebuilt less than 5,000 miles ago, As I mentioned no rust, leather seat covers, air conditioning, the list goes on and on. The only negative (some might not consider it one but I do) is the rattle can, camo paint job and it will be one of the first things to be changed. Like I said, not going to be a huge, over the top, extreme trail ready or rock climbing/mudding rig... just something we can have fun with. Throw the mountain bikes on the back, kayaks on top, and go camping for the weekend and be able to have a reliable machine that will get us where we need to be. Since we just got it today and both have 60 hour a week jobs, progress will be slow but I intend to take many more pictures than the other Samurai build so stay tuned to see the progression of "SAMMI"

    "SUSIE" on the left and "SAMMI" on the right.
    IMG_0984_543e8e054bd9d4791bf2391e6421cbfb80190ab7.jpg
    The full size spare (265/75/15) was bending the hinges so we had to take the spare off to reinforce the gate:
    IMG_0985_c5771893207be44d714330311e8c491bcdd6b7a5.jpg
    The ugly rattle can camo paint scheme
    IMG_0986_0948b323737fd63574eb250852650e480efcd6e0.jpg
     
  2. Jun 13, 2011 at 5:47 PM
    #2
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Member:
    #8672
    Messages:
    1,262
    Gender:
    Male
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    Did a bunch of work this weekend and got a lot of work done but not without having some late late nights.

    Got a Sony stereo installed allowing the use of iPods, cds, mp3s and radio. Everyone loves their tunes!
    96fc930e_4094928a5b5376661dee460c8c54863e9dea7d53.jpg
    In addition to the stereo, we got some cheap Autozone speakers and they surprisingly sounds good for only $30.
    a5c22fde_a281f927ef4448ca89e320e386ba6145c83bcd5e.jpg
    Dupli-color bed lined the tub and it turned out good after only 2 coats. We'll have to see how it holds up over time
    d1ef5dc2_7e1ffefa2e7d53ad6f8dc8bbb4b9ecb1e0ad1133.jpg

    Tinted the back windows with 35% and plan on doing the front windows and back ones as well when we buy more tint.
    c7bd42d6_9bea50ee2a5ef9a67a24d1cd7801a403be1955cd.jpg
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    Ordered 1.5" wheel spacers last week and they came in on Friday along with a new steering stabilizer. It's amazing how the installation of both really improved ride quality
    21366ada_7fdb28a9eb73a3b758636eec8dcee2a9b05f22d8.jpg
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    We capped off the weekend with the stripping of the rattle canned camo paint job. Man, was that a task that might be more than we can tackle. I spent 8 hours yesterday and only got the back passenger panel and part of the passenger door stripped. It sure is time consuming and tedious beyond all belief. While I was sanding the hood I noticed the previous owner didn't sand the original color before he camo'ed it so the paint was clumping up. It was the weirdest thing I'd seen and that's the reason we are stripping it back to the bare metal so we know we've got a good solid paint job. My buddy's granddad used to own a body shop and there were some minor dings here and there that we wanted to get out prior to painting. It was my first experience with Bondo and I learned a lot from his about proper techniques and was very pleased with how it all turned out. Smooth as silk now.
    Went to a local paint shop and ordered some House of Kolor and it should be here before the weekend which works out perfect because we are priming Wednesday night. We are so pumped to get the paint on because once we wrap up the paint, we can start the accessorizing. Things such as Yakima racks, Trail Ready bumpers, after market lights, skid plates and others are in the works.
    Here's what I got done after 8 long hours...
    142460ea_c2c341c6dae3227a85b5e4fa973bccb6879bf65d.jpg
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  3. Jun 22, 2011 at 11:49 PM
    #3
    06rubi

    06rubi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2010
    Member:
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    Messages:
    806
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kenney
    Pueblo West, CO
    Vehicle:
    10 MGM (wife's truck)
    Debadged, tinted windows, 7 pin relocated, bed lights, 12 volt socket in bed of truck, on board air, auxiliary fuse box, grill craft, hella 500's, t-rex eyelids, pink budbuilt skids, icon remote resi coil over, camburg uca, alcan rear springs, ubolt flip, icon 2.5 remote rear resi shocks
    Looks like a fun project! The camo looked pretty good in the pics to me and I ain't a fan of camp. What color are ya gonna paint it?
     
  4. Jun 23, 2011 at 12:02 AM
    #4
    yotamikez

    yotamikez Street glide or die

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    Mike
    Valrico
    Vehicle:
    04 civic & 08 Street glide
    Nice I was interested in one in the past but like you said " either in terrible condition, too expensive, too far away, or some combination " Keep us posted the build looks good so far.
     
  5. Jun 23, 2011 at 12:07 AM
    #5
    senor taco

    senor taco ROLLIN ON RUST

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
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    Steve
    Monterey Bay, Ca
    Vehicle:
    O7 Tacoma PreRunner SR5
    17in fj cruiser wheels satoshi grille with devil horns emblem Single in double out 50 series flowmaster with stainless tips Kenwod ddx512 double din touch screen DVD reciver with a single Rockford fosgate 12 in sub with an alpine amp tinted tail and third break light silverstar head and fog lights k&n drop in Billy 5100's on all 4 corners with a 2"AAL
    My dad used to have one of those when I was a kid. Can't waut to see what this turns out like
     
  6. Jun 26, 2011 at 3:23 PM
    #6
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
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    Messages:
    1,262
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    Male
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    Lots of work done this past week and weekend. Last week we sent Sammi off to get professionally painted at an friend of a friend's paint shop. Decided to do a dark charcoal color to help accentuate the black from the tires and racks and bumpers. Did a little photo shoot after the bumpers were reinstalled and the $100 Yakima rack was installed along with some "just for looks" sliders. Caution... Mall crawling pics soon to follow...

    22359591_1b8dd227d3ab38f83da1e349f49bbb14bf355157.jpg
    5b13815e_fa78568d59732f850a66539f5bdd4940ab3e8eb5.jpg
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    93c18233_21425dd9b01dbddbb27d0916ee20a66d999d4bb5.jpg
    9002ff6b_28af767c903ce5bd741970105fb17be1ccf204a1.jpg

    All in all, the project is pretty much done. There are some black diamond plate panels on back order but once they are installed, the project is pretty much complete. A few odds and ends to button up and as time goes on more little projects will arise but now it's time to enjoy the new ride!

    Link to the diamond plate panels---> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...30638002410&viewitem=&clk_rvr_id=243841381035
     
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    #6
  7. Jun 26, 2011 at 3:29 PM
    #7
    yotamikez

    yotamikez Street glide or die

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    Valrico
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    04 civic & 08 Street glide
    Looks tuff as hell!
     
  8. Jun 26, 2011 at 3:36 PM
    #8
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
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    Germantown, TN
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    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    Thanks fellas! It is going to be fun to show off around town and school in the fall.
     
  9. Jul 4, 2011 at 12:45 AM
    #9
    derekAV

    derekAV Well-Known Member

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    derek
    Humboldt
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    2000 4x4 reg. cab
    thats a clean tin top!
     
  10. Jul 13, 2011 at 7:48 PM
    #10
    Greensystemsgo

    Greensystemsgo 1 owner with clean car fox.

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    Dirty Nickers
    Peoria, AZ
    Vehicle:
    18 year old black taco...
    Bone Stock.
    very cool build, wish i had the time and money to do this to some ol reliable vehicle.
     
  11. Jul 13, 2011 at 7:52 PM
    #11
    113tac

    113tac Well-Known Member

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    Stephen
    Northern Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Magnetic Gray Tacoma
    Mostly Stock for now, 265 75 16 Falken AT3W, Tinted fronts...
    nice man, its really clean i like it
     
  12. Jul 13, 2011 at 7:57 PM
    #12
    6spdtaco

    6spdtaco Well-Known Member

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    Awesome! I love these rigs.
     
  13. Sep 16, 2011 at 6:36 PM
    #13
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
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    Messages:
    1,262
    Gender:
    Male
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    Thanks guys. It's been a blast building it and now being able to enjoy it.
     
  14. Mar 12, 2012 at 11:27 AM
    #14
    01GREENTACO

    01GREENTACO [OP] Not all who wander are lost

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Member:
    #8672
    Messages:
    1,262
    Gender:
    Male
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    01 4WD
    Lost track many, many mods ago.
    Update:
    New front ARB bumper with Smittybilt XRC 8000 and swapped out the 265 Courser A/T for 235 Dueler M/T's

    IMG_0322_773a1cf583f0336e7fc09fc956ae75751d5ad643.jpg
    IMG_0323_7e63217e7a734efe337355ac21dab24890b7ccac.jpg
     
  15. Feb 25, 2013 at 7:04 PM
    #15
    TacoSkeet

    TacoSkeet 'MERICA

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    Steven
    Memphis, TN
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    03 DC Tacoma
    Boy do I miss this thing. Hate that I had to sell it, but hey! got my tacoma out of it!
     

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