Suzuki Club UK

Hi all, signing in from all the way from Pakistan... I've been a fan of the SJ for quite some time and saving to buy one for some time now. We have only the hard-top, high-roof SJ410, called Potohar, in the Pakistani market; 413's (Samurai/Santana, soft-tops etc. are usually hard to find).

I have ALWAYS wanted to buy a vintage US military anus (M38A1, MUTT etc.) and restore it but due to the rising fuel prices and parts becoming scarce, I HAD to drop the idea. Also, as reliable and tough they are, I'm not sure how much off-road beating a 50+ year-old car could take. So, The SJ was the obvious answer, cheaper to run and maintain, parts are abundant and the mechanics know it in and out like the back of their hands. And the more I read about it, the more it looks like the car I want... It's surprising how quickly forums like this one can convince you ... A few questions however, are in order:

1) How would you rate the SJ as a first (and only, for the time being) car? I know it's not the most luxury one, but still...
2) What to expect from a stock SJ410, off road?
3) What would you consider an "ok" mod-setup for the beginning off-roader? I know some of you will rightly say that there is not one "ok" setup, but you can definitely give me a starting point...
4) What basic mods to improve the off-road performance and ride of these cars?

And now, pics of the SJ410 as we have it here: (NOT mine, I don't have one yet)

Glad you've decided to go Suzuki!!!

Personally, I reckon an SJ is a brilliant first car!!! Over in the UK they can be really expensive on insurance though.
But we just have stupidly expensive insurance over here anyway!
As you say, they are easy to repair, good for learning or improving upon any mechanical knowledge you may already have.
One reason I think they are a good first car is that they are nice and slow! Less chance of crashing when you're going slowly
Also, if you do happen to have an accident, it's more than likely that the SJ will come out of it ok!!!
(More so than a regular car anyway!)

All SJs are pretty good standard... I personally think the 410s and 413s are just as good as each other off road with no mods. You only really notice the difference on the motorway...
What I would do first is... get some mud tyres the same size (or 1 size bigger) as the original tyres... put them on and see how you get on!

If you decide you need more, I would then put a 2" lift on it, wheel spacers, and some bigger tyres.

It really is all about driving it around, looking at what you have difficulty with and going from there!

I dunno what kind of driving conditions you have over there, but in the UK I would always say get mud tyres first

first off

you can expect quite a bit from a standard sj to be honest and if you stick some decent tyres on it there is a massive improvement

for starting out you will probably find a good set of tyres is all you need.

regarding making it a bit more comfortable there isnt really to much you can do apart from sit on a cushion

I know quite a few people who have used them as daily drives without an major complaint. obviously the more you modify it the worse it becomes on the road

Dan

Thanks twiss and Dan, that was quite quick and helpful...

No problems with the insurance over here since it's not required by the authorities, so getting your car insured is totally up to you. Roads are usually ok, but you never know when you'll be hitting a road as bumpy and pot-holed as a beginners' off-road track so not new to the sitting-on-a-cushion thing

...obviously the more you modify it the worse it becomes on the road

How come???
Please forgive the ignorance, although I have been driving since 2005, I'm a total newbie when it comes to how a car works...

well generally speaking as you lift the suspension more or fit bigger wheels/tyres you will start to experience bump steer, the brakes will be less effective, acceleration will take a bit of a hit, as will the top speed. generally lift springs are a bit firmer than standard ones.

its not the end of the world but it just isnt quite as road friendly.

to the club. Not much more to add really as I agree with the comments already made. Good little motors straight off, although I did within a few months of getting it go for a 2" lift and mud tyres. This was over ten years ago and I'm still running it like that. I use it far more than my Grand Vitara , the vit is faster - comfy - quieter - better brakes - electric everything - DULL
The SJ is fun to drive believe it or not. Either that or I've lost the plot

defo get a

Darrell wrote:The SJ is fun to drive believe it or not. Either that or I've lost the plot

in that case i think i have lost it too

i use it on a day to day basis both on and off road

and next week i have to do a 4 1/2 hour journey in it and looking forward to it

hi and welcome to the forum buddy,,.... i have a 410 and use it as a daily drive and a offroader(when im not fixing it......or riding the motor bike) and it is great.....all i have done really is the above(bar some cosmetic fabrication).....2"lift springs, slightly bigger wheels &tyres and 32mm wheelspacers.....but i did need to get extended brakelines as well because on full articulate i couldnt turn the wheels out, and drop the bump stops(on my todo list).

so yeah....not much to it really

Granted I've only had a license for about 6 months now, but I've driven all sorts of vehicles in my 18 years:

10 and 15 ton JCB long arm excavators, a Claas Arion 600 tractor, a honda half ton forklift, various Land Rovers, various Opels, various Fords, a Renault Megane and of course my very own Suzuki SJ410 and I have to say, of all of them, the SJ is my favourite.

It rides better and is more comfortable, believe it or not, than 'super-minis' like a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa. Handles better and is nicer and more fun to drive than any Land Rover. The engine isn't exactly powerful, but it's tough. You can thrash it and abuse it and very little seems to go wrong, for me anyway; you just need to keep fiddling with the carburettor and keep all the fluids and filters changed.

The Suzuki SJ is, in my opinion, one of the best vehicles ever made. It's tough, agile, fun, dependable and a hell of a lot more interesting than a Opel Corsa.

Guys thanks for the feedback... Looks like it's def gonna be a 410. Gonna slap on some mudding tires for a start. Have to get one first, working on it...