A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.
I have been onto the Suzuki forum but I think it is international.
Good to hear there are others on RSA. Just a question is there a club in Durban.
I don't think there is a club, but I know there are quite a few Suzuki guys that get together regularly, and occasionally the local Suzuki Dealer arranges an outing.
Forum link is:
www.4x4community.co.za/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=151
The only thing i can think of regarding towing would be that if a jimny is being towed as in from the front, the gears in the diff would be touching on the back of the teeth not the drive side. and this may produce premature wear on the diff. and possible the gear box.. other than that no problems. I have converted an a frame for a jimny for a friend and we tested it out behind his van at speed and around tight corners with me sat in the back scared sh**les, As I had to leave the steering and brakes alone..
One thing is that this is on the flat not on a dolley. I picked up an sj with a dolley and I had the front on the dolley and towed it behind another sj on the motort way for some 60 miles with no problem. If a jimny is on angle as in the front up in the air the gearbox oil will pool around the back of the gear box and possibly leak out the seal at the back as the seal is a splash seal and would leak if you over fill the gear box. BUT IF YOU TOW A JIMNY WITH THE BACK IN THE AIR THE OIL IN THE GEARBOX WILL POOL AT THE FRONT WHERE THERE IS MOREROOM IN THE BELL HOUSINGFOR THE OIL.
And a sj t box has a neutral the jimny does not so part of the gear box will always be turning.
The main reason why the jimny is towed backwards on a dolley is to keep the weight as low to the ground as possile.
I also believe what Jo King has said. When the transmission drives the wheels the "driving face" of rings and gears is used. When the wheels drive the transmission the "reverse face" of the rings and gears are used and when combined with the shifting of the oil position in the cases, this leads to premature wear. In particular remember that the transfer box is chain drive using a Morse Chain which is like multiple cycle chains welded side by side, therefore there are literally hundreds of contact points with the underlying gears, you would want to avoid any wear you can.
2003 M13 early KAP build.
3" Trailmaster lift with 1.5 Spacers on front
Customised winch bumper and roll cage
235/85R16 Maxxis Bighorns on 16" Rims, 4:1 Rocklobster, Rear ARB locker and on-board air
Corrected arms all-round, rear disks, Recaro seats and harnesses
I would say that it would be better then standard t box, as the gearbox would not be turning so less stress on the diff. But the rear of the gear box may weep.
