The LJ20 was a mini version of Jeep’s CJ2A and was not commonly seen in the U.S. as the company was focused on getting Americans to ride their motorcycles in 1972. While the metalwork on this “Jeep” looks good, make no mistake this is a project vehicle if you want to get it back on the road. Located in Spring Creek, North Carolina, this little 4X4 is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $1,500 OBO.
Apparently, the predecessor to the LJ20 was the LJ10, which was air-cooled. The LJ20 had a water-cooled 2-stroke engine (I thought 2-strokes were all air-cooled?) which had two cylinders, a displacement of 359-cc, and a horsepower rating of 28. At under 1,400 pounds before passengers, the top speed of these vehicles was about 50 mph. Stopping power is provided by 4-wheel hydraulic brakes.
We covered one of these little transports about seven years ago here on Barn Finds. When you can find one of these LJ20s, rust-free examples are the way to go and this one seems to be fine in that department. There is no mention if this vehicle is complete, and I suspect finding parts won’t be as simple as trotting down to your nearest Suzuki dealer. But it could be a fun little workhorse when running again. The title is missing, so you’ll have to take the DMV by the hand when you show up to get a new title and registration.
Didn’t know BF was into parts pictures.
I don’t know about vintage Suzuki ‘jeeps’, but Suzuki motorcycles of the era are nearly completely unsupported by the manufacturer, so driveline parts would be a challenge.
Seller needs to add pictures showing the whole thing.
1400 lb. vehicle for $1500.00. That is $0.93 per pound!
Correction $1.07 a pound. Still a good deal.
Older Brother To The Sidekick and Samurai
I own a Samurai that I have worked on quite a bit just to play with out here in the country. And just by the looks of the pictures a lot of Samurai parts might just fit on this little Suzuki. It could be neat and you would have a one of a kind, almost, little 4X4 that would go just about anywhere. I’m 67 now and have only had my Samurai a couple years and it rides like hell and only goes about 60 MPH and it’s hard to get in and out of because of the lift and tires I installed but I’ll drive it till I can’t climb into it. I love it every time I drive it.
This has been rebodied to look like much more of a straight copy of Jeep styling than it actually was. Old kit-car conversion?
The comment about parts support for Suzuki Motorcycles of that era rings true to me. About 4 years ago, I had a 1973 TX500 Yamaha. I went to the local dealer’s parts department, and said “I need points for a….” whereupon the guy behind the counter said “We don’t have them”. Couldn’t even finish the thought before the guy cut me off. The best parts support is Honda and BMW (the problem being that the BMW parts are pricey…). Can’t speak as to the HD…
I had a water-cooled Honda 250R Elsinore Motocrossed, love the ring a ding ding! If parts are an issue, yank the motor and find a 250R or 450R 2 stroke and use the motor. Of course you could always put a Hayabusa motor in it. You would probably flip it over backwards on take off.