I am in process of doing 2x6 rockers on my XJ. For the jeep I cut the rocker so the 2x6 butts up against the bottom of the vertical section the weather stripping attaches to. I had to cut the bottom of the doors, but didn't have to mess with the weather stripping.
Man I have loved your Sami build. Yours inspired me to buy mine and after watching you build yours I knew what direction I wanted my rig to go in. Your tips helped me avoid certain mods while I was looking for one to buy. Lucked out and a great one. If you are ever in Oklahoma please holler , especially if you’re coming to go wheeling.
For some reference, I've ran heavy E rated 37s with 17" steel wheels, stock tranny, 6.5 T-case on 4:56 Toyota axles. 14" 2.5 coil overs. Ran it with a 1.6 L 16V and did good for crawling and decent for highway. Was able to cruise at 60 mph. I'd recommend the 1.6 but with higher axle gears than I had just to take the load off the T case, 5.29+ gears more so for crawling, that engine had more than enough power for trails and hill climbs. Stock engine I think may have enough to crawl but will struggle on hill climbs and highway. Honestly I think the Sami drive train is happier with a light setup so only plate what you need Like just the front frame rails right in front of the body mounts and by the gears box. and mind the weight of accessories and cage makes a big difference. Rears frames rails are fine unless you have crazy rust or something . I use to jump and race mine and never had issues in the rear frames on the front. Also extending it will definitely make it more capable somewhere around 7.5' to ideally 8 foot wheel base is the sweet spot for these in my opinion. I'm on Sami build #2 and am going back opposite way all Sami this time on UTV 35's on RVC axles. Super narrow low and light with limited capabilities just for the fun factor.
Excellent, thanks for all of the tips! I'm still on the lookout for a 1.8:1 rockblock... I have now completed the rear frame plates and spring hangers, all made from 3/16" and should be ready for the next video!
Thanks for showing the details on the rockers. I think you saved me $300. I was just about to get the CALMINI rocker panel skids. Now I may design and build something custom.
The guys in Alaska that are running 44” ags are running Toyota transmissions with Toyota axles and twin transfer cases. Most have some sort of little TDI engine but came from the 1.6L 16v
You should look into getting a Rock Block if you're looking to get lower gear ratio, it goes in-between the transmission and transfer case and will cut your gear ratio in half but you can still keep your stock gear ratio for driving on the road. They're getting hard to find but I think some enthusiasts are fabricating them and selling them
I would love to have one. I've been looking for 4 years! Most of thr doubler options require a lot of work. If I upgrade cases it will be to either toyotas or an atlas 🤘🏻
Do a half leaf springs on the back making a quarter elipcal suspension it will still ride good but flex like crazy I had it on my jeep YJ with one tons and 44 tsl
Very cool setup! I definitely will want to change something soon, I'm sure. Good thing about starting on leafs is you can easily make adjustments to wheelbase and lift to determine what you like best before linking!
I can give you one nugget of advice on this whole thing that really will make your life easier if you follow it. build a whole new frame from scratch. I'm serious. by the time you get done stripping the goo off of it, cleaning it, , trimming crap off, cutting plates, welding them on, shaving brackets, all that crap, you're much better off just buying a couple pieces of 2x4" .120 wall tube and starting fresh. Been there, done that. just steal the body mounts and other random crap off of the original frame so you don't have to fab it, but even then a dimple die and a drill press can duplicate them anyway it makes all the little details soooo much easier and is no more work than starting with a stock frame. the stock frame is so thin that Suzuki even avoided putting holes in it and used gusset plates where they did put holes. just starting over you avoid the problems with having to plate it, you don't have to remove factory features, you can put the rails wherever they are convenient, you can lengthen it, whatever. its the one thing I wish i had done with my build, it would have saved soooo much time.
Thats some good advice! I've read your comment several times. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I've already made progress on the frame. Eventually I will probably go with a tube chassis, but that's way down the line. Thanks for your insight!
