Recently acquired an 86 Samurai with a 1.3L 4 cyl mileage unknown (probably around 100K), would like to do a gentle cleaning with via oil. The valve seals were pretty hard and brittle which caused it to smoke at startup. Changed the valve seals and it doesn't smoke but I've noticed it's using oil, no leaks that I see. So probably pretty dirty inside. Of course with a vehicle like this economical works the best. How about ST 10w-40 syn blend at 3K intervals?
86 Suzuki Samurai - Cleaning
- Thread starter fbergski
- Start date
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Photos of 86 Samurai mandatory! I had an 86 tintop for around 16 years and it always used some oil no matter what I tried. It didn't smoke either. Is it stock?
I've got an 87 tintop and changed the valve seals as well. I've got 15w-40 delvac in it right now and that seems to be fine. I had 5w-30 in it change before and consumption/smoke was noticeably worse than with the 15w-40. I'm sure 10w-30 would be just fine as well. These little trucks aren't picky. Keeping them full is more important than what they're full of.
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Great picture. Four Wheel Drive Magazine would refuse to post pictures of anyone's 4x4 rig if it was on pavement when the picture was taken.
Nice! I always liked these. Especially now that Jeeps are all crazy expensive and 20 ft long. 
You'll have fun playing with it.. If you want a cheap mud tire recommendation that fits without rubbing and run surprisingly quiet on the street these are good:
Crosswind M/T LT 215/75R15 100/97Q C (6 Ply) MT Mud Terrain Tire
Crosswind M/T LT 215/75R15 100/97Q C (6 Ply) MT Mud Terrain Tire
www.prioritytire.com
They are out of stock now, but will pop back up when they get in another batch.
I'm about to have to figure out how to work on king pins.. I have a couple seals leaking on my front axle.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
I did a 2" lift on mine and 235/75-15 tires would tuck into the fenders with no rubbing on stock wheels. There was a lift where you'd use front CJ springs in the rear and use the rear Samurai springs with a couple of leaves removed on the front. You had to make new fixed end brackets to keep the axles centered but it rode and worked great. Someone actually made a kit with the brackets BITD. I got too nervous driving it on the roads and sold it. Tiny little thing, no safety features, distracted drivers etc.
I'm thinking about a RUF lift but first I need to fix all the little things. This was really for my teenage daughter since she liked it but after driving it she prefers something faster 
. I don't mind driving to work, better fuel economy then my diesel truck .
. I don't mind driving to work, better fuel economy then my diesel truck .
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Everybody's different but I'd never put a teen driver in a Samurai and speed has nothing to do with it. It looks in great shape and tintops are pretty rare. You've got the makings of a fun cheap offroader there. It doesn't take much to make it very capable. The RUF/CJR is a good budget lift and the ride is better.I'm thinking about a RUF lift but first I need to fix all the little things. This was really for my teenage daughter since she liked it but after driving it she prefers something faster
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I had one and loved it. I thought the base was a bit narrow and "tipsy" so never thought a lift was safe.
