Compact 4x4s

[Storz]

With gas prices continuing to rise some of the smaller 4x4s are starting to look pretty good. My plan originally was to pick up an FJ60 or cheap FJZ80 (and I still may) however reading stories of the abysmal gas mileage has got me questing if thats a good idea.

My main reason for purchasing a 4x4 is to have something to drive on the beaches here in NC, my parents are in the process of purchasing a house that is only accessible by a 15 mile cruise along the coast (yes awesome, I know) and to have something to head up into the mountains to do some camping with.

I really like the 80s Suzuki Samurai and it seems to be pretty well respected. Did these come with a low range gear? I am also looking at the Sidekick.

I see the Rav4 can be had with 4wd, but is it true 4wd or more like a car-type awd system? Do they have low range?

Any others I should be looking at? Geo Tracker perhaps?

Thanks!

[haven]

The RAV4 lacks a low range. All the Suzuki 4x4s (Samurai, Sidekick, Vitara) do have low range. The Geo and Chevrolet Tracker is a re-badged Suzuki. Also consider the Jeep Liberty, although it's larger and heavier so it gets fewer miles per gallon (16 mpg vs 18 mpg for the Suzuki, according to EPA).

[jagular7]

Many options to choose for considering a smaller 4x4. Many are still built body on frame whereas others are uni-body design. The uni-body design tends to be the fashion and lead to a pleasurable ride.
If you research for aftermarket support, then the smaller 4x4s will shine with all the options out there.

[madizell]

If you can find a clean Samurai with a good motor, I think you will like it, especially as a beach toy. They are light and nimble, and endlessly modifiable.

[Seth Kendall]

I love my Samurai! It goes anywhere. It isn't even close to stock, but it does have the stock motor and it still gets good gas mileage when compared to most other off-road vehicles. The great thing about them is that you can pick them up for a good price and they are fairly cheap to mod and repair.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0040.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0147.jpg

I also drive a 2wd RAV4, and while I love it as a daily driver, I think that you would probably be better suited by an XL-7 or Grand Vitara if you are looking into newer vehicles off-road capable vehicles.

[haven]

Seth,
What companies would you recommend for aftermarket
off-road parts for Suzuki?
Chip Haven

[chet]

I am a confessed suzuki nut! :jump:

I have owner everthing from a '79 lj80 to our now 2001 XL7. the samurais are great off roaders and have lots of aftermarket support. they lack size and power.

If you have more than two people and gear than a 4 door sidekick is a great choice. there is a fair amount of stuff for them (bumpers, lifts, lockers, tcase gears etc.) they are still body on frame and have a true low range. the '92-'98's are good and can be had fully optioned.

I had a 4 door kick lifted on 30" tires and it went alot of places people didn't think it would. my 120 km round trip killed it though. so we bought the XL7 and a ultra rare long wheel base samurai for my wheelin vehicle.

sites to check out:

www.zukiworld.com
www.zukikrawlers.com
www.zuwharrie.com

all have good forums

suppliers are... lots! www.trailtough.com is probably the best service you will find.

others are www.petroworks.com
www.calmini.com (be warned their products are good but service sucks!)
www.rocky-road.com
www.lowrangeoffroad.com
www.zorproducts.com

[BiG BoB]

The problem is that you're looking at FJ60's

Get a HJ60, I've never seen more than 12L/100km out of mine in the last 25 years, and that was towing a big boat!

Around town or on the highway it's ususally 9-11L/100km

Better than many new vehicles!

Sean

[Seth Kendall]

I am a confessed suzuki nut! :jump:

I have owner everthing from a '79 lj80 to our now 2001 XL7. the samurais are great off roaders and have lots of aftermarket support. they lack size and power.

If you have more than two people and gear than a 4 door sidekick is a great choice. there is a fair amount of stuff for them (bumpers, lifts, lockers, tcase gears etc.) they are still body on frame and have a true low range. the '92-'98's are good and can be had fully optioned.

I had a 4 door kick lifted on 30" tires and it went alot of places people didn't think it would. my 120 km round trip killed it though. so we bought the XL7 and a ultra rare long wheel base samurai for my wheelin vehicle.

sites to check out:

www.zukiworld.com
www.zukikrawlers.com
www.zuwharrie.com

all have good forums

suppliers are... lots! www.trailtough.com is probably the best service you will find.

others are www.petroworks.com
www.calmini.com (be warned their products are good but service sucks!)
www.rocky-road.com
www.lowrangeoffroad.com
www.zorproducts.com

Chip,

Chet pretty much nailed it on the head of who to look for after-market parts for Suzuki's. If you happen to live on the West Coast some of these might work out really well for you with pick-up or less shipping.