So I'm not sure on spartan locker in front n rear I haven't tried it yet what do you think on this. I did put a ste of jeep sliders on it I cut them to fit looks awesome on it
what size tire and what suspension set up d you have ? I wan to make things right from the start. would like a bolt on kit spoa kit with extended shocks from rocky road. But I've seen you've done it all . If what you recommend is a welded kit. then ill consider it..I want to run 31 or 32. I like to know I have crazy flex, but to be honest I don't crawl as much as you do. I want something that does not look completely ridiculous with 31/32. I don't want a huge huge lift.
BC Canada here! Just bought my samurai, I have 0 experience building offroad rigs and your videos have been so helpful... Wondering what your thoughts are on airbag suspension? Last owner installed this setup front and rear and I'm not sure if I should leave it or try what you did with the rear-to-front springs and flipping those shackles around for extra flex/lift... or maybe I could do both? Not a ton of samurai enthusiasts in my area to ask and I don't see much info online on the topic. Thanks in advance!
I'm glad those videos have helped! I've learned a lot during the process. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about airbags. The best resource for Samurai stuff is the Facebook group "Suzuki Samurai Owners 2.0". There are a lot of information you can search through and some experts to ask new questions to. 🤙🏻
Love your video, love your channel👍👍👍👍
Awesome, thanks!
I am in process of doing 2x6 rockers on my XJ. For the jeep I cut the rocker so the 2x6 butts up against the bottom of the vertical section the weather stripping attaches to. I had to cut the bottom of the doors, but didn't have to mess with the weather stripping.
That sounds awesome, I plan on doing something similar
Happy to see you getting to this project. Its been in the works for a bit now. Good luck with all the things you have in the works.
Thanks, dude. I'm excited. I just have to prioritize the time!
Although it is sad to see a Samurai get cut, it does make mine more valuable. Would never put a curse on you for that!
True that!
Man I have loved your Sami build. Yours inspired me to buy mine and after watching you build yours I knew what direction I wanted my rig to go in. Your tips helped me avoid certain mods while I was looking for one to buy. Lucked out and a great one. If you are ever in Oklahoma please holler , especially if you’re coming to go wheeling.
Thanks for the feedback, dude! It's a fun time building a rig, but better if you can avoid some pitfalls! 🤙🏻
For some reference, I've ran heavy E rated 37s with 17" steel wheels, stock tranny, 6.5 T-case on 4:56 Toyota axles. 14" 2.5 coil overs. Ran it with a 1.6 L 16V and did good for crawling and decent for highway. Was able to cruise at 60 mph. I'd recommend the 1.6 but with higher axle gears than I had just to take the load off the T case, 5.29+ gears more so for crawling, that engine had more than enough power for trails and hill climbs. Stock engine I think may have enough to crawl but will struggle on hill climbs and highway. Honestly I think the Sami drive train is happier with a light setup so only plate what you need Like just the front frame rails right in front of the body mounts and by the gears box. and mind the weight of accessories and cage makes a big difference. Rears frames rails are fine unless you have crazy rust or something . I use to jump and race mine and never had issues in the rear frames on the front. Also extending it will definitely make it more capable somewhere around 7.5' to ideally 8 foot wheel base is the sweet spot for these in my opinion. I'm on Sami build #2 and am going back opposite way all Sami this time on UTV 35's on RVC axles. Super narrow low and light with limited capabilities just for the fun factor.
Excellent, thanks for all of the tips! I'm still on the lookout for a 1.8:1 rockblock... I have now completed the rear frame plates and spring hangers, all made from 3/16" and should be ready for the next video!
Thanks for showing the details on the rockers. I think you saved me $300. I was just about to get the CALMINI rocker panel skids. Now I may design and build something custom.
Yeah I would skip this design if you can.
The guys in Alaska that are running 44” ags are running Toyota transmissions with Toyota axles and twin transfer cases. Most have some sort of little TDI engine but came from the 1.6L 16v
Would love that setup
You should look into getting a Rock Block if you're looking to get lower gear ratio, it goes in-between the transmission and transfer case and will cut your gear ratio in half but you can still keep your stock gear ratio for driving on the road. They're getting hard to find but I think some enthusiasts are fabricating them and selling them
I would love to have one. I've been looking for 4 years! Most of thr doubler options require a lot of work. If I upgrade cases it will be to either toyotas or an atlas 🤘🏻
Love to see more of the sami build would like to see what all ur goin to do with it love ur vids jeep up the good work
Thanks dude! I'm trying to fit that in. I have a ton of projects right now 🤘🏻
Love what ur doin giving me ideas to do with a sami when I get one keep up the good work n videos
Thanks dude!
