Mikes lwb build and repairs !

[mike harris]

Yeh I do think land rovers do the coil thing well, jimnys are too weak in my mind and vitaras suspension isn't in my mind designed for offroad use.

I have always thought that sjs look cool, are super simple, have shit loads of character, I like it that there light as well. Compared to a vitara !! Jesus there heavy.

So yeh simple cart springs it is I'm afraid. Will be fine !!

Hopefully il do some more on it today and tomorrow.

Pics to follow

[Anton]

Yeah, I think you're right about Jimny's being weak, they break too easily (which is why I would put SJ axles under one) but Landies are legendary for eating diffs and having halfshafts made by Edam.

I think that, for my money, the Jimny still has it simply because it's not as unreliable. It's not as good looking as the Landy, nor the SJ.

I do think that I could give a Jimny a makeover, but I don't think it would ever be as good looking as my SJ. Which is butt ugly and yet awesome all at the same time.

[RickUK]

The bottom line its your motor and you are happy doing what ever works for you,no question about the ability of your previous truck that was just about the ultimate off roader on this forum.

Me personally i just like using my V6 Vitara,i dont use it totally off road and never will,just use it for hunting,fishing and shooting.

Looking forward to seeing how this new truck takes shape,i assume you will be using most or all of the original SJ gear and just fine tuning this latest project.

[mike harris]

Beds nearly there, just putting a bulkhead in it now.

Plan tomorrow is whip the axles out my red suzuki and place them under the Kja check a few things.

Il add pics when I'm home later,

I'm quite pleased.....

[mike harris]

Bosh !

So I welded all that I could from the top, cut the bulkhead up just to use the top rail, rascal bed reses too deep into the cab. Had to make a cut then put a bit back in ! Slight measuring issue !

Cut the supports in, chopped the sides down. All came out Alrite.

Took a little while, but I go there. Didn't have a hand today so took me ages to do shit.

I need to plate the bulkhead now, and brace it some how.

Now I've got it about right it can be blasted, before I do that it's into the cab.

Tomorrow I plan on putting the axles from the red car in it, check the beds high enough.

Mike

[mike harris]

New and old !

[Anton]

Great work, mate! One day I wanna build a Jimny with the best bits of my SJ (axles, lockers, rocklobster etc), so I've kinda been thinking of doing something similar.

That rear overhang - looks to me like you could move the whole rear axle back if it becomes a problem?

But honestly, with tyres that size, I can't see how it's going to be a real problem. Your departure angle is probably not going to be any worse than mine!

Can't wait to see this done!

[mike harris]

I've had a look at moving the axle all the way back, wheel base would be well over 100 inch, and as suzukis don't have good turning circles things would get messy.

Over hang may be ok, il have a look today see if I'm happy, I can't see it being a problem either really, should be fixing the red one not taking bits off lol

[Anton]

I would say make it 4ws, but that would mean getting a whole new rear axle and having to upgrade to chromoly. It'd be cool, but spendy.

[mike harris]

To complex with hydro both ends, I didn't do anything to it today, played in my red truck a bit.

Will be next weekend now before any more gets done.