5 WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER

GET BIGGER RUBBER 1

The easiest way to improve off-road ability is to fit larger, more aggressively-treaded tyres. Specialists say that you can go to an overall diameter (including the wheels) of 29 inches without modifying the wheelarches. The overall gearing will also have been altered; specialists can sort this with changes to the transfer box.

GO UP IN THE WORLD 2

Raising the suspension is an obvious mod, but it’s advisable to speak to the club or specialists about the best approach. Realistically, an extra couple of inches is probably as far as you should go if you use the car on-road. If you want something more extreme, speak to specialists rather than opting for an off-the-shelf kit.

SWAP THE ENGINE 3

Slotting in the carburettor-fed eight-valve engine from the Suzuki Vitara is popular; you can find used ones from £150-200. A few mods are needed, including an adaptor plate and revised engine mounts. It’s easier to do on a 1.3 SJ than a 1.0, which will need the 1.3 gearbox, but it’s fairly straightforward for anyone who’s handy with spanners.

4 SWAP THE CARB

Replace the Aisan carburettor with an SU HIF44. Buying a used one plus a rebuild kit brings a slight power gain and gives better fuel flow during extreme off-roading. Apart from some modifications to the inlet manifold, it’s a straightforward job.

5 BEAT THE RUST

Regular careful chassis inspections will reveal any surface rust before it develops into a serious problem, so make it a habit. A few hours spent sanding it down and applying a suitable primer and underseal is a job that’s well worth doing.