Suzuki Club UK

Hi all, a few weeks ago i bought a H reg SJ413 that just about ran, as seller told me carb was no good, and was told it needed welding. it is/was an estate version.

Got it home, and found it was clear the engine had been out, loads of spares in the boot including gearbox and transfer box, no water pipes or wiring connected to the engine so i sorted all that out, put new vacuum pipe on carb and played with that till it ran properly, then started looking for rot.... i found LOADS!! so started a plan on what to do to the body.

I have a friend helping with the project so things are going nice and smooth. we shortened the back of the body, removed fuel tank, back bumper and towbar, fuel tank is being relocated to a safe place and towbar and rear bumper arent going back on. car is currently red but being fully painted when welding and fabrication work is all done. its have a complete external roll cage with a tubed front end, rock sliders and winch bumper built for it, it came with bucket seats so they are going back in, im currently looking for some wheels so we know how wide to build the arches, it currently has 215 7515 bf goodrich all terrain if anyone is interested in them. (also the front bumper, rear folding seats, rear side windows, rear door glass, towbar, Suzuki spare wheel cover will all be for sale, plus im sure there will be mnore parts removed!

basically, we have stripped the SJ right down and making parts and building it back up bit by bit to be a road legal off roader... and it will look good!! in my opinion its very different because ive not yet seen one like it, it will be one of a kind when its done.. i think!!

sounds like a good plan to me dont forget the pics

ive seen a few bobtailed sj's before but there not as common as a landrover bobtail

This is a pic of how i bought it, and a pic of the progress up to a week ago... just so you get an idea, theres is lots to be welded!

a few different pics of rust/and different angles

opinions good or bad of the shape are welcomed, personally i love it, i was going to shorten it right down but when we came to cut it in the morning, he suggested only chopping a bit off... which i think was a great idea!

Why are you going so high in the back of the cab, is it for the fuel tank? and will you have enough room to move you seats back for leg room? I know a lot of people who chop the rear wish they had done it like you for the space to get more comfy

Yes there's plenty of space for seats to move, not that I need them too as I'm only 5ft 6! The boot floor is high to allow space under it for the fuel tank and new battery box also yet to be built into the floor.

Ah I was wondering the same as Robbie, thought that might be the reason!

looks well thought out, what mig are you using for the work? is it a gasless one?

Yeah I thought that would be first question tbh!

We are gas welding it (oxy / accetylene)

Ah yeah I just spotted the torch! you're brave I don't think I'd want to weld sj bodywork with anything apart from MIG or TIG (not that I can tig weld) MIG welding likes to blow holes in the thin sheet metal so what's it like welding it with gas?

Good idea with the tank as your are short then no problems