the no dosh LJ revamp

[Anton]

Also Apparently the lj ball joints can be removed and changed using sj balljoints

I have 3 or 4 brand new SJ balljoints sitting around gathering dust. If you want a few of them, let me know.

[donkeychomp]

Thanks guys. I'm overwhelmed by all the support and help being offered on this build. PM'd Scottie about the steering bits. Might need bits from Anton too. And the package I thought were hoses from Malta with a custom charge were from the US. So they haven't got here yet but no rush, she ain't going anywhere!

We did a compression test today and all 4 cylinders were on 175, so pretty good. Engine has been drained and we'll run her with fresh oil and a new filter and see what happens I guess. The 'grease' underneath turns out to be a Zeibart treatment so that's all good! (Think that's how you spell it).

Next time I'm there it's new fan belt on, new rad cap, retrimmed door cards, make up some flooring out of a roll of rubber that came with the car, and probably loads more.

Once again cheers everyone!

[donkeychomp]

Hoses arrived from Malta!! Bang on, a perfect fit, many thanks Aaron, hope you enjoyed the beer!

Tried 3 sodding fan belts, the latest one had the right size written on the packet, went to put it on and it is 10cm too big! Different number on the belt and I didn't check that...why would I? Nuts.

Next up is the service and finish the brakes, I'm hoping Scottie has the steering bits I need. £200 for a rebuild is a bit daft. Just wish I could drive the old girl! Hopefully that won't be too long.

[donkeychomp]

Sorry no pics as she is in a garage and the light is bad.

Everything done now...brakes, fan belt, hoses etc. Engine all cleaned up and I can't see any leaks. So fingers xxd on that.

All she needs now are the steering components, bolt them on and MOT time.

Oh and the exhaust gasket that Aaron is sending from sunny Malta.

Not added up how much all this has cost along with the initial purchase price but it's not going to be cheap. I don't regret buying this but I am wondering if I can afford to keep it...

At least the insurance is good, Adrian Flux, all mods declared, £180 fully comp, value £10,000.

[kiwizook]

we might just all have to chip in to keep this one on the road!

[donkeychomp]

Nice idea! Won't be feasible but the gesture is welcomed. I made my bed I guess...etc.

Found rot underneath the underseal, and under the floor panel he made in the rear so a weld-a-thon is on the cards. I've ummed and aahed a bit and the exhaust is going in the scrap metal pile, going to make a new one, one small silencer and then ending in a side exit cherry bomb. Sod it, I've spent a small fortune why not try and get some of it back by making her perfect....that's if I have to sell her. I really really don't want to.

[donkeychomp]

OK. Either I'm a complete moron or have an eye for a decent Suzuki. I bought another LJ. Don't ask where the money came from, suffice to say my Vitara will be up for sale very soon

This was on ebay and I drove down with my mate Stu (again) to look her over in Dover. Fast drive down...not a fast one back! She is amazingly clean underneath..no rot at all and no underseal hiding anything. Vitara 1.6 weber carbed engine, SJ413 gearbox mated to a 410 tcase. Procomps all round (sigh, rears leaking a tad) running Vitara axles with coils on the rear and SPOA up front. 33" new muds all round and new wheels. Bucket seats with harnesses, a stereo that doesn't work, a load of spares including an engine. Brand new roof but it has no fasteners so that will be sorted and put on at a later date. Brand new MOT with (get this) NO advisories! So a deal was done and we set off home.

Got through a tunnel leaving Dover, cliffs and a shear drop on my left and WOAH! The wind hit me and I had to steer like a lunatic over to the right almost hitting a Smart car, this was getting scary. The 100 mile drive took 3 hours with 2 rest stops to calm my shattered nerves.

We finally got home and the first thing was a damn good service. She was running lumpy, so new dizzy, rotor arm, plugs, (need leads), air filter, oil and oil filter and a lot better. The carb needs stripping down and cleaning. Rear brake shoes are shagged. As are the seats and new ones have gone in after a bit of welding. 1 tbox mount is knackered and 1 engine mount, ordered those, then kicked myself as the spare engine has 2 engine mounts, both excellent. Git.

So this is my daily drive now. At 6ft 3" tall it gets noticed a bit. I've already seen people taking photos of it and three people have asked me is it for sale.

Piglet 3 (the Vitara) will be up for grabs in maybe 2 weeks when I've got her finished to my liking. Piglet 5 (the blue LJ) as above. I want to keep her but she's cost me a fortune and I need to recoup my expenses somehow.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Piglet 6.

THIS one is a keeper!

Alex

[Anton]

Woah. Love LJ's! Apparently so do you!

What's the front axle from?

One of the first things I'd do if that was mine would be to get rid of the z bar and do a high steer conversion - z bars can be a problem. Bump steer etc.

[donkeychomp]

That's on the list...it hates speed bumps. Front axle is a Vitara. Is is Rob Stoor who does the high lift kit?

But bumps or no bumps she is a hoot to drive!

[ScottieJ]

Front axle will be samurai or 413 with a vit diff.

Nice buy