SUZUKI LJ10

 
A little introduction of how the LJ’s 

In 1968 there was a manufacture called Hopestar and they had a lightweight jeep called On 360, if you read on other web sites about the On 360 they say that only 15 were ever built, but in a magazine published in Japan about the history of the Hopestar it read as follows "During the one year that the Hopestar was produced (1967-68) 50 were made, with 20 of those remaining in Japan and the other 30 exported for use in south east Asian countries." In 1968 the Suzuki Company bought the manufacturing rights for the On 360 and completely redesign it. Suzuki kept the 2 stroke 2 cylinder air-cooled 359cc (21.9 cu. in) engine ideal but built it themselves, Hopestar engine was built by Mitsubishi they called the engine ME24, it had 21 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, Suzuki’s engine had 24 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, Suzuki also added their C.C.I. “Posi-Force” lubrication system so owners would not have to mix their gas and oil, it is injected to the cylinders through two outlets and to the crankshaft through two other outlets, the oil that is delivered to the cylinders is 5 times greater in quantity than to the crankshaft. Suzuki also came up with a way to keep points from fouling out with the ideal that the spinning clutch pressure plate causes a Vacuum so they put a small hose from the top of the transmission (bell housing) to the distributor cap and another hose from the distributor cap to just underneath the air cleaner as to pull   “cooler air” across the points keeping them cool and also to keep moister out.

1970 is the first year for the LJ it was called the LJ10 also known as Jimny or Brute IV, LJ stands for Light Jeep, the name Jimny came from a misunderstanding of what was told to some Japanese Suzuki delegates visiting Scotland for the first time. they decided to call their new jeep Jimmy, but somewhere between Scotland and Japan  they lost the translation and so they called it Jimny, it was the only 4x4 mass-produced in Japan's domestic mini-car category, the engine size, length and width were regulated in Japan by the Japanese Transportation Guideline in which to be classified as a Mini Car they had to stay within the specified size, and to keep within the length they had to place the Spare Tire behind the driver seat. They also added a third seat behind the passenger seat. The LJ10 came with 16” wheels and tires, horizontal style grille, air-cooled, 4 speed, fold down windshield and only came in a soft-top version. 1972 Suzuki introduced the LJ20 it had a water-cooled engine with 28 horsepower @ 5500 rpm the grille was changed to a vertical style and you could get it in two versions, the LJ20O the O stands for Open or the LJ20V in which the V stands for Van and also had only 15” wheels and tires, if you have or ever seen a LJ20V you’ll noticed they have the windshield tie down “loops” for a fold down windshield but the V doesn’t have a fold down windshield, the reason is they make the same fenders for the O as they do for the V. Suzuki did not only make jeeps with this type of engine etc. they also made what they call a “Carry” L40 which was a enclosed pickup, a L41 which is the same as the L40 but has fold-down bed sides, then the L40V which looks just like a mini van (wow the first true mini van). The LJ20 stayed in production till 1976, LJ's stopped coming into the USA around 1974 possibly due to the US being more strict on emissions. Next was the LJ50 and LJ55 also known as Jimny 550, the engine was changed to a 539 cc 3 cylinder 2 stroke with a horsepower rated 35 @ 5500 rpm, they were also slightly bigger in size because of the lift on the Mini-Car guidelines. 1977 brought the LJ80; LJ81 is the pickup model, they had a 4 cylinder 4-stroke with an overhead cam 797 cc engine with a 42 horsepower @ 5500 rpm. In 1980 the SJ10 came about and then came the SJ410 and SJ413. Up till The Samurai none of these were exported by Suzuki to the USA, the Intercontinental Equipment Corporation brought the most part of the LJ’s to America. (but attempts to find IEC and it's owners has been futile) UPDATE! Until Now... read below.

After 9 years of lj10.com we have found and contacted the original owner of IEC, the importer of LJ10's and 20's We learned that there were 3,300 to 3,500 LJ10 and LJ20's sold by IEC up till 1974 when they sold to USA Suzuki which after that politics and emission standards stopped the sales of LJ's until the Samurai. At one point Suzuki was going to put a 800CC 4Cyl made by Daihatsu into the LJ20's but never did. "Tacoma Wheel" company are the designers of the white aftermarket wheels on the LJ20 that IEC sold as an option and "House of Steel" out of San Diego made the Spare Tire Carriers. The first year IEC sold LJ's approximately 175 rigs were sold, 800 were sold by the second year, 2,500 by the third and then 3,500 in their fourth and final year when USA Suzuki saw that there Was a market for the LJ's, they didn't think there would be in the USA and so did not want to import them and that is when IEC stepped in and well you know the rest of the story. Mexico bought a few LJ's from IEC. 

