Suzuki Samurai toad

[dave melton cst-7 5-4682]

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.

 

[gary miller]

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.

 

[john wright]

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.

 

[mike finnicum]

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
[mailtowner-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

 

[patrick flowers]

>
> 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
Mailtoatrick

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[john wright]

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