Looking for a Jimny.

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1066 Boy
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Looking for a Jimny.

Post by 1066 Boy » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:46 am

Hi All.

As per heading i am looking for a Jimny for a new project.

First of many questions i am sure is as follows.
I know the later ones have push button 4WD rather than
the good old transfer box leaver, is this a problem?
It will be my daily driver but also used for a little weekend off road,
camping etc. Going to give it a small lift and some good tyres but
nothing radical.

Regards Allan.
Last edited by 1066 Boy on Thu Oct 08, 2015 11:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Anton
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by Anton » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:42 am

I think some of the mechanicals are a touch weaker than SJ ones. Mainly the axles aren't as tough, the freewheeling hubs aren't as tough, and the transfer box is chain driven and the chains stretch.

It's common for Jimny owners to swap in SJ transfer boxes, although it's not a straight swap (you need special brackets to make it fit) and freewheeling hubs from something else, although I'm not sure what fits (might be SJ ones, might be Vitara ones, I think they're slightly different). The freewheeling hubs are vacuum operated, engaging automatically when you select 4WD, and many people put a switch in that circuit so they can have 2WD low at the flick of a switch. The vacuum lines and seals perish though, and cause problems engaging 4WD.

Less common but still happening is swapping in SJ axles in place of Jimny ones as they are supposedly a fair bit stronger.

Having said all that, bear in mind this is all stuff I've read, not stuff I've experienced. I believe that the standard Jimny will poke up with a fair bit of abuse. It's only if you drive like me* that you'll have problems.

*a leadfooted idiot
1985 SJ413VX (SJ50V) with SPOA, rear disc brakes, 31x10.5R15 Kaiman Malatesta tyres, an MOT and a lot left to do!

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ROBBIE
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by ROBBIE » Thu Oct 08, 2015 9:14 am

Not had to many problems with the one I use. Been in the family five or six years and only a few problems. As said the vacum hubs kept going wrong as the pipes kept splitting, but was sorted by putting SJ manual hubs on and a ring spacer from Jimny bits. A snapped T/box mount, it's only alloy, and rot in the boot, so nothing major. It has been lifted 3inch, got 235/75 (I think) kumho KL71 on and now has a 1.6 in so all in all been a good motor.
But I have seen one with a snapped rear axle, they are week on the weld where the tube joins the diff housing as Anton said not many components are of the same strength as SJ parts but for lanes and road use you shouldn't have many problems
Sid James gone but never forgotten
Jimny 1.6 not as good as an SJ but still good

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Jezz
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by Jezz » Thu Oct 08, 2015 9:21 am

Image
Do it, You know it makes sense.
05 Jimny on 33s

Anton
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by Anton » Thu Oct 08, 2015 11:28 am

Jezz wrote: Do it, You know it makes sense.
I've wanted one for a long time, but I can't have 2 motors, and I love my SJ waaaay too much to get rid.

One day I'll buy a Jimny (when the SJ can no longer be kept on the road for whatever reason) and I'll retrofit the choice bits. But I'm hoping that's 10 years from now!
1985 SJ413VX (SJ50V) with SPOA, rear disc brakes, 31x10.5R15 Kaiman Malatesta tyres, an MOT and a lot left to do!

My: Build thread To-do list Pay and Play map

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1066 Boy
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by 1066 Boy » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:00 pm

Going to look at a 2005 one tomorrow, 68000 miles.

Completely standard, at a local garage.
Anything i should look out for?
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by Rhinoman » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:44 pm

Look for rot in the boot where the jack is, rot around the front headlights and the body mounts. Also make sure that you drive it at 40-50mph to check for wobbles. The 2005 can be prone to gearbox problems caused by a dodgy rear prop, it should have been replaced under warranty but if it sounds nasty or doesn't select well then walk away. It should be a VVT model which is the best engine, 68k is nothing on those motors if its been looked after.
2006 Jimny JLX+ 1.3 VVT
2000 Vitara 4u2 - Calmini 3+3, 33" MTs, 5:83 R&Ps, winch bumper, remapped ECU.
1986 Suzuki SJ413K - G16 conversion
1984 Suzuki SJ410 - Blitz

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1066 Boy
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Re: Looking for a Jimny.

Post by 1066 Boy » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:28 pm

Thanks for that. I will have a good look at it tomorrow. :doublethumbs:
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believe me, there is a difference!!!

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