Hi all. a few Sj questions.

[Welshie]

hi there, i have been crusing the net to find people who know a bit about off roading, you guys sounded like you know what your on about, so a day waiting for my membership later and im here to pick your brains.

i have never tried off roading but have been interested in it for quite a while. from what i read on the net a SJ is a good cheep way to get into it.

my van is up for sale and so i have cash to spend but i have no idea what to look out for, how much to pay and where to look.  i have come from the VW scene...... (forgive me)

there a quite a few on ebay. most are cheep but is there anything i should be looking for when viewing them. all i know they have a ladder support system so it doesnt matter to the mot if the body rusts away.

im selling my van for £1200 but im not sure if i should buy the more expensive SJ's with the winch, cage and lift kits. or go for a standard and add as i need it. in your opinion is it worth the extra for someone of my limited experance?

the nice people at my insurace company have agreed to swap my insurance over but they wont cover me off road. does anyone know a way i can get covered off road, is there any loopholes?

also, are there any tips for driving them, all i could get from the lads down the pub was dont take it on a motoway without a priest.

sorry if im eating your time, you have probibly been asked it all before. i do however have a B and B in cardiff with offroad parking for 6 cars. im sure we could come to some sort of deal with the users of this forum if any of you end up this way. www.farlenhouse.co.uk. also if anyone lives down here i would be very greatfull if i could tag along for a day, i can pay in beer....

thanks again for your time
Welshie

[wrecker]

hay mate,sj are great lil truck offroads,the best bet for getting started too :D

if you havent done offroding be4 id get a standerd sj to start with then do it up as you want,also that way you know how good the work is on it,

things too look for are the tin worm really,smokey engines,any thing elce is really easy to change over or repair,some times that could save a bit of cash when buying too,

this is just my idea,there are more peps who know a lot more that i do and should be here to help soon mate,

hope this helps a lil bit :D  :D

[rollazuki]

rust, rust, and more rust!

BUT, The chassis dont rust!

Check wheelarches, floors, under headlights, boot floor etc.

Tough little car, tough axles with the standard engine, engines good iof looked after, but the standard carbs are junk!

Probably a good idea to get one thats been fettled a bit and not full of tinworm.

Any further questions, ask away, post pics of potential purchases etc.

Rolla

[mudmuncher]

got a nice little sj410 for sale on e-bay. shame you are the other side of the country as that should suit you well

[redneck]

I've got an SJ410 for trialling and just bought another for spares, they're great little motors  :D
My advice would be to look at it the same as you would any other car, get the cleanest one you can for your money, whether that be modified (take someone who knows what modifications are good and which ones are bodges   ) or standard.
A couple of things to bear in mind SJ410 = 1000cc, SJ413 = 1300cc
As for insurance off road, if you're talking about just doing a bit of green laning. As long as you're on a proper Right of Way for motor vehicles (usually a Byway) then Green lanes are legal roads, subject to all the usual road traffic regulations etc so your standard insurance should cover you, if it doesn't then ask your insurance company for an explanation as they've sold you duff cover  

[generation-x]

hi m8 as said above but if ur unsure please use this forum so we can help you if needed

simon

[Welshie]

hi all, thanks for the reply. i have seen a nice looking sj and have started talking to the guy who owns it. it doesnt have any rust at all.  
i have hurd the carbs are a bit rubbish but luckly this one has webbers. its a 1.3 and it even had a nice sterio, with waterproof speakers.

the only thing wrong with it is the roof is a bit tatty, looks like it will let the rain in. does anyone know where i could get a cheep one from? the only one i can find is quite expensive. it does look good though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=8030862739&rd=1&rd=1

as for mods......

i have been on youtube watching SJ's climb and i cant help but notice they tip over a lot. in one of the vids it rolls quite a few times and the entire cab/roof gets crushed. the guy was fine but he was very lucky.  

i have some really bad luck so im looking for advice on roll bars.  how much should i be paying to get some made up, or do you know someone who makes and sells them? also bucket seats, does anyone know where to get/want to sell some sub frames or seats?

also any idea why the front window folds down? i think its bloody great.

thanks again for your replies, you have been great.

[generation-x]

hi welshie
id double check that sj they didnt make the samurai till 1998 (e reg) :?:
you shud be ok in the tipping over bit just take it easy till u get used to it
if you have a local fabbing company pop to see them see if they can make you a roll hoop shudnt be to much
bucket seats loads on fleabay

simon

[rollazuki]

Ive got a soft top for sale, no rips/tears etc.
It is well used, but doesnt leak! obviously its second hand so doesnt look new, but its NOT held together by tape etc, and the zips all work.
Rolla

[Welshie]

hi guys, thanks again for all the replies.

Gen x, im a bit confused, what do i need to be checking, the year of manufacture? it was advertised as a SJ413

and Rollazuki, how much do you want for your soft top dude?

