4x4 North

Not 100% sure what to call this build, but I was leaning toward the Corona Wagon, and see if I can wire a barfridge in there or something... Thought it would be a fun play on words given that the only reason I had time to work on it was the oil crash and the virus shenanigans.

Realistically it's just another 2.3 Sami conversion, but I'm having fun with it...

Backstory being that my dad picked up a parts soft top Sami nearly a decade ago and just stole the hubs and transmission, and used it for a spring over prototype. A few years later I had a tracker that I DDed. After eating 2 timing chains in the space of a few months, I dropped a 2.3 in. The 2.3 rocked for the year it ran, then after a couple duck hunting mishaps I drove it 20 miles back to town in -20 with no coolant and it wouldn't start again.

Should probably find a better name, but it's here for now.

For the early stuff, I think I'll just copy and paste from Pirate, I'm lazy/efficient that way.

Given that we have already started work, I'll list what we planned, and what the plan looks like now.

Original plan was:
- Sami body and frame
- 2.3 that I put in the Tracker when I blew the 2.0
- Auto and transfer case from Tracker
- 4 linked rear end from Tracker
- Spring over front end
- Maybe a 4" wheelbase stretch

Current plan is:
- Sami Body and frame
- 2.3 and auto from Tracker
- Sami TCase and axles
- Spring over both ends (for now)
- Links and wheelbase stretch is not off the table depending on what driveshaft angles look like for the rear. More likely this will be after we get it registered and insured, as we don't really want to need to get it inspected (our insurance company is fairly good for not needing inspections if you play your cards right.)

Stripping down the Tracker was a good time, I especially enjoyed it after all the times it left me stranded.

Hacked out the transmission and Tcase crossmembers from the Sami. And after a good bit of welding and cutting, I came up with a good pair of crossmembers. Perty sure they should hold up to anything the 2.3 can put out.

I like the project name, you should keep it.

Test fitted the body, and figured out that the engine was 3" too far forward. After much measuring and deciding that a remote rad mount was less than ideal for my plan. There was much annoyance and the death of many grinder disks to get the motor mounts moved back. That was the day I learned the value of tack welds an mockups. A few tunnel modifications and the body seems to sit on the frame half decently. Just need to get the body patched up enough to actually bolt to the frame...

Scott Cee AKA 2drx4 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:39 pm I like the project name, you should keep it.

Alright, we'll see how many people I can offend with it...

To catch up to today, I have the Trail Tough auto tailshaft bushing waiting to be put in. Looks like I'm gonna have to do more than shorten the intermediate driveshaft, so it will take some work to get it all set up.

Also dragged some tires for the little wagon home today, in the best size out there. Free.
The plan was 31s, but I'm not one to turn down 33 Goodrich M/Ts. They're worn down a bit, but I can't complain. My only worry is breaking axles, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. If all else fails, I got a set of Waggy 44s, that are kinda set aside for my Willys, but that could change.

Good to see another samurai build on here. especially with a 2.3 swapped in.
I had plans to put a 2.0 in my lwb but it seems all the cool kids these days are doing the 2,3 swap

looks like it can certainly stand lots and lots of cutting on that body !

33"s should survive for a bit, eh? especially worn and hard 33's

pointsnorth wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 7:55 am Good to see another samurai build on here. especially with a 2.3 swapped in.
I had plans to put a 2.0 in my lwb but it seems all the cool kids these days are doing the 2,3 swap

Well, like they say, there's no replacement for displacement.

pointsnorth wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 7:55 am Good to see another samurai build on here. especially with a 2.3 swapped in.
I had plans to put a 2.0 in my lwb but it seems all the cool kids these days are doing the 2,3 swap

I'd just start with the 2.0 personally, if you run that and decide you need the extra displacement, it's plug and play. Plenty of Aerios around to pull them. 2.3 plays just fine with my 2.0 PCM. Only things to switch out are the exhaust manifold and fuel rail.

Provience wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 10:18 am looks like it can certainly stand lots and lots of cutting on that body !

33"s should survive for a bit, eh? especially worn and hard 33's

We'll see how much cutting it needs, the rust did a lot of pre cutting already .

The Goodrich's should do well for summer, but with the ice and snow that we run on for hunting season I don't know how they'll do. Might just try and find some chains for the time being.

Joe_the_ice_man wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2020 12:13 pm
I'd just start with the 2.0 personally, if you run that and decide you need the extra displacement, it's plug and play. Plenty of Aerios around to pull them. 2.3 plays just fine with my 2.0 PCM. Only things to switch out are the exhaust manifold and fuel rail.

good to know as I have a complete running tracker with a 2.0 already. as well as a doubler with a sami case. will see if it needs more power once its together

Picked up some 15x8 F150 rims from the wrecker today. $9 a piece ain't half bad. Mounted two of the tires before the rain hit...with both bays of dad's shop occupied with different projects, I'm stuck working outside for the time being. Two days of rain mean no putzing on anything but wiring harness for a bit.