I don't know where to start? But I know where I want to finish..

Hello

I am planning to purchase my first Jimny in the next few weeks, I currently have my eye on a private sale of a Gen 3 2012 model which I'm getting very excited about. I have a bit of land which I can go play on, the land has a slight incline and gets very muddy in the winter months. I don't plan to drive it through a sheep dip but also, I don't want to get stuck either. I don’t know where to start. I like the idea of a 2” lift which I will need to do before selecting wheels and tyres. I am struggling to work out what tyres size to get after the 2” lift. Apart from a lift and tyres is there any other upgrades I should be considering for a beginner in the mud?
Phil

A BIGJimny welcome from the Cotswold Hills

I'm sure someone will be along soon with far more experience in the offroading department, but do bear in mind that a standard Jimny, fitted with the right tyres is a very very capable machine in its own right.
It does sound as if you aren't going to be doing anything too extreme, so why not first consider how much travelling you are going to be doing on blacktop v mud; based on that, tthe right tyres should I imagine, be your first priority for consideration. After that things start getting pricey, and snowball

Hi PhiI,
I agree with Max, tyres are your first consideration as the standard Jimny is very good.
The thing with any modification is it just extends how far you go BEFORE you get stuck, and your are usually more stuck than normal as a result.
The only sure way is to assume you will get stuck and figure out what you will need to undo the situation. Can you get a pull out? if so you need nothing else. No one for miles? - You need a winch of some sort.
So yes tyres, MT if you can, but a body lift is not going to stop it sinking to the axles, so maybe larger tyres first?
Have fun whatever you decide.
Mike

P.S - Try and get a go in a controlled environment first with help on hand, a local club or off road centre. You will get a good idea of what the Jimny can do. Alternatively come also to the Big Jimny meet and enjoy the mud and take a look at modified vehicles.

Welcome to the forum. A decent set of mud tyres is all you need. On the gen3 the most availability is going to be in a 195.80r15, this will give you a bit more air under the diff without crippling the gear ratios and there are a few interesting patterns in that size. It doesn't really need anything else doing to it and will happily humiliate land rovers because of the lack of weight.

Thank you all for the replies. I think I'll take the advise of just starting with good off road tyres for a while and hold off any other upgrade/s, well.... just until I get to know the Jimny better. That's a good point Scimike and very wise! I can see how being able to go further will ultimately mean when you get stuck it is worse than normal. The more you all talk about how capable the Jimny is the more I know I'm doing the right thing. Lambert, will the 195.80r15 fit straight on the stock wheels? Even if they do, I want to get some black wheels, I have a thing for black wheel lol... Any recommendations for wheel sizes? I am undecided (unless its recommended) if I will pack out the wheels with a spacers to make them stick out a bit more.

Awesome first experience using the forum

Phil

Hi and welcome
If you're set on making it look wider with spacers or -30 off set wheels
Even the narrow 195/80's will rub without a lift
I have 2" suspension lift 1" body lift no bumpers with 225/75/16 29.5"
I cannot fit spacers without these rubbing

So my advice would be get the 195/80/15 on your standard wheels
Get 6 cans of black spray paint for your wheels
Later fit the 2" lift kit then 32mm spacers and use the wheels/tyres you already own
195's with spacers suit the 2" lift