Hey!
So I'm fairly new to offroading, and have unfortunately caught the 'bug' as it were...
Anyways, I have been looking around at used offroading vehicles, and came across a listing for a 1987 Samurai. At the Big Dogs Icebreaker this year I saw a couple of these being used...what's the scoop / consensus on them? I like the styling on these a bit more than on the YJ or the TJ, but how do they stack up in terms of performance? The group leader on the Friday nighttime run at the Icebreaker was in one of them, and had no trouble running Trickle (unlike Rockhead and me in the stock XJ!).
Thanks!

 

Stick with the XJ. Its a better platform.

 

From Warrenton eh? Wife was born and raised in Astoria. She still has property there and we visit from time to time. Anyway, Sammys are a very capable rig in the PNW. They are really great in tight areas, which there is an abundance of up there. They are also as cheap or cheaper to mod as XJs. I have an 88 siting behind my shop waiting for its turn.

 

Don't get rid of the XJ but they are tons of fun. My buddy has one and they are great for cruising. But not a daily driver. Also, if you plan to do serious offroading, but a roll cage in. The factory cage is a joke.

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Thanks for the input, all!

What kind of gas economy do these things get? They seem to have smaller engines (1324 cc), but I really don't know how that plays with having the larger tires and such (as I'm pretty mechanically ignorant). I'm not a daily driver by any means and really only drive for fun, so economy isn't that big of a deal...it's still nice to know though!

 

Stock my friend got 40 MPG lifted with tires I think he's looking at low 30s MPG wise.

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I would say to pass on it. It has an engine swap to a 4.3l chevy v6, although that is a one of the best swaps for a Sami, its still an engine swap. And all kinds of problems can come from one not done properly, so i wouldn't recommend one for a beginner. As well you're not going to see those mpg numbers out of this one. Its also a hard top model which are more proned to rollovers than the convertibles, and aren't open air. A few years back Sami's prices went up considerably and i've wanted one since i was little, but not several thousands for one.

 

Oh I didn't notice the link I though it was stock or at least stock engine. You will not get that high of MPGs from a 4.3l. Find a stock one if you want a Sammy and build from there.

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I had a 87 sammy. Was a tough little truck for bone stock. Even wheeled the crap out of it. Only thing I disliked was it had no top in the winter and it was way to under powered.
So every time I wheeled it I used 4L to make up for the power it did not have.

 

I never got good milage when my Sammy was stock. The engine works too hard. It is all the way on all the time unless you are stopping. After owning one with an stock engine, I would not have another without some type of engine conversion.

 

How much do they weigh?

And they were SA front, right?

 

In stock form, 1050# front axle, 1000# rear axle. Very light and well balanced.

 

Just over 2000# if i'm thinking clearly. And yes, solid front and rear.