Thoughts on building an offroader

Hi and welcome.

For the UK readers, the Jimny name was only introduced from 1998 onwards with the model change to the Jimny style currently sold in the UK. Therefore we only tend to think of the Jimny as being Coil Sprung.

In other markets around the World the Jimny name was used on the models we know as the LJ50, LJ80 and SJ410 and SJ413. Therefore for some people there were leaf sprung models. The "cross over" model is the last of the SJ413's which were coil sprung from around 1995 to 1997 and had a lot of the "Jimny" running gear that we know from the current model.

So in answer to the original question. "Jimnys" pre 1995 are all leaf sprung, from 1995-1997 there is a mix of coil versions and leaf versions, from 1998 onwards the current style is Coil Sprung but in some markets the old SJ series continued with leaf springs (e.g Maruti Gypsy King)

Hi Mlines, thanks for the info.

The original question was because I saw what look like a 1997 leaf sprung Jimny on the German site www.mobile.de

But now that I think of it. I don't actually need a Jimny chassis. If and when if get started on this project it will be with LJ70 axles and OME suspension. So whether or not the chassis is coil- or leafsprung from the beginning doesn't really matter.

A SJ413 chassis might as well do - or what? Is it just at strong and rigid as the Jimny chassis?

friend of mine's current and very soon to retire truck is an leaf sprug SJ on hilux axles with 33 insa special tracks and it beats most well kitted land rovers any day of the week. only one winch and still beats twin winched ones due to the wieght diff. His can drive through most, downside to the leafs is the bend very easily....and i mean very.
His new one in construction is a SJ again but going coil sprung on 70seires axles....anything along these lines will work well as they are so light. Weight is key.

I agree
But to a point. To me power and automatic transmission is essential But yes, when I'm done the max weight is 1200 kgs.

For now, my plan is:
Jimny or SJ chassis
LJ70 axles with OME suspension.
Engine - I'm not sure - But looking at some 6 cylinder BMW with auto transmission. Perhaps some older diesel. I'm also a bit in love with the 4.0 V8 from a Lexus LS400 - But not sure if it will fit in the chassis

Totally agree on the Auto transmission - as an aside, my Vitara Auto seems to work well with the 1.3 engine.

Raw power is not that important - power to weight is the key. Even a 1.3 engine compares pretty well in a 1 ton vehicle to a V8 in a 2.2 ton Land Rover challenge truck.

Too much power and you'll just break stuff. Look at some Challenge trucks with 4.6 V8's which are usually broken by lunch time compared to Nick Watts' (my best friend!) Vitara based truck which came first in class in Howling wolf two years in a row and was very reliable. It shows that light and low power can take on the best - and beat them!

Si

Well, I suppose you're right

But, this is my buddy's offroader. It's got a Chevy 6,2 litre twin turbo engine, and Patrol GR axles. Never broke an axle or joint. Around 200 hp / 650 Nm.

Look about 1 min into the film.


It's not the prettiest, but it goes almost everywhere. Sadly not too many actionshots.

So, as you can see, I would never settle with a 1,3 litre engine

But I think the Lexus engine + transmission will be too heavy. So a 6-cylinder engine around 2-3 litre would be just great, I think