Toyota vs. Samurai

WFO · 09-15-2009, 07:09 AM

Benn thinking about swaping everything from my 4Runner over to a samurai.
Right now I have a 91 4runner with a 3.4, manual, 4.10s, welded, SAS 37s. Nothing special but it goes pretty good. The body is BEAT on this thing and I want something a little cleaner looking.

I could swap a new body and build a cage to protect it. But im thinking the weight savings and overall size of the sammi would be nice.

The Samurai has a wheelbase of 79" and my 4Runner sits at 110" I would stretch the sammi to around 100"

The sammi weighs in at a whopping 2000 lbs whereas im probably sitting at 3000 or more.

So anyone have any experience with these rigs?

Should I just stick with the 4runner and continue building that.

Oh its a trail rig, no serious rocks around here, but it does its share of hill climbs (which I think the sammi wouldnt do as well on) and of course mud.

Heres a pic

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**waskillywabbit** · 09-15-2009, 08:37 AM

Keep what you got. All you would be ding is building another Toyota with a different label. After you finished what would you have really gained?

algranger · 09-15-2009, 08:52 AM

What he said^

Also, i'd take the 110" wheelbase over the 100"

I like the weight of Toyotas... kind of heavy but not "full size" heavy

Too light and your just drifting around on loose rocks and light mud

HazMat · 09-15-2009, 09:08 AM

You call that MONSTER in the photo above "NOTHING SPECIAL" Dang...what is special to you??? I say keep the runner. It looks Bad Arse.

SpecialScottie · 09-15-2009, 09:13 AM

My best bud has a sammi. It does alright. There isnt as much aftermarket support as toyotas and about the only way to fit longer springs is a double shackle

deathrunner · 09-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecialScottie

There isnt as much aftermarket support as toyotas

Not true.

http://www.rocky-road.com/suzuki.html

http://www.petroworks.com/

http://www.breezeindustries.com/suzuki.htm

http://www.calmini.com/

algranger · 09-15-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazMat

You call that MONSTER in the photo above "NOTHING SPECIAL" Dang...what is special to you??? I say keep the runner. It looks Bad Arse.

I'm guessing it would include 4 link front and rear, coilovers, dual cases, twin sticks, high pinion 3rds etc.

Aside from the 3.4 swap... that runner isnt anything super amazing. It's nice though.. looks like a fun rig

algranger · 09-15-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathrunner

Heheheh its cuuute

toyota4x4907 · 09-15-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFO

The sammi weighs in at a whopping 2000 lbs whereas im probably sitting at 3000 or more.

lol. Try like 4500, probably more.
Hell, my single cab weighed like 3500 lbs stock.

crolison · 09-15-2009, 12:38 PM

I'd just chop the top and wheel it. I can gaurantee your 4runner weighs a lot more than 3k, more like 5k+ easy. Mines well over 5K, prolly around 5500+

WFO · 09-15-2009, 02:00 PM

Yeah I already choped the top (back anyway) after the rollover. The cab is a lot worse than the pic above shows. That was before the rollover.

I wasnt sure of the weight. So I could probably cut the weight in half and still have all the power.

Really if I were to swap everything to a samurai I would only be changing the weight, and maybe a few inches of wheelbase if I chose. But I wouldnt have to. I like the 110" wb I have now.

So how does a heavier rig perform better than a light rig? It seems the horsepower to weight ratio would drasticly improve. But what are the disadvantages?
Im runing radial Iroks and my rig seems to like 15 psi. I bet I could run 8 or so with the sammi and have the same effects.

tc · 09-15-2009, 02:38 PM

By the time you reinforce the Sami enough to get the 3.4 in there, I doubt you'll be saving much. Although, 2nd gens are HEAVY - you basically have a unibody on top of a frame.

My 2nd gen with me, full tank of gas, jumper cables, regular tools, etc weighs 5020 lbs. Add camping gear, tools/parts/fluids for 'wheeling, Molly, and the dog, and I bet I'm pushing 6000 easy... and my wheels/tires probably weigh less than half what yours do!

Power to weight is a big deal. I see guys with little single cab trucks/Tacomas just slide across stuff, or when they get stuck, a little push gets them out, where when I get stuck it's a major ordeal.

WFO · 09-16-2009, 07:03 AM

So I've been doing some research and came across this.

Its a Sammi on a Blazer frame. Wheelbase is 106" on this one I beleive.
The hood has been stretched 12". I would have the body sit lower on the frame.

The 4Runner body is 66" wide and the Samurai is 55" wide. I dont know about the weights of either but I'm sure the Samurai is lighter, even stretched.

