[Gwagensteve]

dave91 wrote:

Do jimnys have solid front axels? And how hard is it to fit 31s?

31's are a big increase in tyre size. You'll need to lower the gearing both an and off road. There are ways to do this with the existing chain drive transfer ( Trialjimny IIRC in europe offer a 26% high/low range reduction) or you can swap to a sierra transfer case.

You will also need to cut as has been described. How much you need to cut will depend on your rim offset, actual tyre diameter, and bumpstop spacing - but you will need to cut.

The risk with 31's is that the front CV's won't hold up.

We had a Jimny in the club in vic with both APIO and Trial Jimny transfer reduction ( came out at about 5.3:1 low range or something) Owner ran 30X9.5 MTR's for a while and the car was reliable. Stepped up to 235 85 16 MTR's (about 2.0" in increased diameter, same width, same offset, and the car might as well have been made from glass - continual CV breakage and rear diff failure. He was driving it on pretty hard terrain (with both tyres), but the difference in reliability was dramatic.

I'd be staying at 30", and running the least lift possible. Preferably none.

Steve.

[zukenutter]

30" is the biggest I would consider.

[bcgal0004]

zukenutter wrote:

30" is the biggest I would consider.

For a daily!

[ZookFan]

Fatzook wrote:

dave91 wrote:

EVERYTHING fits a coily.. agree or fatzook will hit you!

He's too far away to hit

Lots of things fit coily's. Just not the same things that fit leafys.

If you are prepared to think outside the box, a coily is as good of a proposition as a leafy.

And this is just my opinion, despite my fondness for all things suzuki; but I am not a huge fan of the jimny. As the suposed continuance of the sierra, the jimny is too soft. More panels, more electrics.........


More electricit's I can understand, but the Sierra and the Jimmy are similar in size so how does a Jimmy have more panels???

[Highway-Star]

zukenutter wrote:

I think the only negative with a Jimny is the vulnerability of its body panels and as I found out rear side windows.

Buy the Jimny if;

If you're not planning on spending every free moment chasing down wicked climbs and huge washouts,

If you want your girlfriend to love you more, give her a Vanity mirror and A/C (Pete, not everyone has a couple of AC relics from the 80s in their parts pile =) ),

If you want a modern version of a tough classic that will keep up with the original,

If you want a modern, efficient engine,

If you like to be cosy on cold, wet days.

Buy a coily;

If you like the stripped to basics utilitarian jeep look (I do but prefer comfort now),

If you want coil comfort,

If you think that Leafies are just getting too old (not everybody wants to or understands vehicle mechanics),

Buy a leafy;

If your keen to get under it a lot,

If you prefer fixing as opposed to mod'ing (because it's old),

If your spine is too straight and you'd like to be a bit shorter... from spinal compression,

If you like the idea of driving with the windscreen folded down (I did)

If you want a 4WD that will go just about anywhere and you won't be worried when you scratch/dent/bash it to within an inch of its' life.


[hr]

All 3 are great choices for off road activities and the decision should be governed by your planned uses, budget and your own personal preference.
I've owned only five Suzukis over 23 years, two of which I only had for a year or less, the others have been long term drives - 8 years in my '89 Sierra 180,000 kms (loved it, rust killed it), 10 years in my Mark II Jimny 149,000 kms (which was very reliable and comfy), My current 2006 Mark III Jimny (bought new and driven by my wife as a stocker until last year).
Whatever you decide if you treat it well it will 'Love you long time'.

Good luck with your final decision.

Paul

Basically what he said, except I think someone needs to give him a ride in a comfortable leaf Sierra , it can be done with a whack of work .

The other reason I'm quoting Zukenutter is, to this day his black Jimny is the only Jimny I've seen which performed offroad.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=4039

When I saw it offroad a couple of times it was running the Federal Couragias for tyres, and had the Jimny transfer with reduction gears in it. Although not some insanely potent rock slaying monster, it was worked enough to give a good driver the ability to drive some rather interesting things. Probably comparable to a Sierra on the same size tyres, though with some obvious differences.

Have a look through his build, if you think a car built to that level will suit your needs, go with a Jimny. If you think you want something more modified, you may want to start looking at older Suzukis; and be prepared to work to get the end result you want.



Myself personally, I wouldn't own either a coily or a Jimny. I have a major issue with the suspension on both vehicles. I believe leaf sprung Suzukis have far more predictable stable suspension when driving on large angles. Maybe they can be "fixed" but its something I have never looked at in depth...

[dave91]

Gwagensteve wrote:

dave91 wrote:

Do jimnys have solid front axels? And how hard is it to fit 31s?

31's are a big increase in tyre size. You'll need to lower the gearing both an and off road. There are ways to do this with the existing chain drive transfer ( Trialjimny IIRC in europe offer a 26% high/low range reduction) or you can swap to a sierra transfer case.

You will also need to cut as has been described. How much you need to cut will depend on your rim offset, actual tyre diameter, and bumpstop spacing - but you will need to cut.

The risk with 31's is that the front CV's won't hold up.

We had a Jimny in the club in vic with both APIO and Trial Jimny transfer reduction ( came out at about 5.3:1 low range or something) Owner ran 30X9.5 MTR's for a while and the car was reliable. Stepped up to 235 85 16 MTR's (about 2.0" in increased diameter, same width, same offset, and the car might as well have been made from glass - continual CV breakage and rear diff failure. He was driving it on pretty hard terrain (with both tyres), but the difference in reliability was dramatic.

I'd be staying at 30", and running the least lift possible. Preferably none.

Steve.

so does the jim have a solid front axle? and would you need to lift a it to fit 30's without scrubbing? or is that what you mean by cutting?

[Rockhopper]

dave91 wrote:

so does the jim have a solid front axle? and would you need to lift a it to fit 30's without scrubbing? or is that what you mean by cutting?

Yes it has a solid front axle and yes it will need to be lifted to fit 30's