THE STORY OF JIMNY: LJ80/SJ20 The Ultimate LJ Series Jimny

The LJ80 was the final first generation Jimny, and was the first Suzuki vehicle to have a four-stroke four cylinder engine. As the export volume of the model grew bigger than it’s predecessors, the LJ80 became very popular in various countries around the world.

In 1977, engineers and executives from Suzuki Motor Corporation unveiled the F8A, a new, modern four-stroke four cylinders engine. It was Suzuki’s first ever four-stroke engine, and the LJ80, introduced in the same year, was the first model to be powered by it.



The new engine increased the LJ80’s appeal to various markets all over the world. In Europe, the LJ80 created a unique market sector as a recreational 4x4 vehicle, while in Australia and other markets, the LJ80 was widely used on farms and ranches. The new engine also allowed the LJ80 to be exported to markets like the United States, where the previous two-stroke engine used by the LJ50 could not meet the new emission standards set by the government. As export volume of the model grew bigger than ever, the LJ80 became one of Suzuki’s key model in expanding it’s market globally.

Early versions of the LJ80/SJ20 had a front end similar to that of the LJ50/SJ10, but with slightly raised hood

In Japan, the LJ80 was called SJ20 (also known as Jimny8), and was sold alongside the SJ10 (JImny55). While the SJ10 was sold as a Kei-car model, the SJ20 was positioned as a more expensive and powerful version of the JDM Jimny.



In 1978, a minor revision was given to both the SJ10 and SJ20 (LJ80). The models were given a new front-end styling. The headlights in the newly designed models were mounted lower than the 1977 model.



The LJ80 was also available in more body variants:

• LJ80: No canvas roof, no doors (with only metal bars on the sides), folding windshield
• LJ80Q: canvas roof, metal or canvas doors
• LJ80V: metal roof (hard top van model)
• LJ81: Pick up version with only 2 seats

Specifications:

Engine: 4-stroke, water cooled, 4-cylinder (type F8A)
Displacement: 797cc
Max. output: 41PS/5,500rpm
Max. torque: 6.1kgm/3,500rpm
Suspension: leaf spring
Dimensions (L x W x H): 3,195mm x 1,395mm x 1,695mm
Wheelbase: 1,930mm

1978: LJ81-The First Jimny Pick Up

Strong demands in countries like Australia, where the Jimny was highly used on farms and ranges pushed Suzuki to introduce a pick up version of the LJ80 called the LJ81.

The LJ81 had a slightly longer wheelbase to that of the LJ80, and had a maximum load capacity of 250kg.

The LJ81 was imported in small numbers to Canada, where it was used by forestry companies. The model was very popular in Australia, where it was known as Suzuki Stockman. In a number of countries in South America, the LJ81 was sold as the Derco Pickup.

Specifications:

Engine: 4-stroke, water cooled, 4-cylinder (type F8A)
Displacement: 797cc
Max. output: 41PS/5,500rpm
Max. torque: 6.1kgm/3,500rpm
Suspension: leaf spring
Max. load capacity: 250kg
Wheelbase: 2,200mm

Sources:
- Suzuki Jimny 40 Years Global Website
- Suzuki Jimny Japanese Website
- History of Suzuki 4x4 - Global Suzuki
- suzuki4x4.cl