Posts
This is a fairly popular modification to Suzuki Samurais which has several benefits. For one, it makes for less bulky spares by removing the large diameter original Samurai backing plate which is normally trapped between the end of the axle and the bearing. More importantly it makes axle replacement much simpler and quicker and eliminates…
Read More
There are some very important elements to consider when selecting and mounting shocks. Shock placement affects much more than just up and down motion of the chassis in relation to the axle. For this reason, on spring over applications we do NOT suggest leaning the tops of the rear shocks toward the center of the…
Read More
While doing Suzuki Samurai transfer case gears is probably the biggest bang for the buck and a quick-fix, it is definitely a lousy way to try and create a reliable, trouble-free drivetrain. So think about this for a minute…you put on larger tires, so your pinion now becomes TWICE as hard to turn putting TWICE…
Read More
When rounding up parts for your Suzuki Samurai 1600 engine conversion keep in mind that ’96 and up motors are OBDII and will not be smog legal for California. On ’96 and up donor vehicles you will need to get the second 02 sensor portion of the wiring harness and the MAP sensor in addition…
Read More
This conversion is OBDII engine management and will not be smog legal in enhanced smog areas due to unavoidable check engine light or codes when installed in a Samurai. However, the actual emissions and running condition are no different than what would be in the Vitara or Tracker. To perform a 2.0 or 2.3 liter Suzuki…
Read More
Welcome to the club! RELAX – there is nothing wrong with your transfer case. Anyone with a lifted Samurai and a conventional front driveline will experience this. The more it is lifted the worse it is. Here is the reason. In order for a driveshaft to operate correctly the driving shaft, being the t-case –…
Read More
Here are some helpful hints for installing our Nerf bars on your Suzuki Samurai. No welding is required. It does help to have 2 people do the install. Place the nerf bars at about 1″ below the rocker panel seam (providing that you do not have a body lift ) – this is best done…
Read More
Click here to check out Facebook write up and photos here: Brent transformed his Suzuki Vitara grocery getter into a nice expedition style offroad vehicle! It features a 2.3 Aerio SX engine conversion, “Altered Ego” 4.5″ suspension lift, 32 x 17″ tires, Walker Evans wheels, beadlocks, ARB air lockers front and rear, steel front differential…
Read More
We took our “Project 180” out to the Fairgrounds in Grants Pass Oregon for Mud Drag Racing April 5th 2014. Won its FIRST 1st place win since we built it. First place in 4 cylinder class – driven by our good friend Bob Sousa. Check out the Utube video link and pics. Great day of…
Read More
Our current in-house project is putting a 2.0 Suzuki engine into an X90 – add 4 speed automatic and Air conditioning. Update 4/11/2014 The X90 is now finished. The conversion went pretty smooth. It was a bit tricky fitting the Vitara radiator and fitting it under the hood. But with some mounting point mods it…
Read More
We installed our first hot-off-the-press “Epic Trek” Spring UNDER suspension system on Tom’s Samurai. Other upgrades we installed include: 2.0 Suzuki Engine Conversion – Turn Key 4.9 rebuilt Transfer Case with Twisted TT Shift kit MKII Transfer Case Mount ARB Air locker and compressor 2″ Exhaust System Centerforce clutch kit Front Universal Winch Mount Bumper…
Read More
Camas Valley has a 4×4 playground that hosts various events throughout the year. We decided this was the perfect venue to test and tune our now finished “Project 180” vehicle. With virtually ZERO seat time in this car other than driving it around in the Trail Tough parking lot, we loaded it up and headed…
Read More
Our most current In-house customer project vehicle is putting a 2.0 engine into Jason’s Suzuki Sidekick. This conversion is now offered both as an in-house turn-key conversion as well as support for do-it-your-selfers. See the kit information here
Read More
In 2006 Brent and Linda from Trail Tough helped build Groundhog Rock Crawl Park in conjunction with Deschutes County 4 Wheelers and the US Forest Service in the East Fort Rock OHV area in Millican Oregon. For the first time since the build we were able to go back and participate in the annual Groundhog…
Read More
When we first arrived at this event and saw all of these V8 LSI purpose built rigs Brent wondered what we were doing here with our…Samurai…but as you can see we proved that this little rig with Suzuki 2.3 Aerio engine and Epic Trek Suspension ROCKED and left this place with many people very amazed…
Read More
Brent and Linda both won first place in their respective classes at the annual Myrtle Creek Rock Crawl July 28th. The last time Linda drove at this event she won first place as well – but in the mens class with the Crustacean….:) See all of the action shots HERE on Facebook……
Read More
Results: Brent from Trail Tough and Toby – both in their Sammy’s take 2nd and 3rd place in this GO FAST race!! Congrats guys!! Check out this cool video: Zukamole’ is GETTIN IT!!
