Jeff Stevens' Dirt Squirrel (Fall 2008 Featured Rig)

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Introducing: Jeff Stevens' "Dirt Squirrel". If you 4 wheel in Moab, chances are you've had a chance to see Jeff's rig in action because he seems to always be out on the trails. Check out the specs and the photos below and you will see why we chose Jeff's 1987 bodied Samurai for our Featured Rig. Not to mention that he's one of the nicest 4 wheeling enthusiasts out there, Jeff puts just as much work if not more into cleaning & maintaining the trails around Moab as he does his rig.


Specs

Engine

  • 1.6 liter 8-valve with factory EFI from a ’92 Sidekick
Transmission
  • Stock Samurai 5-speed, Petroworks clutch
Transfer Case
  • Stock Samurai with a 6.1:1 gear set, Trail Tough t-case bucket, and rear drive shaft disconnect
Axles
  • Wagoneer Dana 44’s modified for 5 on 5.5 lug pattern, 5.38’s, Detroits, 4-wheel discs
Suspension
  • Home-built with 2x.25 DOM lower links and Fox Air Shox. Rear uses a “Y” upper link, and the front is a single-radius arm design with panhard. I’m using a single limit strap in the rear, and suck-down winch in front. Wheelbase is 102”
Tires & Wheels
  • 36x13.5 Iroks on 15x10 Allied beadlocks
Steering
  • Hydro-assist, using a RockLogic ram, Toyota IFS box, and PSC pumpand reservoir
Protection
  • I did all the tube work in my garage. It has been re-done so many times, it’s starting to look like a jungle gym!
Other Interesting Facts
  • Tube flat fenders look kinda funny, but get me past inspection with the addition of some rubber flares. They’re also strong, and protect the body from close encounters with large rocks or the occasional flop. I also made quick-disconnect mud flaps / bumper extensions.
More Info

  • Cheap-o JC Whitney seats, custom dash, stock fuel tank mounted in bed behind the seats.


RME Interview


RME - What is the story behind your rig?

drtsqrl - My first 4x4 was a tin-top Samurai that I bought around 1990. I drove it for a couple years, but decided I wanted a soft-top, so I found a stocker that had been rolled, and started building. The original build had 32’s sprung-over on CJ axles, ARB’s, and the 1.6. I’m still on the same engine, frame, and body, but just about everything else has been changed or modified several times over by now.

RME - Why did you choose this particular model as a base for building your rig?

drtsqrl - It was cheap and easy to build, and the small size worked perfectly for the tight trails we ran when I lived in Washington.

RME - What is/was the goal behind building your rig, and have you met the goal?

drtsqrl - It’s a Moab rig! I wanted to be able to do trails up to and beyond the likes of Pritchett, Coyote, Helldorado, etc, and still be semi-legal enough to drive it to the trails. It needed to be able to climb Rock Pile in Pritchett, and White Knuckle on Behind-the-Rocks. So far, mission accomplished.

RME - If you had to do it all over again, would you do anything different?

drtsqrl - I would probably cut off all the old junk between re-builds, instead of just adding on. It would be much cleaner that way. It would be nice to have a bit more power, so if I did it over I’d probably start with a 16-valve or a 2-liter. One of these days, I may make a doubler out of a Sidekick t-case I have laying around, and a little bigger tire would be nice.

RME - What is your favorite feature of your rig?

drtsqrl - No one thing really stands out, but it works well as a whole.

RME - What is your favorite trail?

drtsqrl - I love Pritchett Canyon, and I have a lot of fun out at Area BFE, but I’m happy on any trail in Moab.

RME - What kind of influence has this vehicle had on your lifestyle?

drtsqrl - Before I started jeeping, I was a dirt biker. I absolutely loved it, but I usually went riding alone while my wife stayed behind. Jeeping is something we can both do together. In fact, she likes it so much, we built a rig for her too, and she does all the same trails that I do.


In Action

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If you ever want to catch up with Jeff and his crew in Moab, be sure to visit
We Be Jeepin' Moab! and Moab Friends-For-Wheelin'

We can't wait to hit the trails with you again, Jeff! Keep on Wheelin!
 
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Bear T

Tacoma free since '93
Location
Boulder, mt
What's with all the Samurai's in Moab recently? I have also noticed a big red Jeep which pretends to be a Samurai using the name of RED ROXX...what's the deal with that? A woman driver none the less too....

