Suzuki Jimny - Off Road for beginners?

[cheadle hulme]

Evening Folks,

I moved to Halkyn Mountain in N Wales 3 months ago. Although its 1000ft above sea level, we didn't really consider the possibility of getting snowed in at all. (Townies moving to the country eh??)

Anyway, after all the neighbours telling us of snow from November to March and experiencing fog in August, I decided a 4x4 would be in order. After much research (10 minutes on Autotrader) I am now the proud owner of a 2001 bright orange Jimny!



Everything is in good order (I'm not mechanically inept, just 4WD inept) and am good to go.

What have I bought and what can I do with it?
I know it has selectable 4WD with freewheeling front hubs. The hubs engage hydraulically I think. I know it has low ratio (like half the ratio of normal gears) but no idea how the box works.

Can any kind folks advise....

-tyres, it has Matador AT at the moment, I need snow grip.
-any nice places to play near me (Mold)
-any cheap upgrades to a sound car (92k miles though)
-common Jimny issues

Cheers, Stu

[cheadle hulme]

Cheers - that bigjinmy is a great site. The shop will be dangerous with a credit card and a few beers!

Its was resprayed in 2010 - Land Rover G4 Tangiers apparently.

[cheadle hulme]

Brilliant posts there - Thank you JVaughan

quote said:

Secondly, on and offroad handling. if you are keeping the standard wheels, think about a set of 30mm wheel spacers to give the jimny a nice wide stance on the road. it vastly improves handling - cost £40 (forget the people that argue it puts excess strain on the hubs .. so will bigger wheels with a wider offset. Ive run these on 3 Jimnys without issue)

This is the advice I was looking for, the on road handling is frankly scary, definitely feels like it needs a wider track.

I don't need a rollcage (I hope) and certainly not a winch. I did look at the suspension lift on Bigjimny bits, but don't want to compromise the on road handling any further. Might change the dampers for standard anyway, they feel tired.

I've decided to get some winter tyres on new steel wheels (in 205 width)which I'll change as soon as it dips below 7 deg C (probably next week!). I'll keep the Matador ATs in the garage for the Spring.

Thanks again.

[cheadle hulme]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

32mm spacers are going on tomorrow. Whilst the wheels are off I'm going to attempt to undo the top shock mounts. If they decide to play, then I'll order the 2" kit from jimnybits.
One thing I hate with DIY stuff is ordering nice new shiny stuff, only to be thwarted by a seized bolt. The suspension is stock and original (2000X) so likely to be pretty rusty.

I've decided that AT tyres will be fine for the snow. The Matadors on it have 4mm all round so they can stay on. Costco wanted £104 for Michelin Latitude in 205/70.

Any links to a spare wheel bike carrier? I'd love to take the bike up Moel Famau on the back of the Suki and then ride back down and then.....I haven't thought this through have I?