How to get more flex and wheel travel from a Jimny

Hi.

Been a member for a while as I really wanted a Jimny, didn't quite pan out though and bought a Jeep instead... :ohmy:

That said, I'm still keen on Jimny's and would at least like to learn more about them should my future plans change.

I've done some Googling and I see there are a number of lift kits available for Jimny's, either body lifts or spring lifts. However I've not seen much info on shocks, shock mounts and all the other bits that help allow the wheels to move up and down.


So I was hoping someone could tell me, or point me at a resource that explains what changes can be made to gain more wheel travel, rather than just a suspension lift?

Also, can you buy air lockers or electronic switchable lockers for a Jimny?

Thanks,

Matt.

You can choose from air or electric for diff locks ARB are air and KAM are electric.
I have had arb and they are very good I have not had kam but I would like to try them.
The reason is I like the way kam have designed theirs.
And after a time ARB will need an oil seal changed which means taking both half shafts out and the diff out. But with kam it will be much more involved to begin with But the out come is you will end up with a diff locker and hd shalfs plus a unboltable access pan if you have any problems with the solonoid. ARB are very strong and have a good track record... but other issues are oil traveling back up the air tubes up to the air pump KAM have had a problem with their shafts which have now been rectifed Hope this helps

Welcome along!
Are you the same 300bhp as on Pistonheads?
If so you seem to know what you are talking about when it comes to off roading

I can't answer your question but other more serious modders will...

Increasing the travel of the shocks is the obvious first part of what you need to increase the articulation.

I'm not a fan of lift kits other than when necessary to provide clearance for tyres. If you can bring yourself to do it, cutting the arches will give you the clearance without increasing the centre of gravity. I think most lifts (body lifts or suspension lifts) are more for show than function!

A simple, no cost way to increase the articulation is to drill the bushes. For many vehicles such as Land Rovers, you can buy what are known as 'slotted bushes'. They may be available for Jimnys but they do the exact same job as drilling standard ones - just cost more.

Drill two holes through the rubber of the bushes at the axle end of the radius arms. One
above and one below the bolt which attaches the bush to the axle, as you are looking from the side of the vehicle. 8mm holes seem to be about right. This just makes the rubber more squashy in one direction.

This can make a big difference to the available articulation.

If your vehicle is fitted with Anti Sway bars, it's worth re-engineering these to be disconnectible when you are off road - or just remove them altogether.

Si

One of the issues with Jimny's is that the radius arms are attached to the axle and chassis by the same type of bush at either end and all the articulation comes from the movement in those bushes.

Now they are designed to flex and provide that movement - however - I think Suzuki designed them with occasional offroading in mind - not extreme flex to the limit each way most times the vehicle leaves it's garage like mine!

Landrover rear suspension has a different type of join at the chassis end of the radius arm which is effectively a pin spinning in a bush or as Simon has developed another way or doing it with his X-Joints which I shall allow him to explain as follows :The X-Joint works just lke your Hip Joint. It has a 60mm diameter ball made from EN8 Steel cushoned inside a specially moulded Shore 'A' 70 PU Elastomer bush. The bush is then housed in a pair of Anodised, CNC machined HE15 grade structural Aluminium cups. - I hope you don't mind me copying and pasting from your website Simon!

I have found the result is that the bushes are lasting me about 1 1/2 years at the most. They are splitting from use rather than age.

I fear drilling them will exacerbate this deterioration.

There are nylon bushes available from the likes of Super Pro - see : www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/jimny/jimny-sup...bushes/prod_205.html

I have in the past feared that they would restrict the amount of flex, however, Russ who runs Jimny Bits uses them and you can't argue with the flex he gets:







So in order to get more longevity from my bushes I may be replacing mine with poly bushes in the new year. They are a bit more expensive mind.

In answer to your originial question, I agree with what Simon says - except you improve your ramp breakover angle by using lifting springs and the Jimny needs that.

Kirkynut

There is nothing wrong with adding a bit of spring lift and longer shock's to gain a little bit of flex











Standard arms, with all OME bushes, apart from the front which has tough dog castor corrected poly bushes....