Suzuki Samurai

[Brakelate]

I have owned several Samurai's over the years. One, I even purchased brand new in '92 or so and had it for about five years. Logged over 75k on it, and that little bugger went EVERYWHERE!

My current creation is my best effort so far, and is now limited to off road use only, as a few engine modifications bumped it into the "Green Sticker" only category.

I'll post up some old pic real quick, then will have to think for a bit to make up an accurate mod list, as it has gone through several full make overs and much trial and error experimentation to get the suspension and drivetrain "just right".

Quite a bit of elbow grease went into this one, but very little money. And it has embarrassed the most highly modified and expensive trail rigs out there. Amazing little thing.

[xjrguy]

uhhhhhhh

that thing is awesome.

We should definitely do some wheeling together.

[Brakelate]

Poor thing has been sitting, neglected for a few years now. I hate to admit. But, a quick freshen-up of fluids, a re-wrap of the roll cage and a couple other little do-dads and it'll be good to go!

I have actually been itching to take it out recently and get some GoPro footage off of it.

[xjrguy]

Poor thing has been sitting, neglected for a few years now. I hate to admit. But, a quick freshen-up of fluids, a re-wrap of the roll cage and a couple other little do-dads and it'll be good to go!

I have actually been itching to take it out recently and get some GoPro footage off of it.

Well that sounds like a fun little project...don't be a stranger if you get the urge to go out and 4x4 in that thing and want someone else out there with ya.

[Brakelate]

I used to trailer it out obviously. It served as a bridge between when my kids were little (at one point I actually had custom fitted three child safety seats in the rear in the cage to haul the whole family about) to when they got too big, and I got them all their individual quads to ride. Then, coming full circle, the smallest, my son, is now anxiously waiting for me to get it back in tip top shape so I could take him out where he can start driving it.

So, I used to go on multi-day weekend trips to make it worth the time and effort of trailering. In the old days, I could head right out from the house, into the high desert for a day of motoring around. But, with the build up of residential tracts taking over my favorite local little secret off road trails, ravines and little dunes scattered about the area. I have since lost my off road buddies, going back to boating, bikes, etc etc.

Time I get back into it, clean 'er up and start a whole new chapter in gutting the rear seat, adding some storage capability and making plans for some overnite action with my son.

But, when I get to that point, I'll definitely include you in the plans.

[Brakelate]

I really kick myself for going the "Green Sticker" route long ago. Sure, it saves on insurance, smog and reg fees of yet another vehicle in my fleet. And it really would only be good for very short local trips, or those where time was not a concern. As, it will happily purr straight up a vertical rock wall, but struggles to maintain 55 mph on flat level ground with no wind while lightly loaded.

Had I just left the Cat. , air box and not added a header, it would be completely smog and road legal. I guess I could go back and un-do all of that, but the red tape of going back though a full inspection and the fact that it is a bit of a hand full on paved roads due to the bias ply tires, lack of swaybars, super soft and flexy suspension combined with a rear locker that has the Swampers chirping and hopping just pulling out of the driveway, it probably is just best left as is. But, I do miss the ability to just jump in it with the top off and go run some errands and putt putt around town.

[Brakelate]

Just be cool and look normal.

[Brakelate]

After it's first fuel fill in over Five years, still running it's Six year old oil, I thought it was a good day to take my son out and finally teach him how to drive a manual transmission. We ended up spending the afternoon cruising the various trails and power line roads of the high desert. This is where we ended up;

Neat GeoCache spot. Rumored to be an old faux military target installation or early radar site for simulated air assault. No one really has been able to nail it down.

Regardless, you can't tell from the pics, but it is a tough, loose rocky climb. At the top, you are rewarded with a super neat place with an amazing panoramic view of the high desert where you can see from the back of Wrightwood's ski resorts, all of the Antelope Valley, Tehachapi to the North and out to the Grapevine to the West and the East section of the 138 (Ave. D) just a few miles away running across the valley floor. We had hit this Cache 5 years ago in our old "GeoBronco", but returned to sign in on the log book once again (it's still there) . The concrete pad must have once been a hut or parking spot for a mobile power generator.

We couldn't help but think it would make a super neat place to spend the night sometime. Though up on top of the ridge, it is windy as hell.

[Tetge]

One wonders what the consequences would be if some bozo ran into the vehicle while it was getting to that gas station and back? Of course, perhaps there are off road trails that go to that station as I know exactly where it is located but I never paid any attention to potential off road access. But, that aside, did your son learn to drive the mighty Suzuki beast?

[Brakelate]

You didn't see us roll it off the trailer just out of view of the camera?

He did great. We'll have to do it again real soon.