[\\'anderer]

I recently sold my Suburban and pick up this samurai. I have only had it for a couple weeks

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/41571/2556938410013949235S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2556938410013949235dQWmKJ)

This is my; commuter/tow-behind-the-RV/all around "fun" vehicle. I found it fun to drive and there are plenty of aftermarket parts available. It is underpowered in my stock ,california, smog legal configuration.

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/40146/2059428800013949235S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2059428800013949235GZAHSo)

I have seen some cool diesel engine swap samurai's

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/31045/2128981770013949235S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2128981770013949235KADyCq)

[jh504]

Hey a fellow triangle dweller! My vote is for the Sami, I have been thinking about picking one up myself as a strictly trail rig. I have a good friend in Wake Forest who buys and sells Samurais if you are interested in trying to pick one up local. He currently has 2 sami projects he is working with, both are hardtops. Let me know if you would like to check them out. Also I do a lot of exploring here in NC and I have some pretty good routes (not to mention access to 75 acres of private land with trails), so if your ever interested in meeting up and doing some riding just let me know!

[Seth Kendall]

If you find that there is just not enough room in a Samurai, and you can find one the long wheel base Sami's are amazing. Check some of these out. (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/sezooklwb/images/asialwb2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/sezooklwb/lwb.htm&h=370&w=773&sz=90&hl=en&start=47&um=1&tbnid=GrS4D7S1FrMBvM:&tbnh=68&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsuzuki%2Bsamurai%2Blwb%26start%3D36%2 6ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26clien t%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3DfGi%26sa%3DN)

[4Rescue]

and a ultra rare long wheel base samurai for my wheelin vehicle.



:drool: those are SOOOOOo cool, please post up some pics/details about it. Although they are small, the LWB Sammi's (aren't they called something else, Sumo's or something?)is just a FANTASTIC trail rig.

Cheers

Dave

[chet]

I'll be moving it tonight so I will snap some pics. It goes into the shop for a couple of months for : new swampers, bumpers, exhaust, power steering, front fenders, rockers and some other minor stuff to get ready for a club 4x4 weekend in the end of Sept.

This is the one I am keeping. My wife has been giving me crap about switching vehicles soo much be a LWB sammy is just right. I am going to be adding insulation and carpeting to hopefully quiet down the roadnoise and would like to take some longer trips in it once its done.

Hopefully Suzuki follows through on the knock off Nissan Frontier so I can swap our XL7 for that in a few years!

[firemansxterra]

well chet you may be getting your wish, suzuki is not only looking at doing a truck, but it is the frontier with a suziki logo on it...i love the color of the one in the pics though it is sweeeeeet! but look at the interior it is exactly like a nissan...

http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=equator_quad

[chet]

I know that was in the spring and there has been no news or press releases since. We''ll see if they can meet the deadlines.

[calamaridog]

I have a Liberty. The Liberty is small but heavy so the efficiency is not great.

A Vitara would be a good option I suspect. I've driven them and I like the Suzuki's.

[calamaridog]

You should also look at the Isuzu Amigo. The last few years it was called a Rodeo Sport instead. You can find 4cyl / 5spd Amigo from around 98 that would still be pretty cheap.

[COMP]

I love my Samurai! It goes anywhere. It isn't even close to stock, but it does have the stock motor and it still gets good gas mileage when compared to most other off-road vehicles. The great thing about them is that you can pick them up for a good price and they are fairly cheap to mod and repair.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0040.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0147.jpg

I also drive a 2wd RAV4, and while I love it as a daily driver, I think that you would probably be better suited by an XL-7 or Grand Vitara if you are looking into newer vehicles off-road capable vehicles.


Very cool :)

[Seth Kendall]

Very cool :)

Thanks. I agree Suzi is very cool.

[MuddyMudskipper]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0040.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/kristenandseth/Suzi/DSC_0147.jpg


Looks like Holcomb Creek in Big Bear. Fun trail!

[Red Zebra]

well chet you may be getting your wish, suzuki is not only looking at doing a truck, but it is the frontier with a suziki logo on it...i love the color of the one in the pics though it is sweeeeeet! but look at the interior it is exactly like a nissan...

http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=equator_quad
That's a great looking truck...I like the no frills looking exterior--flat paint and all. The Dune Viatara concept looks interesting too:

http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=dune_grand_vitara

And this... http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=basecamp
I like what Zuk is thinking...maybe this concept in somehting more heavy duty?






