well, it's been 3 months since the 4.3 swap was up and running and back to its daily driver staus.

More than 2,000 miles on it so far, and no issues have surfaced yet...

With a tight schedule these days, I jumped on the chance to join a group of WA off-roaders, mostly Suzuki Samurai's in varying extreme levels of modification.

Since my transfer-case doesn't shift (it's a temp electric shift, and I'm set up for a manual shift), I'd be 2-wheel-driving it, trying to keep up with a locked rear diff, and new 33x12.5 Yoko M/T's. But. No lower skid plates yet, so gotta be real careful...

First major discovery: All that new torque will easily spin the tires, so had to be really gently on the go pedal. The slick ice on the access road turned most of us around at some point, but the upper destination proved to be a softer ground, with 6" mud or frozen snow. Not ideal traction for anyone!
The rig did OK, found 2 spots where I needed winching, mostly because the front couldn't pull itself around.
I'm aired down to 5 psi, for max traction.


It's been a looooong time since this buggy's been in the muck!


The muck trench is held in place by the frozen ridge on its downhill side. The key was to keep the driver's side wheels in the trench or risk sliding on the off-camber snow, and roll over the side.


Yummy!!!!


Yup, new plates.
It's a common Japanese expression most likely heard being screamed from the little boy's mother when she sees him running around the kitchen holding a large carving knife.
Means: Watch out!, Beware!, be careful, that's dangerous, what the h!ll are you doing. (all wrapped into one)
...It's something I've heard a few times from my Japanese wife when shes seen some of my Utah/CO pics...


Pronounced ABU like it looks, as in Abu Dhabi in the middle east, and the NAI rhymes with sky, rye, guy, pie, high.

looks good! where abouts were you? the pnw is my old stomping ground and im know exactly what you were going through with some of those old skitter trails... they can get very nasty. not to mention some of the first steps down off the side... those first steps can be a doosey.

good point: where = Paradise Rd, east of Lynden WA, near Sumas Mt.

I like the way your rear bumper follows the contour of the body. Nice Job! As if you don't already have enough to do, you should try your hand at a Gen 2 rear bumper. They have BIG rear problems...

ABUNAI did Amazing in two wheel drive, Locker helped but like Don said, the main issue was the front end not being able to pull itself around. It is a Very Tight trail with a lot of sharp turns. this 4.3 runs so smooth, one of the cool things is the sound. there is nothing that sounds like a 4.3 in a SWB It just sounds like Power. Can't wait to see it in action when you get the transfer case working <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Don, you gotta come back down when you are 4X4 so we can finnish that trail. We turned around about a mile further than where these pics were taken, it's a Tight one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> but there is several obstacles that are challenging.
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