Suzuki Club UK

Ok so heres the plan. Although im the proud owner of a Red tintop Samurai, ive always had a soft spot for a soft top. So been keeping an eye on Ebay and the local classfieds for a suitable project.
Well i won a spare screen for my tintop on ebay last week, went to pick it up and the kid had a soft top shell sitting in his garage stripped to bare bones waiting to be scrapped! So a deal was struck. Front end and sills are good, rear end needs the usual welding to the floor, but for the price i paid im happy.




Plan is to build it up with all the spares i have for mine, plus all the running gear from a 2001 Grand Vitara 2.0 Td. The engine is the intercooed 110 Bhp Peugeot 2.0 Hdi producing 250Nm of torque. Went well in the big Vitara so should fly in the Samurai! Will be using the Vitara loom, Brakes, Pedal box, Gearbox, Transfer Box, and possibly rear axle.


Dont think anyones done this swap before so wish me luck!

Not had chance to do much, been doing about an hour or so a day before work.
Got the tub in the workshop, started to repair some rust and removed the body.

Also trial fitted the engine for the first time. Transmission crossmember had to go to allow the vitara box to fit.

Transmission tunnel is going to need widening by about 1.5''

so monday mornings first task is to chop that out. Other than that looks like everything clears pretty nicely.

looking good buddy , what happend to the diesel conversion with your tin top ?

cheers Tom tintops all tucked up in the garage still going to put the vw tdi in but, going to build this one first as i need an offorad toy.

project is moving along slowly, been gathering bits together ready for the build. Have most bits just need a bonnet, and some time.
Pulled the body of the chassis ready for the welding marthon. Started on the virtual lift to make way for the tyres.




Removed the tunnel, chopped it in half and added a couple of inches to the width



Safety devices roll cage arrived today, had to give it a trial fit.

this is gonna look rad

Awesome work so far buddy, that's a good idea with the transmission tunnel

This is a very interesting project. Any updates?

Any updates on this beastie dude?

As much as it disgusts me to use this term as it is usually reserved for solihull scrap. Hybrid. Liking it. Its not too often you see the vitara running gear used as a whole.

Cant wait to see this one develop.

Jordi