Pry_P
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
Here is my first build thread. I've owned this suzuki LJ81 pickup truck for 2 years now and i've been contemplated doing a frame-off restoration, along with a diesel swap. Well I started last week. I used this truck only off-road and for plowing snow, but I want to put it back on the road.
This little 4x4 is quite rare. The ancestor of the Samurai. It came from factory with a 42hp 4 cyl 4 stroke 800cc mated to a 4 speed trans. previous engines used in those trucks were 2 strokes. 2 and 3 cyl.
I got a AHU tdi for cheap, 505 000km. I am using an ACME adapter kit to adapt the tdi to a samurai 5 speed transmission and for engine supports.
I will have to work supports a bit, since this kit is designed for the samurai and not for the LJ. So far, a very nice kit. it makes things easier.
Truck will need a spring over axle lift for the oil pan to clear the centered front diff.
I found a 1.9td AAZ fuel pump at pick-a-part kind of scrapyard. 6.50$ +tx... I think it was a good deal.
Bolted that pump to the tdi. I heard different theories about using a straight TD pump on a tdi. Some say it wont work and needs the tdi internals, some say it works fine but not a powerhouse. I am not looking to go over stock tdi power either. I will try to bench start the engine later this week and see how it goes. I am waiting for a sidekick 1.6 starter.
The turbo is a T2 from the same 1.9TD AAZ
I must use an angled oil filter housing from a 1.8T Passat for the filter to clear the left engine mount.
Will need to adapt another steering box. The stock one is in the way of the bigger samurai transmission.
The biggest part of this project will be bodywork. Fabricating new floors, Fenders, ect.
Here is how it looked as of last week.
Engine/transmission bolted
Bed is removed, Body ready to be removed from frame.
This little 4x4 is quite rare. The ancestor of the Samurai. It came from factory with a 42hp 4 cyl 4 stroke 800cc mated to a 4 speed trans. previous engines used in those trucks were 2 strokes. 2 and 3 cyl.
I got a AHU tdi for cheap, 505 000km. I am using an ACME adapter kit to adapt the tdi to a samurai 5 speed transmission and for engine supports.
I will have to work supports a bit, since this kit is designed for the samurai and not for the LJ. So far, a very nice kit. it makes things easier.
Truck will need a spring over axle lift for the oil pan to clear the centered front diff.
I found a 1.9td AAZ fuel pump at pick-a-part kind of scrapyard. 6.50$ +tx... I think it was a good deal.
Bolted that pump to the tdi. I heard different theories about using a straight TD pump on a tdi. Some say it wont work and needs the tdi internals, some say it works fine but not a powerhouse. I am not looking to go over stock tdi power either. I will try to bench start the engine later this week and see how it goes. I am waiting for a sidekick 1.6 starter.
The turbo is a T2 from the same 1.9TD AAZ
I must use an angled oil filter housing from a 1.8T Passat for the filter to clear the left engine mount.
Will need to adapt another steering box. The stock one is in the way of the bigger samurai transmission.
The biggest part of this project will be bodywork. Fabricating new floors, Fenders, ect.
Here is how it looked as of last week.
Engine/transmission bolted
Bed is removed, Body ready to be removed from frame.
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