[generation-x]

welshie it might just have samurai badges fitted to the wings if you can can u tell how wide the wheel arches are? also were in relation to the chassis are the leafs? i.e along the chassis or outside of it?
not been funny just dont want you buying something that aint right :lol:

simon

[redneck]

welshie it might just have samurai badges fitted to the wings if you can can u tell how wide the wheel arches are? also were in relation to the chassis are the leafs? i.e along the chassis or outside of it?
not been funny just dont want you buying something that aint right :lol:

simon

How can you see Samuri badges from that picture  :?

[generation-x]

welshie it might just have samurai badges fitted to the wings if you can can u tell how wide the wheel arches are? also were in relation to the chassis are the leafs? i.e along the chassis or outside of it?
not been funny just dont want you buying something that aint right :lol:

simon

How can you see Samuri badges from that picture  :?

Red look at the front of the wings lol :shock:

simon

[redneck]

welshie it might just have samurai badges fitted to the wings if you can can u tell how wide the wheel arches are? also were in relation to the chassis are the leafs? i.e along the chassis or outside of it?
not been funny just dont want you buying something that aint right :lol:

simon

How can you see Samuri badges from that picture  :?

Red look at the front of the wings lol :shock:

simon

Fair point  :oops:

[Welshie]

hi again. i wont be able to get to see it untill thursday now. im meeting the guy in Hereford. if anyone is in the area and wants to come and give me a second opinion there is a steak lunch and a pint in it for you.

if i post up a few more pics could you tell me how much i should be paying him for it? or better still what i shouldnt be paying him for it. he wanted £1300 but i have already talked him down quite a bit.

its stock apart from the tires, the sterio and the duct tape mods on the cover (makes it go faster) oh and it has webbers.

you guys have been great you know... thanks again.

[Welshie]

here is a pic of the inside as well.

[rollazuki]

I dunno, 25 quid?

Only thing amiss as far as I can remember is the stitching is a bit frayed where the front fastens into the top of the screen surround, and the little velcro straps that go round the rear softtop support are adrift. Oh, and the press stud on one of the straps that holds the rear door rolled up has pulled thru.. as you can imagine, non of those cause it to leak, be adrift, or actually need any repair.

Let me know, Ill whip it off and post it to Cardiff.

[Welshie]

that sounds perfect, can i let you know after thursday?

[generation-x]

welshie m8 i have to say how much!!!! sorry but imho thats way to much for wot is really a standard sj from 1986/87 to give you some inside i found a m8 a m reg mint sammy with spares loads of mot for £600 in standard form
i just sold a 410 E reg fitted with inboard petrol tank,brand new 205 diamond backs,lobster box,custom tube bumpers no t&t but was ready except for front number plate for £500
sold another end of last year 413 with full exo cage,spoa,32" colways,bucket seats,tube bumpers, for £800
the 410

simon

[Welshie]

hi gen-x thanks for the reply. you might have saved me a duffle bag of money (well, in pennies and fives). i owe you a steak.

do you know of any that are for sale? where is the best place to look?

[generation-x]

best to look on fleabay if ur in a hurry see the completed listings so you can see wots going for wot  as its ur 1st offroader go for something with minimal mods again just my opinion
a good sj with just mud tires fitted will suprise you then just look about for cheap mods springs, and the such just dont mod to quick do one thing drive it for a while get used to its new way of driving make sure ur happy and if you want to go further buy something else
list of mods imho (again)
cheap b&q snorkle
set of offroad tires
have a play...
get set of lift springs and shox to match
play again

as said b4 m8 if u get stuck just ask

simon

[Welshie]

i just found one on ebay, came running over here like a excited puppy to show you and then read what you said about mods.

well have a look anyway, it cant hurt.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330122435996

dont you sleep?

[wheeler]

ive got a off road sj for sale
roll cage bucket seats su carb mud tyres
450 quid

[Welshie]

hi wheeler, does it have tax and mot?

if so can i give you a ring?

[wheeler]

no tax or mot which is why its 450 quid but seems aood base

[Welshie]

[!Expletive Deleted!]. my problem is that im selling my van on thursday and my insurance company have only given me a few days to insure a different car. im going to need to get one soon, ill keep a eye on ebay.

wheeler, i think i will have to leave it as i wont be able to tow it. thanks anyway though, it looked perfect.

[generation-x]

welshie looks a bit of a bitza to me chances are the logbook aint been changed this will play merry hell for the next mot too

simon

[Welshie]

i think you might be right, i just spent half a hour trying to explain it to the insurance company. i gave up in the end. it doesn't have the original engine and they didnt understant how it could be changed.

wheeler, do you know what it would need for a mot by any chance?

[wheeler]

rear light lens
horn  wiper blades and antiroll bar put back on front bumper general stuff
if you capible but would need a good look over first

[Welshie]

its a long way for me to come and have a look. would you consider putting it through a mot for me?