[super_sheep12345]

hello everyone
im new to these here forums and to the sierra world as well i guess...
i have one quick question to start with and i know its probly a bit stupid but...
i have an 81 sierra hard top with the 1lt engine
how can i tell if it is swb/lwb or wide track etc
also and ideas for the first mods to do?
thanks in advance
Shaun

[kirstyandgrace]

Welcome

The search function will answer your identity crisis issues.

As to what mods, what and where you expect to drive is kinda important.

A whole heap of suzi owners have posted up their mods, have a read of those threads.

Me, just better tyres, pissed the roof off and go for a drive

[MacDaddy]

super_sheep12345 wrote:

hello everyone
im new to these here forums and to the sierra world as well i guess...
i have one quick question to start with and i know its probly a bit stupid but...
i have an 81 sierra hard top with the 1lt engine
how can i tell if it is swb/lwb or wide track etc
also and ideas for the first mods to do?
thanks in advance
Shaun

Welcome to Auszookers Shaun, its always good to see another Perth Zooker here !

If you could post up some pic's of your Zook, that would help alot...

[shep]

how ya doing mate.
your car will be a 1.0 swb NT

[steve]

shep wrote:

how ya doing mate.
your car will be a 1.0 swb NT

I can't believe the first two replies didn't know what a "81 sierra hard top with the 1lt engine" is! Shame shame shame

[shep]

its ok Steve, they are from Perth.

[ck13488]

super_sheep12345 wrote:

hello everyone
also and ideas for the first mods to do?

that is totally dependent on what type of driving you are going to be doing?
is it a daily driver that you take on the beach on weekends?
planning to only use it off road?
pure daily driver?

then it depends how many $$ youd like to spend!

if you fill in the blanks you will be able to get pointed in the right direction

cheers

[kirstyandgrace]

steve wrote:

shep wrote:

how ya doing mate.
your car will be a 1.0 swb NT

I can't believe the first two replies didn't know what a "81 sierra hard top with the 1lt engine" is! Shame shame shame

Could be that I don't give a rat's arse about the different model specs

Or maybe it is a Perth thing

[Joe]

shep wrote:

its ok Steve, they are from Perth.

[shep]

come on, bite ya buggers. peaceout

[super_sheep12345]

Thanks alot everyone.
I bought the car about 3 months ago and being the ambitious type I had the engine and gearbox out for a rebuild. Here comes the next question. When I bought the car the guy I got it from gave me a 5 speed gearbox ( which I believe is off a 1.3 ) will this fit easily enough or not worth the trouble. The plan for the car was a weekend performer that could go places my other mates can't haha which could also be used by the misus to go to work when I pull the other car off the road to finish the stereo (I'm a professional car stereo installer). It already has a 2 inch body lift and 31 inch tyres. Any ideas on what to do next?

[Joe]

shep wrote:

come on, bite ya buggers. peaceout

I cant i dont have many teeth left

[Joe]

super_sheep12345 wrote:

Thanks alot everyone.
I bought the car about 3 months ago and being the ambitious type I had the engine and gearbox out for a rebuild. Here comes the next question. When I bought the car the guy I got it from gave me a 5 speed gearbox ( which I believe is off a 1.3 ) will this fit easily enough or not worth the trouble. The plan for the car was a weekend performer that could go places my other mates can't haha which could also be used by the misus to go to work when I pull the other car off the road to finish the stereo (I'm a professional car stereo installer). It already has a 2 inch body lift and 31 inch tyres. Any ideas on what to do next?

Afaik the 1.3 five speed wont bolt up to a 1 litter so your stuck with a four speed till ya swap in a 1.3 or 1.6
As for what to do next just go over it and give it a general tidy up first and change all ya oils and filters that way you know its been done.....
Then just go out and wheel it then make up your own mind on what you need or want to change

[Joe]

Oh and welcome to AZ
Where abouts in Perth are ya????

[super_sheep12345]

Ok well an engine conversion was on the cards anyway as the one litre doesn't have any power at all lol. I live in gosnells area but frequent out to mt Dale and powerline track every so often in my mates Mitsubishi challenger.

[v.w.dave]

welcome mate. IMO if your going to do a upgrade on the power plant do that first and get it over and done with then build the zook up around it. If you have the money get yourself a 1.6 efi and do it right the first time. As far as lift you can go nuts if you really want but if you stick to a 2"body lift a 2" spring lift and 31s you will have more then enough lift to get just about anywhere.
As for gearing if you stick with the 1L transfer with the bigger motor it will be OK but if you plan on doing any major tracks or want more control step up to a 1.3 transfer with a set of 6.5-1 gears.

Mate the Sierras have endless things you can do to them. have a look around and read through some of the build ups and see what others have done. The good the bad the great the ugly you will find it all.
Some of the best build ups for information are

bluesuzy
31zook
zookernator

and have a look in the DIY section
Have a look have a play and make it yours.

[BlueSuzy]

Ah welcomes!

The 1L body will not suit the 1.3 5sp. I have heard the tunnel is smaller, so you will need a 2"BodyLift also to add if you want a 1.3/1.six conversion. (my six button doesnt work!Doh!)

Cheers VW.

[super_sheep12345]

Sounds great guys but one more question. I tryed the search thing and couldn't come up with a definit answer. I hear alot of talk about sj70 lj50 sort of stuff. What does it all mean and which one am I likely to have?

[BlueSuzy]

You will have an SJ50/ or rare 40. It will say on your build plate on the firewall.

I have a SJ70. 91' 1.3 WT

I also have a SJ51. 88' 1.3 WT LWB

SJ = Sierra

LJ = Model before the sierra's came out in Australia.

[super_sheep12345]

Well there we go looks like I have the sj40 (it says sj40v on the plate). You say it's rare. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[303zuke]

It's not so much that it's rare (there were plenty around back in the days), but nearly 30 years of 4wding means that they are slowly disappearing from damage or rust.

On the technical side of things, you have a Type 1 1.0 litre, which means that most parts are more in common with the older LJ80 Stockman than the later 1.3 litre Sierras. About the only thing that will interchange easily are body panels and the fact you can fit front Disc Brakes and FWHubs. Transfer Case reduction gears are possible to fit, if you are willing to find a later T/Case, Driveshafts and NT Diffs!