New Member and Advice Needed...

Hi Folks,

New member here, but have driven a "standard" 2004 Jimny for 4 relatively trouble free years. I use it as a daily drive, for shooting, and a little light green laning.

I bought it as a "stop gap" when my "real" 4x4 (Isuzu Trooper) went belly up..After owning the Jimny a little while, I took a real shine to it, and the "stop gap" became a permanent fixture!

As it is a daily drive, I've not done any mods to it, but would like to change that now, with a view to make it a little better off road without compromising on road performance too much..

The first thing I'd like to improve is the ground clearance.

I see various different types of lifts but I am not sure of the benifits and draw backs of each?

What would be a good starting point? From what I read, a 2" lift is probably the easiest and needs less modifications?

I currently have standard 15" steel wheels with 205 70 R15..Would I be better deciding what Wheels/Tyres I want, and then working out what lift is needed?

Also, are there any other "quick and dirty" mods that result in noticeable off road performance benifits?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

hi and welcome to the forum

the best lift is what you can afford ,jimnys do well with just a good set of mud tyres
the problem with jimnys is that one mod leads to more needing done
between shocks and springs then extendable brake hoses ,bushes need replacing
steering dampers

start with a good set of muds at least that will get you started in the mud

Thanks Zuhunter,

I appreciate what you are saying, but given the cost of Muds, I don't want to spend on those now getting size x when after a lift I will need size y...

Regards,

Peter

basically, without lift.. 215/75/15 is fine.

235's will need a lift and arch trimming, above that then yeh more lift and trimming. I'd decide on the tyres you want, then see whats needed to make them fit by asking on here.the bigger you go though the worse the gearing is going to be.

Id say with a 2" lift 235/75's is the biggest you would wanna go (might even be pushing it depending on tread type, remould etc). Mines on 215's and has a 3" lift but would like 235's if it wasnt for gearing.

With a 2" lift i would still recommend the longer brake hoses and probably not bother buying caster bush's until you see if you think you need them, i havnt fitted any on the 3" because i think its "ok". Also allows more flex than on caster bush's.

Ideally for 3", budget for caster arms (or at least bush's) ((although you might not want them many do so factor them in to be safe)) brake hoses, adjustable panhards.

many have a small lift on spring spacers with shock re-location brackets which looks great especially with 205/215's

your cheapest options are either a 2" body lift - may need to lengthen the steering column and bend the transfer box lever (if its push button then not a problem) cost about £60 -£100 plus your time to do the lift
and then 2" spring spacers and rear shock relocators about £120 plus your time and the extended brake hoses about another £120

That would give you 4" for about £350 and then you can fit bigger tyres and offset wheels and or wheel spacers

A cheap mod for offroading is to remove the anti roll bar to give more articulation

After that it starts to get dearer

Thanks again gents...is there much involved in lengthening the steering column?? Or is a replacement part??

Also meant to ask about recovery points...Is there any reason not to use the tow hitch for the rear recovery point?

Yeh that should be fine, the fronts are the worst really but i dont have any uprated ones either, if using the fronts as they are use a bridle between the two.

extended brake hoses £120 im glad i don't shop in the same places as you

there only £15 each & you need 3 so thats £45 (sounds much netter)

ooops yes -bigjimny reinforced brake hoses £58.50

Here is one renard38 made to extend his steering column (white bit)

Thanks for that...Is it essentially a spacer that fits between a joint thats already in the steering column using longer bolts??

Im not sure that "everybody" needs the steering spacer do they?