What is the stock height of a 1987 Suzuki Samurai?

Answer 1

Here is the sizes and dimensions along with specifications for the Suzuki Samurai.

Samurai

1986 to 1995 sold in 2-door soft and hardtop models. Available in JX, JL, and JA trim packages. Equipped with a 1.3 8-valve I-4 engine.

The Samurai was the first Suzuki truck official sold in the United States through proper dealer channels. It's design was very much a carry over from the 1985 SJ410. So much so, that the 1986 Samurai's and 1984-95 SJ410's look exactly the same, except for body tags. In Canada it was introduced in the 1985 1/2 model year, in the US in 1986.

Depending on where it was sold in the world, the vehicle goes by three different names: Samurai (North and South America), Sierra (Europe, Australia and New Zealand), and Jimny (Asia). It is also known as the Suzuki Santana and the Maruti Gypsy. Mazda sells a re-badged new body style Jimny as the Mazda AZ-Off-road. Chevy also sells the newer Jimny in other countries. It's also known as the Holden Drover.

In North America the Samurai was never totally re-modeled, but various changes have happened over the years. A long wheel base version, a SJ410 carry over never released in the US, was discontinued in other countries in 1987. JA and JX models were offered from 1986-90, JL and 2WD models were offered from 1990-94. The 1994 US models did not have back seats due to new safety regulations.

In July 1988, Consumer Reports ran an article headlined "The Suzuki rolls over too easily." Suzuki stopped selling the Samurai in the North America in 1994 after a sharp drop in sales in that the company blames on CU's test result. However, the Sierra and Jimny continue to be sold in Europe, Australia and Asia.

In 1996, Suzuki gave the Sierra and Jimny a face lift which renewed buyer interest. Many other components were upgrade and fine tuned, but the most popular Suzuki 4x4 ever still retained its

narrow track and boxy look.

The 1999 model year brought about another, and perhaps the most ambitious, face lift for the "SJ" line. The body was completely redesigned featuring a slightly more rounded and modernized look. The dual solid axles and 2spd t-case were retained unlike many other 4WDs that had already made the switch to IFS and road biased all wheel drive. The hard top model returned as well as a new style convertible. This model continues to see strong sales and popularity all over the world and is also sold under both Mazda and Chevy badges.

Suzuki has rumored a new small true 4WD vehicle is in the works, possibly the next Jimny or its replacement. Speculations abound about the new platform, but rumors are pointing to a 2007 or 2008 release.

1986 Samurai Specs

Vehicle type: Two-door, hard and soft top

Vehicle class: Sport / utility

Power train layout: Front engine, four-wheel drive

Body structure: Body with chassis frame

Body: material Steel

Seating capacity: Four

Suspension:

Front Leaf spring solid axle

Rear Leaf spring solid axle

Steering:

Steering gear box Manual ball nut

Turning radius 16.7 ft. (5.1 m)

Toe in 0.08 - 0.24 in. (2 - 6 mm)

Caster angle 3° 30'

King pin angle 9° 00'

Brakes:

Type Power-assisted hydraulic

Front Disc, floating caliper

Rear Drum leading and trailing

Parking brake Lever-hand operated

Wheels and Tires:

Wheel Type Steel

Wheel size 15 x 5" (381 x 127 mm)

Tire type All-season, steel-belted radial

Tire size P205/70R15

Spare size Full-size

Front hubs

JA Manual/Automatic

JX Manual/Automatic

Restraint System:

Safety belts Front and rear lap / shoulder belts

Fuel Economy:

EPA Estimates - Manual

City 23 MPG

Highway 25 MPG

EPA Estimates - Automatic

City 21 MPG

Highway 24 MPG

Engine:

Type 1.3-liter, four-cylinder, in-line, 8-valve OHC

Block material Aluminum

Bore x Stroke 2.91 in. x 3.03 in. (74 mm x 77 mm)

Displacement 80.8 cu. in. (1.3 liter)

Compression ratio 8.9:1

Induction system Carburetor

Horsepower (SAE net) 60 hp @ 6500 rpm (45 kw)

Torque (SAE net) lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

Manual Transmission:

Type Five-speed, all synchromesh

Clutch Dry, single disc, diaphragm spring

Gear ratios

1st 3.652

2nd 1.947

3rd 1.423

4th 1.000

5th 0.795

Reverse 3.466

Transfer gear ratios

Low (4WD) 2.268

High 1.409

Differential ratio 3.73:1

Capacities / Calculated Data:

Engine oil 7.4 U.S. pt. (3.5 liters)

Fuel tank 10.6 U.S. gal. (40.3 liters)

Engine coolant 10.69 U.S. pt. (5 liters)

Transmission oil

Manual (4WD) 2.76 U.S. pt. (1.3 liters)

