Are you an off-road enthusiast? If so, perhaps you have heard of the legendary Suzuki Samurai.
Over three million copies of this quirky vehicle have been sold across the U.S., showing how much people adore it.
Its one-of-a-kind design, compact size, and affordable price make the Samurai a top choice for those who enjoy flying down dirt roads.
If you want to find and buy one for yourself, you first need to know the Suzuki Samurai bolt pattern.
You may ask what the Suzuki bolt pattern is and why it is essential. Scroll down and find out with us!
An Introduction To The Suzuki Samurai
The very first Suzuki Samurai (or “Suzuki Jimmy”) model, “JL”, was launched in 1985 and quickly took the car world by storm.
Coming at a reasonable cost of $6,200, its sale increased from 1,200 vehicles per month to 8,000 per month, quite impressive for a Suzuki off-roader at the time.
To explain the Suzuki Samurai’s early success, let’s look at its design and features.
As mentioned, a point in this rig’s favor is its compact size: The Suzuki Samurai features a 60.6-inch width and a 79-inch wheelbase.
Those make it one of the shortest and narrowest vehicles, even by 1980s standards.
After its release, many automakers realized that the vehicle’s unique measurements allowed it to reach places other compact cars couldn’t.
Another highlight of the Samurai is the weight. With just 2,000 pounds, this lightweight vehicle could take you through sticky mud, sand, and even silt.
Add some road tires, and you never have to worry about the car feeling bouncy while driving.
What’s more, you also have fuel economy on your side. A perfect combination for off-roaders; that’s it.
Of course, the Samurai also has its setbacks: The car’s 1.3-liter engine can only produce 64 horsepower.
Still, its unique yet practical design and ease of modification are well-loved in the four-wheel-drive community.
What Is The Suzuki Samurai Bolt Pattern? How Is It Measured?
The Suzuki Samurai bolt pattern (or Samurai lug pattern) is 5×5.5, meaning there are five lugs forming a 5.5” circle.
The bolt pattern is a two-number system used to determine wheel fitment. It consists of the lug quantity and the diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the lugs.
Why Should You Know About This Term?
So why is the Suzuki Samurai wheel bolt pattern important? Many gearheads believe the Samurai works best when modified. This process will improve the car’s performance.
For example, by switching the factory-installed wheels to lightweight, premium wheels, you can save the engine a lot of effort while boosting your Samurai’s acceleration.
Drivers can’t make these changes if they are unfamiliar with the lug bolt pattern.
This number is the first and most crucial criterion you need to consider when choosing your new Suzuki Samurai wheels.
Without it, there is no way to know what types of wheels will fit a specific car model.
Measuring Suzuki Samurai Bolt Pattern: A Step-By-Step Guide
The automotive industry has countless bolt patterns, and even the most seasoned mechanic can’t memorize all of them.
When the situation calls for the Suzuki Samurai lug pattern, you can measure it using a few simple steps:
- Step 1: Uninstall one of the existing wheels. It is best to measure the rear wheel since you won’t be troubled by the hub.
- Step 2: Start measuring from the center of the first stud to the edge of the third stud (skip the one in the middle).
- Step 3: The number you have is the correct measurement of the Suzuki Samurai bolt pattern.
In case you find this measuring method is a bit different from other cars, it is because the Samurai is a 5-lug vehicle.
As mentioned, the result should be 5.5 inches or thereabouts since your Samurai has a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. 4-lug or 6-lug vehicles require other ways to measure their bolt patterns.
List Of All Suzuki Samurai Models’ Bold Pattern And Specs
The table below shows all Suzuki Samurai models’ bolt patterns, wheel offset range, and center bores.
Consider it a complete Suzuki Samurai wheel fitment guide you can rely on, regardless of which model you choose:
| Model | Bolt pattern | Offset range | Center bore/Hub bore |
| 1984 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1985 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.3mm |
| 1986 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.3mm |
| 1987 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.3mm |
| 1988 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1991 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1993 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1994 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 5.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1995 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 4.4 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
| 1997 Suzuki Samurai | 5 on 4.5 inches | 3 – 7mm | 108.1mm |
FAQs
What Are The Best Rims For Suzuki Samurai?
As mentioned, the Suzuki Samurai is an iconic off-roader, which means it will see plenty of hard use on unforgiving surfaces.
Steel rims will be your to-go since they are tougher and more crack-resistant than other choices.
If you have the budget and are willing to go as far with customization, titanium rims make a solid option.
What Are The Suzuki Sidekick Lug Patterns?
Suzuki Samurai’s brother, Suzuki Sidekick, has a lug pattern of 5×139.7 (5 on 5.5 inches).
What Are The Suzuki Samurai Wheel And Tire Size?
Suzuki Samurai models have standard wheel sizes ranging from 4.4 to 5.5 inches and tire dimensions of 205/70R15.
The Bottom Line
Years have passed since its release, but the Samurai is still a splendid off-roader many auto fans appreciate.
If you own one of these rough-and-ready vehicles, our post on the Suzuki Samurai bolt pattern will help you better understand it.
These specs are crucial for customization, so keep them in mind in case you want to make some changes to your off-roader. Have fun driving!
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