Newbie Suzuki SJ413 Help - Basic modifications on a budget?

[LJP]

I spied a tidy Suzuki SJ413 at a farmers place that's been left parked up because the motor developed a knock so he's practically giving it away.
I know I'll be in for at least a basic motor rebuild (possibly a replacement motor) but what I want to know is what minimum modifications really transform their off road ability? I've been using my old mans Kawasaki Mule to access a favourite hunting possie & are sick of replacing broken shaft's & crosses so figure it time for something a little more rough & tumble. Will a decent set of tyres be enough or do I really start talking body lift kits, new shocks etc? I'd be happy with say the off road performance of where a quad bike could go. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated regarding mods & budgets required.

[J_Dub]

ide say once the motor is sorted and you know thats 100% reliable, thats your main concern, knowing you will always get home, from there fit a good set a muds and your away..
But wait to here what the zuk fans have to say.

Is it purely a hunting hack? not road legal??

[LJP]

It will purely be a trailered, off road hunting hack. I'm not intending it to be road legal.

[moonhopper]

once the motor is sorted, take out the rear diff and weld it up solid, you will go anywhere you point it. and a good set of muds and you wont have any problems.

[Heath]

Yep, muds (30x9.5 max unlifted etc and it will still rub a little 29's are almost ideal for std wagon). Remove the front bumper and cut the bumper support off just beside the body mount. Bash the front seam on the root well back flat so it doesn't chew up tyres.

I would suggest a roll bar of some sort as these things like to lie down on their sides if pushed a little too far.

Maybe a 1600 engine from a vitara/escudo if you have trouble sourcing a g13 (get a carbed 8V and a kit from Ben to bolt it straight in).

If you have spare $$$ a lift of some sort will help things too (dont go mad though, 30-50mm is heaps) or a cheap 1 inch body lift maybe. That will clear a bigger set of tyres.

Get it to breathe better with a nice clean air filter (and a if you have afew $$$ get set of extractors too)

Thats all I have for now. If your budget is unlimited then the possibilities are amost endless...

Great little wagons, cut my teeth on one and will have one again oneday.

[LJP]

Thanks for all the replies guys. If the Zook got say a 40mm body lift what size tyres could you happily run?

[moonhopper]

I would say that a set of 30" would be the ticket for that height, remember to turn the lip over under the guards though.

[badnuz]

Deffinately weld the rear diff, best bang for $$$ if its going to be trailered/non road used!!

[lincooln]

I would say get a set of used simex's (still with at least 50% tread), and weld the rear diff. It wont stop for pretty much anything.

[game4]

A welded rear diff is the way to go at minimal cost as well.
Put a decent set of tyres on and it will leave a quad for dead.