Suzuki Samurai toad

D

dave melton cst-7 5-4682

New member
Apr 8, 1998
32
0
0
Larry,

I bought a 94 Samurai in the spring to tow behind my GMC. It's a
manual trans-4wd and I asked on the Suzuki user net about towing it.
I was told by all the experts that you tow with the transfer case in
neutral and the trans in 2nd gear so the trans will oil. I towed mine
two weeks ago and I only got 30 miles before it threw the rear drive
shaft. The nut backed off the transfer case and the entire drive
shaft came off and I was unable to find it. A new one with parts just
cost me $400. We love the Zuk but look over the drive line before you
tow it. I also have some links for after market Zuk parts if you are
interested. Use this for what it's worth.

Thanks

>Did we decide that the Samurai (manual trans-4wd) can be towed four wheels
>down???? I can pick up a pretty nice one for $2.9k. Also, I am resigning
>myself that this city that I live in of 170,000 has not one mechanic who
>wants to install a new final drive. Larry Nelson, Springfield, MO, PB 75

Dave Melton
1975 GMC
26' Palm Beach
Espanola N.M.
 
I've pulled my '89 Tracker (identical to to the 'Zuk) for 3000+ miles, case in
neutral and auto trans in neutral. Absolutely no problems.
Gary
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> Larry,
>
> I bought a 94 Samurai in the spring to tow behind my GMC. It's a
> manual trans-4wd and I asked on the Suzuki user net about towing it.
> I was told by all the experts that you tow with the transfer case in
> neutral and the trans in 2nd gear so the trans will oil. I towed mine
> two weeks ago and I only got 30 miles before it threw the rear drive
> shaft. The nut backed off the transfer case and the entire drive
> shaft came off and I was unable to find it. A new one with parts just
> cost me $400. We love the Zuk but look over the drive line before you
> tow it. I also have some links for after market Zuk parts if you are
> interested. Use this for what it's worth.
>
> Thanks
>
> >Did we decide that the Samurai (manual trans-4wd) can be towed four wheels
> >down???? I can pick up a pretty nice one for $2.9k. Also, I am resigning
> >myself that this city that I live in of 170,000 has not one mechanic who
> >wants to install a new final drive. Larry Nelson, Springfield, MO, PB 75
>
> Dave Melton
> 1975 GMC
> 26' Palm Beach
> Espanola N.M.
 
I've got 5000+ towing my 91 got tracker, no problems, Tows like it is
not there.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> I've pulled my '89 Tracker (identical to to the 'Zuk) for 3000+ miles, case in
> neutral and auto trans in neutral. Absolutely no problems.
> Gary
> North Bend, Oregon Coast
>

>
> > Larry,
> >
> > I bought a 94 Samurai in the spring to tow behind my GMC. It's a
> > manual trans-4wd and I asked on the Suzuki user net about towing it.
> > I was told by all the experts that you tow with the transfer case in
> > neutral and the trans in 2nd gear so the trans will oil. I towed mine
> > two weeks ago and I only got 30 miles before it threw the rear drive
> > shaft. The nut backed off the transfer case and the entire drive
> > shaft came off and I was unable to find it. A new one with parts just
> > cost me $400. We love the Zuk but look over the drive line before you
> > tow it. I also have some links for after market Zuk parts if you are
> > interested. Use this for what it's worth.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > >Did we decide that the Samurai (manual trans-4wd) can be towed four wheels
> > >down???? I can pick up a pretty nice one for $2.9k. Also, I am resigning
> > >myself that this city that I live in of 170,000 has not one mechanic who
> > >wants to install a new final drive. Larry Nelson, Springfield, MO, PB 75
> >
> > Dave Melton
> > 1975 GMC
> > 26' Palm Beach
> > Espanola N.M.
 
I do!

Have a 1987 Suzuki Samurai. Official weight is 2097 lbs. (curb wt),
about as light as you can get.

Use a simple $99 tow bar from Camp World. Works great - on level
ground you don't even know it's there.

Got it for $1200 - then put new tires, tow package, shocks, brakes and
paint. Have about $2000 in it now. Really nice ones bring $2500-4000 and
some even more. Found over 1000 sites on the web supporting them.

You can even get a Turbo Diesel Engine for them! Not sure why???

Have some pics of mine at http://www.songtek.com/gmc/74gmc28.htm

To tow - unlock steering (key must stay in and unlocked but NOT "ON")
put xfer case and gearshift both in neutral.

Mike F.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
LNelson208
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 7:03 PM
To: GMCMOTORHOME
Subject: GMC: Suzuki Samurai toad

Did we decide that the Samurai (manual trans-4wd) can be towed four wheels
down???? I can pick up a pretty nice one for $2.9k. Also, I am resigning
myself that this city that I live in of 170,000 has not one mechanic who
wants to install a new final drive. Larry Nelson, Springfield, MO, PB 75
 
>
> My Tracker manual says to put trany in second , not neutral. wonser why
> ?
> gene

Gene,

Only the transfer case should be in neutral. The trans should be in
gear - I don't know why second would be specified. Leaving the trans in
gear keeps the trans internals from turning. Then, supposedly, only the
transfer case gets any wear.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
Larry,
I built my own brackets and use the Low cost Reese Tow bar from J.C.
Whitney. Can hardly tell it is there. I do not use any auxiliary
braking on the towed. 2500# and under I believe that it in not
necessary and I have pulled down I-77 to Myrtle Beach this spring thru
the eastern mountains and never felt under braked.

J.R.Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> Okay, I am now the proud owner of an '88 Samurai with 103,500 miles. Runs
> great. Local Samuarai mechanic said " 103k miles......don't even sweat it!"...
>
> Now, I have searched for an unobtrusive set of towing "plates" but only can
> find the big nasty lokking ones in camping world catalog....any suggestions?
> Also, I have a Brake Buddy still in an unopened box but am not sure I need
> one for towing only 2,000# plus the 500# of junk I will probably have on
> board..... Larry in MO with hairpiece flyin' in the breeze, PB 75
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Applied GMC
GMCMI Fall 2026 Rally

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back