4x4 Mag - Readers Rides

Reader's Rides - June 1999

Suzuki LJ80

After several months of off-roading and playing about with various modifications to an F50 Daihatsu including suspension modifications and of course body modifications, Donald White decided to change course and get a Suzuki. Advertised locally at "a snip" was a tidy blue LJ80 of "W" reg. Now these LJs are a great little machine, they have lower gearing than the later SJ410 or SJ413 and run on 16" wheels. There is a little more ground clearance, however, they don't have a great deal of power. To make up for the power loss here Donald has gone for the most aggressive tread pattern tyres he can, Tractor Pattern Chevron Tyres. This vehicle isn't driven to events on the road so that's OK. Always seen in the deepest mud and tackling the steepest inclines this LJ80 gives Donald a great deal of off-road pleasure.

Jeepers Creepers

Most of us operate a 4x4 on a budget, and at that a fairly limited one. However, imagine having an open cheque book and a new vehicle to base your off-roader on? Well the owner of this superb Wrangler had just that opportunity ... not content with the standard 4.0 litre automatic Wrangler he took the vehicle to Surrey Off Road and came back with a serious piece of machinery.

Modifications are too numerous to list, the photographs speak for themselves ... suspension lift, mud-terrains, front and rear custom winch bumpers, air-locking diffs, etc., etc., etc., This Wrangler has been transformed from a capable off-roader to a vehicle able to challenge the most arduous of terrain and come out the other side unscathed. We believe that further developments are instore, including a rear winch.

Suzuki SJ410

These little machines really are becoming very popular to use off-road. Nowadays it's possible to purchase quite a tidy example at reasonable cost, and they prove themselves incredibly reliable. Now that's an important aspecty of owning an off-road vehicle, so often we see bonnets up and wheels off as drivers affect on-site repairs to their strickened 4x4. Being a particular kind of chap, Master Chef Anthony Runton (pictured above) started developing his SJ after a few off-roading days in his Trooper. yes he liked his comfort, but he also liked his Trooper and after a while thought that having a "specval" on a trailer may be a better idea than using his day-to-day transport. Originally his SJ was standard, now it sports full internal roll cage, 2" suspension lift, custom front and rear bumpers and towing points, snorkel and 215/75/15 Mud Terrains. It's normally also covered with lots of mud with the owner inside smiling. He's still particular about things in life, for instance he's always seen with an on-site espresso coffee maker, and exotic fresh seafood based food hampers !

Stalwart 6x6

Elsewhere in this month's magazine you'll find a feature article on the Stalwart, whilst here we're looking at the fun-factor ownership of such a vehicle. Simon Shillabeer had to be persuaded to purchase this beast, for he had some reservations about how to move it around and how much fuel it would use ! His friends convinced him that it would be possible nad now they all enjoy days out in this unusual vehicle. Previously owned by a mid-Wales Farmer this Stalwart has undergone considerable restoration, including rebuilding of the brake system both hydraulic and pneumatic. The Stalwart is an amphibian and this particular one didn't have any of the swimming gear attached ... a long process of remanufacture now enables Simon to swim the Stalwart, though he needs quite a lot of water to do so, since this thing weighs in at just under nine tons.

Simon takes his Stalwart to Military Vehicle Shows, Vintage Shows and Charity events and in recent months has been participating in non-competitive off-road events and some Land Rover Club events. If you're in the North West of England look out for this machine, we think you'll notice it !

If you've got an interesting off-roader or a story to tell us send us an e-mail now : richard@4x4mag.co.uk