So I think im going to keep a look out for a Samurai to get a clean body from. My goal is to have a clean looking rig and be able to keep it that way. And lose some weight while im at it.

jpmountainboy · 09-16-2009, 07:41 AM

WFO

My buddy has a built sammy that we did at the same time i did mine. I love them..they are great little wheelers. I would drive one, but would never give up my yota for one...not cause im all yota, but they both wheel in a different way. the yota seems more sure footed and the sammy is great on big rocks close together (body/wheel clearence) However, most importantly is you can fit more girls and beer in a toyota.

my advise to you would be to save all your time in work on your runner and if you really want a clean sammy...just buy one. I have seen soo many built samurais for sale starting at 2K.

I kept telling my buddy this and showing him the deals... being that he would be spending more on his parts to build his than if he were to just buy one...but he had his sammy from pre high school, so was attached.

build a sammy if you want...but please...dont dismantle the Toyota!

keokip · 10-01-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFO

So I've been doing some research and came across this.

Its a Sammi on a Blazer frame. Wheelbase is 106" on this one I beleive.
The hood has been stretched 12". I would have the body sit lower on the frame.

The 4Runner body is 66" wide and the Samurai is 55" wide. I dont know about the weights of either but I'm sure the Samurai is lighter, even stretched.

So I think im going to keep a look out for a Samurai to get a clean body from. My goal is to have a clean looking rig and be able to keep it that way. And lose some weight while im at it.

this is nice truck i think that the sami is basically a toyota there about kinda even

Jager · 10-19-2009, 09:10 PM

Samurais rock!! I had one before I bought my yoda and the only reason I did was because I have a family now and the samurais dont have tons o room. You can build samurais as bad as you want, but if your going to stretch it whats the point of owning a samurai. My samurai could go more places then my yota can go, I dont know, I miss my sammy. zuwharrie.com is the best samurai site Ive found for info.

nosfanatic2006 · 10-20-2009, 04:15 AM

I've also considered a Sami. My buddie had one that he took wheeling this last summer. I was surprised how well it did. And its so tiny he could turn around almost anywhere on the trail

. I'd still love to have one...

clydehatchet · 10-20-2009, 06:20 AM

whenever I go wheelin, there is one toy out there...mine. there is one nissan out there... my buddies. there are at least 50 jeeps...lazy wheelers. there are like 10 sammis... guys that like toyota penny wheelers. I love sammis, however Im the only toy out when i go, cant beat that. plus its a toy, you cant beat that either. if youre lookin for shorter and cool lookin, put a corolla sky high, put some big ol meats on there and you have somethin different.

JShaffer0525 · 10-20-2009, 07:23 AM

chop the cargo area top and bob the bed? sounds like a winner! thats a nice 4r you have there.

ozziesironmanoffroad · 10-20-2009, 07:31 AM

sammis r ugly, keep ur 4runner.

keokip · 10-20-2009, 04:04 PM

haha yeah serious $runners are way better then sammis and this is yotatech by the way not samuri tech!!!!

vwfastg60 · 10-20-2009, 04:32 PM

We did Toyota running gear under a tin top and it was pretty sweet. Sucked to drive around town but on trail was pretty sweet. In the snow and ice it was a bit lite and couldnt bite on anything but in dry rocks it was crazy.

I like toyotas over zuks tho

okie81 · 10-20-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpmountainboy

.... However, most importantly is you can fit more girls and beer in a toyota.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clydehatchet

....Im the only toy out when i go, cant beat that. plus its a toy, you cant beat that either.

You can't beat the fact of having more girls and beer than everyone else...period

Diesel_Freak · 10-28-2009, 06:24 PM

Personaly I think your drivetrain Toyota Axles,Engine,T-case... everything, would be AWESOME in a LWB Sami IF you can find one. i don't care as much for the "home-hack" LWB conversions (and I really don't care for the JK-esque 4dr. above although it looks like good work) but a TRUE LWB Sami with that Drivetrain and some awesome body mods would be AMAZING.

I'm thinking section the body down the middle and add however many inches of "width" down the middle to co ver the tires withough having to use (IMO) ugly bushwacker flares or just big flares in general. PLus you'd gain someinterior space/width for added comfort. Huge project??? Yes. Completely AWESOME IF you built it??? OH YEAH!!!!!!!!

There's a guy who built an Expo Cruiser that was a F/HJ45 body on top of an HZJ80 Chasis. THey did a mix of what I'm talking about and it is AMAZING. I just think that sectioning the middle to make it have all the stock exterior body lines (aside from being wider) would look SO amazing.

OR...Why not use the frame and just drop a Sami body (again sectioned in the middle) with an X-cab and an Aussie UTE tray on the back to make kinf of a "minicruiser" X-Cab Pick-up... That would be sweet, maybe even make it Access cab esque or a quad-cab.

