I've Long Had This Fantasy

Of purchasing a late 1980's to early 1990's SJ413 (leaf spring suspension), doing a complete chassis/drivetrain restoration, and adapting one of these to fit.



If someone asked me why, I would have no logical answer.

DO IT!!!

Love it, and if there is no logic then it has to be done

I always wanted to put a fibreglass kit body on my SJ413 cos it had low low mileage but the panels had started to go.
I was younger in those days.
Your idea sounds superb to me.

Helijohn wrote: I was younger in those days.

Ain't that just a son-of-a-gun, John. From a comment that Lambert made a while back, I think I'm only a few years behind his parents. It certainly slows things down.

Well Daniel and Lambert, I continue to be inspired by this forum. I can't do this alone so think I might just contact my 2 sons. One of them would be the recipient of the finished product anyway. Hopefully it just wouldn't cause a divorce. I'll get them started......as soon as I'm actually done with my current Jimny.

zukebob wrote: I'll get them started......as soon as I'm actually done with my current Jimny.

My only problem with an SJ these days is that they were never available in auto and I refuse to "do" manual any more.
Oh, I meant to mention that there is an SJ or maybe Santana that I see as I drive to Lincoln which is stood on a drive for what seems like forever and is the only one I have seen for years.

I've looked into this before, and found issue with the height of the Suzuki OHV engine compared to the original side valve unit. If you want to keep it low, like a proper Willys, then some sort of bonnet bulge is required. If you don't mind it being a bit jacked up, then I'm sure this can easily be avoided.

Shaker hood! DO IT, even more now!

I was sure somebody before me thought about the Willys MB body on an a SJ. Never went beyond the dream phase so the engine height issue is interesting.

Sorry Lambert. I'm with Busta on the "proper" Willys comment. I don't want it to look like it's supposed to be super charged. I don't even want it looking like one of the later M606 jeeps. But, as many wise people have said, where there's a will, there's a way.

Ha ha ha ha!