Snowmobilers know Dean Bullock. As a famous snowmobile racer and titleholder, Dean has made a name for himself in the white stuff. He also owns and operates D&P Performance in Cedar City, Utah, a shop that's well known for its high performance snowmobiles, parts, and snowmobile modifications. What's not as well known is that Dean has made a name for himself in the rocks, too. An avid four-wheeler, he likes to get into the backcountry even when the ground is dry and challenge his vehicle and himself on the toughest terrain available.
Dean's current vehicle of choice is a superb 1986 Suzuki Samurai that's been tweaked almost to perfection. With a wheelbase of 98 inches and a width of only 72 inches, it's able to crawl the steepest obstacles and still snake through tight boulders and canyons with ease. Dean took the old Samurai, stretched the frame and, with the help of Southern Utah Mobile Welding of Cedar City, built a custom bed with aluminum toolboxes in both sides behind the cab. The carbureted 1300cc mill was left stock, with the addition of Toyota power steering, two Optima sealed batteries and breathers for all gearboxes being the only under hood additions. Behind the engine the stock Samurai five-speed transmission was retained, but the stock transfer case was swapped for a GRS II from Petroworks. The GRS II affords a 4.89:1 low range, which, coupled with the 5.89 gearing in the front and rearends, gives Dean all the gear reduction he needs.
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| The 1300cc, carbureted Samurai mill is stock. Toyota power steering is an added feature, as are two Optima sealed gas recombinant batteries. |
| Note the gearbox breathers here. These, along with some waterproofing and a snorkel, allow the Samurai to ford water that's almost hood-high. |
| The frontend is a Dana 44 with Warn hubs, disc brakes, 5.89 gears and a Lockrite locker. A custom Panhard rod keeps the axle located laterally, and a custom drag link and tie rod were installed. Toyota power steering was enlisted to turn the 4x4 easily in the backcountry and on the street. |
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