And Finally - My Samurai in Action

[alternator]

After months of work, painting, modifying, fixing, etc, I finally got to test out my Samurai in the wild. Here are some pictures of wheeling on sand dunes:


This is as stuck as I could get, with those big tires


Since then I received my ARB bullbar and OME steering stabilizer, and here's a picture with them installed:


During my test drive on the dunes, I faced a couple of problems. One of my transfer case mounts, the upper left one, got ripped off, causing the T/C to hit the underneath of my car body everytime I move on forward, which sort of ruined the fun. I replaced all four with new stock mounts. Are they strong enough to handle the extra load from the 6.5:1 gears? Or should I go for Aluminium custom mounts?

I also got diff oil leaking from the right side of my front axle housing, where the spherical shape is; probably a broken oil seal, but I have yet to open it up and have a look. You can see the oil spot on the floor in the picture, which depicts where the diff oil is leaking.

[Billjohn]

Looking good!
You can get HD mounts that are basically bolts with poly bushings and washers. They will not break.

[ack]

Great to see it running!



Seatbelts???

[alternator]

Originally Posted by Billjohn

Looking good!
You can get HD mounts that are basically bolts with poly bushings and washers. They will not break.

Well you see, I was thinking since I'll change the whole mounting kit, I'll go for a mounting kit plus skid plate, wouldn't that be better? Like this one from Calmini:


BTW, who's the maker of those mounts?

Originally Posted by ack

Great to see it running!



Seatbelts???

Yeah ... strange I really don't remember driving it without the seatbelt! I guess I forgot. This was right after the TC mount got ripped off, and I was so concerned and wasn't sure where the problem was, so I guess I forgot to buckle-up.

[Billjohn]

Originally Posted by alternator

Well you see, I was thinking since I'll change the whole mounting kit, I'll go for a mounting kit plus skid plate, wouldn't that be better? Like this one from Calmini:


BTW, who's the maker of those mounts?

Of course! The t-case skid is essential. That Calmini version popped up after the original Trail Tough Mighty Kong was proven on the trail. While taking the design and refining it a little, it didn't have as much skid protection. It does, however, come with the poly bushing mounts I was talking about.

Mighty Kong

Oh, the photo of the heavy duty t-case arm and poly bushings was done for a review I did of a Rocky Road Outfitters product. I think he still uses that photo on his site. Before the integrated arms/skid products came out, this was the best way to keep your t-case from twisting. Note the bolt holes where the old drum brake used to mount (circling the rear output shaft area).

[alternator]

Originally Posted by Billjohn

Of course! The t-case skid is essential. That Calmini version popped up after the original Trail Tough Mighty Kong was proven on the trail. While taking the design and refining it a little, it didn't have as much skid protection. It does, however, come with the poly bushing mounts I was talking about.

Mighty Kong

Oh, the photo of the heavy duty t-case arm and poly bushings was done for a review I did of a Rocky Road Outfitters product. I think he still uses that photo on his site. Before the integrated arms/skid products came out, this was the best way to keep your t-case from twisting. Note the bolt holes where the old drum brake used to mount (circling the rear output shaft area).

Just went to RRO site to see it. They are only arms, no skid plates. Those skid plates are ridiculously expensive! About $300 for a small piece of metal! Do the arms themselves get swisted?

[Billjohn]

Stock arms will twist. Go for the combined design. Here is a link to the Mighty Kong, I think it only $189
Mighty Kong - Transfer Case Mount /Skid Plate

[lilzuki]

The samurai is sweet, nice setup! Great work.

[alternator]

Originally Posted by lilzuki

The samurai is sweet, nice setup! Great work.

Thanks Lilzuki. It looks much better now, with the ARB bullbar and Bushwacker fender flares.

[whincup]

post new pics with the bullbar!! id b showing off much as possible with a zuk like that! is it still stock engine?