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chrisadams88
newbie
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:01 pm Posts: 3
Vehicle: suzuki sierra 1982 sj50
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 Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:08 pm |
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Hi guys n gals i had bought a sj50 but when i went to do a body restoration i found i had un repairable rust issues. Im wondering if i can fit a sj80 body to the sj50 1982 chassis or do i need to make mods to fit
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Gwagensteve
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:30 pm Posts: 13007 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:47 pm |
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A 1982 Sierra won't be an SJ50, it will be an SJ40. This is significant because it's going to be much harder to swap an SJ80 body to an SJ40 chassis.
First year for the SJ50 was late 1984 as a 1985MY IIRC.
Yes, it is possible to put an SJ80 body on an SJ50 chassis, the mounts will line up etc as far as I am aware, but it's going to be fairly involved to go from the body lining up to having something that looks correct and has no issues. You'll really want a 100% complete SJ80 body including loom, lighting, seats, complete dash/heater box, steering column, brake MC, pedal box etc etc. Otherwise you're going to spend forever trying to confirm what swaps and what doesn't. SJ80's share very few parts with an SJ40/50/70. A simple example is that SJ50 and SJ70 brake boosters and master cylinders are slightly different and require a different push rod. I don't know what variant an SJ80 uses (it's probably unique) , but it's an example of how you could loose a lot of time tearing your hair out over tiny little details.
Also, the SJ80 has differently shaped inner guards designed to clear the shock towers, and much wider track width. A car that looks like an SJ80 but has narrow track axles under it will look pretty strange - in short, it's going to be pretty clear the car has been body swapped. I'm not sure how you intend to use or register the car, but this might present issues.
An SJ40 (1982 vintage) will present bigger issues - the inner two body bolts under the seats are in slightly different spots, the studs on the SJ80 body bolts are too long for the SJ40 body mount rubbers, and the SJ40 chassis won't accept SJ80 rubbers. That's resolvable, but the best way I can think to do it would be to tap the studs with more thread and use the shorter SJ40 rubbers. You'll also need to deal with more significant wiring issues (external regulator, less complex carb etc) if you in fact have an SJ40.
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just_cruizin
az supporter
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 2867 Location: here
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:56 pm |
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For the stud issue a 25mm body lift would also work with the flat rubbers. Wiring looms will be a pita as plugs are different, I'd be swapping it over to the later model version
_________________ greenzook89 wrote: 31zook wrote: Makes me want something similar
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Gwagensteve
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:30 pm Posts: 13007 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:03 pm |
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Good point re the body lift if you're swapping SJ50/70/80 onto an SJ40 chassis.
Still, I reckon an SJ80 body would be the last body I'd choose.
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just_cruizin
az supporter
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:30 pm Posts: 2867 Location: here
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:25 pm |
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Correct as you also have to comply with all ADRs relevant to the body
_________________ greenzook89 wrote: 31zook wrote: Makes me want something similar
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chrisadams88
newbie
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:01 pm Posts: 3
Vehicle: suzuki sierra 1982 sj50
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:39 pm |
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Thanks guys. This helps but i just checked the old body for yr model its an sj 50. There are sj 50 bodies on ebay n gimtree but they are to far away to get and some transport companies wont deliver the body. Im build it up so i can use her off road.
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chrisadams88
newbie
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 12:01 pm Posts: 3
Vehicle: suzuki sierra 1982 sj50
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 1:42 pm |
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Im also looking into doing brake upgrades on the rear from drum to disc but wanting to know what i can use as i would like a one of a kind. Wiring looms dont faze me ill be re wiring the whole car anyway, led lights, hid lights, the lot
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Gwagensteve
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:30 pm Posts: 13007 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:50 pm |
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OK, if you want to build an off road car I'd definitely steer clear of an SJ80. It's likely an off road car will end up on its side at some point. SJ80's aren't great in this regard as the windscreen frame is integral to the cowl and not removable, so even a light flop might result in you looking for another shell. SJ40/50/70 have removable windscreen frames which greatly simplify repair.
Swapping LED lights and HID headlights doesn't have anything to do with the difficulties we're talking about. The SJ80 runs a substantially different emissions control system carb etc so you won't be able to just swap the engine loom plugs over - you'll have quite a bit of troubleshooting to do to get it running properly. I have no idea why anyone would "completely rewire" an SJ50 onwards sierra - the loom is simple and reliable. It's normally owners adding accessories that cause the problems.
So, to complete the swap, you'll need a complete SJ80 tub exactly as it was unbolted from the chassis with all trim loom, interior, panels etc, because a bitsa is going to be a nightmare.
There are several sources for rear disc conversions, three in the business section of this page. take your pick.
Steve.
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