[D81]

G'day all.

Apologies if this has been on before but after doing a search, I couldn't find much.

I'm in the process of buying my first Zook and I really like the look of the SJ80. However, a helpful member gave me his view that they a basically the worst 4x4 Suzuki has created.

Can I get some info from all the SJ80 haters as to why they are so bad and some info from the SJ80 lovers (if any!) as to why they are so good?

Cheers!

[atari4x4]

a Vitara is a better option than a SJ80 any day of the week... now that's saying something.

[5ierra]

SJ80's, also reffered to as "Coilys" have alot of weak components and very limited aftermarket support.

If you want a Sierra, you are much better off getting a leaf sprung model, solely because they have shitload more aftermarket parts and your dollar will go alot further with regards to modifications.

It is possible to make a coily a practical & reliable vehicle, but you will spend signifigantly more doing it than you would on a leafy.

Cheers, 5ierra.

[atari4x4]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48074

[D81]

Haha! Atari I'm guessing you're telling me to give up on the SJ80 idea?!

[petes 80]

Don't worry you will see a lot of Coily haters on here

It will depend on what you want to do with the vehicle because we take our SJ80 off road all the time as does heaps of people on here with no dramas at all.

And yes there are some limitations but thats the fun of 4 wheel driving using skill to get around an obstacle

Good luck with your treasure hunt

cheers

Pete

[Gwagensteve]

Run that conclusion to its logical end and you end up trying to take a falcon off road because it's just all about working around the car.

There is no good reason to buy a coil sierra. There's nothing that coil sierra does that a jimny or vitara can't do better with more parts and aftermarket support.

Steve.

[droverdave]

The internet gets carried away because when it comes to modifying sierras, it would appear that the leafy sierra is a better place to start. That doesn't make the coil sierra crap, it just makes it not as good for modifying as the leafy one.

If all you intend to do is put on slightly bigger tyres and driving it on the beach, then in my opinion there is no good reason not to buy a coily sierra. They are the newest after all, so you are more likely to find one in good condition.

If you intend on going for big lift kits, big tyres, gearing changes, diff lockers, and driving it in such a way that you are more likely to break stuff, then definitely go for a leafy instead.

edit: Just dont pay too muhc for a coily sierra, as yer you might as well grab a jimny or vitara.

[Marko_SJ]

D81 wrote:

G'day all.

Apologies if this has been on before but after doing a search, I couldn't find much.

I'm in the process of buying my first Zook and I really like the look of the SJ80. However, a helpful member gave me his view that they a basically the worst 4x4 Suzuki has created.

Can I get some info from all the SJ80 haters as to why they are so bad and some info from the SJ80 lovers (if any!) as to why they are so good?

Cheers!

From what I've seen of those things, many people end up having to repair, re work and re design components.

Here's some issues you may have to resolve with a coily:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43707&start=30 (I'm in no way insulting the author of this thread, or his vehicle, one thing you'll notice, is HIS setup works better than an expensive "kit" )

All a non issue with a leafy or Jimny, or a vitara. The Vitara and Leafy have the advantage that they were sold in the United States.

Makes it far, far easier to find new replacement or mod parts IMO.

[Dec]

I purchased my coily prior to my knowledge in Suzukis and 4wding, however that does not mean i don't love my car but it has its limitations. The suspension set up is terrible and weak, finding parts/accessories is difficult and generally more expensive. Yes they do look good and have a better dash than the leafy but that's about it, oh and the windscreen doesn't fold down very lame. I wouldn't go as far as Atari and drive a Vitara:) but i would get a leafy.
Oh and if you're thinking that having coil springs will be more comfortable they aren't in the coily:)

[D81]

Thanks very much for all that info fellas. Plenty to think about!

[petes 80]

Why don't you put a coily body on a leafy chassis then you have what you are looking for

[atari4x4]

Pretty sure that breaks ADR's, newer body on an older chassis is frowned upon.

[pezz]

With the low prices of jimny's now, id buy a jim over a sj80 or sj70
the jim has a bit more wheelbase and easier to find with air and steer, heck, you can even get a auto

[atari4x4]

^^^^ this

jimny's are a modern day sierra with out the shitty bits

[Marko_SJ]

Kinda like old hiluxes and new hiluxes.

They just got totes awesome in 1998.