Part 8, Suzuki Samurai Painting the Dash, Jimny, SJ413, Sierra

[@BorisEkner]

It’s so cool to see all the parts available for an odd vehicle like a Samurai. ❤️

[@FixLife119]

Yeah I couldn't believe how much is available for them. If you can find American parts they're much more expensive but I've been able to make almost all the Indian parts work.

[@BorisEkner]

Ralph Nader and his magazine made Suzuki cars leave the U.S. in 2012, if my memory serves me right. It is truly amazing to watch videos like yours on how to preserve these old Samurais on the U.S. roads. These 1st Gen’s are truly appreciated by the enthusiasts. I have the Gen4 living in Guatemala and I love it! I wish you had it too in the US.

[@FixLife119]

Yeah they are really cool. I guess I didnt really have an appreciation for them until I bought this one. In high school we kinda made fun of them because they were so tiny. Now I think they're awesome because they'll fit anywhere and so easy to fix!

[@FixLife119]

Ya I wish we had the gen 4's here too.

[@CTMadModz]

Just watched the whole video, when I bought mine all the door handles were trashed, and the previous owner had a piece of para cord running to the back door from the interior door handle to open it. I got online and ordered all the metal door handles and changed them all out. My soft top was all trashed too so I went with an inexpensive one off eBay without the zippers on the windows, it worked well for a couple winters but I found a hardtop and installed that. Coming from 2 years of building mine the best piece of advice that I can give you is stay away from the India parts. Pay a little more for the Japanese stuff. Also support the few companies that are catering to the Suzuki community like Zuks Off-road, Zuks of Hazard, Trail Tough, LowRangOffroad, Roadless Gear, and Suzuki Samurai of America.

[@FixLife119]

Right on, how much was your hard top if you don't mind me asking? I just got the dash all back together and installed the new combo switch, there was a few hurdles with the India one, had to bust out the old dremmel to modify the plug. I'll try to edit all that tonight.

[@BigBrownie96]

good progress, Keep it going

[@FixLife119]

Thank you very much, lots of parts showing up so it's getting exciting. I can already tell some of them are so cheap I'll have to pick n choose what I actually use, might have to try to wrangle some OEM stuff for certain things. Hey thanks for watching!

[@mathewsren9712]

Gracias amigo, necesito pintar algunas cosas del tablero de mi sj413 y no sabía con qué hacerlo. Buen video.

[@andreaportelli316]

Ciao ti sto seguendo ho anch'io un samurai in fase di restauro che prodotto hai usato con il pennello per le plastiche interne che ravviva il colore grazie mi fai sapere

[@phat_n_slow_zuki]

The dash looks awsome. What colour was the paint? I am wanting to do the same with my dash. cheers

[@FixLife119]

Sorry for the late response, it's Dupli-Color Vinyl and Fabric Charcoal Gray HVP111

[@mora103]

The dash came out great, I may half to do the same 😁

[@FixLife119]

Ya that Dupli-Color Vinyl and fabric paint is really amazing! Just don't get it on anything else. Got some droplets on the seat(don't even know how) and it won't come off with alcohol. I just got it all back together, it looks really good with the cluster and vents all back in and the new combination switch in the column. I'm hoping to have that video out tomorrow.

[@WesB1972]

Great Job. Where did you buy your parts ? I have an all original, bone stock Red JX that I bought new in 1988 that I am going to freshen up.

[@FixLife119]

I just got them on Ebay, but honestly if you have an all original one I would prob spend the extra money on OEM parts. There's some people in the comments that have recommended tons of places to get OEM or New Old Stock parts. Are you planning on keeping it forever?

[@FixLife119]

The videos after the one you commented on shows the dash all put back together, then the next one and the one later today are window regulators, cranks, handles, seals, trim, moldings etc. Thanks for watching.

[@WesB1972]

yes I have had id it so long I am just going to keep it. I bought it new in 1988 with an optional hard top and dealer installed air. It is a 1988-1/2 model with the square port dash.I just used it as a car and it has never been off road, it has always been stored under cover and is complete and unmolested. I opened up the glove box several days ago and all of the original sales paper work, owners manual, warranty card and the Monroney build sheet were all there. it was like a time capsule . At that point I decided to spend some money and freshen it up and drive it and enjoy it once again. It has about 85K trouble free miles on it and is rust free. Ionly had to take it back to the dealer one time for an warranty work. Samurais are simple and easy to work on and the parts are reasonable priced. One of my better purchases in life.

[@FixLife119]

@@WesB1972 That is absolutely amazing. Just so you know it's worth a fortune! At least with classic cars that's everything someone would look for, and these things have a huge following so I'm sure there's someone looking for an all oriiginal one like you have. It blew me away when I saw what people are asking for some of these. I've seen anywhere from $5k-$30k+. The fact that it has air is so cool. I actually asked that question on a video the other day but it got edited out because I can only do 40 minutes (which is actually really long for most people) with my editing software. I asked if anyone knew if they make aftermarket air or if it was ever an option. I didn't know if such a small engine would handle the additional load at idle. Anyways, I don't know hardly anything about these compared to alot of people in the comments on this series but if I can give you any advice it would be not to change anything on it until you talk to an expert. I know for classic cars they are worth way WAY more original than updated. If you don't care about its value at all then obviously do what makes you happy but I would definitely keep every single part you remove from it. There's 11 videos in this series (1 a day since I bought it) and #12 is scheduled for 3pm AZ time. If you have time look through the comments (there's not too many). You'll see who the real experts are and the places they've recommended for original parts. That thing is 100% worthy of original OEM replacement parts! Thank you for sharing, that's really cool!!!

[@P.Trim69]

I like to get factory top front piece part or both pieces if cheap enough. I like the rally top.

[@numbskullskills]

looks nice

[@FixLife119]

Thank you, I'm currently uploading the video where it all gets put back together. It really does look amazing at the end. That Dupli-Color Vinyl and Fabric spray paint is like magic in a can (should be for $15/can though). The dash seriously looks brand new. I also installed a new combination switch (the thing with the turn signal/wiper levers) on the steering column, had a few issues with that though.

[@numbskullskills]

its fun makein somthin look great agian@@FixLife119

[@mora103]

I used a white paint marker from Walmart for the lettering on the dash and the lettering on the grill and fenders too.

[@FixLife119]

That's prob a way better idea! Thanks! It'll prob come down to if I'm willing to drive to the store at the time lol.

[@testttest3363]

soft top is looking good!

[@FixLife119]

@@testttest3363 Thank you, yeah from 10ft she's not bad lol.

[@Blkfxx]

Softtop bow needs to be flipped 180°

[@BorisEkner]

You & screws - you don’t have a magnetic tray, do you? 😁

[@FixLife119]

Lol, I actually do. Do I ever think to use it... not so much. That and I usually work on the ground instead of finding a proper bench or table. In my defense on that one my folding table recently disappeared lol.