[SuzukiSJ50]

can you tell the year of manufacture of a SJ410 by the body number?

[Gwagensteve]

Not readily. I’m not aware of a resource that would provide that info.

It’s on the compliance plate (and I think the build plate too)

[SuzukiSJ50]

Thanks for your help. The plates have been removed and the body number is all I have to go by. Regards, Michael

[sideways]

What's the body number? Got any photos? You can fairly accurately date one by their features.

[fordem]

I have access to an old version of the spare parts catalog system, if you would care to share the chassis no. I can try to do a lookup on it - I won't get the year of manufacture, but I should be able to get the "type", which would/should narrow it down to within a couple of years.

[Gwagensteve]

We’re really only talking about three years or so of production before the 1.3 came on stream. (Although i believe Ateco continued to offer the 1.0 trayback after the 1.3 was launched)

Does it have a steel dash or plastic?
Does it have drum or disc brakes?
Does it have a 4wd light on the dashboard?

[SuzukiSJ50]

I think plastic dash ?
Drum brakes all round
Don't recall seeing a 4WD light on the dash but wouldn't sware by it ???
Correct me if I am wrong the LJ80 and SJ410 have the same starter motor but the SJ50's / SJ413 is different ?

[SuzukiSJ50]

Body number is 105495

[Gwagensteve]

Drums all round and no 4wd light makes it an early car. 1982/83 is my guess.
Should have a steel dash with that mechanical combination.

[SuzukiSJ50]

Ok thanks for your help again!! I will check it out when I next have access to the vehicle

[sideways]

Based on photos of VIN tags I've saved, 105495 would be an early 1982.

In terms of identifying an SJ40 / SJ410:

Type 1 1981 to 8/1983
Drum front
Steel dash
No free wheeling hubs (often dealer fitted)
5 digit odo
No 4wd light/early unique ball bearing intermediate transfer
No provision for fitting rear seats
No door handle on outside of soft top tailgate

Type 2 9/1983 to 10/1984 Updated version of the type 1
Still steel dash/early body type
discs and free wheeling hubs standard
Longbody version added
4wd light/needle roller intermediate transfer
6 didgit odo
Factory fitted rear seats optional

type 3 11/1984 to 1987.
These are essentially a JA spec SJ50 fitted with a F10a and 6.5" diffs. So they have the 1.3l style transfer mounts and fat tube tailshafts. Plastic round vent dash.
Big case gearbox fitted with 4 speeds
No longbody or high top option
I have seen a hard top one but these are mostly traybacks and a smattering of soft tops.

SuzukiSJ50 wrote:

Correct me if I am wrong the LJ80 and SJ410 have the same starter motor but the SJ50's / SJ413 is different ?

Yes that's correct, F8a/F10a have the same starter but nothing else fits that I'm aware of.

Gwagensteve wrote:

We’re really only talking about three years or so of production before the 1.3 came on stream. (Although i believe Ateco continued to offer the 1.0 trayback after the 1.3 was launched)

I don't know what Ateco did but for the rest of us the type 3 SJ40 was offered alongside the 1.3l until 1987 as a lower cost option.

[SuzukiSJ50]

Thanks guys for your assistance !!! Yes it narrows it down to an early model SJ410. I will have a closer look next time to clarify a couple of points but the information that I have given you is mostly correct ! Thanks again!!!!! Regards, Michael

[Gwagensteve]

The tangled web of Suzuki distribution in the 1980’s means that Suzuki Australia decided against importing the SJ40 once the 1.3 was available but Ateco continued to import them. Likewise Ateco brought in some LWB WT and highroof WT in 1988, which Suzuki Australia passed on.

I don’t recall who was supplying WA but, for example, VIC deliveries of the SJ40 stopped in 1984. Most type 3 1.0’s I’ve seen come from the VIC/NSW border and have ateco tags in the engine bay.