[prickle]

Hi

Just bought this today ... it appears to be all original.

It's carrying a few wounds .. nothing too serious .. and hasn't been registered for a number of years .. I'll be changing all fluids, draining/ replacing coolant, needs some work on brake master cylinder, steering box leaks etc .. all this done to get it over the pits

SO

I'm want to turn this into a vehicle that can handle some rough bush tracks .. not crawler type stuff but close... carry camping gear etc. .. It's a spot I travelled to in a "normal" 4wd so nothing too testing.

What's my plan of action.?

taller tyres
body lift
maybe gear change
doubt if I will need a winch

[henno]

That tray looks to be in better condition than just about every original tray I've seen.

[Seth2013]

looks to be a really good find - all the best with your plans

[DarkHorse]

Nice one. Wish I had the time/space for a LWB Sierra.

To get you started:
Suspension (not body) lift - search for RUF
Gears - diff gear swaps are fairly easy, transfer gears a little harder,
(while you're at it get some WT diffs modded to NT spring spacing)
THEN
Tyres

If you decide you couldn't be bothered with it give me a yell.

[prickle]

DarkHorse wrote:

Suspension (not body) lift - search for RUF ....

Thanks Darkhorse .. I need a priority list

OK first up I am a complete novice at this .. have had 4wd's in the past but either already moded or stock standard

SO

RUF ( what does that stand for)

Found this viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21321&highlight=ruf .. a good how to

But what is the gain from this mod??

Stuart

[atari4x4]

Rears Up Front = rear leaf springs up front = longer leafs = more flex.

these 2 are products from who would have to be one of the OG's of ruf's; 2stroker... aka the stealth ruf.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4269&hilit=stealth+ruf

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30819&hilit=stealth+ruf

[DarkHorse]

want33s wrote:

basketcase wrote:

But that is still not a full RUF. One of the main reasons for RUF is to move the diff forward to get a better balance and move the tyre away from the fire wall for better clearance.

No... the main reason to RUF your car is to get a longer spring under it, hence a smoother ride and more articulation.
Moving the diff forward is only a priority IF you want to run large tyres.
Some of the most capable Zooks I've ever seen have been on 235/75 tyres.

Have a good read through those threads - the discussion about method and motivation is more useful than someone just telling you "this is how you do a RUF."

[atari4x4]

^^^ those 2 & the one prickle found are the golden ones, ajsr's was for more flex where as the 2 done by 2stroker are more of a balanced all rounder

[303zuke]

prickle wrote:

I'm want to turn this into a vehicle that can handle some rough bush tracks .. not crawler type stuff but close... carry camping gear etc. .. It's a spot I travelled to in a "normal" 4wd so nothing too testing.

What's my plan of action.?

taller tyres
body lift
maybe gear change
doubt if I will need a winch

For mild off roading, I don't think you'd need to go to the trouble, expense and legal issues of doing a RUF. For your needs, I'd say a simple ARB 40mm suspension lift, 215/75-15 M/T tyres on the stock rims, or 235/75/15 M/Ts on 15x6 wheels and a WT Sierra front clip (your left guard needs fixing where it meets the grill panel, and the JA guards will look crap with aftermarket flares.).

Despite what others have suggested, I'd strongly recommend either 4.16 or 4.9 transfer gears. If you're mechanically handy, they're easy to install. Even for mild offroading, they're the best improvement for the money you can do to a Sierra.

Love the Ute, next best Suzuki after an LJ!

[sideways]

303zuke wrote:

prickle wrote:

I'm want to turn this into a vehicle that can handle some rough bush tracks .. not crawler type stuff but close... carry camping gear etc. .. It's a spot I travelled to in a "normal" 4wd so nothing too testing.

What's my plan of action.?

taller tyres
body lift
maybe gear change
doubt if I will need a winch

For mild off roading, I don't think you'd need to go to the trouble, expense and legal issues of doing a RUF. For your needs, I'd say a simple ARB 40mm suspension lift, 215/75-15 M/T tyres on the stock rims, or 235/75/15 M/Ts on 15x6 wheels and a WT Sierra front clip (your left guard needs fixing where it meets the grill panel, and the JA guards will look crap with aftermarket flares.).

Despite what others have suggested, I'd strongly recommend either 4.16 or 4.9 transfer gears. If you're mechanically handy, they're easy to install. Even for mild offroading, they're the best improvement for the money you can do to a Sierra.

Love the Ute, next best Suzuki after an LJ!

This x lots. A ruf is miles from necessary on a Sierra and you can get the stock length leafs to flex more than well enough for what you will do anyway. I'd do what 303 says and throw an airlocker in the back, it'l be legal, reliable, capable, trouble free and even drive pretty well for a Sierra.

That's an awesome find, I'd love to find one like that.

