Suzuki Forward Control?

[Hovis]

Hi all, not been on for ages as I have drowned the Range and the SJ! Stupid water........well stupid me for driving through 4 1/2 foot of water without checking the snorkel was water tight!! And stupid mate for not checking how steep the descent was into to a pool on the other side of a mound, only 3 feet but when you measure straight back from the lights that goes a long way! Anyway I digress.

I'll try to keep it short. I was stood in a mates yard and saw one of these...



I had a little look in side and realised that the engine gearbox looked to be in a very similar posistion to an SJ. I hatched a plan which I thought must have been done plenty of times before, well I can only find one....



What do you think then? Is this a good idea or am i opening a can of worms? The fact there is only one says it may be harder than I think!! But wouldn't it be cool, I also considered a van or mini bus body to make a sort of mini expo truck!!

All thoughts greatly appreciated.

[Saffy]

no idea if its a valid project but love to see progress if you do go ahead.

[generation-x]

hi m8
if you take a look on difflock.com think theres one in the custom builds section if you get no joy ask on the suzuki section someone
on there will no about it if memory serves the person who built polo onto an sj chassis also did same sort of thing with the pick up
not sure if it was sj running gear and pick up shell or the other way round

hope this helps

Simon

[bravo669]

wooo, go for it, i did see one in TOR a while back (wasnt off roadyfied) being put around a p&p site, cant remember what club although norfolk rhinos rings a bell.

[jimny gary]

Cool, go for it, dont forget the pictures !

[Hovis]

I had a look on Difflock but didn't find anything which was a shame. I've was thinking about and I think I must be wrong, I can't see how the gear stick would be anywhere near the right posistion.

I've since found a couple of other pics of the same van and it looks to me like its only 2wd. This coupled with the fuel tank posistion says to me that they've just stuck some big tyres on a van and modified things so they'll fit.



I'm defo going to have a serious look into it though, I found someone who is relatively local who breaks super carrys and seemed very keen on the idea. I'm going to pop up there in a few weeks and have a measure up.

[generation-x]

any use to you buddy?

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=sandrcars#p/u/45/lj8tmD-J59k

[Hovis]

any use to you buddy?

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=sandrcars#p/u/45/lj8tmD-J59k

Fantastic! I've e-mailed him so fingers crossed he'll get back to me. Having looked at his website it is defo on an SJ chasis but doesn't sound like its as easy as I was hoping, they had to move the engine back so I'm wondering if it'll be a bit beyond my capabilities! I'll still give it a go though I think.

Anyone got an SJ chasis laying about? Doesn't need an engine or even axles......

[generation-x]

hope you do build ur new toy buddy
please do keep us informed thou

Simon :dance:

[Lucy1978]

That would almost persuade me to buy a zuk, lol

[Hovis]

He has e-mailed me back, well actually he did so a few days ago but I been manic.

Anyhoo......it is defo going to be harder than just sticking a lid an SJ chasis. He used the SJ chasis with the Super Carry engine and box. The engine is angled differently so it sits lower and the gearbox is cable controlled. He mounted it further back than the SJ engine to get some of the weight further away from the front. The biggest pain in the arse by the sounds of it was the steering, if you just try to attach the SJ box to the SC rack it steers backwards! He made up a linkage but i chewed through bearings as he didn't quite gat it right. Definately food for thought. I've e-mailed back with a few more questions, anyone who can think of things I should I'd be more than happy to recieve your suggestions!!