Well, I bought an SJ...
Discussion
...after months of trawling the classifieds I am finally the owner of a 4x4 again. I bought a 1989 SJ410 VX tin top, showing 66k on the clock, 12 mths ticket, £570. Its obviously had a fair bit of weld for the last MOT, and there is no history, but its relatively clean and straight, and drives quite well all things considered.
I picked it up from Gloucester just over a week ago, made for an interesting drive back to Winchester considering it left the showroom 21yrs ago with all of 45BHP, and I'm guessing a few horses have subsequently bolted the stable! Hit a Sat Nav proven 64.8 mph on the M4, I don't really think there was much more to be had!
Anyway, we got it back to a mates farm where he had some spare SJ axles, sporting some nearly new Insa Saharas (?) in a pretty chunky size, so we bolted these straight on. They fit on ok, little bit of rubbing on the front bumper on lock, but other than that they are excellent, really help the stance and very capable off road (but we'll get to that). Its been a long time since I did any off road driving but twenty minutes after putting the wheels on we were 4 up and in Low tackling some slippery chalk banks on his land, and I was very impressed with the underpowered little thing. It has a slight hesitancy, (Plugs, leads and redex on the way!) but after a little bit of thrashing around on his farm it seems to improve. Only downside was it turns out one of the wheels was seriously buckled, the truck the wheels had come off had rolled over and one of the wheels obviously took the brunt, but I've had it swapped over now anyway.
Sunday just gone we decided to take it on a proper shakedown so headed for Salisbury. Filled up the tank, checked the levels and off we went. Disappointed to note that since my last trip up there a lot of the byways have become 'restricted' byways but never mind, onwards. Was very impressed with the little thing, soldiered on no matter what we threw at it. Because of the weather a lot of the terrian where they use the tanks is pretty chewed up, but the SJ took it all in its stride, had it in 2WD most of the time except for the really boggy bits. What I find amusing is that the SJ makes everything feel like an adventure regardless of terrain. In my old Range Rover you just selected D and rolled along green lanes in comfort, you could probably even play chess in the back, whereas bouncing and squeaking along in the Suzuki, working the feeble little engine makes every lane seem like a mission. The ride is comically awful on the leaf springs, bounced my head off the roof on more than one occasion.
I love it.
The gearbox is noisy, particularly 3rd and 5th, but I reckon I'll just leave that and see if it worsens. The clutch release bearing is noisy too, I suppose the same applies. The seats are worn and not very supportive anyway, anyone know what seats will bolt straight in? Need a bit more bolstering and support desperately. The paint is faded and now very scratched, there are also a couple of bits that need rubbing down, so I'm half tempted to go the whole hog and paint it Nato green. Anyone know where I can get some suitable paint? I was also going to get some 2" lift shackles, but to be honest we didn't scrub or ground out once on Salisbury (we covered approx 150 miles that day, mainly off road) so I'm not sure if its worth doing or not. Snorkel is on the list when I can be bothered to make one up, any other ideas? Who is Hampshire based and up for some off road fun?
Ollie
I picked it up from Gloucester just over a week ago, made for an interesting drive back to Winchester considering it left the showroom 21yrs ago with all of 45BHP, and I'm guessing a few horses have subsequently bolted the stable! Hit a Sat Nav proven 64.8 mph on the M4, I don't really think there was much more to be had!
Anyway, we got it back to a mates farm where he had some spare SJ axles, sporting some nearly new Insa Saharas (?) in a pretty chunky size, so we bolted these straight on. They fit on ok, little bit of rubbing on the front bumper on lock, but other than that they are excellent, really help the stance and very capable off road (but we'll get to that). Its been a long time since I did any off road driving but twenty minutes after putting the wheels on we were 4 up and in Low tackling some slippery chalk banks on his land, and I was very impressed with the underpowered little thing. It has a slight hesitancy, (Plugs, leads and redex on the way!) but after a little bit of thrashing around on his farm it seems to improve. Only downside was it turns out one of the wheels was seriously buckled, the truck the wheels had come off had rolled over and one of the wheels obviously took the brunt, but I've had it swapped over now anyway.
Sunday just gone we decided to take it on a proper shakedown so headed for Salisbury. Filled up the tank, checked the levels and off we went. Disappointed to note that since my last trip up there a lot of the byways have become 'restricted' byways but never mind, onwards. Was very impressed with the little thing, soldiered on no matter what we threw at it. Because of the weather a lot of the terrian where they use the tanks is pretty chewed up, but the SJ took it all in its stride, had it in 2WD most of the time except for the really boggy bits. What I find amusing is that the SJ makes everything feel like an adventure regardless of terrain. In my old Range Rover you just selected D and rolled along green lanes in comfort, you could probably even play chess in the back, whereas bouncing and squeaking along in the Suzuki, working the feeble little engine makes every lane seem like a mission. The ride is comically awful on the leaf springs, bounced my head off the roof on more than one occasion.
I love it.
The gearbox is noisy, particularly 3rd and 5th, but I reckon I'll just leave that and see if it worsens. The clutch release bearing is noisy too, I suppose the same applies. The seats are worn and not very supportive anyway, anyone know what seats will bolt straight in? Need a bit more bolstering and support desperately. The paint is faded and now very scratched, there are also a couple of bits that need rubbing down, so I'm half tempted to go the whole hog and paint it Nato green. Anyone know where I can get some suitable paint? I was also going to get some 2" lift shackles, but to be honest we didn't scrub or ground out once on Salisbury (we covered approx 150 miles that day, mainly off road) so I'm not sure if its worth doing or not. Snorkel is on the list when I can be bothered to make one up, any other ideas? Who is Hampshire based and up for some off road fun?
