Suzuki Samurai Info

Suzuki Samurai (1986–1995 U.S.)

Specs, capacities, torque values, colors and factory brochures for the SJ413-based Samurai.

Tech specs Capacities Torque specs Trims & body styles Fuel economy Colors Brochures

Tech specs

Item	Specification
Engine	1.3 L SOHC 8-valve inline-4: G13A carbureted (1986–1989); G13BA throttle-body injection (1990–1995)
Power (carbureted)	60 hp (45 kW) @ 6,500 rpm (1986 Suzuki specifications)
Power / torque (TBI)	66 hp @ 6,000 rpm / 76 lb-ft (103 N·m) @ 3,500 rpm (1992 factory data)
Bore × stroke (carbureted)	2.91 × 3.03 in (74 × 77 mm)
Bore × stroke (TBI)	2.91 × 2.97 in (74 × 75.5 mm)
Compression ratio	8.9:1 (carbureted); 9.5:1 (TBI)
Transmission	5-speed manual (5th gear 0.795:1 early; 0.865:1 from the 1988½ update)
Transfer case	Part-time, 2H / 4H / 4L, no center differential
Suspension	Solid axles front and rear on leaf springs
Brakes	Power-assisted; front disc, rear drum
Steering	Manual recirculating-ball; turning radius 16.7 ft (5.1 m)
Front hubs	Manual locking
Tires / wheels (1986)	P205/70R15 on 15 × 5 in steel wheels; full-size spare
Seating	4 (2 on 1994–1995 two-seat models)
Overall length	135.0 in (3,430 mm)
Overall width	60.2 in (1,530 mm)
Overall height	65.6 in (1,665 mm)
Wheelbase	79.9 in (2,030 mm)
Track, front / rear	51.2 in (1,300 mm) / 51.6 in (1,310 mm)
Minimum ground clearance	8.1 in (205 mm)
Curb weight (1986)	2,094 lb (942 kg)
GVWR (1986)	2,923 lb (1,315 kg); payload approx. 829 lb (GVWR minus curb weight)
Fuel tank	10.6 US gal (40.3 L)
Spark plug gap (TBI)	0.027–0.031 in (0.7–0.8 mm); NGK BPR5ES / ND W20EPR-U
Alignment (factory)	Caster 3½°, camber 1°, toe-in 0.08–0.24 in, kingpin inclination 9°

Dimensions

Suzuki Samurai side and rear view dimension illustration — Tap to enlarge. Figures from Suzuki’s 1986 published specifications; illustration not to scale.

Fluid capacities

Capacities are approximate refill amounts from Suzuki factory service manual data. Always fill to the level/check plug or dipstick, not just by volume.

System	Capacity	Fluid
Engine oil (with filter)	3.7 qt (3.5 L)	API SG/SH; 10W-30 or 10W-40 above −13°F (−25°C)
Cooling system	5.3 qt (5.0 L)	Ethylene-glycol coolant
Manual transmission	2.8 US pt (1.3 L)	75W-90 GL-4/GL-5
Transfer case	1.7 US pt (0.8 L)	75W-90 GL-4/GL-5
Front axle	2.1 US pt (1.0 L)	Hypoid gear oil
Rear axle	4.6 US pt (2.2 L)	Hypoid gear oil

Torque specs

Safety first — verify with your service manual. These figures are transcribed from Suzuki factory service manual data for the model shown. Specs can change by year, engine and body style. Always confirm the figure in the service manual for your exact vehicle before final tightening, use a calibrated torque wrench, tighten wheel nuts in a star pattern and re-check them after the first 50 miles. Replace one-time-use fasteners and sealing washers where specified. Torque settings marked as a range: tighten within the range.

Fastener	Torque
Spark plugs (TBI)	18–21.5 lb-ft (24–29 N·m)
Spark plugs (carbureted)	14.5–21.5 lb-ft (20–29 N·m)
Oil pan bolts (TBI)	7.5 lb-ft (10 N·m)
Manual transmission drain plug (TBI)	14–20 lb-ft (19–27 N·m)
Transfer case oil filler & drain plugs (carbureted)	26.5–39 lb-ft (36–53 N·m)
Transfer case front / center case bolts	9.5–16.5 lb-ft (13–22 N·m)
Transfer case mounting nuts	18.5–25 lb-ft (25–34 N·m)
Transfer mounting bracket bolts	13.5–20 lb-ft (18–27 N·m)
Wheel lug nuts	Held back — factory sources disagree; see your service manual

Trims & body styles (U.S.)

Years	Version	Notes
1986–1995	Soft top, 4WD	JA and JX trim levels (1986 Suzuki specifications)
1986–1989	Hard top, 4WD
1991–1993	Soft top, 2WD (rear-drive)
1994–1995	Soft top, 4WD	Two-seat (rear seat deleted)

Fuel economy (EPA)

U.S. EPA estimates in miles per gallon, as currently published on fueleconomy.gov (older models are shown on the revised 2008 EPA method, so they are lower than the original window sticker). To convert: L/100 km = 235.2 ÷ mpg.

Model year	EPA listing	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Comb
1986	Samurai	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	27	25
1986–1987	Samurai Convertible	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	27	25
1987	Samurai Hardtop	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	27	25
1988	Samurai Convertible	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	27	25
1988	Samurai Hardtop	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	27	25
1989	Samurai Convertible	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1989–1991	Samurai Hardtop	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1990–1994	Samurai Soft-top	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1991–1993	Samurai	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	24	26	25
1995	Samurai	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25

Factory colors & paint codes

Swatch colors are approximate screen representations. Always match paint by the color code on your vehicle’s paint code label (usually on the driver door jamb, firewall or inner pillar), not by the swatch. Availability varied by body style and year (U.S. market).

Winter White

Code 17A · 86–87

Polar White

Code 26U · 88–95

Crystal Silver metallic

Code 18J · 86–88

Gray metallic

Code 20V · 86–88

Charcoal metallic

Code 38B · 89–90

Fantasy Black

Code 07B · 86–91