[MrRocky]

Just tidy it up and do the servicing and little things a 25-30yo 4wd needs
Then drive it for a while and go from there regards to mods

[yareckonillgetupthat]

i bought a stock 200 dollar sierra i fixed it up got rego , i havent lifted it yet or up sized wheels but ive put a auto locker in the rear and it leaves luxes and navaras behind

[prickle]

Thanks for the comments gents .. first step is to get it regoed

Ok so I have had a good look over the car and there are a few things that will have to be fixed.

1. Oil leak on transmission output shaft + whining sound in neutral which the manual suggests is either low oil or worn input shaft bearing / main bearing... oil level is ok .. so do I replace bearings or just replace box with second hand one ($50 on gumtree at the moment) .. aim I buying someone elses problem????

2. Manual and it suggests to replace clutch if you have the gearbox out.. given the HIGH kms on the car this is probably a good thing ( I don't know what condition the clutch is in as I con't take it for a spin ..no rego)

2B . As I will havethe transfer case out do I do the reduction gears at the same time .. is it a bit job just to pull the transfer box out?? (I will find out soon I guess)

3 Oil leaks around steering knuckles .. a couple of kits to repair.

4. Master brake cylinder leak .. repair or replace?

5 Fluid leak from steering box .. not sure what to about that .. would love power steering .. is that possible on a bog standard motor .. degree of difficulty?

6. Front Left guard ... prang has buckled the engine bay panel as well .. is it an "easy" task to replace ??? .. all bolts / screws no spot welds?? The chances of scoring WT panels (in Tasmania) as suggests by 303 above seems remote

Anyway a bit of a list to go on with

[sideways]

prickle wrote:

Thanks for the comments gents .. first step is to get it regoed

Ok so I have had a good look over the car and there are a few things that will have to be fixed.

1. Oil leak on transmission output shaft + whining sound in neutral which the manual suggests is either low oil or worn input shaft bearing / main bearing... oil level is ok .. so do I replace bearings or just replace box with second hand one ($50 on gumtree at the moment) .. aim I buying someone elses problem????I don't think I've driven a Sierra that didn't have a whine in neutral, I wouldn't worry about it unless it's very loud. Second hand parts are always a gamble. Something to consider, being an SJ50 yours has a 0.8 5th gear. WTs and coilys had a 0.865 5th. The gearboxes are otherwise pretty well identical.

2. Manual and it suggests to replace clutch if you have the gearbox out.. given the HIGH kms on the car this is probably a good thing ( I don't know what condition the clutch is in as I con't take it for a spin ..no rego)

2B . As I will have the transfer case out do I do the reduction gears at the same time .. is it a bit job just to pull the transfer box out?? (I will find out soon I guess) It's very tight, but you don't need to pull the transfer out to get the gearbox out. Either way, transfer out (as with any job on a Sierra) is very easy.

3 Oil leaks around steering knuckles .. a couple of kits to repair. Be careful to use quality seals, crap will leak after a few thousand kms.

4. Master brake cylinder leak .. repair or replace?New one from 4WD Products is $139.

5 Fluid leak from steering box .. not sure what to about that .. would love power steering .. is that possible on a bog standard motor .. degree of difficulty? Bolt on (almost) the setup from a G13bb powered Jimny or use a BenT kit with a Vitara setup.

6. Front Left guard ... prang has buckled the engine bay panel as well .. is it an "easy" task to replace ??? .. all bolts / screws no spot welds?? The chances of scoring WT panels (in Tasmania) as suggests by 303 above seems remote Yeah, bolts off. Easy job. See here for a guide on that. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=36562

You will be much more likely to find a WT front clip in decent condition than any others.

Anyway a bit of a list to go on with

[prickle]

sideways wrote:

4. Master brake cylinder leak .. repair or replace?New one from 4WD Products is $139.

Hi Sideways
Went to 4WD site .. they don't have a unit the same as mine (mine has a level sensor) they have this though http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brake-Master-Cylinder-assy-Suzuki-Sierra-Drover-1-3-SJ50-84-8-88-/261151602422?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ccdd936f6 .. will it matter without the sensor??

Stuart

[DarkHorse]

Depends how annoying the light on the dash will be for you...?

[prickle]

DarkHorse wrote:

Depends how annoying the light on the dash will be for you...?

If that's the only difference .. I'll disconnect it.

Is it possible to replace the rear oil seal on the gearbox with the box still in place ??

Regards

Stuart

[Blkfxx]

prickle wrote:

Is it possible to replace the rear oil seal on the gearbox with the box still in place ??

Yep, transfer needs to come out to get the jackshaft out.

[prickle]

Blkfxx wrote:

prickle wrote:

Is it possible to replace the rear oil seal on the gearbox with the box still in place ??

Yep, transfer needs to come out to get the jackshaft out.

Great ... Thanks ..

[prickle]

303zuke wrote:

................. WT Sierra front clip

Looks as if I found a donor .. so it's a straight swap??



And what I do with the rear wheel arches one my Suz ?

Stuart

[dougies_tx5turbo]

The tray is wider so abit of rubber fairing should look good for bigger tyres look at over people rigs to get ideas