Read More
Southern Oregon Jeep Club hosted a local play day at the Jackson County Sports Park June 26th. Events included Rock Crawling courses for three classes, an Obstacle Course, and a Mud bog for two classes. Trail Tough helped organize the event and Brent set up the courses. We had about 30 competitors and alot of spectators. …
Read More
2011 Rock Crawling Event Information: Team Trail Tough CLEAN SWEEPS WERock 2011 Rock Crawling Series First Place all events Unlimited Class – First Place Season Points Champion as well as winning the Grand National Championship for the 2nd consecutive year… See the story here… And Cool You Tube Video here… Team Trail Tough also wins…
Read More
Jim’s “Trail Slayer” Samurai buggy was a ground up build. It has our “Trail Slayer” coil suspension, our buggy kit components including tube doors, tube front clip and full cage, nerf bars, custom paint and powder coating, ARB air lockers, etc.
Read More
Here are a few build up pictures of our new “Trail slayer” project buggy. This one features our new rear bed kit and redesigned tube front clip. The axles are Toyota with ARB’s, 4.88 gears in 6 cylinder 3rd members, Six Shooter knuckles with trunion bearing eliminators, 30 spline axle shafts, and ram assist steering. …
Read More
Team Trail Tough WINS FIRST PLACE at the WERock Grand National Rock Crawling Championships at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Utah October 1-2, 2010!!! First Place Season Points Champion Team Trail Tough wins the Grand National Championship. Story can be found here: http://pirate4x4.com/trailreports/werock-grand-nationals-2010/ Also here: http://www.off-road.com/competition/race/2010-we-rock-grand-national-championships-52805.html You Tube Spidertrax Video of Shootout… And here is…
Read More
With our NEW IMPROVED Trail Tough version of the Nelson and Nelson “Scrapper” style buggy we built during the off season last year,Team Trail Tough took FIRST place in the 2009 Cal Rocs season in the Unlimited class. To finish up the season in the WERock Rock Crawling series, we won 2nd place in the…
Read More
We built this Samurai with all the goodies we manufacture here at Trail Tough Products. It was ground up build from bare frame. It has 1600 16V engine, 5.12 axle gears, Double Tough front axles, 6.4:1 transfer case, rear drive disconnect, front and rear ARB air lockers, YJ Wrangler Spring Suspension, Double Tough front and…
Read More
Here is an example of a “Trail Slayer” Sidekick. It has complete Trail Slayer Coil Suspension with Toyota axles, Double Tough front and rear bumpers and nerf bars, 4.24 Rockmonster transfer case, ARB air lockers, etc. Here is Matt from Scotland with his Trail Slayer Sidekick. And here are some cool videos of Lance competing…
Read More
The Crustacean was our first buggy project. It is a Suzuki based buggy with duallys front rear. See the attached article when it made the cover of 4Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine in 2002. We still have it and have used in competition as well as regular trail wheeling. https://www.fourwheeler.com/features/0209-4wd-easter-jeep-safari-moab/
Read More
The WERock Rock crawling season opener proved to be a great one for our team. We placed third in the Unlimited Class in Perris California. We were in second place at end of day one. Day two we lost a spot to Cody Waggoner but held onto it in the shootout. We have a new…
Read More
The WERock Grand Nationals were held in Hannibal Missouri – where the BEST in the West faced off with the BEST in the East. And Team Trail Tough finished Fourth overall for the Grand National event! What a great season we had – with a new car and a new spotter, Chris Poblano. Look for…
Read More
Here is another one of our Rock Buggys engineered and built here at Trail Tough. It placed in the top ten all events and finished 5th for season in WERock Unlimited class 2006. It is Honda V-tec powered, Rock Crusher 60’s with ARB’s, 39.5 BFG Krawlers, Air strut suspension by Chassis tech, and a host…
Read More
Full build up on Rays Suzuki Samurai included custom Trail Tough axle assemblies front and rear, complete bumper package including nerf bars, YJ suspension, 6.4 transfer case, Rock Block, Mighty Kong with Gorilla grips, Skid plate, Rear driveshaft disconnect, power steering with hydraulic assist, 1600 16V engine conversion, Subaru disc brake conversion, ARB Air Lockers,…
Read More
Dan did his own build here (with the help of his buddy Chris) and did a very nice job! He installed our Hybrid axle housing to utilize his lower Suzuki Sidekick gears as well as our complete YJ Spring Over Conversion kit. Look at these great shots he supplied us of his rig!! GOOD JOB,…
Read More
Samurai Kit car is now available – Coil Suspension utilizing Toyota axles, rear tub cap, tube doors, tube front clip, rear cage, etc. For the ULTIMATE Suzuki all-purpose buggy – HERE IT IS!! In easy to build kit form. Now you can take advantage of years of Trail Tough’s Rock crawling competition experience and design.…
Read More
Hi Brent/Linda Perhaps you remember me, a few years ago I came over and bought some parts from you and took them back to Scotland with me for my diesel Sidekick. Everything worked out well with the kit and I’ve enjoyed using it ever since. Only thing I’ve had to do to it is uprate…
Read More
Thank you for the emails for all of the specials that your company has to offer. I think almost everything on my jeep is from you. I have no regrets on the parts that you make for my samurai. I am sending some pics of my samurai to share with you. Thank you again for all…
Read More
I get an unbelivable amount of people checking out your kit we installed on my X90. We are still building the X90 cage but have always wanted to build the 4dr. Kick as you have on site. … Will be at King of the Hammers & should have a few good shots then. (No not…
Read More