Suzuki Escudo Nomade Build

[zukst]

So thought I’d start a build thread as my Suzuki is turning into a bigger project than I first thought. Purchased this 1992 Suzuki Escudo Nomade 1600 early on in September.



About Four Days after owning this and a bit of rain I found the Carpet was damp, so out came the carpet and unfortunately the guards had split in the seam.



Ended up finding a small amount of Rust so fixed this up at the same time, Also got a aftermarket steering wheel cheap.






Test Fitting rims that came with my 215 MT Tyre's on ashoman's hilux to check the stud pattern

[churchill]

Looks like it's getting a good going over!

[zukst]

Looks like it's getting a good going over!

Yeah figured it was worth doing right now to save hassle later, all starts with one small Job and then I ended up finding a few others - the way it goes I suppose.

[Ashohman]

What a mad lux haha yeh diff head was almost on the ground with those baby tyres compared to da 35's

[zukst]

Thought it was time for a bit of an update on progress, just about every job I have done to date usually ends up in finding something else however all the important stuff that needed doing ASAP has been done.
Over the Last mounth or few weeks the engine has had a bit of a birthday with a new timing belt, water pump, spark plugs filters, diff and Trans oil’s etc.




I Have also got the interior fully finished and with all carpet and seats in place as well as installing important items such as a stereo, UHF, 6x9 Speakers, Fire Extinguishers and a few other things.







Also quickly installed a tow hook until I fit some bar work on the front.



But the best thing was that my mud tyres are now fitted to my new steel rims and I finally got my truck muddy.
(Also I've removed front and rear bumpers) 215/75/15 Bridgestone Duellers on 15x7 Rims with Standard suspension.

[zukst]

[zukst]

Trying to cross boggy patch, got stuck due to limited ground clearance - good video of suzuki finally in action - more mods to come.

[zukst]

So thought it might be time for a bit of an update on the build as it’s been a while. Over the last few months I’ve had a few minor things go wrong so have ended up putting in all new heater and radiator hoses as well as cam and crank shaft seals (had oil leaking here). Plus I also put in new sparkplug leads and brushes in the starter motor – all the not so fun jobs basically that have held up doing mods. (on the bright side now burn 8-8.5L per 100km pre extractor installation which is awesome.

On the modifications front I’ve installed a snorkel which was great but the template sucked and it was quite a time consuming job to get right. (Pre Lift Pic)


Extractors where next and I’ve defiantly noticed the difference in power compared to before.


Finally as off today I put a 30mm spring lift in so it’s well on the way to becoming ready to do some good trips off road soon. (Pic after lift)

[zukst]

Photos of an articulation test with new lift, good room for tyres even when springs are fully compressed on rear.





Also started rebuilding rear tow bar yesterday to be removable to swap between holding a tow hook to a tow bar.

[zukst]

Been a while since I've updated anything on this build, more to come in the next few weeks but not a lot has happened lately apart from general maintenance.

Was just starting to make mounts for my rear bar when I found this at the wreckers and brought real cheap.


New Bumper Fitted to my Zuk only a little filling for some of the holes was required and bolted into factory points.


With Mudbit's closing down I thought I better stop my delaying in buying a straight fuel tank and installed this just the other day. Currently making a bash plate and won't be going offroad till that's finished and fitted.

[zukst]

Currently working on some bolt on rock sliders, worst has been getting the brackets to the right size as heights have had to very for different locations, few photo's of things being lined up in the before making a few tweaks and tack welding things together.

[zukst]

Was a bit of a mission taking the brackets for my rock sliders into place, but I got there in the end after about 5 hours of mucking around and getting everything lined up correctly.



New to welding so my tack welding was not the best, hence getting Dad to weld up on the bench so they stand the test of time.



Will be cleaning these up and working on height clearances in the next few days hopefully.

[zukst]

Fuel tank Bash Plate development.

Right Angle 40mm that will be bolted into tow bar RHS and welded to Plate.




Brackets that bolt to factory mounts in chassi.

[zukst]

[mudsurfv6]

Looking good

[zukst]

Left hand Rock slider nearly finished.

[zukst]

Fuel tank bash plate finished and painted.



Rock sliders nearly finished.

[zukst]

Manual Locking Hubs installed

[zukst]

Working on Winch bar.

[zukst]

Bit of an update on bull/winch bar progress.




Tow hooks placed out of the way

[zukst]

Bar Has been Painted since this pic but what it looks like finished.

[zukst]

Before I scraped the new paint off bar work






Finally tested rear bash plate and bar work worked well. More mods to come...... as time allows and $$$$

[Clint]

Nice work mate, the front bar suits the zuki really well.

Cheers
Clint

[zukst]

In preparation to fit a winch there I have had to make room for a bigger battery so moved Radiator overflow bottle and set up a new battery tray which i got out of a V6 Escudo at the wreckers but had to modify mounting due to where the snorkel is located.


Also relocated horn.



New Battery Tray


Battery mounted and to be wired up shortly replacing existing battery.


Started Building rear box.

[zukst]

Also since changing to 30 x 9.5 x 15 Tyre's on 15x7 rims with 0 offset I have had more significant rubbing with new tyre's so have had to make some adjustments to suspension set up.

I Installed a 50mm Rear Diff Ball Joint, Rear Shock re-locators, and coil spacers giving me about 50mm of lift in total, Don't have to buy longer shocks fortunately due to shock re-locators, any longer and the spring would not hold captive very well. Now I Just have to Increase bump stops in rear, front diff already has diff drop brackets and soon to have Spacers, on top of springs and camber bolts installed.

Note, am running Dobinsons 35mm lift springs in rear 30mm in front (recommend getting ones with higher load or looking at other brands such as Ironman)
Especially if you are putting stuff in the back other wise is very soft in rare.

Shock Re-Locators http://www.zukparts.com/Suzuki-Vitara/S ... on-Spacers


Rear Diff Ball Joint http://www.zukparts.com/Suzuki-Vitara/S ... eim-Spacer


Coil Spacers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-and-Rear- ... Yq&vxp=mtr
\


Jacked up to work out length I want bump stops in rear.



Clarence still reaming under guard




Am going to be running Kumho KL 71's (30x9.5x15) all around shortly but have one on each axle to check articulation whilst making bump stops.

[zukst]

Also in catch up mode here, forgot to mention I now have a front bash plate, very important for Suzuki's with IFS front end and alloy front diff. Cheated and brought one half done but had to mill slot in front and tig weld after bending then drill Holes, used riv nuts to mount in front, just need to buy normal bolts now as stainless and alloy don't like each other and would corrode over time.



More Mods to come (I guarantee it ), Still to finish front suspension mods, and much much more If only I was sponsored for this it would be the dream. 4x4 = Black hole for money and time I guess, Enjoy getting out there and off road until next time.