Differential gear oil

Front 4.2 U.S. pt. (2.0 liters)

Rear 3.2 U.S. pt. (1.5 liters)

Transfer gear box oil 1.7 U.S. pt. (0.8 liter)

Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase 79.9 in. (2030 mm)

Tread width

Front 51.2 in. (1300 mm)

Rear 51.6 in. (1310 mm)

Overall Length 135.0 in. (3430 mm)

Overall Width (Body) 60.2 in. (1530 mm)

Overall Height 65.6 in. (1665 mm)

Minimum ground clearance 8.1 in. (205 mm)

Curb Weight

Manual 2094 lb. (942 kg)

Gross Vehicle Wt. Rating 2923 lb. (1315 kg)

Gross Axle Wt. Rating

Front 1257 lb. (566 kg)

Rear 1675 lb. (754 kg)

Interior Dimensions

Rear cargo

Length 32.5 in (826 mm)

Width 50.0 in. (1270 mm)

Height 40.2 in (1021 mm)

Year by Year changes:

1985-1988

In the first year of sales in the US, the Samurai came equipped with a carbureted 1324cc, 4 cylinder, 4-stroke, 64HP engine with 100Nm Torque and a 5-speed transmission. The available body styles were convertible with vinyl soft top, convertible with fiberglass hardtop and a full steel bodied hard top. Each of these configurations had two bucket seats in the front and a bench seat in the rear. The Samurai would seat 4. The JA and JX models were offered from 1986-90. The JX came with a in-dash clock and a tachometer. You could buy it as a hardtop, soft top convertible, or with removable hardtop.

1988 1/2

Halfway through 1988 Suzuki made a few changes. They redesigned the dash with square holes in place of the round ones, placed a small storage area in the dash area and a different shifter knob was used. The suspension was softened for a (very) slightly better ride. A lower fifth gear was placed in the transmission and a bigger radiator was used to cool the engine better. The transfer case flanges were changed to a larger bolt pattern. I have also been told that they put weather stripping on the top bow and slightly redesigned grille , although I don't have the info on the differences yet.

1990

In 1990, Suzuki added fuel injection to the 1.3L engine, which in turn increased the horsepower to a massive 66 HP. The transmission and transfer case bearings were changed to the sealed design. They also removed two of four spider gears from front differential and the wheelbase increased an inch or two to improve the ride further. The JL and 2WD models were offered from 1990-94.

1993

Suzuki changed the grill design slightly.

1994

The back seats were removed in order to meet new US safety regulations.

1995

In 1995 the Samurai model was discontinued in US and Canada

1996

Although not sold in the US Suzuki made many design changes in 1996.

1996 Engine & Transmission

- exhaust muffler capacity increased to improve gas flow and reduce noise

- 5th gear ratio decreased (0.975 to 0.864)

- higher diff ratio (3.727 to 3.909)

- transfer gear ratio changed (High: 1.409 to 1.320; Low: 2.268 to 2.123)

- rubber mounted revised clutch cable eliminates vibration

- new transmission "Mass Damper" to reduce vibrations

- new viscous coupling engine fan reduces noise

- new high voltage transistor coil

- new larger capacity radiator

- larger 42 litre capacity fuel tank (from 40L)

- Power Steering added

Suspension & Brakes

- front and rear leaf springs replaced by an "Isolated Trailing Link and Coil Spring" design, providing the most remarkable improvement in ride and handling

- the brake booster diameter has been increased by 25mm (1 inch) to 200mm (8 inches), improving the stopping power dramatically

- coil springs with twin control arms for each axle

Exterior

- new hood, front fenders, windscreen panel, grill and indicator/parking lamps

- under hood insulation

- front and rear bumpers have been slightly restyled and are now polypropylene

- the traditional side stripe has been discontinued

- high level brake light is standard on the hard top and also on the soft top via a special mounting on the spare wheel bracket

- halogen head lights replace the old sealed beams

- revised vinyl material on the Soft Top hood.

- improved door seals.

Chassis

- chassis strength increased through two side-frames and five cross-members

- rubber mountings between body and chassis to absorb road vibration and reduce cabin noise

- side-protection beams

Interior

- totally revised dashboard with silver reflective gauges, including tachometer

- new wide, three spoke, urethane soft-grip steering wheel with collapsible steering column

- new front bucket seats with more lateral support and new upholstery (vinyl trim in S/Top, cloth trim in H/Top)

- comprehensive sound deadening material between the dashboard and firewall

- the front seat belt buckle position has been relocated to the side of the seat rather than floor mounted

- new molded door trims

- new improved brake and clutch pedal layout

- new plush cut pile carpet on hard top models

- console box between the front seats

- rear split folding bench

- tinted glass on rear side and back windows

Colors

Superior White, Antares Red, Reddish Blue (Metallic), Aqua Green (Metallic)