1988 Samurai

katoranger · 06-28-2018, 10:47 AM

I found one. Barn Find. Been hiding since 1994. This will be a project. I am going to attempt the Vermont registration on this. Kansas will make me wait 4 and 1/2 more years for it to turn 35 before I can register it. That may be okay. Gives me time to work on it.

ChondaChondaChonda · 06-28-2018, 10:53 AM

I bought an '87 in 1989 and explored every dirt road within 1000 miles for the next few years. I sold it to my brother with close to 200k on it; he still has it, but he has modified it quite heavily.

katoranger · 06-28-2018, 10:57 AM

This one is showing 73K. Likely original as it appears to have only been on the road 6 years. The drivers side kingpin bearings are gone. That may be why it was parked.

Weldangrind · 06-28-2018, 11:15 AM

Congrats! I'm looking for a Samurai just like that for my daughter. I'm looking forward to following this thread.

imapdog · 06-28-2018, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Congrats! I'm looking for a Samurai just like that for my daughter. I'm looking forward to following this thread.

lol. coincidentally i have been talking to this guy in middle tn about this one today, well a x-90.
Attachment 13504

**JerryHawk250** · 06-28-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Congrats! I'm looking for a Samurai just like that for my daughter. I'm looking forward to following this thread.

LOL Me too. She would like a Jeep but I'm not paying the Jeep price. I would like to find something like that so we can work on it together fixing it up.
I found an 1988 too. It didn't look too bad. https://neworleans.craigslist.org/ct...624921317.html

ben2go · 06-28-2018, 01:27 PM

I love Sammys. I never owned one but worked on a few when I was an auto tech. Always wanted one all original early 90's with the hard top in silver.

katoranger · 06-28-2018, 05:50 PM

Well I think I calculated $100 to send the state of Vermont. I swapped two more tires today. One of the ones I did yesterday went flat. Probably the valve stem.

Front axle rebuild kit is $130 on Amazon. I have been waiting over 20 years for one of these to appear.

This is going to take alot of work and new parts to get it back on the road.

MICRider · 06-29-2018, 12:46 PM

Congrats Kato! I love the little zooks and trackers. My Tracker ZR2 has survived the culling of all my vehicles, lol. Fun rigs to cruise around in and you can park them anywhere!

katoranger · 06-29-2018, 12:49 PM

I plan to send off for the Vermont registration tomorrow. Hoping that it works.

Darkrider · 06-29-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imapdog

lol. coincidentally i have been talking to this guy in middle tn about this one today, well a x-90.
Attachment 13504

The X-90 is based off of the Sidekick/Tracker but still a cool little rig none the less.

Looks like the Sami is in great shape to start with!

katoranger · 06-29-2018, 07:52 PM

It is rust free. The frame is clean and body is straight. Just some minor body work is needed. Mostly needing mechanical things. I think it will be best to tear it apart and clean everything up first. The carpet will likely just go. This will be a summer fun rig that will be parked inside. Top will go too.

katoranger · 06-29-2018, 08:53 PM

Mail off the Vermont registration paperwork tonight. We shall see in a couple weeks if I get plates.

I think one of the next steps is to clean out the interior. Remove seats and carpet and power wash it.

wheelbender6 · 06-30-2018, 09:07 AM

Samurais are very popular here on the peninsula. I remember going to a drive in movie one time in a Samurai.

katoranger · 07-01-2018, 09:37 PM

Shoveled out 3 trash cans of debri from the interior tonight. Cut the rear carpet out. I plan to remove the seats and pull the front carpet next. Then it will time for the power washer and purple cleaner. Hoping that by the time I get the thing cleaned up my Vermont tags will be here.

06-28-2018, 10:53 AM	#2
ChondaChondaChonda Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 547	I bought an '87 in 1989 and explored every dirt road within 1000 miles for the next few years. I sold it to my brother with close to 200k on it; he still has it, but he has modified it quite heavily. __________________ 1993 CR125 powered by Zongshen 223cc OHC 2̶0̶1̶6̶ ̶L̶X̶R̶ ̶2̶5̶0̶ ̶E̶F̶I̶ ̶ Sold 2018 GPX Moto FSE250R 1993 Fantic Key-Roo 250
	0

06-28-2018, 10:57 AM	#3
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	This one is showing 73K. Likely original as it appears to have only been on the road 6 years. The drivers side kingpin bearings are gone. That may be why it was parked. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	1

06-28-2018, 11:15 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Congrats! I'm looking for a Samurai just like that for my daughter. I'm looking forward to following this thread. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

06-28-2018, 05:50 PM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Well I think I calculated $100 to send the state of Vermont. I swapped two more tires today. One of the ones I did yesterday went flat. Probably the valve stem. Front axle rebuild kit is $130 on Amazon. I have been waiting over 20 years for one of these to appear. This is going to take alot of work and new parts to get it back on the road. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	3

06-29-2018, 12:49 PM	#10
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I plan to send off for the Vermont registration tomorrow. Hoping that it works. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-28-2018, 01:27 PM	#7
ben2go Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,335	I love Sammys. I never owned one but worked on a few when I was an auto tech. Always wanted one all original early 90's with the hard top in silver.
	2

06-29-2018, 12:46 PM	#9
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Congrats Kato! I love the little zooks and trackers. My Tracker ZR2 has survived the culling of all my vehicles, lol. Fun rigs to cruise around in and you can park them anywhere!
	0

06-29-2018, 07:52 PM	#12
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	It is rust free. The frame is clean and body is straight. Just some minor body work is needed. Mostly needing mechanical things. I think it will be best to tear it apart and clean everything up first. The carpet will likely just go. This will be a summer fun rig that will be parked inside. Top will go too. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	3

06-29-2018, 08:53 PM	#13
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Mail off the Vermont registration paperwork tonight. We shall see in a couple weeks if I get plates. I think one of the next steps is to clean out the interior. Remove seats and carpet and power wash it. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-30-2018, 09:07 AM	#14
wheelbender6 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,902	Samurais are very popular here on the peninsula. I remember going to a drive in movie one time in a Samurai. __________________ "Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
	0

07-01-2018, 09:37 PM	#15
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Shoveled out 3 trash cans of debri from the interior tonight. Cut the rear carpet out. I plan to remove the seats and pull the front carpet next. Then it will time for the power washer and purple cleaner. Hoping that by the time I get the thing cleaned up my Vermont tags will be here. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	2