Suzuki LJ80

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Suzuki

Suzuki LJ80 4x4

1977 - 1984
Country:
Japan
Engine:
3 cyl.
Capacity:
797cc
Power:
30.6 kW
Transmission:
4 spd. man
Top Speed:
105 km/h
Number Built:
n/a
Collectability:
0 star
Suzuki LJ80 4x4
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 4

Introduction



When the four-wheel-drive market boomed in the late 1970’s, never before had so many people discovered so much leisure time – and this was the cue for the full scale invasion of the Japanese light car manufacturers.

Almost overnight many turned their attentions to the manufacture of off-roading style vehicles, and unlike the established 4WD legends such as Jeep and Land Rover these new iterations were extremely affordable.

Suzuki were undoubtedly the leaders in this regard, their diminutive LJ80 fitted with one of the smallest engines available at the time; and despite its toy like character it proved to be a huge success, and it took the bush by storm.

The 543cc three-cylinder overhead cam engine was “almost” unstoppable, it being carried over from the commercial-cum-car Suzuki Hatch. When fitted to the LJ80 the poor little blighter had to work its heart out to even get up to touring speeds, but it did revel in hard low speed work, and when the going got tough the Suzuki was then really in its element.

Ring the neck of the 3 cylinder and the little lightweight Suzuki was almost unstoppable, be it a river crossing or hill climb. The styling was basic, and it certainly had no frills.

The soft top design proved ideal for those seeking a cheap entry into the pleasures of convertible driving, and it fitted so well that when the weather turned foul it would keep the interior as dry as a bone.

The interior was as utilitarian as the exterior, the seats finished in a super tough vinyl and the basic dash affording only the simplest of instrument pods.

The Suzuki LJ80 was fitted with a nicely spaced four-speed gearbox, while there was also a high and low range selector. In four-wheel-drive mode the Suzuki could overcome just about everything in high range, but if the going ever really got tricky, especially in mud or soft sand, then low range was the answer.

Because of its off-road design the Suzuki came with bar tread tyres which proved ideal for scampering up dirt tracks, but the down-side was that they were incredibly noisy under normal road conditions. Many owners soon chose to replace these with a more traditional road holding tyre, forsaking the off-road grip for something a little more easy to live with on a day to day basis.

One thing the Suzuki did have in common with its larger counterparts was its unsuitability to city and suburban driving, although it was lighter and more nimble when navigating the supermarket car-parks.
Suzuki LJ80

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peter
Posted Recently
Looking to buy a LJ80 if some one out there has one. Just a nice clean car peter.olver@bigpond *** in Victoria
Rob
Posted Recently
My son and I are building up an LJ80 COMP CAR. The cab is going on soon.
Where can I buy a wiring harness? My email rhdes@bigpond *** ***
Rob
Posted Recently
My son and I are building up an LJ80 COMP CAR. The cab is going on soon.
Where can I buy a wiring harness?
Rowena
Posted Recently
We have a LJ80 soft top for sale. Car is 4/75 and plate states vehicle no S361. Central West NSW, email rowena@rpseeds *** ***
Bob
Posted Recently
The 3 cyl version was an LJ 50, the LJ 80 had a 800cc 4 cyl engine.
asher wad
Posted Recently
suzuki lj 50 master brake cylinder
Nathan Stroud
Posted Recently
Hi, I'm looking for an lj80 near the Toowoomba region (or within 150km). As long as it works and is registered. Great little cars! Please contact me: nathan.stroud97@gmail***
Joanne
Posted Recently
Hi, I'm in New Zealand, have owned my LJ80 for 30 years, after a new bonnet for her, very few 80's over here.
Nicolas
Posted Recently
Looking for a LJ80 preferable in Brisbane area . In Good condition. Please email me if you have one: nicolas.velez@gmail ***
lou
Posted Recently
looking fo lj50 lj80 4x4 softtop lgravina@coffeyford *** ***
faisal
Posted Recently
i have a 1978 lj80 fully restored
would sell it for 10000 us dollars
if intrested my email is sofy_faisal@hotmail ***
joel
Posted Recently
hi i am lookin to buy a lj80. know any forsale near brisbane area.. want to do one up for myself great little 4x4's, my mate had one and sold it before i could buy it, wanted one since.. i you know of one email me please leoj082@hotmail *** , kind regards joel
pjoe
Posted Recently
garry- i can find u one lj80. are u still interested of it??
how much u dare to buy it??
pjoe832@yahoo ***
pjoe
Posted Recently
i got lj80. still modified. i try to change the engine with nissan silvia sr20 engine but the problem is to engage with the 4x4 gearbox. any idea to solve this *** in' problem..??
pjoe832@yahoo ***
garry
Posted Recently
toni hartono,
DO you still have lj80 .
can u give me a call 0417959416
cheers
Nick
Posted Recently
These little cars had 4 NOT 3 cylinders and were 800cc hence the name LJ80!!!!
Toni Hartono
Posted Recently
I still have one LJ80 blue, she serve me well for almost 24 years, still mint condition-> 1 litre for 14km with Air conditioner turned on.
I bought it in 1986, i want 2 find her a new master, who can taking care, prefer a someone who willingly spent money 2buy genuine sparepart if she has something to replace -> original one ( coz i hate replace with the 2nd grade sparepart)
if someone interested please email inotx2001@yahoo ***
carrito
Posted Recently
im looking to buy one of these suzuki lj80 if you have one send me an e-mail with a pic and price to angelcarrito@yahoo *** thanks for reading
Jim
Posted Recently
This article has many factual errors and seems to be confusing the LJ50, LJ80 and suzuki hatch.
LJ50 had a 3 cylinder 2 stroke of 539cc displacement
LJ80 had a 4 cylinder 4 stroke of 797cc displacement
I can find no record of the 543cc 3 cylinder OHC engine ever having been factory fitted to the LJ 4x4 series.
Willo
Posted Recently
gotta love the suzuki, just got a 1978 jimny doesn't have 3rd gear but who needs that lol but she loves the beach sand, never gets bogged, pulled a subiru out of the sand, unbeatible
Dirk
Posted Recently
I have over 400 000 km on my 1.3 lt suzuki sierra (samauri) still goes hard cant kill it.
shane
Posted Recently
HI that review was awesome !! I had a 1994 sidekick is about the same as Lj80 ,loud very plan, but off road try to stop it .I beat the f#%K out of it for 3 years ,And drove it every day . SUZUKI'S ROCK!!
 
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