end of the road

its come to the end of the road for my 05 jimny a cracking machine  for me but i dont have the means to fix the rotten inner sills  i manage everything else ,  looking further ahead  at a newer one  and see they have push button 4x4  instead of a gear stick  what are they like as i use 4x4 very often

Hi, mine was a push button 4WD and no problems, except when the 4WD switch decided to go iffy and it tried to switch in to 4WD all by iteslf.

I might have been able to fit a new switch to the PCB, but found a second hand switch box in a breakers for not much money.

Robin

If you know a welder lamberts engineering sell inner Sill replacement part made from 3mm sheet 

Personally, push button 4x4 selection is rubbish. Complexity for no advantage. My advice is find a really good older one, They are about, but rare for sure. It is worthy of note that the new new ones seem to have gone back to manual selection. A lever that you pull and can feel engaging, just makes so much sense. Often (and I don't know about push button Jimnys as I refuse to have one) the $X$ selection is slower than a lever

If the inner sill is the only major problem, I'd consider paying someone to fix it properly. maybe using the inner-sill suggested here. Just my opinion, nothing more.

Push buttons are fine. The vacuum hub system is exactly the same anyway, which is what seems to go wrong on some vehicles. I engage the 4wd system probably weekly for various reasons and its never let me down. I have done the 2wd low mod as well which i think is easier to implement in a push button vehicle? I use it regularly on riverbeds, leave in low range and just engage hubs on the fly for the crossings.

I do not miss having to go out the car in deep snow and mud to twist the either frozen or knee deep submerged manual hubs.
Had some problems this winter with dirt inside the vaccum valves that holds moisture making them seize when minus 5 or more below, but seems I got it working now.
The actuator itself has never been a problem as i have heard of as long as the transfer case got oil in it.

I got this other button too for the rear locker.
Haven't seen any complaints on that

Mine worked fine on my 55 reg in a past life, had a hiccup with the switches too when up Whernside at work. same as Doc, i fixed on site and ordered the small
switches for a few quid. i fitted free wheeling hubs and i think from memory removed the vac pump when i fitted the snorkel and breathers

my sills need doing too, MOT man didnt like the fiberglass patch circ 7 yrs ago i remember!

Get a quote for the welding.
Then could you buy a push button transfer one for what you get for yours as spares plus the welding costs?

Consider that the push button one will not be far behind yours in terms of rust, and if it isn't, the reason for sale is likely it needs £1500 spending on a recon gearbox & fitting. (ask robs5230)