;

[COMP]

That's a great looking truck...I like the no frills looking exterior--flat paint and all. The Dune Viatara concept looks interesting too:

http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=dune_grand_vitara

And this... http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/view_concept.php?m=basecamp
I like what Zuk is thinking...maybe this concept in somehting more heavy duty?





;




looks good

[robertdarin]

i would also go with the suzuki oposed to the rav4. I do however agree with calamaridog and think that you should check out an amigo or rodeo sport, but i am a little biased being that i drive an isuzu.

[Makedonas1]

I am not sure if it was mentioned, but what are everyones thoughts on the Isuzu Vehicross?

[BIGdaddy]

Thanks. I agree Suzi is very cool.


nice rig, seth...don't think i've seen a pic before...:beer:

[BIGdaddy]

I am not sure if it was mentioned, but what are everyones thoughts on the Isuzu Vehicross?


saw one a few years ago, it was the modded, yellow one that everyone has probably seen pics of. nice rig.

They're a bit oddball, hard to find parts for, etc...plus who works on suzuki's other than the few dealerships in the country?

i just don't think that i would get another suzuki other than a sammy, which has a loyal aftermarket of stock and mod parts. i've seen a couple 22r-e /sammy swaps that seems real clean. a 22re in a sammy would easily get 25mpg.


p.s. i know about dealership b.s... i owned a grand viagra for a while...

[HanzoSteel]

I like the Suzuki hardtop, this one is actually VW powered diesel.

http://clean4x4.com/sam1.jpg

http://clean4x4.com/sammy.htm

[robertdarin]

Vehicross...amazingly capable. The only problem is finding one. i thik only like 3,100 were sold in the u.s. but the axels in those thigs are awsome for the weight they carry (same axels as the trooper, isuzu ten bolt front, isuzu 12 bolt rear)

[Johnny Dollar]

maybe wait for the mahindra or the zxauto pickup

[RAV4fun]

Call me biased...but don't rule out a RAV4. They don't have a low range, but 5-speeds from the first gen(96-01) do have an optional locking center differential. That combined with the light weight and Toyota dependability...and it'd make a great little sand rig. I'm waiting for the weekend to take my new-to-me 96 out on some forest roads...will report back...

[CSG]

So, where's the report? ;)

[RAV4fun]

So, where's the report? ;)

Hehe...sorry folks, I forgot this week was the middle of the High Holy Days (I'm Jewish) and that I was going to be a little pre-occupied.

I'm going to try again for this Sunday to get out and see what this little buggy can do. Pics and report...hopefully...to come Sunday night/Monday morning.


Ahem...I should also have the new O2 sensor in by then so I'll know if that was causing the CEL...

sheesh

[SGV]

Thanks. I agree Suzi is very cool.


Seth, how does that Samurai treat you on long outings?

I have what appears to be a pretty pristine '93 near me for sale, but am a little worried about the size and how far I can travel in one considering the amount of gear needed for a short excursion in the wild. I crawled around underneath it and the body and mounts looks solid. They are asking $2650 OBO. It has been up for a few weeks and the price came down a few hundred early on, and then stayed at this price.


Suzuki Samurai jeep 4x4 1993 . Newly painted White with new replacement black soft top, no back seat, 5 speed, 72,000 original miles Great on gas over 35 mpg. 4x4 works well the light is stuck on, but has no affect on the 4x4 working. Because it is only a 4 cylinder it is not so great for highway comutes. Great for the coming winter get you thru the snow back and forth to work or fun in the summer with no top or for those into adventure turn it into a rock crawler
http://images.craigslist.org/1fa12513bZZZZZZZZZ8at1de60f68b55b17aa.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f112c141ZZZZZZZZZ8atd5e7350fcd621ced.jpg

[SGV]

Call me biased...but don't rule out a RAV4. They don't have a low range, but 5-speeds from the first gen(96-01) do have an optional locking center differential. That combined with the light weight and Toyota dependability...and it'd make a great little sand rig. I'm waiting for the weekend to take my new-to-me 96 out on so me forest roads...will report back...

My wife drives a 2nd gen and it at least does very well in the snow. It feels like a little buggy on the soft stuff.

[chet]

the '93 is fuel injected. you can help the power ALOT by adding a header, cam and bigger exhaust. Alsoif you swap to OME leaf springs the ride improves drastically. Or you can go to YJ leaves and leave it spring under. You will gain around 3" of lift but the springs ride better because they are longer.

