Looking for a Jimny.

[1066 Boy]

Hi All.

As per heading i am looking for a Jimny for a new project.

First of many questions i am sure is as follows.
I know the later ones have push button 4WD rather than
the good old transfer box leaver, is this a problem?
It will be my daily driver but also used for a little weekend off road,
camping etc. Going to give it a small lift and some good tyres but
nothing radical.

Regards Allan.

[Anton]

I think some of the mechanicals are a touch weaker than SJ ones. Mainly the axles aren't as tough, the freewheeling hubs aren't as tough, and the transfer box is chain driven and the chains stretch.

It's common for Jimny owners to swap in SJ transfer boxes, although it's not a straight swap (you need special brackets to make it fit) and freewheeling hubs from something else, although I'm not sure what fits (might be SJ ones, might be Vitara ones, I think they're slightly different). The freewheeling hubs are vacuum operated, engaging automatically when you select 4WD, and many people put a switch in that circuit so they can have 2WD low at the flick of a switch. The vacuum lines and seals perish though, and cause problems engaging 4WD.

Less common but still happening is swapping in SJ axles in place of Jimny ones as they are supposedly a fair bit stronger.

Having said all that, bear in mind this is all stuff I've read, not stuff I've experienced. I believe that the standard Jimny will poke up with a fair bit of abuse. It's only if you drive like me* that you'll have problems.

*a leadfooted idiot

[ROBBIE]

Not had to many problems with the one I use. Been in the family five or six years and only a few problems. As said the vacum hubs kept going wrong as the pipes kept splitting, but was sorted by putting SJ manual hubs on and a ring spacer from Jimny bits. A snapped T/box mount, it's only alloy, and rot in the boot, so nothing major. It has been lifted 3inch, got 235/75 (I think) kumho KL71 on and now has a 1.6 in so all in all been a good motor.
But I have seen one with a snapped rear axle, they are week on the weld where the tube joins the diff housing as Anton said not many components are of the same strength as SJ parts but for lanes and road use you shouldn't have many problems

[Jezz]

Do it, You know it makes sense.

[Anton]

Do it, You know it makes sense.

I've wanted one for a long time, but I can't have 2 motors, and I love my SJ waaaay too much to get rid.

One day I'll buy a Jimny (when the SJ can no longer be kept on the road for whatever reason) and I'll retrofit the choice bits. But I'm hoping that's 10 years from now!

[1066 Boy]

Going to look at a 2005 one tomorrow, 68000 miles.

Completely standard, at a local garage.
Anything i should look out for?

[Rhinoman]

Look for rot in the boot where the jack is, rot around the front headlights and the body mounts. Also make sure that you drive it at 40-50mph to check for wobbles. The 2005 can be prone to gearbox problems caused by a dodgy rear prop, it should have been replaced under warranty but if it sounds nasty or doesn't select well then walk away. It should be a VVT model which is the best engine, 68k is nothing on those motors if its been looked after.

[1066 Boy]

Thanks for that. I will have a good look at it tomorrow.