The owners of IEC was a family contribution of two brothers Tim and Steve and their dad Don Sharp in which the father had one of the first VW/Porsche dealers in the USA. Tim is the one we spoke with over the phone he and his brother Steve "did most of the day to day management which included U.S. safety conversion planning and contracting in Japan, importation, dealer distribution, training, parts distribution, advertising & media pr, club activities, auto shows, etc." Tim still is a race car driver, he started racing in 1968, since then  he has won ten SCCA and IMSA championships and 30 lap records. Racing series: FIA Group A InterTech series Japan 1987, IMSA GTX 1980, IMSA GTU 1980 and 1985, SCCA Super Vee 1980, IMSA Scirocco Challenge 1978-79, SCCA SSB, IMSA Firehawk Endurance Series and Escort Endurance Series from 1985-87, SCCA Showroom Stock nationals from 1976-87 Now days he test drive cars for Lexus and Ford.

JIMNY

HISTORY OF Jimny Suzuki four-wheel history began in 1968. Suzuki used car buying Japanese Hope Motor Company has produced five small off-road vehicle called HopeStar ON360. Then in 1970, they produced the first Suzuki 4x4. It was called the LJ10, with engine capacity 359 cc, two-stroke, in-line two-cylinder engine. Year 1972 was introduced with the LJ20. Cooldown changed from air to water cooling cooler because new emissions regulations are enacted, and get an additional 3 hp. In 1975, Suzuki LJ20 LJ50 equipped with the launch, with bigger engines of 539 cc, two-stroke engines in-line three-cylinder. It was originally targeted at the Australian market, but also exported more.
Jimny LJ80 LJ50 was an updated version of those with engines 800 cc four-stroke, in-line four cylinder, followed by Jimny 1000/SJ410 and 1300/SJ413. A newer version of the SJ413 is known as the Suzuki Samurai and the first officially marketed in the United States. Series of SJ410 to SJ413 known as the Sierra in Australia, and remained Jimny in some markets.
The new Jimny was released in 1998, and now bears the same name in all markets. 1998 release G13BB EFI engines, replaced by M13AA EFI engines in 2001 and M13AA VVT engine in 2005, and a small interior redesign.
The first generation
The offroader Suzuki Jimny is a compact makes the first global success Suzuki Jimny name is still heard even now on the market.
LJ10
The first step in acquiring the rights to Suzuki ON360 is rebodying and replace the Mitsubishi engine with air-cooled engine with a capacity of 359cc (21.9 cu in) Suzuki "FB" two-stroke two-cylinder engine that produces 25 hp (19 kW). Because the new unit remains smaller than 360 cc, then the Suzuki put the spare tire in the cabin (so the space is only three-seater) to keep under 3 meters in overall length, it is classified as a small car, which confers certain tax privileges and benefits other. When introduced in 1970 it is a four-wheel drive small car and the first to enter series production. Jimny LJ10 series with sixteen-inch wheels, weighing only 590 kg (1301 pounds), and has a top speed of only 75 km / h (47 mph). Engine quickly in uprated to 27 hp version, but claimed top speed remains unchanged.
LJ20 LJ series was updated in May 1972 as the LJ20. Bar grating is changed from horizontal to vertical for the LJ20. Machine in the unit swapped out for water-coolednya (the L50), and 28 hp (21 kW) allow LJ to reach 80 km / h (50 mph). A special version with a spare tire mounted on the rear seat passengers can make for two small rear seats, facing each other. The introduction of left-hand drive is the main indicator and hinted Suzuki ambition around the world in the truck market. Top Drive (Van) is also introduced when LJ20 arrived, with 15-inch alloy wheels. Suzuki himself did not export them to America, a U.S. company called IEC (International Equipment Co.) import them. Export Jimnys has spare tire mounted on the outside, because no regulation requires the car is shorter than three meters.
Towards the end of production LJ20, by introducing a 26 hp (19 kW), and the result of more stringent emissions regulations. Top speed is reported to reach 93 km / h (58 mph), the charge is 250 kg/550 lb (200 kg/440 lb for Van versions).
SJ10 LJ50 Machine (Japan: Suzuki LJ50) was first introduced in September 1975 for export only, with 33 hp (25 kW). For the home market, first appeared in June 1976 as a 55 Jimny and the rules change too tight emission standards. Engine 539 cc (32.9 cu in) 3-cylinder 2-stroke remain, while the power down to 26 hp (19 kW) more low-end torque offered by 635 kg (1,400 lb), the vehicle can now reach 60 mph (97 km / h), and the spare tire was moved outside the back door, allowing for the fourth seat. Jimny SJ10 series using "LJ50" name in the export market.
