Outfitting wilderness vehicle

Just kidding about that trailer. Don't really care to pull one around on the street, let alone off-road. Interesting atriculation problems have caused trailer tongue disconnecting from ball ...

Backing & filling to turn around in a tight spot without a trailer is sometimes difficult at best. ... maybe a roof or bumper rack?
 
We've always kept a .22 rifle or long-barreled pistol with us in the car/truck. Mostly to put wounded deer down, but they're useful for many things. You can always find a very used .22 at the pawn shops for a bargain.
 
"Funnier" things have happened, Spectre. My Cuz, on a CO elk hunt, did take the kitchen sink - in The Trailer. Foot & 1/2' of snow on an uphill. Truck would articulate one direction, the trailer the other. This, while attempting to maintain an even speed for traction. Stopping to rehitch The Trailer is not condusive to .... well, anything. :(

Just thought I'd mention trailers & off-road don't mix all that well.
Some don't know.
 
Pinz712Kfinished2.JPG


http://www.real4x4.com/
 
Spectre:
That Handyman jack (hi-lift) that others have mentioned is a must. I'd be lost without one on the ranch's dirt roads when it rains or in the sand washes when it gets dry. It can be used like a come-along to winch you out if you throw in some cable as well. One thing, though, keep a good board like a 2x12, about a foot square with it to use as a base. If you get in some place where it's real muddy, the jack will just bury itself rather than lift your new wheels.

For your long guns, try Big Sky Racks to mount one or two fire sticks on the interior roof. Got one in my truck and they work great.

Denny
 
As Denny just mentioned, a Hi-Lift jack'll do much more than push a truck in the air. If you're crafty enough, you could even throw together a beaver pelt press. ;) Think of it as a rack 'n pinion, pawl-retarded, fully adjustable horizontal/vertical/inward/outward mechanical advantage leverage system.

Haven't gotten around to it yet but an overhead longgun rack (over visors most likely) seems to be just the place to mount - for many reasons ... any rack in the rear window would be for (either) when I'm with the truck or an obvious "no guns here" = empty indicator.

Seen a couple off-roaders who used large diameter steel tubing for both bumpers. Other than providing for a pretty stout "first-bump" protection, they're also hollow allowing extra storage space. Screw-on end caps with maybe a gasket or two & they're water-proof too boot. Same could be done with a decent grade of square channel stock & probably hidden inside stock bumpers with a bit of ingenuity ....

Jumper cables are a must - how'd I forget? Get good, heavy gauge. Do spend the $s to get good ones. Cheap-Os just suck although you may be able to heat water where they short out .... ;)

Just remembered. Coupla cans of that Fix-A-Flat stuff. Besides the obvious, airin' up again after running in sand, etc. is much easier than any bicycle-type air pump. Too, after the food's gone, no more water & the bear bite's so infected you'll likely die in the next hour or so, the entertainment value of watching all that goop fly over all creation is certainly worth the $3 :D
 
If you haven't bought the vehicle yet, I would reconsider. A better bet would be a pickup, Ford Ranger or Toyota in the small class, Chevy or Ford in the large size. Mostly because the more you can carry the better you'll be prepared.

If you do have the vehicle already...

rear locker - only problem that's hard to get used to is driving in curves on ice. Rear end will want to go one way and the front straight. I've had the EZlocker in mine. The do make the ARB locker now for the Samurai, but it is pricey.

small lift - shackle reversal will help smooth out the ride a bunch and is affordable. I have a used S/R lift that I can sell you, email me if you're interested. Will lift you 2" over stock. Most 3" spring lifts out there are going to be stiff.

small aggressive tires - your choice, mud terrain or all terrain. Stay around stock size or slightly larger, nothing bigger than 235/75x15. Anything bigger and what little power you have will be sucked out of your vehicle. Make sure you have at least one spare, plus a way to plug holes, plus some sort of air compressor. All terrain will probably be slightly better in the snow than the mud terrain. I've used both (not in heavy snow though) and prefer the mud terrain.

good shocks - will help smooth out the ride appreciably

exhaust - get a freer flowing exhaust on there, #1 improvement in performance IMO.

If you can afford it get your transfer case regeared. This will correct for slightly taller tires and make the Sammy much easier to drive off-road.

I can definetly recommend the bumper from Wheelers off-road. Very sturdy (smacked into a tree and didn't dent the bumper.) Not to expensive.

That would be it on vehicle enhancements on your budget. After that it would be outfitting.

Get a hi-lift jack, well worth the investment.

A hand winch, 2 ton rated or more, and not the cheap ones either. Have had one in my sammy for years and only used it a couple of times. Cheaper than an electric winch and just as handy. http://www.roadlessgear.com/powerpuller/

Straps/chains/etc

first aid kit - you'll want a pretty complete, yet compact kit. Get some first aid training if you have none.

survival kit - up to you to decide, fire/shelter/water/food are the four basics. Carry it all in a back-pack so you can be mobile if needed.

communications - CB/HAM/shortwave the more the better

You'll want more storage space. They do make roof racks, and 1/2 racks, storage lockers, locking center consoles (good for securing handgun). Or you can fabricate yourself, I had a good size wood box in the back of my Sammy for the longest time. Dont forget about ammo boxes, good for keeping things waterproof.

