Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

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donkeychomp
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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by donkeychomp » Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:06 pm

I was really excited about this until I saw the dreaded words...Land Rover engine..

for shame...
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JoeConti
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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by JoeConti » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:03 pm

Explain yourself!

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donkeychomp
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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by donkeychomp » Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:08 pm

a lovely little zuk...looks like my old 413, but a landy engine? Stick a Vit lump in it!

Very nice truck though matey
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ScottieJ
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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by ScottieJ » Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:13 pm

We're not a big fan of heavy diesel lumps over here :lol: think that's what he means. The general consensus is that lighter is better.

There's a friendly landrover vs jap bit of rivalry/banter in the UK, from Twiss ive heard this doesn't really exist in Malta. Lots of people just aren't fans of landrovers and their parts either.

Looks like a nice build. Would like to see more pics of the actual build up and suspension set up etc. :doublethumbs:
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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by Anton » Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:15 pm

Superb build! Love it. What does the weight of the diesel do to the handling on/off road?
1985 SJ413VX (SJ50V) with SPOA, rear disc brakes, 31x10.5R15 Kaiman Malatesta tyres, an MOT and a lot left to do!

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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by Edweird » Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:27 pm

ScottieJ wrote:We're not a big fan of heavy diesel lumps over here :lol:
On the contrary, I love me an unnecessarily big diesel engine when it's not in an SJ.


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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by JoeConti » Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:14 am

donkeychomp - Now I understand you but I will also explain

ScottieJ - Thanks for taking the time to explain but I have to add my 10 cents worth

I happen to be a JapCrap lover - All my vehicles are JapCrap and am very happy and proud of them. Originally this build had a 1300cc stock engine in it and I was going to install an Isuzu 1.7tdi in it but with the 35" wheels and heavy Toyota axles, that was not going to get me too far over any boulders. There's another thing. In Malta Jap parts are not that easy to find and when you do find they are not cheap unless you use something that's commonly used on the road (hence the Toyota 1.5tdi is very common on the Samurai here). The Land Rover is very common and very popular in Malta and there is a JapCrap vs BritShit rivalry/banter going on here, at least there is for ME. I had this build done by someone who has Land Rover in his blood. You can't begin to imagine the crap I got from him and his mates when I first rolled in with my Samurai into his garage lol. He deals in Land Rover parts. Comes to the UK and gets tonnes of Land Rovers and their parts. Sadly (for lack of choice) most offroaders locally use Land Rovers mainly because of availability I suppose not by choice but perhaps because of lack of choice. The reason I have a Land Rover engine in my Samurai is because of availability, support and parts plus I was convinced that having an automatic gearbox is great for offroading although I think they're for lazy people but I was proven wrong and its a perfect tool for rock crawling (not your fun in the mud there) and since they are matched I though it was a good idea and I was right.

Anton, as for handling on / off road .. I changed all the suspension. There is nothing Suzuki under there. The shocks and springs were ordered for that weight and are adjustable. First time I drove it on the road it rolled from side to side so we adjusted the setting on the shocks and is now better, although I must say it still rolls but less, I do enjoy putting my foot down going around bends and feeling the thing swing and terrorising people watching lol but it was designed for rock crawling and I will not compromise offroad performance for on road performance so I'm very happy with the outcome :) (except for the price tag)

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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by andyrew » Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:19 am

That a big lump to fit in an sj engine bay.

Not sure If its just the phone but has the front been extended?
Andys Rusty Suzuki Emporium

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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by JoeConti » Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:29 pm

andyrew wrote:That a big lump to fit in an sj engine bay.

Not sure If its just the phone but has the front been extended?
Yes it has as you can see here :)
1558399_10202882733448585_899381813_n[1].jpg
1558399_10202882733448585_899381813_n[1].jpg (164.02 KiB) Viewed 7175 times

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Re: Suzuki Samurai Build - Malta

Post by andyrew » Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:45 pm

Nicely done. It looks like a very thought out build.

Is a vehicle like this legal to use on the road in malta?
Andys Rusty Suzuki Emporium

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