I'm starting out soon! HELP

Hi all!
First post here and I just want to say how glad I am to find a 4x4 that i will actually be able to drive at my age! I drive a VW Polo 1.2 at the moment and the insurance is just over £2000! Im into my shooting and off roading and i want a car that will be exciting to drive so i found the Jimny.

Im going to Mod it and plan to add:

- 2.5" Mud Skipper lift kit
- 5 x Malatesta Kaiman 215R 15 (80 profile) off road tyres for when I get nasty!
- Transmission skid plate
- Heavy duty T/Case brackets
- Stealth HD T/Case bush kit
- Steering damper kit
- Rear seat removal and replace with a steel liner
- Headunit, sub and amp (I'm a teenager, it just makes sense to me)
- bucket seats (maybe harnesses
- KAP Suzuki performance backbox
- Air freshener

What do you think?
Any tips?
Any suggestions on what I should get or do differently?
Pictures of things you have done would be useful as I start in october!

Check out my photography page www.facebook.com/jackhowesphotography and give me a like!

Welcome along and remember when you have it we all like picaturials! Even when it's standard - stick some piccies up!

My advice would be spend a little more on the suspension and a little less on things like the back box and bucket seats in the first instance. I say this as you may (are likely to) want to go higher in the future.

As such I would get the ORA 4" lift kit with everything you need in it and you'll not have to worry again until parts wear out etc. It's expnsive but it's such a complete kit it's worth saving for.

Then go and get the other bits.

You are right to get the protection items too.

The tyres are a good choice - just remember that they are aweful in the wet when braking!

Oh - and did I say - don't forget the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kirkynut

What Tyres would you recommend to get? I was to be able to stop and this is England so important to not skid in the wet...

think that list is similar to mine still would like the recaro seats i have put a pic up of but they are a bit to posh for be getting covered in mud. i wanted that kap back box to at the beginning but there are loads of other options that are cheaper like bike cans. im adding bits very slowly wen funds allow i think t box case will be my next mod or cc bushes or do i get cc arms or do i get it moted n back on the road or do i save for a cage.the list seems to go on when you start.best thing do do though is like you are doing make a plan of what you want the end result to be, then your not buying sumet then selling it allot cheaper to replace with something new. o and i think the tyres below are the safest bet.

www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/8-my-ji...8963-northwest-jimny

I use these... www.4x4tyres.co.uk/215-75-15/215-75-15-g...-terrain-p-1580.html

they behave like road tyres, no noise and there good off road in everything except really sticky mud

Howesy101 wrote: What Tyres would you recommend to get? I was to be able to stop and this is England so important to not skid in the wet...

You want mud terrains if you plan to do any type of offroading but it's a compromise between on road handling and off road ability, like any car modifications, you build in compromises and have to live with the negative effects of them.

The type of mud terrains you get are the compromise in this respect. Kaimans are an extreme offroad pattern so are crap on road.

Kumho KL71's are good on road and okish off it but not in really gooey mud.

If you got the ORA 4" kit I would suggest Bfg Mud Terrains in 235/75/15's. They will still be skiddy in the wet but not like Kaimans.

Perhaps ensure your Jimjam has abs. Abs won't stop you quicker but you can still steer.

The other thing to consider is it can be a little like driving a boat compared to a normal road car, so keeping up with your mates saxo is a no, no. It's that compromise again, not that a standard Jimjam corners well.

Don't be put off by it though, just drive it with the respect it needs and not like a typical young lad. I'm 35 now but still like to drive too quick like a lad but can't in the Jimjam.

I hope I've not been patronising but don't want you buying one and modding it to be disappointed with what you have ended up with.

Kirkynut