TECHNICAL FORUMS => Project Builds => Topic started by: Ryan_25 on January 11, 2009, 08:43:41 PM
Title: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on January 11, 2009, 08:43:41 PM
First off I am not too creative, so I dont have a cool name for my project. But here it is anyway. The plan is to make it into a class 1 RcRocs comp rig.
It is a 1986 Samurai tin top. It has the 1.3 liter motor that runs really bad. It just needs a little work on the vacuum lines for the carb. Easy fix (I hope).
It has almost new BFG muds on it already, So the plan is to do a spring over and weld the rear. Put a small exocage on it and go have fun.
I have already ordered new transfer case gears. I got the 6.5 trail-gear gears and a stronger front output shaft.
This should be a lot of fun and I will keep this thread going with all the upgrades and work that I do on this Sammi.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on January 11, 2009, 09:50:06 PM
still LOVE the single axle trailer. I think I could just about tow that thing with my car.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: GTJake on January 12, 2009, 08:51:44 AM
the barn looks wierd without a roof! haha
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Dragon on January 12, 2009, 12:23:45 PM
I\'m sure the name has been done-to-death...but how about Mini-me?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: GTJake on January 13, 2009, 09:01:56 AM
LOL! or how about \"hard top ATV that fits on lawnmower trailer formarly known as samurai\"
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on February 08, 2009, 08:50:14 PM
I got around to doing some work on this over the weekend.
The transfer case gears are in. With these 6.5 gears it barley moves in low range. It should be called 4-slow now. :)
I took it out around the yard tonight. The low range works again and works very well.
I ordered some Chro-mo front axle shafts. Now I need to decide if I want to weld the front or rear carrier. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Wingman on February 08, 2009, 09:47:00 PM
I\'d think that welding the front would not be desireable because of the differentiation dynamics needed for turning. Welding the rear is much more tolerable than the front. Put a lunch-box locker in the front.
$.02
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: GTJake on February 09, 2009, 08:44:33 AM
he can only have one axel locked for comp.
id agre with welding the rear...can you limited slip the front?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: smichaelR22 on February 09, 2009, 12:00:03 PM
personally being one of the shorter wheelbased carbed guys in the club, id weld the front and LS the rear. i bet with that little sami a locked rear might push you harder like your on rails and inhibit steering. a locker in the front will drag the weight up front in the direction you wana go.
i run an incorrectly clearanced lockright in the front (basically welded) and only have slight problems from manual steering soon to be swaped out for a power box
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: wnyjpgy on February 10, 2009, 11:20:37 AM
Here\'s my .02 from \"that other website\".
While we were competing last year we learned alot, steering is very critical, it\'s tough making some of the RCRocs courses, and on occasion we\'ve had to take cones on purpose.
So where am I going with this? as far as locking the front or rear is concerned, I would personally lock the rear.
Reason #1-We run a ARB in the front (YJ) with out turning it off, it can be very difficult to steer on the man made courses. As I\'m sure your aware the concrete is very abrasive.
Reason #2-During one comp we blew the ARB in the front, however we had a fairly steep climb to make and even though the front locker was junk the weight distributed to the rear while making the climb worked just fine with only a rear locker.
I have a couple of other reasons, but I think I\'ve summed it up.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on February 10, 2009, 04:13:40 PM
Seems like we have a debate here. Being a samurai with 26-spline chro-mo front shafts. I can weld the front and If I dont like it I can swap it to the rear.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on February 10, 2009, 04:24:38 PM
I was thinking exactly that. should do a gear setup if you do that though, and that\'s a bit annoying.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: wnyjpgy on February 10, 2009, 04:41:22 PM
obviously you need to do what you think will benefit you the most. Here are my points for debate.
1. Steering is the most important. The gates are narrow, however you have a narrow rig which will help.
2. Climbing is second. With a 80\"ish wheelbase I don\'t believe having a front locker is going to benefit you much. On the steep climbs there will be no weight on the front axle (should read wheelie), during this situation a rear locker (read welded) should help you out.
