Going to do a little "blog" thing with my build. Got some big plans for the truck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I've had the truck for about a month and a half and this is my first Mitsu. I really like it. I've been wanting a little 4x4 truck/SUV for some time for a engine swap I have plans for and this fit the bill perfectly.

Started with Stock 89 Raider around 160k on the clock she was well cared for! zero rust anywhere.

when i picked it up...


Put in Gen2 rear coils, front upper control arms, turned up the t-bars and added some BFG M/T 33x10.50's. Took her up today for it's first trip to the mountains since the tire/lift today for a little wheeling and shooting.
Gettin Dirty...






She did really well but the open diff's suck as all open diff's do. Got stuck going up steep fire road good foot of wet snow on one side and wet gravel rock on the other... guess what side was spinning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Over the last couple weeks I've picked up a SR rear axle caliper to caliper, pump, trailing arms, and a yoke. Then found a conquest LSD on a forum that I picked up. Have the rear axle stripped down ready to sand blast and POR15. Problem is it's been snowing and cold so that's on hold, I'll get the front done while I'm waiting on the weather.
I'll be taking some general pic's of the swap's give me a shout if you want pics of anything in particular.

Sweet looking rig, man! Those tires look well on it. Tell us more about your plans for this little guy. Good luck with the build! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The motor swap is going to be a ALH TDI. As most of us know our auto trans is a a44d aka km148. They used this trans in the Suzuki sidekicks (and many others) as a a44de electric shift. There is also a company that makes an adaptor plate for the suzuki, ACME Adapters. I picked up a sidekick bell housing and starter. Going to be using this along with a volvo torque converter and modified suzuki flex plate. It's going to be drive by wire so there will be some custom engineering to get the vw potentiometer and the stock TV cable all setup. Going to do a stage 3 tune on it and numbers should be around 140hp and 240tq. Factory is V6 is around 130/170... should get pretty good mpg with the swap also.

It's going to be some time however, had a 00 beetle I was going to use but gave the car to my mom after I got it up and running. Shooting for end of summer/fall but time will tell. For now I have front/rear locker/lsd and pass bouncy seat conversion and some other small stuff to keep me busy.

Did your woman say she wouldnt go off roading with you unless the bouncy seat went on her side? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Build sounds interesting, keep us posted. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Nice looking gen 1. Love the Sudan Beige color.

I assume you already have a driver bouncy seat or did I miss that?

As for the POR15, don't forget to paint over it with a UV stable paint. I made the mistake of not doing that. The POR15 is not UV stable so the sun destroys it if its not covered by another layer of UV stable paint. If your wondering, most spray paints (rustoleum is preferable for metal rust prevention) are UV stable. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

lol she would still go but she made it a point to not let me forget how much she would like one for her side. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I have a base coming it should be here any day now. Thanks for the heads up on the POR15, i'll be sure to keep that in mind. Only reason i'm re-painting is because the SR rear i picked up has lots of little nicks and light surface rust in those area's. Just want to do it right, I really fell in love with this little truck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Great build. I admire your taste. Like the truck, too... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You will love the air locker and disc brakes. Try and get the front disc from the later truck also. Pretty much a bolt-on except for thedust shield.