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Jackonlyjack has become a laning buddy alongside a few other forum members, we live local to each other around Mansfield. I know that if I ever need help with anything on the car, Jack will step forward, as well as being a nice bloke, he loves Jimny's...

When I heard that Jack was joining the Peak & Dukeries LandRover Club there was a little bit of me that thought he had gone to the dark side......... It was with some relief, I later found that he was joining the Peak & Dukeries Off Road Club. To do so, you must join the LRC and then specify the ORC.

Driving off road trials was the aim of Jacks flurry with the Landrovers and praise be, it would be in his Jimny R&B. I joined him on his first days competing and also joined the club so that I could "navigate" or at least squeal at scary bits......

He went on to win the open group this year, sadly without me...



A change in circumstances meant I could no longer take the time at weekends to go with Jack. Trialling was very interesting to me though and I vowed to at least give it a go.....

So that's the plan for what will be next year now.

Peak & Dukeries Off Road Club, standby, there's another Suzuki coming to the start line.....

You'll see the recovery points that are being fitted during the conversion.

sniper

Thanks for the nice words in these troubling times
Will be good to see you compete in your newly prepared truck
Maybe we can convince some of the darkside drivers to GO Suzuki

Looking GREAT Sniper!

I think the debate of pickup 'v' trayback is more of a persona decision... it needs to be what you want and need out of it at the end of the day..?

On mine I needed the position for the rear winch, and everything else had to fit around that - somewhere for the battery, spare wheel, waffle boards, etc... Whilst still looking how I wanted it to end up at the end of the day...

I had a good Google though, and came up with these two images -





I'm liking the look of a pickup bed with some secure storage afforded by an enclosed rear?...

I have little interest in practical uses for the Jimny Dave, I love the look of a pick up bed but don't want the weight.... I'd do it, if I had a practical use for it or even if the future sale was a concern. It would certainly give the best return....

The car was bought with one duty, getting our girt if she had any problems with her transport. She's a nurse and her office is in Chesterfield and covers the Peaks. So long as I have got two seats and I can go get her after a snow storm, it's all good.

That leaves me to cage it, again weight is a concern... or just carry the spare (fave at mo, finances are tight too).

Sat at the computer waiting for todays update.... like a kid at xmas....

sniper

Good evening sniper perhaps a truck body with the same mounting points on the chassis for a tray back could be the way forward the way it could be utilised for both opinions. Daily updates have been sent and it’s looking good
The doc

Hello Doc, welcome to the forum.

I got the video but the forum doesn't support the format it is in..... amazing for a days work.

Can't wait to share pictures of what you've done, it looks great. I've looked at a few options for the back end, money as usual is the driving factor.

sniper

A few pictures that got lost...



sniper

The decision has been made.....



Trayback it is..... The full roll cage and trayback kit is on order from WKD, should be here in 14 days or straight to Terry's workshop. He will be welding and fitting the cage.

I'm hoping as Jack suggested, to fit the spare wheel below the tray, directly above the fuel tank.

As I have mentioned, this is being done on a shoestring budget. I understood that the back of the car would be rough, just legal requirements met with regards mud guards and lights. Left for me to finish.... Terry called me and it was evident that he was frustrated to not be completing the car, understanding his position (it's never nice to half finish a job), I was sympathising with Terry, I'm frustrated at my own lack of cash too....Seeing the car finished was looking to be some months away...

(I was having the conversation in the same room as my wife (the finance fhurer). She's a nurse and had just cancelled a holiday with her sister because of the Covid crisis, so looking a bit glum. She has been as impressed as me at the work Terry has done on the car and just as amazed as me, at the value for money I am getting)

We had discussed what was needed to finish the car properly and I had explained that it would have to wait, no matter Terry's, or my, frustrations....

Sue came over and told me to order the cage and gave me the money to pay Terry for fitting. She said I might as well have a smile on my face, at least that would ease her angst at not going on a Caribbean cruise. I love the bones of that woman.... Being gracious at a time when I would have sulked...

Terry was also very gracious and accepted what was a meagre offer to fit the cage, he must be genuinely wanting to see it finished.... Top bloke.

sniper

ccv class
Tell Sue she's a diamond,well chuffed for you mate

Who's a lucky boy then! You have an amazing wife there, a keeper for sure

With your new snorkel you will be able to take her on a 'cruise' through some fords to make up for it perhaps?

sniper

Excellent progress, and excellent news too... we love you too Sue!

My missus is just as good with me too... luckily! Especially after thirty years of marriage and 28 years fiddling with Suzukis!