Suzuki Club UK

Long, overdue update on progress:
Tub is now back in position, which felt like real progress.
Lots of new parts were introduced, new wiring, new fuseboxes and all time consuming but a great puzzle for over the winter months.
Dashboard back in, out, in, out and in again. Electrical testing completed, after solving strange ground faults and broken 4x4 & reversing switches, all sorted now.
Brakes have been filled and bled, and seem good so far, but will require real world testing.
Engine valves were checked and adjusted, new points, plugs, etc.
Hooked up the battery, temporary petrol can plumbed in. I was expecting the engine to turn over for a few times, but was totally amazed when it started instantly after sitting for 2 years!
Next work is on the front wings and grill.

Amazing. So good to see such a thorough job

Update time!
I'm making good progress, amazing!
Briefly..!?!
Create a 'Blue Peter' spray booth in the Clarke CIG81020 garage, complete with carbon filter extraction.
This worked out really well, and the dust and bugs were almost nonexistent.

Also installed an extra 4 led 6 foot light fittings.
The light level is 'brilliant' and well worth the £60 for the 4 light fittings from Screwfix.

Then, fitted the front end back on and started preparing the bodywork for spraying.
There were quite a few dents and scratches.
I suspect that the bonnet was used as a temporary shelf for transportation of bales of hay, it was covered in a variety of gouges and scratches..!
I managed to pull the dents back out and set about the panels with wet n dry grit paper, which varied between 120 - 2400.
Hours/days of laborious rubbing down (no fingerprints left!) prior to the Primer build layer.
Then more days flatting back prior to the 2K top coat.
I used Suzuki 17A which was the original colour, which has turned out really nicely in the Blue Peter booth.

I then decided to move the SJ to my 'brick' garage. 2 reasons:
Firstly, to clear the Clarke garage to be able to spray the bonnet, tailgate, windscreen surround, doors, B pillar and a few odds and ends.
Secondly, the brick garage is warmer with the diesel heater and easier access to tools/parts etc.

The move took some doing as I couldn't get the engine to start.
Long silly story short (Recheck cambelt, timings, electrics, etc) before finally discovering that the 'new' condenser had failed!
Thank you to Scottie for your advice in changing points/ condenser in an old posting from a couple of years ago.

New condenser fitted and the engine jumped to life!
Managed to check that the brakes were working and off we went on a 100 meter dash!

So, since then I have started working from the rear, reinstalled the tailgate, the rear bumper, lights, new tailgate speakers, new rear bumper sensors, manufacted a pair of rear side cards with auxiliary 12vdc outlets, and installed the CB antenna mount!

Next came the fitting out of the windscreen surround and then remounted it back onto the body on a new gasket.

Then came the B pillar (targa hoop) with new hand made gaskets, the interior light working a treat!

I commissioned the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT and fired it up via the Alpine RS-65C speakers, with the inphase sub woofer, it sounds awesome

I'm currently working on commissioning the dash cameras and also the reversing sensor system and I hopefully will have this done by next week

The New Year will see me turning the SJ around to then complete the front end, and I am hoping to return Bender to full road status by Spring Bank, fingers (minus prints!) crossed

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Tidy work! She’s gonna look mint when you are done.

Cheers Scottie

My Suzuki equivalent of Christmas lights