[SGV]

Or I could go OME YJ springs for an even better ride?

Looks like the Sammies went FI in 1990. I have heard that these years are good finds. My wife likes the Samurai much better than the Land Cruisers I showed her. Looks like we are going to check this one out this weekend. They just dropped the price another 50 bucks.

Edit:

the '93 is fuel injected. you can help the power ALOT by adding a header, cam and bigger exhaust.

How much is a lot? I can't imagine more than 80 hp, but for a vehicle this light that should be fine. I hope the real winner would be to push its torque numbers near 100. I have driven little cars with low HP, and they performed just fine with some awesome mpg figures. How I miss my MX-3.

[chet]

if you keep the tires stock or near stock the power will be fine. not uphill in 5th gear fine though unless the motor is like new. A header is really simple and helps some and a 2" or 2 1/4" exhaust really helps as well as the stock pee shooter exhaust is really restrictive. A cam really helps but requires removing the head which is a bit of a job.

[SGV]

I don't think I have ever driven a manual that can go uphill in 5th without some loss of speed. Then again, I have never owned a manual with more than 4 cylinders. I have read that the Samurais are really easy to work on. I think someone said all you really need is a 10mm wrench. I am sure this is an exaggeration, but I like the idea of simplicity. But for expedition duty, how small is too small? There have been some pretty massive lists of required gear for a proper expedition listed and I can't see that amount of stuff fitting in anything smaller than an Excursion (kidding). How much can you pack in a Sammy?

[chet]

my sammy is the long wheel base version so I can pack alot. Like me, wife, kid and all our camping gear. When I had a shorty I could pack all our gear for a weekend in the back. I also had a roof rack box though.

As for simple if you have an 8,10,12,14,17 metric wrenches it will take a sammy apart EXCEPT for the dumb phillips head screws they used on the hinges!

[SGV]

As for simple if you have an 8,10,12,14,17 metric wrenches it will take a sammy apart EXCEPT for the dumb phillips head screws they used on the hinges!

Now that's what I am talking about! It would be nice if everything were that simple.

[SGV]

http://images.craigslist.org/1fa12513bZZZZZZZZZ8at1de60f68b55b17aa.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/1f112c141ZZZZZZZZZ8atd5e7350fcd621ced.jpg

Oh jeez they just knocked off another $150 from the price of this one. Must...resist...still deciding what I need...:littlefriend:

[Seth Kendall]

My Suzuki is not FI as it is a pre-90's model, which means I don't get anywhere in a hurry, but on the flipside, I can go everywhere on minimal gas. For me and the fiance it is more than ample room for weekend to week long excursions. We removed the seats and added a rack in the back to double space. Further, we tend to pack fairly light. More on the backpacking side. So, dependent on what you are hoping to do with expeditions this could be the perfect vehicle especially at that price. If I plan on going on longer trips I just go with friends with bigger rigs and AT trailers. Let them pack the extra gear. Hahahaha. Buy it.

[SGV]

A big realization occurred when we were loading the kayaks on my wife's Rav4. These things are too big for it. I am thinking the vehicle size I need will fall between a 4-door Sidekick and a Gen II Montero. I will definitely be putting the Samurai on the back burner because I do want one, it just isn't feasible for me yet.

I was being selfish, but here is the full craigslist post for anyone else who might be interested.

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/916261514.html

From my very inexpert poking around, it looks solid. The interior looks nice, the tires appear to be fairly new.

[mauricio_28]

I own a D40 Nissan Navara, and though I absolutely love it, I'd like a smaller vehicle for shorter-hauls and city jaunts to complement the Navara. I came across a 4x4 1992 Sukuki Vitara (aka Sidekick) 1.6L JLX with 82,000 kilometers and recently overhauled engine. The initial asking price is about US$6k. Here are some pix:
http://www.mobillaku.com/mod/popup.php?id=11515&pos=0
http://www.mobillaku.com/mod/popup.php?id=11515&pos=1
http://www.mobillaku.com/mod/popup.php?id=11515&pos=2
http://www.mobillaku.com/mod/popup.php?id=11515&pos=3
http://www.mobillaku.com/mod/popup.php?id=11515&pos=4

It's got a body and suspension lift, but the initial asking price seems a bit over-priced given that you can pick up a 1980s Toyota FJ40 for that much.

Nevertheless I am seeing it tomorrow because my GF is looking for a used car to use in Bali. I initially suggested an FJ40, but she thought the Vitara was more her style...