Offroad-Express

Hello all.

Thought i would use this opportunity to let you know about my FIRST 4x4 and the project it has turned into and to ask a few questions.

The Truck: 1984 Suzuki SJ410q Dereg 1ltr engine 4speed, Picked it up for $200 cash. Has been parked up outside for a few years so the breaks were siezed and the roof has been removed at somestage. It also has has a electric fan fitted and a boat fuel tank, also came with a rollcage made for a different truck never fitted to mine but should bolt straight up.

I plan on trying to use as many parts for the exsiting trucj as i can currently have it stripped right down to each component engine sitting on a trolly diffs in pieces around my gargage etc. I have only had the truck for 2 weeks and i am a electrician by trade so feel i have done quite well so far.

Just wondering what mods are recomended? I was hoping to try use it pretty standard just rebuild it for a start as eninge runs pretty well. It does drive well did.

What size tyres can i go up to without loosing too much power? (not that a 1ltr engine has any power) I have read 30" MAX
Also my rear drums break were full of mud and i was reading about converting them to disks instead of repairing them but couldnt find much info on it instead of repairing them and buying new parts.

Also does anyone in Manawatu do leaf spring resetting at a cheap rate? I want to reset the front leafs and they are extremely saggy. I do plan on doing a full 2" suspension lift at some stage but cant afford the $1000 of parts at the moment.

My plan is to have it fully running within 2 Months and have the cage all external barwork etc done by xmas. then sometime early next year hopefully upgrade the suspension and put bigger tryes on and a winch.

We are going to mount the radiator in the back since i have a electric fan alreadt which leaves plenty of room for the winch.

I have a couple of really good mates who are already apart of the manawatu 4wd club helping me and i hope to attend the next meeting to i can also join. Have been on a few trips as a co-driver and passenger already.

Cheers for the help in advance and i hope i can learn a lot on the site,

Here is the progress so far

How i brought it



How it is now





How i want it to be APPROX

the best way to find out what to do to it is to build it and drive it then you'll have a pretty good idea of the stuff you should have done different those little zukes tip over pretty easy so lengthening out the wheelbase and getting a bit more width out of the axles makes a difference to stability stay well clear of drum brakes they stop working after the first bit of water or mud

The problem with big tyres on a zuk is not so much lack of power as lack of gearing. If you gear it to suit the tyre size it will work a lot better than just adding more power. The key thing with zuks is to not be afraid of the skinny pedal, the F10A is a little screamer of a motor and is quite happy to rev out to 7-8k rpms. If it is an '84 it should have a plastic dash and 4wd light, the factory fitted transfer case in those can be modified into what's commonly known as a 'rocklobster' as shown in this link:http://www.suzukiclubuk.co.uk/diy/16-transmission/95-rocklobster That should see you right for 30" tyres and will allow you to crawl slowly over obstacles without destroying your clutch. There is a kit available to convert the rear to discs, you will need the calipers and rotors off the front of another SJ.http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/suzuki/auction-786580397.htm

derk wrote: those little zukes tip over pretty easy

I would disagree with that from my personal experience, I found mine very stable at standard height. I have said this before but I'll say it again. If you want to stretch it to a longer wheelbase and put bigger wider diffs under it eg hilux then A: save yourself the hassle and B: don't cut up a good usable zuk and just buy a hilux, if you go down that track you will end up with most of one anyway.

apparently those things don't tip over anymore so keep it narrow and short

It tipping over is the last of my worries it has already had the roof removed and I do plan on making a rollcage. Ripping over is part of the fun.

If I was to buy another complete front axle diff with everything on them what can I scavage it out of? A later 413? Are the parts the same? Will also give me spare cvs etc

derk wrote:apparently those things don't tip over anymore so keep it narrow and short

They don't tip over any more than any other 4WD if driven sensibly. Have you owned and driven one before or just spouting dribble?

You can use everything from a 413 diff except for housing and centre.