...Oh man I need to stop dreaming up these amazing rigs I'll never build...

The main thing is you've got a great chasis/frame/drivetrain to start from so really you just need to re-skin it. THe easy road is obviously the new/replacement Toyota body, but as I've pointed out above there are some neat alternatives IMO

Tough choice cause it looks like you;ve got your 4Runner's sus. DIALED. You're getting great front flex out of those leafs. Does it sit level??? and how tall is she overall???

Cheers

Dave

TubedYota · 10-29-2009, 07:17 AM

It would work well. I had a Sami on 35's it was cool like driving a quad around but light. I didn't have any Toy parts on it though.......some of those conversions work awesome.

09-15-2009, 08:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,546	Keep what you got. All you would be ding is building another Toyota with a different label. After you finished what would you have really gained? __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

09-15-2009, 08:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
algranger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here in the PNW Posts: 3,264	What he said^ Also, i'd take the 110" wheelbase over the 100" I like the weight of Toyotas... kind of heavy but not "full size" heavy Too light and your just drifting around on loose rocks and light mud __________________ . . . I said lie, for me lying under a process tree . . . .

09-15-2009, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
HazMat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 334	You call that MONSTER in the photo above "NOTHING SPECIAL" Dang...what is special to you??? I say keep the runner. It looks Bad Arse. __________________ 2004 3.4l Taco TRD SR5 Lil' bit-o-Lift, 32" General Grabbers, Softopper, 05TRD Wheels 95.5 2.7L Taco (RIP) Burned up!!

09-15-2009, 09:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
SpecialScottie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sun Valley, CA Posts: 547	My best bud has a sammi. It does alright. There isnt as much aftermarket support as toyotas and about the only way to fit longer springs is a double shackle __________________ 02 KLX300 Dual Sported (Daily Driver) 87 Turbo 4runner STOCK 85 4runner: Automatic marlin5.29 elocker rear end. Rola roof rack. 33" BFG KM2's Build Thread 87 4runner (parts) 95 4runner 2wd auto(sold)

09-15-2009, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
crolison Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 2,279	I'd just chop the top and wheel it. I can gaurantee your 4runner weighs a lot more than 3k, more like 5k+ easy. Mines well over 5K, prolly around 5500+ __________________ 97 4runner, 2.7 5speed 4wd, 5.29, 33 horns armor locked lifted heavy SOB broken front and rear swaybars My Profile..

09-15-2009, 02:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
WFO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 496	Yeah I already choped the top (back anyway) after the rollover. The cab is a lot worse than the pic above shows. That was before the rollover. I wasnt sure of the weight. So I could probably cut the weight in half and still have all the power. Really if I were to swap everything to a samurai I would only be changing the weight, and maybe a few inches of wheelbase if I chose. But I wouldnt have to. I like the 110" wb I have now. So how does a heavier rig perform better than a light rig? It seems the horsepower to weight ratio would drasticly improve. But what are the disadvantages? Im runing radial Iroks and my rig seems to like 15 psi. I bet I could run 8 or so with the sammi and have the same effects.

09-15-2009, 02:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,372	By the time you reinforce the Sami enough to get the 3.4 in there, I doubt you'll be saving much. Although, 2nd gens are HEAVY - you basically have a unibody on top of a frame. My 2nd gen with me, full tank of gas, jumper cables, regular tools, etc weighs 5020 lbs. Add camping gear, tools/parts/fluids for 'wheeling, Molly, and the dog, and I bet I'm pushing 6000 easy... and my wheels/tires probably weigh less than half what yours do! Power to weight is a big deal. I see guys with little single cab trucks/Tacomas just slide across stuff, or when they get stuck, a little push gets them out, where when I get stuck it's a major ordeal. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action Last edited by tc; 09-15-2009 at 02:41 PM.

09-16-2009, 07:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
WFO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 496	So I've been doing some research and came across this. Its a Sammi on a Blazer frame. Wheelbase is 106" on this one I beleive. The hood has been stretched 12". I would have the body sit lower on the frame. The 4Runner body is 66" wide and the Samurai is 55" wide. I dont know about the weights of either but I'm sure the Samurai is lighter, even stretched. So I think im going to keep a look out for a Samurai to get a clean body from. My goal is to have a clean looking rig and be able to keep it that way. And lose some weight while im at it.