Looking forward to seeing it on the rubicon! If you need any custom cnc plasma cut parts hit me up.
Right on man! Thank you
Do a half leaf springs on the back making a quarter elipcal suspension it will still ride good but flex like crazy I had it on my jeep YJ with one tons and 44 tsl
Very cool setup! I definitely will want to change something soon, I'm sure. Good thing about starting on leafs is you can easily make adjustments to wheelbase and lift to determine what you like best before linking!
I can give you one nugget of advice on this whole thing that really will make your life easier if you follow it.
build a whole new frame from scratch. I'm serious. by the time you get done stripping the goo off of it, cleaning it, , trimming crap off, cutting plates, welding them on, shaving brackets, all that crap, you're much better off just buying a couple pieces of 2x4" .120 wall tube and starting fresh. Been there, done that. just steal the body mounts and other random crap off of the original frame so you don't have to fab it, but even then a dimple die and a drill press can duplicate them anyway it makes all the little details soooo much easier and is no more work than starting with a stock frame. the stock frame is so thin that Suzuki even avoided putting holes in it and used gusset plates where they did put holes.
just starting over you avoid the problems with having to plate it, you don't have to remove factory features, you can put the rails wherever they are convenient, you can lengthen it, whatever. its the one thing I wish i had done with my build, it would have saved soooo much time.
Thats some good advice! I've read your comment several times. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I've already made progress on the frame. Eventually I will probably go with a tube chassis, but that's way down the line. Thanks for your insight!
I purchased new factory leafs on my 86 samurai can't wait to wheel it I locked front n rear havnt tested it out yet waiting on leafs to arrive 😀
Good suspension is worth its weight in gold when you're on the trail. I hope it works out for you!
So I'm not sure on spartan locker in front n rear I haven't tried it yet what do you think on this. I did put a ste of jeep sliders on it I cut them to fit looks awesome on it
what size tire and what suspension set up d you have ? I wan to make things right from the start. would like a bolt on kit spoa kit with extended shocks from rocky road. But I've seen you've done it all . If what you recommend is a welded kit. then ill consider it..I want to run 31 or 32. I like to know I have crazy flex, but to be honest I don't crawl as much as you do. I want something that does not look completely ridiculous with 31/32. I don't want a huge huge lift.
Yeah, I hear you on that. I have a walkaround video that goes over the current configuration, basically 6" lift with 33s.
Put a crawl box or a t case doubler set up on it for more reduction
I'm always on the lookout for rockblock 1.8:1
BC Canada here! Just bought my samurai, I have 0 experience building offroad rigs and your videos have been so helpful... Wondering what your thoughts are on airbag suspension? Last owner installed this setup front and rear and I'm not sure if I should leave it or try what you did with the rear-to-front springs and flipping those shackles around for extra flex/lift... or maybe I could do both? Not a ton of samurai enthusiasts in my area to ask and I don't see much info online on the topic. Thanks in advance!
I'm glad those videos have helped! I've learned a lot during the process. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about airbags. The best resource for Samurai stuff is the Facebook group "Suzuki Samurai Owners 2.0". There are a lot of information you can search through and some experts to ask new questions to. 🤙🏻
@@FortuneOffRoad Cheers thanks mate! Might be a bit of a trial-and-error situation but I'll sift through and see what I can find. 🤜🤛
How long do you plan on stretching it?
Shooting for 105" wheelbase
Would be cool to see total weight before and after :)
That's a good idea, I should have weighed it first
what axles do you have?
Dana 70 3-HD rear, Chevy Dana 60 front
The same Transfer and transmission ?
This does hurt my feelings 😆 Is Frankies build going to be on your YT channel?
That's the plan! We've already started working on it so it shouldn't be long before a video comes out
Send me the trashy rock sliders 🤣🫶🏻
Looking to sell your old rock sliders?
Got a couple people interested. Seeing how it pans out