GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: ScottieG on 01 November 2011, 16:07
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Diamond Hell's thread on TDI vs V8s got me thinking.
Who else on here is into offroading and 4x4s? Don't want this to turn into a 'my 4x4 is better than yours' thread I.e. the age old landrover vs Suzuki debate :grin: I just want to see who's got what and what they have done to it?
I'm well into my Suzukis and run a site called Suzukiclubuk.
I'm 80% of the way through rebuilding my 87 sj410 for the second time whilst doing a few more modifications.
A brief run down of mods include
1.6 8v vitara engine and gearbox.
Twin transferboxes giving me 4 selectable sets of ratios 7.5:1 being the lowest: 20 forward gear ratios & 4 reverse.
Transmission raised 2" so that it doesn't hang below the chassis.
Lots of body modifications, arches cut out, sills raised, transmission tunnel raised and widened.
Suzuki samurai axles.
Jeep wrangler YJ springs.
33x12.50 tyres on 15x10 wheels.
Power steering.
Twin electric fans.
And loads of other things.....
Here's a few pics
From before the recent rebuild
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/p28.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/p30.jpg)
And a few from the rebuild
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/g7.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/IMAG0029.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/IMAG0043.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/IMAG0133.jpg)
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/328793_10150799367940511_723625510_20433167_650737970_o.jpg)
What it looks like at the moment, still need to build the rocksliders and external 6point roll cage
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/IMAG0106.jpg)
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That looks awesome! Great work!
Bet that has cost some pretty pennies so far?! :laugh:
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I'm interested in this:
Twin transferboxes giving me 4 selectable sets of ratios 7.5:1 being the lowest: 20 forward gear ratios & 4 reverse.
Tell me more.
Also I'm interested to know if you know anything about 'missing link' devices.
For those who don't know I run a Suzuki SJ, which I can't always keep upright:
http://youtu.be/Sq6VerqTEpU
It is used exclusively for competitive 4x4 trials, which are a lot of fun and dirt cheap motor sport. :grin:
I also used to run VW Transporter Syncros and set up the Club 80-90 Syncronauts MSA-affiliated club and ran events for them for about three years.
I'm currently chair of the IOW 4x4 Club.
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nice work on the rebuild :cool:
is their a land rover v suzuki debate? suzuki is just a poor mans landrover.. :undecided:
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Why does it matter how much it costs when you're going to be bashing it around in a field?
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Why does it matter how much it costs when you're going to be bashing it around in a field?
because they have the same off road capabilities but you can drive home in the landy without feeling stupid :wink:
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I'd like a landy, but cant afford one. Besides, my toyota will never die to make room for one!
Here is my 4x4, down on the solway firth for a bit of drift action! Its like a free skid pan down there, good for learning. And there are dunes to play in too...
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/P1030780.jpg)
Its primary function is carting my bike about to and from forests ( two fully built bikes go in the back with the seats down). It gets a fair few miles on forest roads through the year when im working at MTB race events, but limited proper 'off road' use. I do try to have a play when possible, and hence it has become known as the ditch surfer! Dont manage anything as impressive as posted above however.
One favourite this year was driving up the black route decent from the top of Kielder forest. says more about the naff-ness of their black route than the ability of me and the wagon.
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/DSC00694.jpg)
This was a bit of trail reconnoissance gone wrong, the tarmac road is 2ft away, but the bog was too wet (common issue in Scotland)
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/DSC00695.jpg)
When its not involved in a bit of opportunistic 4x4 fun, i.e. something more planned, we always follow the tried and tested off road method. Go and have some fun, untill someone gets not just a bit stuck, but very stuck, spend several hours digging them out (inevitably from some Scottish bog again), then go home.
Recent antics on a local farm, with a couple of mates with landy's:
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/IMAG0063.jpg)
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/IMAG0063.jpg)
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/IMAG0076.jpg)
(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/IMAG0108.jpg)
several tow opportunities that day, till the wee series 3 got sucked into the bog in the final pic. much digging (3hrs) to avoid asking the farmer for a tow at the cost of £20.
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several tow opportunities that day, till the wee series 3 got sucked into the bog in the final pic. much digging (3hrs) to avoid asking the farmer for a tow at the cost of £20.
Get a proper towrope instead of that f*cking sashcord, before you kill or wound one of your mates.
because they have the same off road capabilities but you can drive home in the landy without feeling stupid :wink:
My SJ cost fitting a scrapyard-sourced gearbox to a Polo.
That's the difference.
The SJ is also much lighter and thus less prone to sinking and getting stuck in. I have little interest in recovery.
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My 4x4 is the 4.2 tdi import land cruiser.
It's nice, but slow for the cc. It does the job off road too.
Will be getting an SJ soon to get into proper trials.
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Good to see a few other people on here who are into their 4x4s as well as Vdubs then :cool:
Cheers for the comments on the rebuild so far guys :cool: I'm looking forward to getting it finished!
I'm interested in this:
Twin transferboxes giving me 4 selectable sets of ratios 7.5:1 being the lowest: 20 forward gear ratios & 4 reverse.
Tell me more.
Also I'm interested to know if you know anything about 'missing link' devices.
Nice Vid! :cool: I think I've seen that before are you on Difflock?
I've got that problem of not always being able to keep it upright as well :grin:
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v124/41/62/822975467/n822975467_1237320_2434.jpg)
Info on the twin transfer boxes for you.
