[Tommy21]

Does a sj51t have a offset front diff I have been offered one with a seized engine and would like to do a vw 1.9 td conversion but worried about diff and steering clearances is there any thing else I should be conserved about


Cheers Tom

[Gwagensteve]

Yes, it has an offset diff.

Yes, it's nominally the model that the ACME VW kit is designed to fit in the LHD market.

Except I'm learning, in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=55512

That the ACME kit doesn't fit a VW engine into a Sierra, even LHD, and it DEFINITELY won't fit RHD.

1) The supplied/ recommended radiator doesn't fit with a Sierra/Vitara/Jimny steering box. The recommended steering box is an FJ80 box, which is forward swinging and mounts outside of the chassis rail, so it will cause shock mount/tyre interference in a car with Suzuki axles/sensible rim backspacing/sensible suspension height

2)The sump doesn't clear the axle and requires a fair bit of bumpstop spacing.

3)The VW power steering pump sits very low and will foul the drag link

4) The turbo will foul the sierra steering shaft RHD

5) All Australian TDI engines are common rail and have a complex ECU with immobilisation and CAN bus. They require the whole loom, instruments and ignition key to operate and a far more complex than any older Suzuki ECU. You can delete the common rail system and replace it with a Bosch rotary VE style pump, but this is expensive and will involve some pretty precise timing work with bad consequences if you get it wrong.

If you want a diesel for simplicity this isn't the way to do it.

If you want a diesel for fuel costs that's false economy. it would take 20 years to pay off the conversion.

If you want the diesel for torque that's a problem because it will kill the driveline.

so there's plenty to be concerned about. It's not a sensible or viable conversion.

Steve.

[Tommy21]

Cheers mate might scratch that idea and stick with ljs

[Gwagensteve]

The sj51 is a massively better car in every way (except looks) and can easily accept the best/easiest suzuki engine/gearbox combo- AW-4 auto and G16B. They’re just massively nicer to drive than an LJ and have aftermarket support (unheard of!) - just let the diesel idea go and build a better car.

[ZUZUKI]

SJ51T should be 1985-1988.5 1.3litrte 5 speed N/T full metal cab tray back.
Plenty of people on here would be interested in taking that off your hands.
The seized engine is of no consequence. As long as it is not a very rusted out wreck, buy it, flip it & put the cash into your LJ, or like Steve says, have a think about switching into a Sierra - this is the best base you'll find.
The metal cab is a bit cramped if you are over 5'8", but if you fit in an LJ81, it'll be fine.
Rgs, Michael

[Tommy21]

Cheers people will see if I can convince my brother in to picking it up

[Tommy21]

Stuff my lie I lost his contact