1990 Sambar Dump Truck Build Thread

Here's a progression and ongoing thread of my 1990 Sambar.

Bought from carfromjapan.com and then followed it across the pacific, through the Panama Canal and into Savannah. Street legal now and having a ton of fun with it!

Thanks for the forum support.

In Japan





On the boat


Through the canal



Picked up in Savannah

 

Not tough to do - just a lot of details to watch on the paperwork, and tons of nickles, dimes and $100 bills to a variety of agencies and contractors along the way

Some tagging for shipping on windshield -



Dump looks good

 

Had it checked out by a cop, translated the title and I'm street legal in GA




Sides fold down without a hitch


Early testing - it didn't make it to the top

 

Very nice. I wish I had gotten a dump bed now.

 

Hey thanks - this one seemed to be in good shape. Dump works great.

Rolled on some Herculiner - a whole gallon on top and under the bed



Changed the plugs and wires





Broken clip replacement on the way from G&R

 

Adding a few (dozen) more pics and some updates on progress over a year later.

Sammy is getting stronger every day.

Added some tint, ridiculous decals and touched up the paint -




Had the seats redone - not cheap but much better!



Went to some car shows and the track

 

Finally got some off road tires and put it to work

 

Realized that you could rub some Vaseline on faded decals and bring them back to life.

 

Then during a routine oil change I discovered this... and had no idea. Not sure if it was covered up, filled or other - but this was a surprise.

 

The fine folks at https://www.grimports.com/ hooked me up with a new rear end - (and really cheap shipping somehow!) and I had it installed by some pros at a local frame shop

 

...and for now just having a blast off road. Next up is a set of 13's with Forceums for a bit more clearance and grip. These 12's will go on my new Acty Van!

 

Chonky bear wants to take a ride

https://i.imgur.com/iYWpqDP.mp4

 

Take him for a ride in the van! If you're cold, they're cold!!

 

I should pile in all the critters. This bobcat wants to go too.

 

I like it!!!!!! The decals are way overboard but are so PERFECT!!!!!!

 

Hey thanks! Found those out of Portugal or somewhere that Subaru doesn't know about.

 

Swapped out the 12" Yokohamas for some 13" wheels with Forecum knobby tires. Definite upgrade on traction. Surprised how much it impacts steering, with much swings of the steering wheel needed.

No lift, no rubbing.

 

Looks good. What size are the Forecum tires?

 

165/80 13

 

Climbing video here

 

Love that dump. Where did you find the 13" wheels? Like that you didn't need a lift for the wheels and tires.

 

Hey thanks!

Found these on Craigslist but here’s the same wheels and tires from WalMart that make a ton of difference. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Forceum-...165-80R13-94-93Q-D-Light-Truck-Tire/529496818 and https://www.walmart.com/ip/13x5-RTX-Black-Steel-Wheel-4x100-40mm/534564802

 

4WD button on the shifter was sticking - then it wouldn't go into 4WD at all without getting into the crawler gear. Got a new vacuum solenoid from Japan and this shiny toggle switch installed.

 

Some fun in the rare North GA snow - and then cleaned the air filter box, plugs and distributor cap - running strong again!