Mild 'Preventative' Off-roading Mods for Gen 4

Pleasure to do that Steve. I'll get onto it tomorrow.
With the long weekend coming up it maybe a week or so before I have much to report though. I'll stick with it as well over the coming months, so that as new info turns up it can be reported back here.

@Guy 2, Thanks for starting this thread, I will be keeping an eye on it as the points you raised were just what I was thinking of as a minimum requirement.

I had been wondering if the rear tow bar would double up as a recovery point, obviously with the hitch removed and just using the bracket? Any thoughts anyone?

Soeley wrote: @Guy 2, Thanks for starting this thread, I will be keeping an eye on it as the points you raised were just what I was thinking of as a minimum requirement.

I had been wondering if the rear tow bar would double up as a recovery point, obviously with the hitch removed and just using the bracket? Any thoughts anyone?

This was on my mind the other day actually: Are the tow points/loops not suitable for recovery then?

Guy, I've got pretty much the same plans for mine. Top of the list are recovery points front and rear, so waiting on Jimnybits for those. If they follow a similar setup to the Gen3 parts, then they might optionally integrate with a hidden winch plate.....which I definitely don't need.....but..... :whistle:

Radius arm guards are next, as I've already stripped all the paint off mine once. Would love to know if the Gen3 parts are compatible or if they'll be releasing Gen4 specific ones.

Both my diff casings have remained undamaged so far, but toying with diffguards, Jimnybits already have the rear available and it looks a doddle to fit. They've also got a fuel filter guard available which might be worthwhile.

I hadn't considered extending the breathers but that seems sensible, any leads on suitable kits?

Andy - the lashing loops would be fine for onroad towing, but would be easy to rip off if you try a kinetic recovery when bogged in mud. Can recommend watching Youtube videos by Ronnie Dahl for info on recovery techniques.

Soeley - I'd wondered the same about the tow fixing, however I don't think the Suzuki setup lets you install a horizontal pin to attach a shackle.

The factory points are literally for lashing down to vehicle in transit. They are designed for the relatively small vertical load., not the massive horizontal shock loading seen in a recovery. They will literally peel out of the chassis causing loads of damage. Proper recovery points are vital if you are going off road.

Hi Gadget - I'm awaiting a reply from Jimnybits.

Pending that, my initial thinking was to go with the radius arm guards and shock guards as 'Step 1' (as well as the breather pipes), because these guards are not too large and are in a place where I reckon I can keep them clean.

I did have something of a concern that some of the larger 'bash plate' guards would just trap mud and foster rust - even if I am routinely jet washing under the car.

However, I just asked Preserve and Protect Undersealing (Glasgow) about this (as I'm intending to have the Jimny 'Dinitrol-ed' with them) and Mark, the owner there, has just come back and recommended going ahead with guards for the diffs and sump. So that's his professional opinion as an 'undersealer', who offers a guarantee. You can't say fairer than that.

I wasn't intending to fit a tow bar - so two recovery points, using a proper strop between them, halves the strain (more or less)?