[lj80ute]

hi all, first off all im new too this site. ive been given what i believe too be an lj80 ute by my grand father. plan is too restore it too original condition. not too make it into a thrashing mud machine, ive got an 80 series for that. im after a bit of info on the compatability of parts between the said lj80 maybe a later model leaf sprung sierra? as i cant find any parts for sale on the net. all the running gear in mine is in exelent order (only have 47000km on it) front tyres are even from factory! and not a spec of rust! any help would be much appreciated! cheers

[lj80ute]

i should add, im mainly looking for suspension parts, and brake parts.

[alien]

sounds awesome dude.

suspension - worst case scenario you could have a spring manufacturer custom make your packs - its not cheap though, i had prices recently of around $400 a pack!! (so $1600 for 4 sets of leaves). Granted it was for hilux leaves but still.

brake parts might be tricky, you'd need to be more specific in what you're after.

[Boneheimer]

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_nkw=lj80+brake

Might help?

[hooki]

Factory drum brake parts can be purchased from ebay and other places like 'suzistore' . If you're looking to upgrade the brake system you can install later model sierra front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. I'll find the tech write up for you.

As for suspension there are a few cheap kits available on ebay (i purchased a set for my LJ80 and havent had any problems with quality yet). Otherwise I'm pretty certain that sierra springs are the same, you will have to check about the rear springs as they may be longer in the lj81 (ute) model. Someone on here should be able to go into more detail about spring/shock compatibility for you.

[hooki]

Highway-star's LJ80 brake upgrade --> http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... 69&start=0

[Highway-Star]

hooki wrote:

Factory drum brake parts can be purchased from ebay and other places like 'suzistore' . If you're looking to upgrade the brake system you can install later model sierra front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. I'll find the tech write up for you.

As for suspension there are a few cheap kits available on ebay (i purchased a set for my LJ80 and havent had any problems with quality yet). Otherwise I'm pretty certain that sierra springs are the same, you will have to check about the rear springs as they may be longer in the lj81 (ute) model. Someone on here should be able to go into more detail about spring/shock compatibility for you.

Nope, 1m eye to eye like all early leaf sprung Suzuki rears. They seem to have a bit more rate to them than stock SWB LJ rears though...


Some more info on the car and the particular parts you want to know more about will be helpful. For example Brake parts are readily available for type II LJ80's (ie Stockmans). Early LJ80's seem harder to get cylinders etc for, but they can still be bought apparently. Disc brake conversion on the front is a great upgrade though, for all but the most original cars I'd consider it something worth doing (its reversible anyway).

[lj80ute]

hey guys, this has been really helpfull. the ute is never going too have to carry a load again. so maybe SWB sierra springs might be the go. allthough i want too keep it as orriginal as possible. my grandfather bought it brand new. and has allways wanted too see it running about the farm again. and seeing as im a qualified deisel fitter. he gave it too me and asked me to get it running for him. as for the brakes, maybe get the master cyclinder stainless steel sleeved??? hopefully either kits or brand new jobbies are avaible for the wheel cyclinders. im yet too get the girl home and clean it up. ill try and up load a picture for you all as it sits. cheers, keep the info coming if possible.

[lj80ute]

[sideways]

Go the softest springs you can find hay.

My LJ81 (LJ80 ute = LJ81) has got LWB Sierra King springs in it, the ride really is unbearable.

Yours isn't a Stockman which puts you at a disadvantage as Stockman parts are generally much easier to get (eg brake parts and uni joints ect). Mostly the parts are the same though.

Something pretty cool that I've noticed is that a lot of LJs seem to have been in one family all their life, eg mine was bought new by the previous owners pop. An LJ50 I found was still owned by the original owner and there's Hookis which has been in that family all its life.

Yours doesn't look very rusty at all (lucky you! These panels are paper thin!) pity about the smashed guard and bent front panel, aside from those is it very strait?

Nice smilely face on the windscreen!

[3cyl]

You'd need the Stockman rear end to fit Sierra brakes to the rear.