samurai vs defender

minibreaker · Just got MTs Joined: 10 Nov 2011 Odometer: 277

hi i am thinking of makeing a samurai chassis with a defende crew cab body with a little pickup on the back the only issue at the moment is i think the defenders are wider than the sammi and also my 4x4 box is in the wrong place so i will need to make a new gear stick but that is the only issue i can see anyone want to throw in there 2 pence worth please all advice, critisism and abuse is welcomed

scut44 · Guest

I think you should just rethink the whole thing.
Forgeting the width, look at your 'wheelbase'
http://difflock.com/buyersguide/pastmasters/suz...J/technical.shtml

Go feel the weight of a Defender bulkhead & measure it.
Check out the price of buying the bits.
Where is the benefit?
Even fitting a Jimny body would not be worth it you have a sound body on your motor.

IMHO, Put your SJ back to driving properly and sell it.

Buy a Land Rover if you must, anything from a Series through to a Defender.

Have fun what ever you do.
Have you taken your SJ off road yet?

george

minibreaker · Just got MTs Joined: 10 Nov 2011 Odometer: 277

i was thinking about a short wheelbase as i was under the impression that the samuria was an 88 wheelbase and so if i got an 88 landy this would work no as for the weight i will be putting a 1.9 td engine it so that should not be a problem and no mine has not been off road yet but it will be shortly i just want to fix the issue i have first befor i create some more lol

scut44 · Guest

You said a Defender, they are 92.9" & 110" wheelbase.

Maybe just buy an 88" Land Rover then.
Less room and more uncomfortable than the Suzuki though.

Suzuki built on the lines of the Land Rover, part time 4x4 etc, but improved on the Series Land Rovers. JMO obviously.

george

jamie_grieve · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject:

I agree with George.
No advantages and lots of disadvantages and work to end up with a vehicle not as good as either as standard.

Play with the one you've got and and have fun with it!

Sman · Articulating Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Odometer: 676

If you want to lugg/tow a ton of stuff then you want a LR, but for lighter duties a suzuki is more nimble.

If you ride in LR after being used to a suzuki you'll notice the LR feeling lumbering and heavy in comparison, average speed on the open road is better in a suzuki too imo. (series)

piggy · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:47 pm Post subject:

my 2p says, are you mad, keep with the sj. my head got turned 8 years ago, i had a real nice offroad sj, and got swayed by a n/a diesel 90, yes they are better offroad, if you chuck 5k at it, chuck that 5k at an sj and see what you get!!!

my god the series in the previous post must have been stuck quite a while, there is a plant growing out the bumper Laughing

teamidris · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:23 am Post subject:

With that chassis there would only be one choice for me;
http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/trail/15...ide/photo_06.html

Though I expect there might be more work with a jigsaw than actual buying of a kit Very Happy

Unless I was building at work. Then the sides would be 4mm thick ally, CNC stamped and press brake formed Cool

jeepmadmike · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:42 am Post subject:

The ally body in the link looks like the full scale version the one I built for my girl