D-Limit.com :: Tech -- Build Up -- Project: ZUK

Project: Zuk

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In this project we, (mostly Herve) restore this non runner.

A friend spots this Suzuki SJ413 abandoned somewhere in Andalucia. We take a good look at it and decide to buy it.

The car had no front axle, and no transfer case, apart from all the other things it's missing. What it did have was a lot of dust and rust! The car was bought and we sold the engine immediately to the guy that found us the car. So we got a really cheap deal for what was left of it.

After we mounted the axle we realize that the brake lines had been cut so we had to take it home somehow. The solution, we put one zuk in the front and another one in the back to retain it on the down hills. Quite an experience for the one that's stuck in the middle. A few tugs we got the car home.

First thing that we did was strip the car down. Remove the rear bumper which was trashed, place mufflers, and more basic parts from this SJ413.

After the car had been quickly restored, we took it to pass the ITV so the paper transactions could start.

The next step is preparing for paint. This is the part that actually takes five times as long as the actual painting. Not only did the outside have to be painted but so did the inside, which was in a state.

The outside needed a lot of bodywork. We got a friend to help because the plaster is a mess to work with.

After painting the car looks new. It's quite a nice result considering that we didn't even use car paint, but just normal cheap paint for metals. It would be a shame to spend a lot of money on paint and then go and scratch it offroading.