Hi Folks.
Here's a quick buggy build up I'm doing.
Started with a unloved J&S body.
Bought a 70 model 1500 as a donor

Stripped it down, but the floorpan was pretty far gone, so a new one was knocked up from checkerplate, added a 3 inch bodylift and strengthening

She still looked pretty sad at this stage...

trial fitting initial barwork, determined to keep this simple, but it probably won't turn out that way...

Doing some more strengthening, trial fitting some bits and anchoring mounts for intrusion bars etc,Ripped the body off again.

Stripped the floor down and took it to work...nothing like having a forklift to make things easy;


[ Edited on 22-10-2006 by liam66 ]

ground the pan back to smooth, welded up seams, and swore a lot ( we'd put seam sealer everywhere, intending to paint it, couldn't leave it on for powdercoating)

Back from the powdercoaters (got beadplasted, cleaned, galvanised and powdercoated twice)

Started installing new bits, master cylinder, brake lines etc, etc, etc Basically anything that can be replaced with new has been...parts for these things are ridicously cheap- It would cost more to reco and paint most parts than to get new.

Went and got a shed load of new bits- every bush, bearing and seal except those for the engine. new seat mounts, electrics, and suspension parts- anything that could have been worn. As I started I assembling it I become very sure this was the right thing- very surprised the donor car drove at all! The front wheel bearings were seized, brake lines leaked everywhere, rust in (yes, IN) the master cylinder, shocks stuffed...

Initially the engine will be pretty stock. I'll see how it goes with a tidy up and then decide if I can live without a wrx transplant.

Mechanical specs so far...(If anyone cares)
1500 motor (although prev. owners swears 1600...dont now what I'm looking at really)
Oil filter conversion with cooler. lots of bling tin wear.
New clutch, new starter, 75 amp alternator, dual buggy exhausts (these don't fit so great, so i might have to make my own)
Swing axle rear, new everthing, new brakes (drums)
Ball joint front, some strenthening, adjusters welded in,
disc front, 6 and 7 inch steelies for the moment, empi shifter (moved back 4 inches) new pedals, new cables, strenthening bars on front (these'll get joined to a secondary sub frame, intrusion bars, side steps and cro-moly roll cage.

I installed urathane mounts for the gearbox and a wrap around gearbox mount... I know some guys go a lot further in this department but this isn't my dedicated offroader- I've got a serious toy for that type of work

engine going back in after cleanup- the crud was so bad you couldn't even tell it had cooling fins! Fixed afew oil leaks, painted and gave it the hollywood treatment

new clutch, starter, exhaust;

Looking good!! Where are you located??????????????????:bounce

located in Sydney (Epping)
I've got photos of the body back in place and painted coming shortly

body back...mate painted it, will need to be done again...live and learn (at least the price was right)

Still got to cut the bonnet for the fuel filter.
Put blue dots in the tail lights ( of course thats a priotity job!)

Bars obscure the tail lights, so they'll have to be reworked or redone altogether-bum.
Front shot shoes the lower braces, adjusters and the very high tech beer carton floor stand.

Cleaned up the spindles today- not entirely happy with their condition- some pitting and thread damage, now repaired but not ideal.

Repalcing the balljoints this morning- had the socket off centre in the press...oops- crunched the ball joint, woke the neighbours and gave myself a fright

Replacing the bearings in the front beam ( they were roted even before the powdercoating)
Tried to get away with making my own slide hammer as it was just a one off job....not such a great result

had to lash out on the real deal

end of arguement- came out first go. should have just done that in the first place.

wow lookin like ya gots ya hands full.. looks good though.. wont be long before you drive it hey.. nice one

Not a lot of progress on this (bought house, time to build a shed, other projects, lazy etc)
Have managed topo get an IRS rear end for the buggy, made a new billet dash and got new wheels and tyres happening, no pics just yet.
So heres a link to my Sierra builup.
http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/hardcore/bigballs/index.php 

Holy crap - that Suzuki is certainly out there! Great work on the build of that thing - no wonder the buggy will be a walk in the park for you (not to mention the benefit of tax concessions with the business for building another "off road vehicle"!).

Alan

buggy with wheels on (at last)


Going to have to stretch the body to cover the rear tyres
It'll gain some height from the IRS swap.

can we see some pics of thing in the background of this photo

Better than that- you can buy it!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nissan-Patrol-GQ-Ute_W0QQitemZ280077086709QQihZ018QQca...

lookin good mate ,like the bar work ,was thinkin of somethin just like that for me baja

Some update shots
now on the road
Now IRS
Now WRX'ed

Man that looks sweet.

Nice work, thats one nice build....

how did you run the cable for that gas pedal.

I'm doing mine tonight and was going to run it at an angle to the body lift so my feet dont rub it all the time

Hi Mate, for the moment it just has a boat cable ( morse cable from Bias boating) they also had floor mounts for the cable. it simply runs in, down the perimiter and out under the seat- not pretty but it'll do for now. Later I'll swap it for somthing neater and out of the way.

Hands down the best looking J&S
Nice and tidy not over done
Is it legit with rex motor in it

Cheers.
It's engineered, blue slipped and regoed. Had it on the road a couple of years back but with vw power, was originally engineered then. Update to WRX power, rear discs and IFS was a change to existing engineers certificate, rather than a whole new certificate.They've asked me add an eye level brakelight.
Couldnt really go any further with it though, or it would be getting into ICV territory (much tougher). RTA have been pretty useless...their engineering department can't give you a straight answer on anything.

Awesome build, well done mate!

Where abouts in sydney are you from ...
I will be in sydney on the 27th
Cruise on saturday night to marickville for a Kebab then the cross and Harrys cafe de wheels ( Potts Point )
few cars going manly v8s ,
Pm your details i will give you a ring . It would be good to show the boys what a real big boys toy is

On display for a mates store opening- certainly got lots of attention.

Quote:

Originally posted by Baywindow Boy Where abouts in sydney are you from ... I will be in sydney on the 27th Cruise on saturday night to marickville for a Kebab then the cross and Harrys cafe de wheels ( Potts Point ) few cars going manly v8s , Pm your details i will give you a ring . It would be good to show the boys what a real big boys toy is

latest update...
Now on to third turbo...looking for more power.

Now running vf34.
Changed to bigger side feed injectors and rails to suit, fuel reg, shorter exhaust ( now with muffler) diff fuel reg and Haltech computer. Very happy, goes great and behaves.

The big change though is the intercooler...or more to the point the giant scoop over the top of it. Certainly does the job, looks umm interesting. Haven't stopped laughing, think I'll keep it.

Hilarious! Didnt see that coming. Looks like periscope! What gearbox are you running behind the Rex motor?