Discreet but capable

Pull all the old seam seal out paint with chosen product re seal
It takes time
Like my Oldman used to say if a jobs worth doing do it well

A couple of really frustrating weeks trying to find the right workshop to rebuild my axle with the ATB.

Amazed how many shops had little or no idea, we seem to have lost the true mechanics and got a load of overcharging fitters in their place. No one seems able to strip and rebuild at component level, they just want to bolt in full units.

The search continues.......

Superpro ARB bushes have forced me to stiffen the front dampers to address body roll, sorted it but now need to lower tyre pressures to soften it a little. I don't think it was a coincidence that all of the exhaust rubber hangers snapped the other day............ some proper clanking over bumps.

sniper

A transmission specialist will be able to do it. I know of a few companies near me who rebuild transmissions.

The saga that is the Quaife diff is to be resolved on Monday at M&T Transmissions in Sheffield.

Finally a workshop that knows it's stuff, a full rebuild whilst fitting the Quaife ATB unit for the princely sum of £300.

I've had to do a bit of coppering up to find the spare cash but I think it deserves a rebuild, I can't wait to get it on the road........

Had some trouble getting 4L and jackonlyjack has kindly offered to get the car up on ramps and change the transfer box oil with me and whilst at it, change the gearbox oil. I think I drowned the box in the ford at Crookford when out with jack a few weeks back, is half way up the doors deep enough to flood it.......?

5L of fully synthetic 75w90 awaits jacks visit, I'll nip out and get the dry cured bacon and fresh crusty bread on the day mate. Be the best bacon butty you've ever had and thanks again for the offer.

sniper

2pm tomorrow any good for you Pal
That gives me time to get these on rims and fit them on R&B


Jack

Thanks jack, whenever you can make it mate, I'll be at home.

The tyres look huge, can't wait to see them on...

sniper

Quaife ATB fitted today and it's great. Just like an escort on tarmac, more power tightens the line through a corner instead of pushing you wide.
T junctions are ace, takes off like a jack rabbit even on full lock. I couldn't resist a blast down Eakring Road and had a play in both sand and mud, the diff was surefooted and gave lots of grip even when enticed to slip.



sniper

Jackonlyjack popped round and refilled the transfer and gearboxes with some fully synth 75w90 on Saturday. Very grateful for the help, I would not have managed by myself. Hope you enjoyed the bacon butty jack......

sniper

Awesome, Quaife diff sounds great!

If I'd of known a bacon butty was in with the deal and I've driven over to help with the oil change

The diff is great, so great that my enthusiasm for it raised some criticism in the review, it hasn't changed my opinion, a top piece of kit that has altered the dynamics of the car.

I changed the suspension set up using nothing more than an educated guess, tyres and the diff were known quantities but have both performed way beyond expectations. I am very relieved that it has all come together and made a fun to drive road car and as a capable an off roader, as I can see myself needing.

It might only have 86hp but if you have the heart to keep it singing, it can be a very entertaining B road drive.

I would recommend the ATB to anybody who enjoys driving a car with purpose, it has had a very positive effect in every car I've driven with it.

Off road performance was a secondary consideration but still a consideration and it has been a big positive on the lanes I've driven so far. KORC is on the cards soon with jack, so we will see how it does on some more testing ground and hopefully get some video.

Plenty more plans..... brakes, ITB's, exhaust, all waiting on cash...

sniper

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

I've been involved in the Suzuki 4x4 scene for the last 25 years, and what always impresses me is the variety of little 4x4s that are built to different tastes and different styles... and for different personal aims!

After all it's YOUR Suzuki, you build it however you want it

We have around 2k miles on the ATB diff now and it's not all positive, tight bends in the wet are where you need to be aware.......

It's very easy for a heavy right foot to see the back end slide, it needs to be clumsily heavy in the dry but only just in the wet. Thankfully I played around in rwd escorts as a youngster and the steering wheel snap to opposite lock is a natural part of my driving repartee... it's not nice to be reminded on a wet A38 roundabout at 40mph with a slightly sozzled wife next to you. Bless her, she took a scare and decided that grabbing my left arm in fright was the thing to do..... not helpful when your trying to catch the fastest slide you've had in years...... I managed a controlled ish drift from the outside lane to the inside which was, thank the lord, clear.

The diff really does alter your driving style, power pulls you tighter to a bend, balance in fast corners is vastly improved and also easily corrected with the throttle. Some say that my jimny's 86hp is not enough to notice such things, well, it is.

I've only done some gentle lanes recently and the diff has reduced my need of 4wd significantly, only the trickiest of obstacles have needed it, other than that it just keeps plodding along with the occasional wiggle at the back end.

I'll find out next weekend, off to have a drive round the lakes with a few of the more heavily modified jimnys on the forum.

Booked in to JP4x4 in Skeby on Wednesday to sort a problem with 4wd L selection, hopefully a strip, clean and reset will sort it.



This is my next aim.... but at the cost of an engine conversion..... I think it's still the best path, good brakes make for a quick car... 310mm four pot vented Wilwood conversion that will run with 15" wheels. ( Nearly 2k though, don't tell the wife)

sniper