Modifying Older Jimnys

Hi folks,

Very vague question here but how do you approach modifying your Jimnys from a financial point of view? How do you know when you've crossed the line between improving a trusty old Jimny to just throwing your money into a black hole? Do you have any clear rules on how to judge whether a project makes financial sense or not?

I have a 2004 Jimny with the expected surface rust underneath and a couple of small niggles, but it's generally been very reliable over the 2 years I've owned it and it's only done 67,000 miles. I've put a fair bit of money into it with various modifications and although I had been thinking about suspension spacers, after doing a lot of deep thinking I've taken the plunge and ordered a trailmaster 2" lift kit (hasn't arrived yet). I just keep thinking about whether I'm better off saving for a newer model or continuing to improve my current vehicle. I'd hate to fit the new lift kit and then have something catastrophic happen, but on the other hand there's a good chance that my current Jimny has a lot of life left in her if I treat her right.

I'd really like to hear about people's experience with this. Both with building up old Jimny's and the reasons why people have bought newer ones.

Many thanks!

I agree, better the devil you know

Lots of people seem happy to throw £££ at modifications without any hesitation. There are plenty of rotten Jimnys with extensive modifications being broken for parts. I sold my last Jimny as a standard car needing welding and engine work. 3 months later it was for sale again with 4 inches of lift and 31s...

There are numerous rust pits on the Jimny to check before spending too much unless you are a whizz with the welder. Search the forum for the details.

Always a matter of perspective I think.

I have just bought my first Jimny and it's 3 years older than yours. I've owned it less than a month and spent £100 on remedial welding which I knew was there. I've already had £100 worth of fun in it, and I have access to my first 4x4 ever.

I could have bought a Defender - but my pockets are not that deep. I could have bought a newer Jimny but chose not to.

I see a Jimny as a very practical but fun car. You can spend as much or as little as you want above basic consumables. As things get newer, parts and accessories become more expensive too - and more electronic generally!

I'm going to give it a real good service, and get 5 new tyres. I expect to get a lot of service and fun for this money, which I would have to spend on any car I bought. I am not worried about parking at the supermarket or getting a few scratches down a lane - If it was newer I would.

So I think your question is more about money you might have to spend rather than money you want to spend. You may have to spend money on an essential repair on your present Jimny or a newer one - you will not know. At the moment you have a car you know and trust, but as it gets older you worry (as I do) that it will fail, expensively.

Why not set aside the cost of the upgrade, and use it on mods (or repairs)? In the end you will have a Jimny you can love and trust, over an unknown quantity.

Unless you are trying to justify a new car to yourself (I do that too lol)

My philosophy anyway! Love the devil you know.

Thank you very much for the replies. Yeah my plan is definitely to keep my current Jimny, but I just worry about what's round the corner!

When would you class a Jimny as "rotten" Busta? If it needed welding or major engine problems?

It really depends on what you can do yourself yes. My Jimny has alot of rust, but it's good enough for 2-4 years atleast. So im thinking the new parts im putting on it can be moved over to a new chassis when the jimny i have now has been defeated by rust!

furo wrote: Hi folks,

Very vague question here but how do you approach modifying your Jimnys from a financial point of view? How do you know when you've crossed the line between improving a trusty old Jimny to just throwing your money into a black hole? Do you have any clear rules on how to judge whether a project makes financial sense or not?

I have a 2004 Jimny with the expected surface rust underneath and a couple of small niggles, but it's generally been very reliable over the 2 years I've owned it and it's only done 67,000 miles. I've put a fair bit of money into it with various modifications and although I had been thinking about suspension spacers, after doing a lot of deep thinking I've taken the plunge and ordered a trailmaster 2" lift kit (hasn't arrived yet). I just keep thinking about whether I'm better off saving for a newer model or continuing to improve my current vehicle. I'd hate to fit the new lift kit and then have something catastrophic happen, but on the other hand there's a good chance that my current Jimny has a lot of life left in her if I treat her right.

I'd really like to hear about people's experience with this. Both with building up old Jimny's and the reasons why people have bought newer ones.

Many thanks!

How very dare you call my car a black hole!


It's a money pit thank you very much!

Actually I think everyone got it right when they said, If you can do the work yourself it's not too spendy.......unless you start wanting specific expensive items or get serious and want to compete.

furo wrote: When would you class a Jimny as "rotten" Busta? If it needed welding or major engine problems?

Rotten as in rusty, requiring a substantial amount of welding. Some people love welding up cars. I do lots of welding but I hate welding cars. If it's just a boot floor or 1 body mount and the rest is sound then it's worth fixing, but any more and I'd call it quits.