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/zuki%20build/g8.jpg)
The front transfer box is a modified Vitara transfer box with the 4wd section removed so it only has the high and low gear sets left in it and the main shaft has been shortened. This is then mated to an SJ transfer box using a splined coupling as the output shares the same spline count as the sj transfer box input shaft. The Sj Tbox has also had a rocklobster conversion: Intermediate gears from a 413 & 410 transfer box cut and shut to give lower gearing.
As for missing links then proper missing links like the ones Trail Tough in the US sell work well but some of the cheaper ones you see on ebay aren't that great and can do more harm than good. You can make your own quite easily but you need to make sure that there is no 'slop' otherwise they can let your axle 'walk' underneath the truck a bit.
my mate has just fitted some of the Low-range missing links with rear springs up front on the front of his SJ
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315056_10150900745335300_731095299_21595240_1222527000_n.jpg)
Oh and that's another thing I would personally only use them on one end of the SJ as it helps keep it a bit more stable in off-camber situations.
nice work on the rebuild :cool:
is their a land rover v suzuki debate? suzuki is just a poor mans landrover.. :undecided:
Cheers man :grin: :grin: I see an error here, A suzuki might be for a poor man but a landy will make a rich man poor with all the fuel it drinks and the repairs it needs when it breaks :wink: :wink:
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(http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/rob-043/P1030780.jpg)
Nice :cool: my dad used to have a series III surf, that thing used to go sideways pretty well for a bit 4x4.
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beginning of the year i bought a 89' vw TARO just because i though it was cool! and i wanted to own the road. lol
had a nice lift kit on it, and some nice KUMHO 34" rubbers on 15" wheels
engine was 3.5l v8 running on twin barrel webber carbs and still using the 4x4 drive system.
unfortunately i had to sell it due to running a V6 astra and a V8 truck (then i sold the astra and got the golf)
oh and i couldnt afford the 8mpg i was getting :undecided:
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02775.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02747.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02764.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02770.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02762.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02773.jpg)
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r239/dellenty69/truck/DSC02774.jpg)
i would own another, but a diesel this time (so he says) but running a vehicle for fun these days isnt cheap at the age of 21.
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Nice Taro (or should I say toyota Hi-lux :grin:) My housemate has a Taro, his is a diesel though.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188743_10150443541040468_822975467_17607787_1350677_n.jpg)
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Was chatting to my mate today whos Vit were building at the minute,regarding missing links and he said to stay away from Rhino Rays as they are poor quality and the swivel seizes after a bit of harsh use.
Apparently the best ones are made by a guy called BillJohn http://www.billjohn.com/ as these ont have the problem the uk ones do.
(http://www.billjohn.com/suspension/images/yjrevolver49.jpg)
He also said Calmini http://calmini.com/ do a good version but if you were to have a set to measure up you could fab some up no problem.
Ive just finished wiring up his front and rear winchs's roof lights,fog lights rear work lights etc to all work off a centre console with a bank of switches.Also installed some rocker switches so he can operate the winch from the console inside the cab as well as the wired remote and the wireless remote.
I will get some pics when i go next and it's all back together.He is on his way to Wales as we speak to see Dave at Bits4Vits to collect a front and rear full locker and a couple of axles then he's dumping them at mine for me to fit.
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IMO the only missing links to use are Trail Tough ones (or make your own version) those terraflex revolver and other 'drop shackles' aren't that great. I know someone who fitted some of those revolvers and rolled twice in an hour on side slopes after he fitted them :shocked: took them off and it was a lot more stable afterwards, they might be alright fitted to the front or back but not both ends.
I had a set of rhino rays twister shackles, fitted them for a week and took them back off again as they seized up :rolleyes: so I fitted new bearings to them and sold them, they just use rear sj wheel bearings.
And yeah post some pics up :cool:
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Doing it wrong:
(http://omgpancakes.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/5177704533_efbbc1b072_b.jpg)
(http://omgpancakes.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/5177705053_e887da7265_b.jpg)
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You got a link to go with them pics Jack? :evil:
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Seems to be missing a steering wheel.
(and must be missing quite a lot of mechanicals, if it even drives)
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A pic of that sj popped up on my forum a while back, I'm not convinced its real? I'm pretty sure its a good photoshop. It's definetly not on an sj chassis anymore if it is real.
The front wheels look like they are too big and the top of them would be rubbing the bonnet :grin:
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http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=96057
(http://i55.tinypic.com/33u5vdf.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mLAnZoaZFg&feature=player_embedded#!
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Fair enough :grin: Thats enough proof for me that it's real :shocked:
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I just bought some rust :cool: but It's a cool bit of rust and will be fun after a restoration
(http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt10/scottiej416/_KGrHqUOKn_E5-_yB_JBOvEB5RFK_60_12.jpg)
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I bet that'll get tired and need a lie down from tme to time when it's up and running. :grin:
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Is that an MGB peeking out that van? :grin:
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I bet that'll get tired and need a lie down from tme to time when it's up and running. :grin:
No no no :grin: That one is rarely going to see any mud, maybe a few gentle green lanes but they are too rare to thrash offroad. There's only 23 taxed and 51 sorn in the UK according to Howmanyleft
Is that an MGB peeking out that van? :grin:
No that would be a Honda s800 :wink: That's the guy's garden who I bought it off, He's also got a Ginetta G4 and a fully restored hardtop LJ80 :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: