therealprotaco's 3rd Gen Towed Suzuki Samurai Crawler

You went down the mod rabbit-hole quick! Can’t wait to see how far you go with it. I’ve started shopping around offer-up.

 

Yeah, that was always the plan with this one though. Build it to tackle the big rocks and not care if I roll it, drag it along a rock wall, etc.

The guy who sold me this axle actually had an identical one set up for rear steer but I didn't want to buy it and have it sitting around for years before I never use it. If I'm building something with rear steer its not going to have Toyota axles under it!

 

That’s awesome man. The samurai would be a budget build for me. I’d probably do yj springs, shackles, and the 6.5:1 transfer case and call it a day for a while. Oh and cage it so I don’t die lol. I still need to re-gear the taco too. Dang money pits.

 

For sure! Just make sure that if you do a 6.5:1 you get the transfer case cradle from Zuk's off-road and the driver's side arm mount reinforcement. I shattered a case and ripped that arm off the frame!

 

Woah, crap
I was on the site, I saw all of that and was like meh, I’d get this after the t-case. I’ll definitely purchase them together.

Are you eventually going to link the suspension or stay with leafs?

 

Remains to be seen. The front axle housing I got is set up for a 4 link. That being said, I probably will end up staying with leafs on this Zuk. If I was going to link something I would want to start fresh with a tube chassis and would definitely run tons or rockwells and not toyota axles.

 

Those missing link shackles give decent flex on leaf springs. I’ve seen some guys on 14” shocks which is pretty crazy with such a small vehicle. Definitely cheaper to mod than the taco.

 

The front end and bumper took a lot of massaging with a sawzall, a grinder, a sledgehammer, and my high lift handle, but the winch is in!

 

Takes too long to type sledgehedgedeadzhammer. Just type BFH.

 

Ha yeah, I use BFH all the time too so should just call it that online!

Super happy the top still fits with the “custom” back cage on and the 33 inside the cage! Its supposed to rain tomorrow where we’re wheeling so it’ll be nice To stay semi dry.

 

Zuk looks good. You should be pleased!

 

Oops.....

 

Flop!
You okay?

 

Yup! Zero injuries and zero new damage to the Zuk. Carb flooded but that’s it. Once the fuel evaporated a bit she fired right back up and I was back to crawling...I need the front locker bad!!

 

That's something I liked about when I would flip my sled. It being carb pull the plugs let it sit crank her a few times put the plugs back in done.

Also jealously with Zuk is a real thing right now

 

Easy unflop:

 

Getting all geared up for a big Zuk event all weekend. Can't wait to get out of the office today and head up to northern AZ for some cool weather, pines, and wheeling. Here are some pre-run photos of the trail we are running on Sunday:



Should be a good time! I'm going to go get a bigger battery today since the battery I have in there now looks like a golf cart battery and I don't think the winch will like it very much!

 

By far the most expensive car battery I’ve ever purchased.....

 

That’s the most expensive part on the Zuk

 

Are you gonna flat-tow her With the taco to Arizona? make sure you get a ton of pics!!!! Blow up the thread with pictures when you’re done! Lol.