Furo's Jimny Build

I've been slowly working on my Jimny over the past 2 years and learnt a huge amount from this great forum. I thought it was time I made a record of my Jim's progress so far and of the progress yet to come!

Here she is "new" in 2015. Jimny Mode 2004 with 48,000 miles, but in pretty good condition.

The first modifications were front and rear Jimnybits recovery points after bending the tie-down points during a recovery! Unfortunately I'd slightly bent one of the front chassis rails in an accident getting used to driving the Jimny and how it corners in the wet, so I could only get one of the front recovery points on. I also got steel wheels but with such limited knowledge I ordered 7.5" wide wheels which look cool, but I'm suffering the consequences now with tyre rubbing. I then attempted to rustproof with a wirebrush and hammerite and got a set of stock size Goodyear Wrangler ATs (now for sale).

I then replaced my very worn shocks and springs. I should have got a lift at this point but I was worried about making the ride and handling much worse. It turns out it was so bad because the original suspension was in such bad shape.

Then came another round of modifications: Jimnybits snorkel, Suntop roofrack and a Jimnybits lightbar mounted on the front of the bonnet. I did all the work myself which was a great learning opportunity! Especially the wiring.

Over the following year I didn't do much, but engaging 4x4 became less and less reliable so I made the jump to AVM manual hubs which have been great. Then my exhaust snapped through and after looking into it I made the decision to get a full length stainless one made, which I'm very happy with! It wasn't the cheapest option, but it was half the price a genuine Suzuki one costs!

And now the latest modifications. The roofrack was making a lot of wind noise even just at 30mph so I took it to a welder nearby who sorted an air dam at the front. It's now very quiet up to about 60mph. I also removed the lightbar at this point because it was looking quite tatty. The glass had badly fogged up and the paint had all chipped off. It still worked well, but I wasn't using it at all.

I then finally pulled the trigger on a trailmaster 2" comfort lift, and I'm so happy with it. While it was being done I also got a set of ORA radius arm guards fitted that I'd bought ages ago. This was the first modification that I got done at a garage and I'm glad I did because the bolts were all seized, but they put the front springs in the back so I redid the springs myself. I replaced the stock size Wranglers with 215/75/15 General Grabber AT3s which have transformed the look, but unfortunately sometimes rub on the arches.

In terms of what comes next I have it booked in for professional rustproofing this week with Preserve and Protect near Glasgow and they have a great reputation. I've done a fair bit of rustproofing myself but I've always been conscious that I haven't been doing as thorough a job as the professionals would.

The main issue I need to sort is the front tyres rubbing on the arches. It has happened a couple of times while going over dips in the road but has been fine over big speedbumps. I'm hopeful that switching to stock width steel wheels will sort this, otherwise maybe I'll need to do some arch trimming.

I don't have any other changes planned at this point, but I'm sure that will change!