In Australia LJ50S and LJ50V (van) type softtop which is available with rear door mounted spare tire and the soft or hardtop with full metal doors and external spare wheel through distributors MW-Suzuki (Melbourne) with 33 engine horsepower and torque of 5.85 kg-m (42 lb-ft). In May 1976, a rare LJ51P wheelbase pickup is available for some export markets. Jimny 550 homes on the market a facelift in 1977, introduced the rear wheel flares and large cap curved metal with cooling slots on the radiator, while exports LJ50s model instead replaced by the (external LJ80 same modification but with the new four-cylinder four-stroke 800 cc)
SJ20 End of the original design is Jimny 1977, called the LJ80 in certain export markets. While SJ10 remain in production for the domestic market categories, new 1700 lb (770 kg) SJ20 carries 797cc engine, 4-stroke SOHC four-cylinder, F8A machines capable of producing about 41 hp (31 kW). Additional power and torque of this machine allows the differential and gear will be raised for better cruising and offroad performance.
The interior is also upgraded, with new seats and steering wheel. Iron doors are available for the first time in 1979, and the pickup truck model (LJ81) available in April of that year. Pickup, called "Stockman" in Australia, sits on a wheelbase of 2200 mm (up to 270 mm) and now 3620 mm (143 in) in length, compared with 3185 mm LJ80. Jimny LJ80 series was retired in 1981's with the introduction of a second-generation Jimny.
The second generation Suzuki SJ30 series began production in May 1981 in Hamamatsu, Japan. In Japan, it was sold as the Suzuki Jimny are manufactured with engines 550 cc and 660 cc 3-cylinder. SJ-Series received a larger engine and widened for export purposes, which is sold under the name: SJ410/413 Suzuki, Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Sierra, Suzuki Potohar (Pakistan), Suzuki Caribbean (Thailand), Suzuki Katana (Indonesia), Chevrolet Samurai, Holden Drover (Australia) and Maruti Gypsy (India).
SJ30 Jimny SJ30 Series 550 mainly for the Japanese domestic market consumption where it fits with the small car category. Still supported by LJ50 engine which is also used by his predecessor, 550 Jimny is the engine with a margin large enough to last two-stroke engines are built in Japan. Production ended with the withdrawal of type approval in November 1987 in support of his brother-engined F5A, it JA71 Series. Two-strokes have been favored by offroader Japan (and by Suzuki) for superior torque.
SJ40
JA51 Jimny 1300
In 1984, SJ was changed with the launch of the SJ413 (model JA51 internal code). SJ413 series including a larger 1.3-liter 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual transmission and brake support. Body and interior is also redesigned, with new dashboard, seats, and grill. SJ410 remained in production for other markets with a variety of old specifications.
SJ-Series was introduced to the United States (Puerto Rico (SJ-410) and Canada earlier) in 1985 for model year 1986. That price is only $ 6,200 and 47,000 units sold in the first year. Samurai has a 1.3 liter, 63 hp (47 kW), 4-cylinder and is available as a hardtop or softtop convertible. Suzuki Samurai became very popular in the community that serious off-road 4WD for both performance and reliability compared to other 4WD. This is due to the fact that the car is very compact and lightweight, it is a real 4WD vehicle is equipped with a 4WD transfer case and rotate in the range rendah.Ringan makes it very nimble than to sink in the ground is softer than the heavier. It is also regarded as a great beginner to off-roader because of simple design and ease of engine and suspension modifications.
Samurai Model 1988 Sagat in both the United States gunakandi road. This revision included softer suspension settings and an anti-sway bars are larger to reduce body roll. A lower fifth gear (vs. previous .865:1 .795:1) increased engine rpm and power on the highway, and improved dashboard and seats made more comfortable for the Samurai.
A new 3.1 engine 4-cylinder engine with throttle-body fuel injection was introduced with 66 hp (49 kW) in September 1991. Samurai withdrawn in Canada in 1989 as a successor is a Suzuki Sidekick, but sales in the United States market continued until 1995. Lower sales and tighter security laws that encourage delayed withdrawal from the United States Samurai.
