1987 Suzuki Samurai Trail Zuk - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

Suzuki Roundup Trail Zuk Rear Three Quarter

Chris Barkley was looking for a vehicle to explore some of the forested trails near his home in the mountains of Arizona. He considered a UTV, but quickly snuffed that idea in favor of a built Suzuki. He found a clean, stock ’87 Samurai for $1,400 and began from there.

Suzuki Roundup Trail Zuk Suzuki Front Three Quarter

Front-end armor is handled with a Zuks Off Road (ZOR) winch bumper that houses a Smittybilt XRC8 winch. A suspension lift with 33-inch tires provides an excellent approach angle. Inside appointments include Corbeau Baja SS suspension seats protected under a sport rollcage.

Front-end armor is handled with a Zuks Off Road (ZOR) winch bumper that houses a Smittybil

All along he knew that he wanted to keep the Sammy at a fairly small profile to have the ability to easily navigate tight trails, but he wanted sufficient ground clearance and suspension flex to make it capable of tackling substantial trail obstacles. With those goals in mind, he chose to build upon 33-inch tires and about 6 inches of suspension lift.

Chris used a Trail Tough Jeep YJ spring conversion combined with 6:1 low range transfer case gears, and locked and geared Samurai axles. Front and rear Zuks Off Road bumpers and other steel armor protect the sheetmetal and drivetrain.

The resulting rig handles well on the trail, and the upgraded Sumo II engine with ZOR Harley carb conversion and header/exhaust mods provide more power to turn the Mickey Thompson Baja Claws.

The front suspension comprises a Trail Tough YJ conversion using five-leaf Jeep packs and missing link shackles, with damping handled by Doetsch Tech shocks. The front axle has been fortified with chromoly innards, and the housing has been beefed up with a Low Range Off-Road axle truss and weld-on knuckle gussets.
The front suspension comprises a Trail Tough YJ conversion using five-leaf Jeep packs and
To complete the lift and clear the larger tires as well, in back are Jeep YJ springs. Gears in both axles are 5.38s, and a mini spool out back complements the Lock-Right locker up front. Chris also installed Trail Tough chromoly axleshafts and axle backing plates.
To complete the lift and clear the larger tires as well, in back are Jeep YJ springs. Gear
Chris wanted the ability to turn the 33-inch Baja Claws with plenty of torque, so he opted for Trail Tough 6:1 low-range gearing in the transfer case. The case is mounted using a Trail Tough Mighty Kong bucket along with a ZOR Panty Liner transfer case support.
Chris wanted the ability to turn the 33-inch Baja Claws with plenty of torque, so he opted

Tech Specs
1987 Suzuki Samurai
Drivetrain
Engine: Suzuki 1.3L Sumo II engine from Asian Auto Parts, ZOR Harley carb conversion, Doug Thorley tri-y header, 2-inch free-flow exhaust
Transmission: Stock 5-speed
Transfer case: Stock transfer case with 6:1 Trail Tough low-range gears
Front Axle: Samurai, 5.38:1 gears, Lock-Right, Trail Tough chromoly axles
Rear Axle: Samurai, 5.38:1 gears, Trail Tough mini spool and chromoly axleshafts
Suspension
Springs & Such: Trail Tough Jeep YJ spring conversion, Ford shock towers, Doetsch Tech shocks in front; Jeep YJ leaf packs, Doetsch Tech shocks in rear
Tires & Wheels: 33X12.50R15LT Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radials on 15-inch steel wheels with 2 inches of backspacing
Steering: Crossover steering conversion
Other Stuff: Smittybilt XRC8 winch with synthetic rope, Trail Tough full skidplate, homemade sliders, rollcage, Corbeau Baja SS seats