Offroad-Express

Hi guys,

This is my first post on the forum and i am looking for a bit of expertise. I am trading up my useless Audi A4 (breaks down ALOT) and looking at getting a small 4x4 to have some weekend fun in. I wouldnt be looking to do anything to extreme to it probably just a 2" lift and some 30" mud tyres.

Anyway i have been looking at samurais and there are a couple of SJ80s and a SJ70 on trademe at the moment. Is one alot better than the other?

From my research so far I have discovered:
Leafs in the rear of SJ70 vs coils in all corners of the SJ80
Weak CVs and strut mounts in the SJ80
Parts hard to come by for the SJ70
SJ70 is carby
Nicer interior in the SJ80

Anything else i need to know? Are leafs in the back a weak point?

Here are the links to the auctions http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =684598525
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =686639346
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =686855096

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick

Both SJs are Carby 1300cc.
SJ70 Leaf Sprung all around not just the rear. SJ80 marginally better ride quality, but has average flex.
Huge amounts of Aftermarket parts for the 70 - especially in USA, very limited for the 80.
Interiors are fairly much the same?
Bound to be a bunch of other things

Oh ok dont know how i got that so wrong haha. So there is no major downfall of leaf springs apart from ride quality?

Also what is that return the centre steering dampener that is on the SJ70?

If you want to modify it, buy an SJ70. If you want a weekend cruiser for going to the beach etc an SJ80 will be ok. Keep in mind that with 30x9.5" tyres you will need to change the gearing if you want to use 5th gear. by the looks of it that SJ70 you posted already has what you want so would be a good buy.

Cool thanks for your reply. I like the idea of getting an 80 just becasue of the fact that it is so much newer. But i think the 70 is definitely better value. If i bought an 80 then put smaller tyres on it like some 235/75 would that work?

depending how much your willing to spend i may have a deal for you. I have a 1994 sj70 that i have been modifying over the last 2 years. I do not want to sell it and am still unsure but a certain offer could persuade me as my fiance and I are chasing a mountain of a house deposit. Its pretty modified but still nice on the road, most people on here know it and i will get given an absolute world of shit for selling it but our own roof on our heads is pretty important at the moment.

A quick rattle off of some of the modifications -
-G16A 16valve injected motor swap from a 1994 escudo
-escudo power steering
-endless air on board air set up using sanden AC compressor
-brand new jimny alloy radiator and davis craig fan
-recaro fishnet bucket seats
-new rear diff seals and wheel bearings/seals
-$1500 work of OME shocks springs and steering dampner 10 months ago
-15x8 custom offset ROH rims
-33x10.5r15 silverstone extreme tyres
-LWB escudo vented disc brakes up front
- everything ready and there for samurai discs at rear
-custom roller toolbox in the back
-Rocklobster lowrange transfer gears fitted
-custom steel rear bar with LED lights and hayman reece hitch
-Custom front bar with tow hooks (middle of bar is air tank)
- 2" exhaust
- Virtual lift or guard chop (Big job!!)
-extended flares
- tyres could easily be swapped for 31x10.5r15 for a more road friendly truck. It also comes with a set of warrantable (just) chocolate thin road tyres on vitara 15" alloys.

Probably a few things I have missed but its a cool capable little truck, i have only just started driving it as its been in the shed in progress for so long.
Warrant runs out on 27 of march.



Photobucket link for build - http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/blake ... t=3&page=1

ring me on 0272532537 for more details.
Blake

Cheers for the offer Blake but my budget runs out at $7.5k and I think I might be a bit out of my depth with your truck. Definitely gives me something to aspire to though. Looks super sick

What about a 1998 onwards Jimny? They come up on tardme every now and then quite cheap. (I got mine for 5k) They are coil sprung and a bit more modern than the old sj's. Not as big of an aftermarket compared to the sj's though but still easy to get lift kits etc..

Yeah Jimnys are definitely an option. I am keeping my eye out for one. Think i will just need to jump on it quick if one comes up

p.marsh wrote:Cool thanks for your reply. I like the idea of getting an 80 just becasue of the fact that it is so much newer. But i think the 70 is definitely better value. If i bought an 80 then put smaller tyres on it like some 235/75 would that work?

They aren't really that much newer, the change over year was 1996 and the SJ80's were only made for a year (hence hard to find parts). You will still rarely use 5th gear with 235's, I started off with 215's on my Samurai and it pushed them along fine but it didn't like 235's.