Ollie
Pictures!!!!
Unfortunately I'm working that day or I'd be there. Anyone know what is going on with Brick Kiln Farm in Alton recently? Used to go up there quite a lot but its very difficult to ascertain if it is open any more, and its a lot closer to me than Salisbury.
ETA - looks like I might be able to do a shift sweap and get down there. Unfortunately their website is blocked here at work, whats it like down there?
ETA - looks like I might be able to do a shift sweap and get down there. Unfortunately their website is blocked here at work, whats it like down there?
Edited by OllieWinchester on Thursday 4th March 21:04
Great write up, thanks, although I do hate you now.
I'm keeping a keen eye on the classifieds for a practical 4x4 to do a bit of off-roading in and to counter the Roadster's impracticality (wonderful car but not great at taking piles of big stuff to the tip).
Trouble is, I keep seeing SJs and really, really wanting one, which would leave me with two impractical cars and I still wouldn't be able to take piles of big stuff to the tip.
I'm keeping a keen eye on the classifieds for a practical 4x4 to do a bit of off-roading in and to counter the Roadster's impracticality (wonderful car but not great at taking piles of big stuff to the tip).
Trouble is, I keep seeing SJs and really, really wanting one, which would leave me with two impractical cars and I still wouldn't be able to take piles of big stuff to the tip.
Edited by durbster on Thursday 4th March 22:51
There is an offroad day this comming Sunday with Thames Valley 4x4
http://www.tv4x4.co.uk/index.php?option=com_events...
http://www.tv4x4.co.uk/index.php?option=com_events...
OllieWinchester said:
I was also going to get some 2" lift shackles, but to be honest we didn't scrub or ground out once on Salisbury (we covered approx 150 miles that day, mainly off road) so I'm not sure if its worth doing or not.
Unless you need to improve your breakover angle (unlikely in a SJ) or have plans to fit larger diameter tyres to gain under-axle clearance (probably inadvisable given the effect it would have on gearing) I would say not - particularly as it'll raise your centre of gravity. FWIW, SJs seem very happy in water and the air intake is in a nice protected position within the engine bay so you can go pretty deep without a snorkel - certainly deep enough for the inside to start filling up with muddy water. When that happens, there are bungs in the footwells that you can knock out to get rid of it; opening the doors doesn't work because the sills are too high. I didn't manage to drown mine, but I've seen several others ingest water without damage - I suspect the little engine is too feeble to bend its own conrods! You can get most of the bits required to build a snorkel from the DIY shop - 2" pipe, 90 degree bends, U-bolts and silicon sealant, then all that's required is some flexy pipe from the motor factor to do the bit inside the engine bay. Enjoy!
Eggman said:
Unless you need to improve your breakover angle Is this like your entry or departure angle?
or have plans to fit larger diameter tyres to gain under-axle clearance The tires I have fitted are considerably larger than standard already. There seems to be no real clearance issues other than when a wheel is forced into the arch when articulating.
FWIW, SJs seem very happy in water and the air intake is in a nice protected position within the engine bay so you can go pretty deep without a snorkel - certainly deep enough for the inside to start filling up with muddy water. When that happens, there are bungs in the footwells that you can knock out to get rid of it; opening the doors doesn't work because the sills are too high. I'd imagine there were bungs once upon a time, the footwells I fear have been plated and covered with gunky underseal, not ideal but what do you expect for >£600?
I didn't manage to drown mine, but I've seen several others ingest water without damage - I suspect the little engine is too feeble to bend its own conrods!Wouldn't be suprised if that was the case!
You can get most of the bits required to build a snorkel from the DIY shop - 2" pipe, 90 degree bends, U-bolts and silicon sealant, then all that's required is some flexy pipe from the motor factor to do the bit inside the engine bay. Friend of mine is SJ mad and much more adept at wielding spanners, he seems to think he has all the gear to fab up a working snorkel.
Oh, and Normalbloke, I would Love a quick pax ride in the Unimog if you wouldn't mind, there would certainly be one in my dream garage! Hopefully see you there...or have plans to fit larger diameter tyres to gain under-axle clearance The tires I have fitted are considerably larger than standard already. There seems to be no real clearance issues other than when a wheel is forced into the arch when articulating.
FWIW, SJs seem very happy in water and the air intake is in a nice protected position within the engine bay so you can go pretty deep without a snorkel - certainly deep enough for the inside to start filling up with muddy water. When that happens, there are bungs in the footwells that you can knock out to get rid of it; opening the doors doesn't work because the sills are too high. I'd imagine there were bungs once upon a time, the footwells I fear have been plated and covered with gunky underseal, not ideal but what do you expect for >£600?
I didn't manage to drown mine, but I've seen several others ingest water without damage - I suspect the little engine is too feeble to bend its own conrods!Wouldn't be suprised if that was the case!
You can get most of the bits required to build a snorkel from the DIY shop - 2" pipe, 90 degree bends, U-bolts and silicon sealant, then all that's required is some flexy pipe from the motor factor to do the bit inside the engine bay. Friend of mine is SJ mad and much more adept at wielding spanners, he seems to think he has all the gear to fab up a working snorkel.
OllieWinchester said:
Eggman said:
Unless you need to improve your breakover angle Is this like your entry or departure angle?
I would consider using a big screwdriver to knock some holes in your footwell whilst it's dry and you can see what you're doing.
Edited by Eggman on Friday 5th March 22:00
get yourself over to Difflock www.difflock.com .. loads of people there with SJ's, heaps of friendly advice from people that have been there and some that are still doing it with SJ's
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