Help needed urgently!

[12callum]

I'm really struggling with the rust on the sj, what with family and work I haven't touched the anus since around dec/jan, does anyone fancy giving me a hand or some helpful advice as I think I've bitten of more than I can chew!
I'd really like it up and running before winter sets in again this year.
I'm ok with the mechanical side off things but there's just far to much rust for me, and I'm not sure where to start!

I'm happy to pay for some tuition from any of the locals, or make a donation to the website! And also throw in some beer tokens.

Here are some recent photos of the worst areas! I'd really like to do a virtual lift at the same time if possible.

[ScottieJ]

Is the Sj drivable? Ie could you get it to corsham?

If not I could bring my welding gear over one weekend?

[12callum]

Unfortunately not Scottie, but if your serious I probably could get it trailered over! I know you've got enough on your plate at the mo without me winging on about mine!
I would need to take a day off so if you let me know, when is best for you? As I work every weekend!

Really appreciate it! Thanks

[ScottieJ]

Well realistically with that much rust and a virtual lift you are looking at 2-4 weekends work depending on the condition of stuff underneath as well, this all depends on how you want the virtual lift done as well.

Maybe I could pop over one evening next week to have a good look over the SJ to work out exactly how much will need doing and possibly give you a rough cost.

[12callum]

Sounds good to me, I'm off Tuesday night if that helps? Ill pm my no. If that's easier for you?

[12callum]

Is tonight any good for you Scottie? Just need to know as the wife is pestering me to take her out for a meal!

Thanks

[ScottieJ]

I'm popping over to Swindon around 6 so could possibly swing over on the way back from there? Not sure what time it would be though? It's up to you dude, whatever is easiest?

[NylonAdmiral]

Scottie will be the best person to look at this for you anyway but just thought I'd throw in an idea.

I've just replaced these sections on mine and the design of the bodywork makes it less fun than it looks.

If I was going to do this again on a truck I would give serious consideration to cutting out a whole block of the floor there and replacing it with a single, large piece of box section. The Suzuki design just seems purposefully built to encourage rust and I think that the box section would work a lot better. Mine is traybacked though so I can't really speculate if the same idea would work as well for you. Just something to think about though.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted!

[12callum]

Thanks nylonadmiral, I've seen your truck, I was the one in the blue vitara when we did some Wiltshire lanes a while ago, cracking day but just not the same without the sj! Believe it or not I bought the sj in 2010 drove it home from Somerset, put it through an mot with a few bits required, then took it of the road to restore, 4 years later and I'm still trying.
It's the welding part of the restoration as there's so much rust, I've got no idea where to start!
I have removed all the plastic, trims, carpets, bumpers and arch extension etc, so all the rust is visible and there's a lot !!!!!.

When I removed the carpet, the previous owner had shockingly tried to fibre glass over the worst of it by looks of it.
I do have a van door which I am tempted to weld in behind the front seats, but to be honest I'm really not sure.

Scottie tonight would be great if that's ok with you? Wife says we can go out next week instead! I pmd you my mobile so just let me know what time you might possibly be over!

Really really appreciate it thank you!

[NylonAdmiral]

Yeah I remember, it was a good day! The video of it is on the videos section of this site under "Suzuki Club UK Off Roading".

Yeah that sucks. So many of these trucks get owned and ruined by people that don't look after them properly. I found that some of the holes in my floor by one of the body mounts had simply been fillered over too!

I recently took my body off and cut out all rotten bits before replacing everything with new metal. It's always a can of worms, once you start you just find more and more and it feels insurmountable.

Once I got into it though it actually wasn't that bad, I just took my time and did it one piece at a time. Now it's as good as new! It's good to see that you're going to try and get it repaired rather than scrap it though. Stick with it, I'm sure you can get it sorted.

I'm sure Scottie will have it sorted out in no time