pulling the finger out!

[suzukisteve]

so after being lazy and not doing much to the suzuki (apart from when it stops working!) i'm finally getting a move on and sorting it out!

got a few bits done at the weekend, oil and filter change, fuel filter, hot air intake (like it originally had), cleaned up the dizzy cap and rotor arm.

next is steam clean everything and underseal before winter sets in to give it a fighting chance against rust worm.

new hood (birthday coming up )

i will be starting a build thread, however, before i do im not sure of which direction i should go.

i want something capable off road, but nothing too extreme as i'll be using her on the road. and it needs to be reliable, simple and fun. which is pretty much what an sj is anyways.

been looking through build threads and there are some amazing ones there just cant decide on what i want to do!!!!

so does anyone have any ideas on which direction to take?

oh and pictures to follow

[ScottieJ]

Can you weld? That's the main question?

If so I would clearance the arches for 30-31" mud terrain tyres and leave the suspension standard.

If you can't weld then do a rear springs up front conversion and fit suzuki carry/bedford rascal rear springs and some longer shocks for a cheap subtle lift so you can run some larger mud terrains.

Essentials: Fit a rock lobster transfer box to drop the gearing in low, heavy duty bumpers with good tow points and a roll cage.

That's all you really need in my opinion for a capable sj.

You could also try and source some lj80 diffs to lower the diff gearing to compensate for the larger tyres but they are quite hard to find nowadays.

[suzukisteve]

i can half weld, but have no space to do it. i have a mate with a workshop who does it, ive got a couple small patches left then in the new year the arches will be stripped and done.

whats the best way of doing them? back doesnt look too bad its just the fronts.

was gonna get some bumpers made up, however i removed the front and made some mounts for the sidelights/ indicators.

im on the look out for a roll cage as i cant find anyone local who makes em

cheers dude

[dan_2k_uk]

Have a look at my build here for the VL if you havent already.

http://forum.suzukiclubuk.co.uk/vi ... /start,30/

Takes a bit of time but well worth it. As you have probably already guessed the worst of it is moving the bulkhead back behind the pedals to keep the shape of the front consistant.

Also handy to cut the area behind the headlight so meets the bottom of the box that holds the lamp.

Dan

[suzukisteve]

awesome, cheers dan! this wont be a fast build as its also my dd.

i take it its easier to remove the front clip for the VL then whack it back on for doin the bulk head?

cheers

steve

[ScottieJ]

for 31s you wont have to clearance the bulkhead that much and should be able to do it with the front clip in place as you only cut out the section below where the clip bolts on.

I would get the 31s then flex it up to see where it catches, then cut out that section plus a bit more.

You shouldn't really need to virtual lift the rest of the arches either, I used to run 31s with 2" lift and the only place it really caught was on the bulkhead. but if your arches need work anyway then you might as well do the whole lot!

[suzukisteve]

Yeah deffo, they aren't as bad as some of the ones i've seen, but they could use the attention. i'd like to get it to the standard where it'll stay on the road for a good few years to come.

when the time comes to do the VL i shall be using various build threads for reference!

its going in for an underseal next friday to ensure that things are protected until the time comes to attack it with the grinder thankfully its pretty solid underneath (famous last words)

i'll get some pics up soon and again when its undersealed!

cheers

steve