Spare parts - I would carry at least 1 spare hub, alternator, fan belt, hoses, oil filter, gas filters, ujoints and every fluid. You're not likely to be able to get some of these parts in remote AK.

Gas - as much as you can carry.


As far as sun visor mounts go, forget it, not enough room up there (unless you have a small carbine). Depends on how handy you want a rifle. You might think about an ATV type mount in the back. Or something that will mount it behind the front seats (also a popular place for the hi-lift jack.)

I have had a plywood board mounted between the two roll bar extensions. Handy place to put a map pocket and the CB radio.

Most of all I would find some local Zuk-freaks and hang out with them. Get to know how your vehicle handles off-road. Go for reliablity first, then performance, then looks.


popular Zuk hangouts -
http://bbs.off-road.com/wwwthreads//postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=offroadsuzuki
http://www.izook.com/toc.htm

Some popular vendors -
http://www.petroworks.com/
http://www.northcoastoffroad.com/
http://www.zukisouth.com/
http://www.rocky-road.com/suzuki.html
http://www.hawksuzukiparts.com/
http://www.puresuzuki.com/samurai2.htm
http://www.breezeindustries.com/suzuki.htm
http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/

my home page
http://www.geocities.com/keithm_home/sammy.html

Hope this helps.
 
Wow. Thanks for all the input.

KAM, geez. Thanks for the time to put in all those links.

I'm sure you guys will get to see her when she's done.

:D
 
Hey, no problem. I've got them all bookmarked.

I would say your biggest obstacle initially will be yourself. Just like most guns we shoot, the vehicle is much more capable than you are (if you have no or little experience off-road.) I surprized many of my club members and others on the trail with my near stock Samurai.

Keep it as close to stock as you can and you should be pretty happy with the results. The farther away from stock you get the more you will have to modify.
 
Yes, dZ, the Pinzgauer is a darned good off road vehicle! However, if I were looking at one of those, I'd prefer a Unimog Radio Truck. I've driven one a couple of times, and considered buying one...tempting.
 
I do have to admit the Pz and Unimog have a certain coolness factor that goes with them (as well as being very well built. However, as a remote expedition type vehicle in the United States, you are pretty limited to where you can get spare parts. That's why I would go with something a lot more common.

Nearly any true four wheel drive vehicle can be modified to go just about anywhere off-road. Just like in racing, it's how much money do you want to spend.

Sort of like choice of weapons. For a survival situation, do you choose some hot one-of brand of ammunition or something that's commonly available. Sure the exotic have their appeal and place, but are not necessarily practical in all situations.
 
There are two dealers in my area that deal in Pinzgauers and Unimogs........candy stores. Only thing keepin me from grabbin a Mog radio truck is that my 350 Ford is paid for and relatively cheap to maintain. And can't justify or afford both.

That idea of near stock Sami with Sidekick power has me intrigued tho.

Sam
 
one of the more expensive parts on the Pinz are those mongo tires...

i had a 2 door 89 sidekick for 89k miles
i traded it in on a 4door sidekick (needed room for the Baby seat)
that was traded in on a 93 Grand Cherokee (needed room for another baby seat)
;)
my 2 door SK with the removeable hardtop was quite nice, it never burned any oil, got 29 mpg and was quite easy to maintain.

i wonder what one of those is going for used...
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1990/suzuki/sidekick/2drjx4wdconvertible/prices.html

1990 is as far back as they go on edmunds

dealer retail:
2k bucks

heres a liftkit fer the SK:
http://www.summitoffroad.com/kickmisc.html
http://www.hawksuzukiparts.com/index.html

here is a Suzuki fan website:
http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/index.htm

here is a $ tweaked Samurai:
http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/project/suzushi.htm

heres the budget one:
http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/project/buster/default.htm
 
Suzuki Samurais are definetly well worth the investment if you don't need a lot of room. They are easy and cheap to modify, and have a host of features that make them tough off-road.

My other off-road vehicle is a Jeep Cherokee, also a good performer, but not as cheap or easy to modify.

My next 4x4 is probably going to be a 3/4 or 1 ton Chevy pickup so I can haul all my toys around.
 
Well I am behind on net surfing because I switching jobs.

Have you thought about the difference in repairs with different vehicals in AK? I would think a Jeep [CJ or Wrangler] would be a better bet though purchase cost would be higher. Or possibly a toyota though parts would probably be expensive for Toys. Should be easier to find than Suzuki parts IMHO.

I would suggest you get in touch with local 4 wheelers ASAP and spend some time riding with them. If you know what your doing with basically stock vehicals you can out drive people who don't know what they are doing with HUMVEES [know people in 4wheel clubs that have done events with gurad units that have had to unstick the hummers the guards got stuck].

You will probably want to add at least a 2nd battery and upgrade alternator. Cold weakens batteries so having two that you could combine with flip of a switch might start your car when it is -40.

It is a good idea to have at least enough oil, plus filter, for oil change incase you flood the engine with water. Some anti freeze and brake fluid are good ideas also.
 
I am thinking of adding a second battery. In Southeast Alaska, it stays fairly cool, but it doesn't get REALLY cold. (The coldest temp I found for Skagway last year was 9'.) It gets colder where you are, bro!
 
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