All the cool Sami's belong to members of Moab Friends For Wheelin. And after running Behind the Rocks with them this weekend, they make a strong point for owning a Sami.

The red TJ named REDROXX belongs to another one of their members, her name is SurgeryTurtle on this forum. And she is the craziest one of all.
 

drtsqrl

I luv Pritchett
Location
Moab
I think I have seen your DRTSQL a time or two in Moab--maybe on Fins-N-Things or Chicken Guts. Is it Pritchett Canyon or Prichard Canyon? The signs are confusing.

Can you build me a red one?

Must have been on Chicken Guts, that's my favorite trail ;)

BTW, welcome Gary!
 

surgeryturtle

RedRoxx
Location
Draper/Moab
All the cool Sami's belong to members of Moab Friends For Wheelin. And after running Behind the Rocks with them this weekend, they make a strong point for owning a Sami.

The red TJ named REDROXX belongs to another one of their members, her name is SurgeryTurtle on this forum. And she is the craziest one of all.

Crazy? I resemble that remark! I think Redroxx is a perfectly sized lady's Jeep. Besides SOMEONE needs a big rig for a recovery vehicle. Hooking up Sami's like dogs to a sled doesn't always work too well. :eek:

No wheeling today....TOO COLD, snow everywhere. YUCK!:(
 

Xploderkid97

Registered User
Location
Highland
these guys( and gals) are good at what they do! thanks again for the help with the flop on moab rim back in may! Sadly i havent been out since then due to funds and school. I wanna join up with you guys as soon as i hit the trails again!
 

surgeryturtle

RedRoxx
Location
Draper/Moab
these guys( and gals) are good at what they do! thanks again for the help with the flop on moab rim back in may! Sadly i havent been out since then due to funds and school. I wanna join up with you guys as soon as i hit the trails again!

Yep, we remember that day! :rolleyes:
Check out our schedule on webejeepinmoab.com and you might want to wait for all the snow here to melt.
 

Xploderkid97

Registered User
Location
Highland
will do! im dreaming of making it to crawlfest but dont know if ill be ready by then if not then my next goal is to be done by jeep safari-( i missed last year cause i broke a driveline the day before heading down!:rolleyes: )
 

mr.trd

Hello
Location
Pocatello, Idaho
Congrats Jeff! Like what the sami has evolved into. Good to see you still hitting the trails harder than ever. Guess you have to make up for the time that Kevin and Holly aren't on the trails anymore. LOL I have a new tacoma now, so no more late night rescues off of Pritchett for me. Again Thanks for that. If we hadn't been in such good hands, my wife would have really lost it. But I still need to get the new one down there and hit the trails with you again. Definitely a bonus when you with someone that knows the trails well enough to wheel at night with no lights on. HAHA. Take care Jeff and I will look you up next time I am down there. Congrats again.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Jeff is a great guy and builds a killer rig. I especially love his fender/slider ideas. I may have to "borrow" that idea for my rig. And a huge props to the entire Moab friends for wheeling, they are great guys and gals. Hope to meet up with you again soon and run some more trails with you.
 

drtsqrl

I luv Pritchett
Location
Moab
Well after building rigs for friends for the last couple of years, it was finally time to do a major re-build on mine. It worked great the way it was, but it had been re-done so many times without cleaning up the old stuff, it was getting pretty ugly. On top of that, I couldn't use the factory doors anymore due to body damage, and I really wanted to update some things.

So back in July (after Jim's rig was finished), I started in on the re-build. First I reinforced a fresh frame and cleaned up a new (to me) tub, then built a cage. The first of October, I pulled the old rig into the garage, and started swapping and re-building.

I re-used the engine (1.6 9-valve) tranny (sidekick manual) doubler and t-case. Also re-used the D44's, but I did upgrade to 30-spline outers in the front. I re-built the rear 4-link and moved the front out 4" (new WB is 106.5"), but re-used the same fox shocks. Added an Anti-Rock in the rear, built a new dash, and a bunch of other details. I was able to raise the drivetrain a bit to achieve a flat belly, and lower the overall height by a couple of inches.

Here are a few pics... first trail is tomorrow!

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drtsqrl

I luv Pritchett
Location
Moab
Marc - I just bent up some sheet metal and bolted / sheet metal screwed it in. I used the stock instrument gauge cluster. I built it in two pieces so it would be easier to take out if I need to get to the wiring or ecm behind the gauges.

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