AboutDavid Scott Expertise Questions regarding the advisability of different kinds of modifications to Samurai/Sidekick/Tracker or various kinds of off-road usage. I will not attempt to do more than provide links for questions about other Suzukis such as Vitara, Grand Vitara, etc. I may or may not give generalized advice for newer models, but have no experience regarding newer models, and will not attempt to give more than the most generalized answers for questions regarding vehicles later than '93 manufacture. I will however, if possible, provide a link that will help you contact a professional in your region.
Experience I've been a professional mechanic for over thirty five years, live in the center of the Rocky Mountains, and have been active in exploring the old mining/4wd roads for decades. I've specific experience with Samurai modification, because that's my personal vehicle.
Education/Credentials Thirty five years of advanced, intensive classes for experienced professionals only. Manufacturer seminars and training classes averaging four to six weeks per year. I'm now a professional heavy duty fleet mechanic, and no longer deal with issues such as MIL (check engine) lights
Expert: David Scott Date: 1/30/2008 Subject: Suzuki Samurai or SJ410 coil suspension
Question QUESTION: Hi David
I recently bought a very well looked after SJ410. Will fitting a coil spring suspension (like OME) improve handling and on-road stability? What else can I do to improve this? I bought it mainly as a commuter and week-end entertainment.
best regards
Willem
South Africa
ANSWER: Coil spring suspension will make it ride softer, but will probably increase body lean when cornering, and will raise the vehicle somewhat, which will increase the effects of body lean when cornering on the highways. It will, however be a vast improvement off-road with much greater suspension travel, and a much softer ride in rough terrain. Basically, it's a question of what trade-off you're willing to make to gain what advantage off road.
I put Jeep Wrangler springs under mine because of their easy availability and low cost (used springs from an upgrade shop's scrap pile were free).
scotty
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Dave
It is what I expected... Can I do leaf spring OME in stages? Was considering the shocks and steering damper first, then do the springs later on, or is this wrong way around?
Willem
Answer You can do the damper at any point. Check with OME about which shocks, and whether you can use the same shocks on an essentially stock vehicle and then put on OME springs and have them still be correct travel lengths for the new springs.
Depending on local laws, it may or may not be legal to go with springs mounted on top of the axle, which drastically improves clearance, and suspension travel. It also would require much longer travel shocks, and a drop pitman arm to keep the suspension geometry from making it pull to one side when braking. (this is also the path to wanting to add locking differentials, lower transfer case gearing and many other levels of rationalized extra expenditures) As an example, after installing Lock Rite locking differentials, I discovered that unless I wanted to bring a gorilla along to turn the wheel while in 4wd low range, I would have to install power steering. I went with a Sidekick/Tracker kit which although not as powerful as other kits, is adequate for my purposes. One thing leads you to want an additional modification....
It really depends on how difficult the terrain you want to explore is. For a parts investment of about $3500 -$4500 American dollars, you can turn your vehicle into something that climbs with, and in some cases can slightly outclimb a Jeep Rubicon, and can easily go anywhere an H2 or H3 or a Range Rover can go.
Even though most of the businesses are in the US, go to www.izook,com, and peruse the links to see what kind of equipment is available, and what level of modifications can be achieved for what kind of expenditure. Caution: This way lies madness, but it certainly is fun when you get to take it off road! Keep asking questions until you are satisfied you have arrived at the answer that satisfies your wishes versus budget, and use.
scotty
