[tmb99]

I have an LJ with a dead engine and a lwb vitara with smashed body. So I'm thinking of merging best vit parts into the LJ.

First obvious thoughts; g16b, 5 speed, and powersteering in an LJ would be awesome. I know it wouldn't be easy as there will be work to the tunnel, cross mount and making mounts. Powersteer will be a head scratcher - however it exists in Kenns LJ.

My questions are why do Vit transfers and diffs never get used in conversions? As I think the diff gears and disc brakes could be good. My knowledge is its cause of the reverse (to sierra) off-set, and also they're a lot wider, which on an LJ may not be great? My thoughts are If I were to use most of the running gear why stop there.

Any advice on anything mentioned would be appreciated. At this stage nothing is decided, just doing some initial planning.

[jdk81]

Vit diff gears and disc brakes are good. Thats why they are often used in WT sierra diffs etc.

Vit front is ifs - not ideal and has strength issues. Be a pita to fit to lj chassis and only have ifs.

Vit rear diff is centred and wider than hilux iirc, vit rears are used as a base for full floaters.

Vit transfers are usually only used when building twin cases etc.
The middle rear output and that high range is 1:1 is undesirable when going into another build etc as there is limited diff choice for big tyres with 1:1 high in xfer.
On paper look good in twin xfer setups, but a lot of extra weight and fabwork for little gain

There will be a lot of tyre outside guard etc.
You could try to run some massive positive offset, but shock locations may limit it.

Powersteering is damn good. Make it fit!

[christover1]

Make the LJ body fit on the Vit chassis, sounds better to me.

[burls]

Check my build its roughly what I did except sierra diffs. Lots of work for sure but the result is fantastic

[tmb99]

Thanks jdk81 that is the sort of simple info I've spent the last couple of days searching for!

Great build thread Burls, however it has put me off if anything! man there is going to be some work in it...

I wonder how the 1.6/5 speed would go with the LJ transfer and diffs. The transfer is meant to be pretty strong, and I can get discs on the diffs from a 1ltr to help the stopping situation. However that seems a little half arsed.

[tanshi]

transfer is not strong. they are weak as piss and have tiny bearings