Advice on road-handling Jimny in windy conditions.

Hello, hope I am posting to the right section. I'm a relatively new owner of a 2004 Jimny 1.3. I discovered quickly on driving that the Jimny is pretty unstable in windy conditions, let alone high-winds. I live in Dublin and have literally, for the past 6 months avoided certain exposed roads when it's even a little windy, and have accepted it as the pay-off to the absolute pleasure I get from driving it when all is calm - I absolutely love my Jimny!

I have to go to Cork on Thursday/Friday for business, there is no choice in the matter and as my client lives in a rural spot, I have to drive. As in Britain we are experiencing sporadic stormy conditions here for the past few weeks and it's not looking great for Thurs/Friday. I'm a confident, careful and experienced town & motorway driver, and know you can't go fast in the Jimny... , but I am absolutely DREADING the drive to and from, which is 250km, of one big exposed motorway all the way. I am so scared that I'm going to end up blowing under one of the many trucks that will be accompanying me and no doubt overtaking me on the way!!

My question is,a friend suggested, as you might do in icy weather, putting a few breize blocks in the back passenger foot area to 'weight' or 'root' the jimny for the drive. I know this will up the fuel consumption - but I don't care if it gets me there and back in one piece and more importantly, saves me 7 hours of terror behind the wheel!!

If that is a bad idea... can anyone advise me on road-handling the Jimny in windy conditions... Thanks in advance for any advice! and sorry for the long-windedness - ha ha : )

it's the same answer really as given to any handling question about the jimny. it's a little slab sided 4x4 and driven within it's limits ( as all vehicles should be ) is a perfectly safe vehicle . the centre of gravity and height is higher than a normal car and will obviously catch a bit of wind but other than the wind having an effect on the modest performance , don't worry. relax and enjoy the benefits of a small 4x4

My wife uses our Jimny more than I do but as a precaution for last winter I dropped in a couple of bags of salt as she uses it round the estates where it is generally not cleared.
It does help settle the car with a bit of weight in the back. It makes the springs work.
Have you checked the tyre pressures? 23 front 26 rear that's psi
If they are too high the car will feel extra sensitive.
Assuming you don't actually have any problems with the steering in "normal" conditions which would indicate a problem.
The Jimny is narrow and high so it will be blown about a bit.

My Jimny had a front king-pin replaced 3 months ago as it did have what I now know to be death-wobble... And the steering has been perfect and stable ever since... I'll get the tyres checked before I hit the road and will sling some weight in the back too... Thanks for your message and Robs5230 - the ideal scenario is a relaxed drive : )

bags of salt sounds like a bloomin brilliant idea..

Possibly because you are expecting it to drift in the wind you are gripping the wheel too tightly and over compensating on the steering??
The Jimny has an old fashioned steering box not accurate rack and pinion as all cars have done for years.
Although there shouldn't be any wear they do allow a bit movement of the car on the road so if you get the chance on a windy but quiet road try relaxing a bit