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Very interesting that this thread came up... because my dad was given one of these for FREE last week. It is a 1985 Samurai (on the fender it says something like SJ410 JL). It looks like it was a higher end model if you could call anything on these "high end". lol. It is green and has factory pin striping on the sides. It is a hardtop verson, not ragtop.
It belonged to our neighbor of many years who passed away a few months ago... his daughter came over last week with the title and paperwork and asked my dad if he wanted it (no strings attached) and of course he said yes. Over the years, so many people has tried ot buy it from him. It had been setting for years, but is rust free and runs like a new one. He thinks the throw-out bearing? may be bad though. It had not been started for years... new gas, new oil and battery and it started right up.
We typically do not get much snow here in Tennessee (about 10 inches of snow per winter on average here in the NE part of the state), but with the winter I have heard is coming, it MAY come in handy this year. lol. We also have grandpas old '76 Suburban Silverado, but it gets like 5 mpg. lol.
I will post some photos of this little ride later.
Still thinking of getting one of these as nice off-road toy for those days when I feel like doing something like that.
In addition, the Trackers seem to still be in rather good supply in some places due to many still being addicted to the wannabe monster-trucks that end up getting jammed between a couple of trees.(Kick the windshield out to escape!!)
We typically do not get much snow here in Tennessee (about 10 inches of snow per winter on average here in the NE part of the state), but with the winter I have heard is coming, it MAY come in handy this year. lol. We also have grandpas old '76 Suburban Silverado, but it gets like 5 mpg. lol.
I will post some photos of this little ride later.
You might not like it in the snow. Yes it will have good traction but the brakes will lock up and it will swap ends on you in a hot second if you aren't careful.
You might not like it in the snow. Yes it will have good traction but the brakes will lock up and it will swap ends on you in a hot second if you aren't careful.
Well that stinks! lol. That was the only reason we really wanted it. Maybe we still stick with the Suburban when it snows... hopefully it will be an average season and we will not see much. lol.
Anyway, here are some photos of it that I snapped with my phone this evening... pardon the mess, we are currently in the process of remodeling/updating parts of the house.
The front bumper needs replaced...
The only rust we have been able to find was on the bottom of the tailgate... it appears the drains had clogged and water had been setting in there... also a little spot on the side of the hood.
Well that stinks! lol. That was the only reason we really wanted it. Maybe we still stick with the Suburban when it snows... hopefully it will be an average season and we will not see much. lol.
Anyway, here are some photos of it that I snapped with my phone this evening... pardon the mess, we are currently in the process of remodeling/updating parts of the house.
The front bumper needs replaced...
The only rust we have been able to find was on the bottom of the tailgate... it appears the drains had clogged and water had been setting in there... also a little spot on the side of the hood.
Definitely a sight for sore eyes. Even in that condition it's still worth keeping.
I see that people are buying up the old ones, stripping them down/hacking the fenders and putting mud tires on them and using them for trail riding where normally only quads and side by sides can fit. I just checked Craigslist and it looks like you can have one in running condition for about $2000. Especially in NJ where only registered, insured, and street legal vehicles (no quads) are allowed in state forests it would be great! Anybody ever do this?
The Samurais were pretty popular back in the late 80s/early 90s. And they did real well off road, too. Short wheelbase, narrow track, and decent ground clearance add up to good agility in tight spots. Folks who bought one because they were "cute" tended to be disappointed with the rough on-road ride and lack of amenities, which meant that many quickly went on the used market. Might be hard to find one in good shape today. But they have one BIG advantage over ATVs: the Samurais are street legal. Drive it to your remote fun spot and drive it home again. No need for trailers and towing vehicles.
The Samurais were pretty popular back in the late 80s/early 90s. And they did real well off road, too. Short wheelbase, narrow track, and decent ground clearance add up to good agility in tight spots. Folks who bought one because they were "cute" tended to be disappointed with the rough on-road ride and lack of amenities, which meant that many quickly went on the used market. Might be hard to find one in good shape today. But they have one BIG advantage over ATVs: the Samurais are street legal. Drive it to your remote fun spot and drive it home again. No need for trailers and towing vehicles.
A big one right here.
Nice to not have to deal with having to finance/out-right buy all these additional logistics accessories.
Especially when there's no place to park it all to begin with!!
lol, thanks! I am sure it will not be as safe or luxurious as the 4wd we are replacing with it - grandpas old 1977 Chevy Suburban Silverado 4wd, but it will sure get better MPG's!
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