3. Decending gets an honorable mention. How often have you needed a locker to decend a hill? Probably none that you remember. Last year we got slightly bound up going down hill against a rock, we then tried to back up breaking the front end, with the rear locker we were able to put it in 2wd and reverse and spin the rear of the jeep sideways to help it slide sideways down the hill. If it were open it wouldn\'t have helped.
With that being said, I\'m just trying to give you my honest opinion, if it helps great, if not no biggie.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on February 10, 2009, 05:42:23 PM
The sammi axles have removeable thirds So no gear setup is necissarry.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on February 11, 2009, 01:14:02 PM
Here it is after the spring over performed last night. Thanks for all the help.
Those are almost bald 33\" MTRs on it. It is looking good.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on March 11, 2009, 02:41:11 PM
I did a little more to the Sammi this week. It runs much better thanks to a Weber 32/36 carb.
The 33\" Truxus MTs are now mounted and installed.
I started the tube work for the cage last night. If I can find time I hope to have that finished up by next weekend.
And after a few \"pops\" we decided it would be fun to make the doors removable, like a Jeep. After some cutting and bending the doors now come off.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: GTJake on March 11, 2009, 02:50:11 PM
nice
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on March 11, 2009, 03:24:39 PM
and more importantly, for now, they go back on.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: BANTAM on March 11, 2009, 06:56:32 PM
I\'m jealous! I\'ve always wanted to build a samurai! Looks great!
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on April 21, 2009, 09:14:39 PM
The Samurai did great. Only issue is the Carb. I ordered a propane kit for it. It will be on before our next Rausch trip on May 2.
Anyone need a Weber for a 1.3l Samurai motor?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: etk300ex on April 22, 2009, 06:16:28 AM
will that fit on my lawn mower? :-D
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: smichaelR22 on April 24, 2009, 07:10:44 AM
i picked up two full forktruck LPG tanks yesterday.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on May 05, 2009, 02:06:58 PM
The propane worked great. I had no issues with stalling on hills or off camber situations. I did have a problem with the Samurai over heating on Saturday. Sunday it was fine.
I need to make some diff armor. Too many rocks smashing the front diff caused a hole. We used the Ready Welder (thanks Cora) to weld it up and its good as new.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on May 05, 2009, 03:05:28 PM
need more fan or just better coolant with some water wetter?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on May 06, 2009, 08:17:08 AM
Im not sure yet. I will try a flush and fill and see if that helps. Its weird that it only happend the one day. Last time it was 20 degrees warmer outside and it ran fine.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: smichaelR22 on May 06, 2009, 12:05:26 PM
awful lot of tube sitting on the racks.....
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on May 06, 2009, 12:31:43 PM
I dont think I will get the cage done for the next trip. I need to fix the front diff and make a tire carrier for it first.
Unless you want some practice bending tube?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on May 06, 2009, 01:21:00 PM
I want practice. wish I had time.
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on May 12, 2009, 09:01:06 AM
I did some work on the exo-cage this weekend. It is coming along very nicely. (http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3730/27/111/1304965388/n1304965388_30201902_2167111.jpg)
I took off the front bumper and noticed that my tierod was bent. So work on the cage stopped and work on a new tierod began.
I used a stock XJ tierod that I had laying in my junk pile. I got an aluminum drag link with 5/8\" heims from Pain Motorsports in Waterloo. It was really my only option for a timely repair.
I used the Plasmacam to cut out some tabs to mount the draglink to the tierod. It cam out very nice. I am happy with it.
Smike found why the tierod bent in the first place so we moved the draglink to the top of the pitman arm. The old draglink would wedge against the tierod on full stuff and when I turned it bent the tierod. Wheel and learn
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: smichaelR22 on May 12, 2009, 02:57:53 PM
exo looks hot and needs to be done :)
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: Ryan_25 on May 26, 2009, 02:14:09 PM
Im putting Scout Dana 44s under it.
The stock rear did not last long. I have a good front still. With Chromo shafts and a welded carrier. Anyone?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: smichaelR22 on May 26, 2009, 02:32:22 PM
jetski man need any parts?
Title: Re: Samurai comp crawler
Post by: MrMindless on May 26, 2009, 03:50:08 PM
I\'d post that stuff up for sale on the RC board. I didn\'t catch what group Mr. JetSki was with.