09-16-2009, 07:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
jpmountainboy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CHICO, CA Posts: 304	WFO My buddy has a built sammy that we did at the same time i did mine. I love them..they are great little wheelers. I would drive one, but would never give up my yota for one...not cause im all yota, but they both wheel in a different way. the yota seems more sure footed and the sammy is great on big rocks close together (body/wheel clearence) However, most importantly is you can fit more girls and beer in a toyota. my advise to you would be to save all your time in work on your runner and if you really want a clean sammy...just buy one. I have seen soo many built samurais for sale starting at 2K. I kept telling my buddy this and showing him the deals... being that he would be spending more on his parts to build his than if he were to just buy one...but he had his sammy from pre high school, so was attached. build a sammy if you want...but please...dont dismantle the Toyota! __________________ 94 pickup trail rig/3.0, & 96 tacoma stock.

10-19-2009, 09:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jager Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 39	Samurais rock!! I had one before I bought my yoda and the only reason I did was because I have a family now and the samurais dont have tons o room. You can build samurais as bad as you want, but if your going to stretch it whats the point of owning a samurai. My samurai could go more places then my yota can go, I dont know, I miss my sammy. zuwharrie.com is the best samurai site Ive found for info. __________________ 1985 4Runner "What do you mean WE.....Khemosavi!"

10-20-2009, 06:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
clydehatchet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: KY Posts: 56	whenever I go wheelin, there is one toy out there...mine. there is one nissan out there... my buddies. there are at least 50 jeeps...lazy wheelers. there are like 10 sammis... guys that like toyota penny wheelers. I love sammis, however Im the only toy out when i go, cant beat that. plus its a toy, you cant beat that either. if youre lookin for shorter and cool lookin, put a corolla sky high, put some big ol meats on there and you have somethin different.

10-20-2009, 07:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,676	sammis r ugly, keep ur 4runner. __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

10-20-2009, 04:04 PM	#21 (permalink)
keokip Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: hawaii Posts: 22	haha yeah serious $runners are way better then sammis and this is yotatech by the way not samuri tech!!!!

10-20-2009, 04:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
vwfastg60 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Longmont Colorado Posts: 725	We did Toyota running gear under a tin top and it was pretty sweet. Sucked to drive around town but on trail was pretty sweet. In the snow and ice it was a bit lite and couldnt bite on anything but in dry rocks it was crazy. I like toyotas over zuks tho __________________ 87 longbed, 3rz, tacoma dash, bobbed, SAS'ed, gears and more. My build----HERE More web wheeling- Just getting started so come join us Asphaltsux

10-28-2009, 06:24 PM	#24 (permalink)
Diesel_Freak Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: PDX, Oregon Posts: 420	Personaly I think your drivetrain Toyota Axles,Engine,T-case... everything, would be AWESOME in a LWB Sami IF you can find one. i don't care as much for the "home-hack" LWB conversions (and I really don't care for the JK-esque 4dr. above although it looks like good work) but a TRUE LWB Sami with that Drivetrain and some awesome body mods would be AMAZING. I'm thinking section the body down the middle and add however many inches of "width" down the middle to co ver the tires withough having to use (IMO) ugly bushwacker flares or just big flares in general. PLus you'd gain someinterior space/width for added comfort. Huge project??? Yes. Completely AWESOME IF you built it??? OH YEAH!!!!!!!! There's a guy who built an Expo Cruiser that was a F/HJ45 body on top of an HZJ80 Chasis. THey did a mix of what I'm talking about and it is AMAZING. I just think that sectioning the middle to make it have all the stock exterior body lines (aside from being wider) would look SO amazing. OR...Why not use the frame and just drop a Sami body (again sectioned in the middle) with an X-cab and an Aussie UTE tray on the back to make kinf of a "minicruiser" X-Cab Pick-up... That would be sweet, maybe even make it Access cab esque or a quad-cab. ...Oh man I need to stop dreaming up these amazing rigs I'll never build... The main thing is you've got a great chasis/frame/drivetrain to start from so really you just need to re-skin it. THe easy road is obviously the new/replacement Toyota body, but as I've pointed out above there are some neat alternatives IMO Tough choice cause it looks like you;ve got your 4Runner's sus. DIALED. You're getting great front flex out of those leafs. Does it sit level??? and how tall is she overall??? Cheers Dave __________________ Project 4Rescue: 89 Gen1 22RE 5spd 4Runner...Marlin DOM rear bumper, OME rear/ BJ spacer front, OME shocks all around. Lucas Pro series HD clutch: DONE!!! BRAND SPANKIN NEW 22RE DONE!!!!! Firefighters: Cause somebody's got to step up and do it... RIP: Charles Edward DelaForest: Born Sept 78 - Murdered May 05 I miss you Brother

10-29-2009, 07:17 AM	#25 (permalink)
TubedYota Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North NJ Posts: 75	It would work well. I had a Sami on 35's it was cool like driving a quad around but light. I didn't have any Toy parts on it though.......some of those conversions work awesome.

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