Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Suzuki Samurai/4X4 Enthusiasts

This is my worthless story for the day:

Anybody that has ever been involved in the building or restoration of one of the world's top five 4x4's to ever exist knows that resources and parts for these machines can be few and far between. They were only imported into the United States from 1985-1995 and have a cult following.

IF you follow or are interested in the Samurai you know that Petroworks (based out of California) is going to be a site you visit constantly and purchase from frequently. I haven't owned a Samurai for about 10 or 12 years but I still always keep an eye out for them.

I had to fly from San Diego to south Florida yesterday and I ended up sitting next to this woman that was pretty chatty/friendly. I'm accustomed to this because women invariably want to speak with me. About the third time she mentioned owning a small business I politely asked what type of business her and her husband were involved in. She replied "Do you know what a Suzuki Samurai is?"

They own Petroworks. That obscure business that UPS'd gobs of goodness to my front door so many times in the past. What are the odds?

She swapped seats with her husband and he and I bullschitted for five hours straight. Discussing everything from guns to planes to (of course) 4X4's and places to wheel in California.

Moral of the story? Not all Californian's are dickheads.


The End,
Dave

It may be worthless but it's a good story. Got a picture of your little banzai bomber?

Lots of good folks out there. They are not usually in any of the 'publicity' around the state. Many are devastated at what their state has become.

Somewhere I do. Will take some digging.

That was my impression.

Tough to see a street named "Reagan Way" and all that military power knowing the whole fugkin' state is controlled by dick heads.

I test drove one in 1988...or more accurately my girlfriend tested it and I went along for the ride.

I literally thought I might die.

Why?

20 year old chick, heavy traffic, in a Samurai.

What could possibly go wrong?

Gotcha.

Use to be one around town here, in fantastic shape..,

it had an engine conversion in it... VW Turbo Diesel...

That and an extra 5 gallon Gerry Can and you could lost in back country here for a long time.

Lot more power than the Spudzuki engine also.

I've spent some money with Petroworks as they have excellent products and service. Zuksoffroad is another that is top notch.



My latest project was to build a set of 4.30 Samurai 3rds and I'm impatiently waiting for my tires to wear out so I can order ones that are more biggerer for my Samurai.

We’ve been seriously considering buying one ( already modified) for off-road use....only! memtb

Yeah. Rocky Road Outfitters always had good aftermarket schit too.

He told me he had a couple near pristine, bone stock Samurai's for sale and had I met him prior to departure I'd have driven one home. Based on how he described them.

Just make sure the steering is tight.

They can get wonky quick when done incorrectly.

I had never used them until I built the 3rds and they make/sell a solid pinion spacer with shims that replaces the crush sleeve. I ordered a pair and received them quickly and they are great quality. I've picked up a few more things from them as well.


I used Petroworks wedge and the Trail Tough kit for my power steering install. If you ever throw PS on one the wedge is the only way to fly.


I want a TinTop but every single one around here is chopped up or rusted out. Makes me sad.........

I've noticed they're hard to find in some places.

In MT they were practically nonexistent. You see a decent number down here. Texas and the midwest always seemed to be loaded with them.

Saw quite a few in CA too.

Lots of places to wheel out there on the west coast! Surprised me.

they make good beach buggy's but can't carry a lot, good for a quick over night trip down the island.

All you need is a Hustler and a comb.

GITSUM!

I thought they were built on GM parts.
My rock-creeping friends always talk about putting GM parts in them.