Congratulations on being selected for Auszookers Zook Owner of the Month!
How does it feel being honoured with the nomination for Z.O.O.M. 2013?
Thanks its actually pretty cool. I think it’s a really good initiative and I hope it catches on with some of the new guys as well. I was surprised that Tony nominated me, but then we LJ drivers have to stick together!
So tell us about yourself. Who are you, What's the meaning to your username, Where do you
live, and what do you do for a living?
This feels a lot like what I would expect an AA meeting to be like.
My name is Darren and I have a problem, I’m 34, and I am a Suzuki Nut.
I currently get paid to answer the phone for lawyers and tell them to restart their PCs.
My username comes from a character in novel I was writing which has been untouched for about 10 years now.
How did you get started in Suzuki's & how many have you owned?
I got started in the early 80s when my father had an lj50, but I first owned one in 2005 when I decided the hotted up Torana I had was too expensive on fuel.
My first sierra, “Jenna” I had for about 6 years.
I now regularly drive “Ring Ding” the LJ50
I daily drive a 2008 GV, Have an LJ81 project in the shed, two lj50s in the back yard.
And have owned 4 other zooks of various kinds.
How long did it take you to build your zook to what it is today?
The LJ50 is a constantly evolving thing, with the last round of Mods finishing just last weekend. We started building this in 2009, and in its first incarnation it was built in 12 months. It was pretty much untouched for about 2 years and since the end of comp season in 2012 its had a bit of an upgrade.
Any changes in store for your Suzuki?
IM hoping there isn’t too much more I can do to this car. The LJ ute is the focus from now on.
What has been your best modification?
The transfer case and gears is up there with the best. I haven’t had the lockers fitted long so I’ll go with that. Pretty much everything I’ve done to the car has made it infinitely better so it’s a tough one.
What has been your worse modification?
This is really a point of contention. Most people say that putting the LJ50 motor back in was the worst idea I had, but then they don’t really know LJ’s. I think the worst mod I did was 32 inch simex ET’s they only lasted about 3 months before I picked up the KM2’s.
If you could have anybody else's zook, who's would it be and why?
There are so many great builds out there. I guess if I could grab any ones it would be a toss up between Aaron and Kerrods “Army Barbie” and 11evl’s rig.
What has been your best 4wding trip?
There’s been heaps of great ones. I did the Cape York trip in my sierra which was fun but exhausting. Many comp weekends which have been awesome. But I think the best one is a trip is a theoretical one we have often talked about but haven’t yet done. A group LJ trip across the Simpson. That would be insane.
If you could go to any place in the world to wheel, where would that be?
I would love to drive the Moab, and the Rubicon. Maybe one day I will do it “Top Gear” style, buy a shitter and drive until it dies.
Who are you closest to in the auszooker's community?
I guess that would be Highway Star, he lives next door to my parents, Navigates for me at comps, and is part of the ongoing arms race that is modding Suzuki’s in our wheeling crew.
Tell us what the wheeling is like in your area?
Nearest to us is Ripley, 15 mins down the road. It’s mostly dirt, short hills and washouts, tight tracks and the occasional rock slab. Within 2 hours drive we have 5 4x4 parks so I guess we are a little spoiled for choice.
What other toys/hobbies do you put a lot of time into?
I play a bit of competitive netball, snow skiing when I can. This many Zooks takes up a lot of time.
What is it about the auszookers that brings you back for more?
I’ve been coming here for forever and on the whole I guess the community feel that was here at the beginning is still basically here.
What about the auszookers forum would you like to see changed?
My main frustration with Auszookers is the constant repeating of questions that are basic. Maybe we should implement a questionnaire on joining that requires people to know the definition of RUF, whether or not a Commodore V6 is a sierra is a good idea and whacky shackles are a bad idea.
So if there is just one bit of advice you would give someone just starting out with Suzuki 4wds what would it be and why?
I guess the best piece of advice I could give to a new Suzuki owner is research and plan. Know what you would like to achieve from your car, what you are capable of doing on your budget and skill set and stick to the plan. I spent far too much on my first Suzuki because I did mods and then changed my mind. In the end I wound up with a car that was compromised and not anywhere near what I wanted.
Main Vehicle Specs
1976 LJ50 two-stroke 540cc, electronic ignition.
Hardtop chopped to soft-top
33inch KM2’s and internal bead locks
Sierra diffs centred and shaved
Dual Air-locked running 4.8 Vitara diff gears
4340 CVs with custom cut HY-Tuf axles
Sierra transfer clocked vertically, 6.5:1 transfer gears and twin sticks
Jimny power steering
Tube front clip, RHS rear bar with LEDs, RHS welded in sliders.
6-point roll cage with 4 point harness.
Now for the million dollar question, who do you select to be the next Z.O.O.M. & why?
For the next months Z.O.O.M I’ll choose 3cyl, He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to LJs and he is more than partly to blame for my addiction.