An unfavorable review in 1988 for the Samurai in Consumer Reports to be unsafe and prone to rollovers cause controversial lawsuit and the early withdrawal of the Samurai from the U.S. market.
SJ413/Samurai series has a longer history in the world. JA51s Australian built and sold as the Holden Drover Suzuki Sierra, while those built in Thailand called the Suzuki Caribbean. Caribbean has also been available as "Sporty Caribbean", a unique pickup cab LWB.
Because of various trade barriers to Japanese cars, Spain Santana Motors (other than SJ410) begin local production of SJ413 1986. SJS Santana has been built with a soft suspension for improved ride on the road daninterior colors, coordinated with cloth seats and carpeted floors, all for broadening the appeal for those who do not intend to drive off-road. In 1989 has made some updates chassis and replace the "Samurai" as a name. Santana samurai did not benefit from the renewed kumSerin chassis updates, instead of receiving a facelift (new grille, bumpers are more rounded) specifically for the European market and neighbors. Around the same time, Santana also developed a version that used PSA XUD 9 1.9 liter turbodiesel, producing 63 hp [10] Top speed is 130 km / hour. Spain produces the Samurai until it expires in 2003.
Samurai was sold in Colombia and Venezuela as the Chevrolet Samurai, gathered in Bogotá, Colombia by Colmotores General Motors. On the other South American markets (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay Seriguay) was sold as the Suzuki Samurai. Long wheelbase model is not offered in the Mercosur.
On April 21, 2007, the Chilean duo of Gonzalo Bravo and Eduardo Canales drove the Suzuki Samurai (SJ413) to Ojos del Salado, passing the previous record set by a Jeep at 6646 meters (21,804 feet), setting a new record for highest altitude achieved by a four wheeler 6688 meters (21,942 feet).
Samurai in question benefitted from the change wheels, tires, and suspension, and supercharged G16A 4-cylinder underhood. It was the third attempt for the second team man.
This record should be certified by the Guinness World Record in July 2007.
In January 1986 JA71, four-stroke, turbocharged and fuel injection (F5A) 543 cc three-cylinder engine was introduced to complement the two-stroke SJ30. This used Jimny 1300 part of the upgrade which is simultaneously introduced into the SJ30. Power 42 PS (31 kW), although this has increased to 52 PS (38 kW) in November 1987 facelift by adding the intercooler. While the non-intercooled, 38 PS (28 kW) engine offered in the lowest spec version of the Van. At the same time, high glass roof version ("Panoramic Roof") added.
Series JA71 JA11 replaced by the new March 1990 as a new category, and the regulations came into force, with a 657 cc engine that is offered, just the opposite F6A engine with intercooler and 55 PS (40 kW). A utilitarian van (HA), as well as more luxurious for a Hardtop, Convertible, and Panoramic Roof (HC, CC, EC) versions are offered. The suspension is also improved, while the front bumper again means that the fog lights could be installed in front of the grill rather than in it. In June 1991, performance increased to 58 PS (43 kW) and power steering and automatic transmissions a year later became options available for the first time. Top speed of this version is 120 km / h (75 mph). In February 1995 rose to power 64 PS (47 kW), but production ended JA11 only nine months later with the introduction of emerging kumSerin JA12 /. 22
Samurai continues to be sold outside the United States (where the newer version called 'Coily'), with substantial updates in November 1995. These include coil spring suspension, though as life is maintained. The rest of the truck was redesigned as well, with new seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and door to join the more "macho" exterior.
JA12 Series 657 cc F6A use of three cylinders. While JA11 JA22 K6A engine carries a newly developed and more powerful - despite claiming to adhere to the rules for the second output 64 hp engine. JB32 series has a larger 85 hp, 1.3 liter 16 valve G13BB slightly longer and wider for larger bumpers and fenders. This, though usually equipped with eight-valve, 70 hp engine G13BA, is the model seen in most export markets.
Not all models are updated, however, with the original narrow SJ410 still in production in several countries. While the third generation Jimny Jimny replaced / Samurai in most markets after 1998, still remains in production in India.