Offroad-Express

Was wondering the best way to gain articulation without lifting 413 to high. Want to keep reasonable point of balance. Also wondered about 1.6 16 valve and auto combo in 413. Is this possible and worthwhile?

Cheers
Greenzuk

very possible and worthwhile engine conversion there is a guy on the site that builds kits and as for articulation slightly longer shocks and greaseable shackles with nolathan bushs

radar21 wrote:very possible and worthwhile engine conversion there is a guy on the site that builds kits and as for articulation slightly longer shocks and greaseable shackles with nolathan bushs

The kit is for fitting the 1.6 engine to the 413/Sami' bell-housing though. If you're going to run the Vitara/Escudo auto box as well you will have to decide what you are going to do with the T/case setup as the Vit's have the t/c integral with the rear of the gearbox.

Options are to pull the vit t/c and shorten the output shaft, seal the output end of the gearbox and custom connect it to the 413 t/case (preferred option IMHO)

Option 2 is to retain the full Vit' assembly but that means you lose the option for lower gear-sets in hi-range. I'm not sure but I think the standard Vit is 2:1 reduction in low, and the commonly available gear-set kit just gives you a 4.24:1 low-box with no hi-box reduction.

lneil wrote:Options are to pull the vit t/c and shorten the output shaft, seal the output end of the gearbox and custom connect it to the 413 t/case (preferred option IMHO)

Option 2 is to retain the full Vit' assembly but that means you lose the option for lower gear-sets in hi-range. I'm not sure but I think the standard Vit is 2:1 reduction in low, and the commonly available gear-set kit just gives you a 4.24:1 low-box with no hi-box reduction.

Then there is Option 3... twin transfer;
Keep the Vit' transfer box but shave off the output to the front axle and then connect it to the 413 transfer case...
Using standard ratios you end up with a Vit low + 413 low of about 4.536:1 (2:1 x 2.268:1)
You might need to move the 413 transfer slightly towards the rear however.
http://www.ottindustries.com/kicker3.htm

There is a book called "How to modify Suzuki 4x4 for serious off-road action". It cost me $80. But its worth it!!
I have Revolver drop shackles on the back of my Samurai. They give real good actitulation... but the shocks and brake lines need extending for the extra drop. I tryied the drop shackles on the front but the truck was to hard to steer. A drop pit man may have fixed it?
How about shackle reversal on the front springs. ie. put the shackle at the back and fix the front. I've not tried it.

Hey. Cheers for all the advice. Will look into all options.

The best way to increase articulation is to increase the length of the leaf springs.This will require modification of the spring mounting points/chassis extension etc. Longer springs mean more droop / flex / leverage. Combined with correct bump stop spacing, longer shocks etc.
Then cut your guards to fit the tires you want to run.


Drop shackles will make your vehicle look like it flex's really well but in reality they provide no downwards leverage on the the wheel resulting in a loss of traction.

Shackle reversal is not recommended on SWB vehicles as it can lead to strange on road driving /steering quirks. It causes the diff to move backwards under compression, which exaggerates the existing firewall clearance issues. And the mounting fangs that are requires to get the spring angles right stick down at the front just as much as the stock shackles.
Seems to be a lot of work for little gain.

At the end of the day it comes down to what you want to drive on. A bush truck doesn't need all that much flex where as a rock crawler wants as much as possible.