Re:Jimny's off road capabilities

I'd suggest that you start with decent winter tyres if it's iced over reserve 4x4 for roads you are certain have not been gritted and are likely to be a problem. You can also shift on the fly at upto 60 mph though that speed in those types of conditions is asking for trouble.

I type too slowly. Sorry if my responses seem out of order.

Thank you very much!

Lambert hit the nail on the head with his excellent explanation of choosing the right tyres first

Lambert wrote: I'd suggest that you start with decent winter tyres if it's iced over reserve 4x4 for roads you are certain have not been gritted and are likely to be a problem. You can also shift on the fly at upto 60 mph though that speed in those types of conditions is asking for trouble.

@TautvydasV, I think that the Jimny is the right car for you as long as you accept it for what it is - a refined agricultural type vehicle.

There is no issue with the Jimny not having permanent 4wd or a centre diff for what you want it to do.

On gravel there is a lack of grip, so the tension built up in the driveline caused by the front and rear wheels turning at different speeds, not dealt with by a centre diff is spun out by the odd wheel spinning very briefly on the gravel, usually the outside rear on a turn.

Similarly on rocks, they are often smooth, offering little enough grip for the tension to spin out and often the suspension is at the limit of its articulation, so the weight on one wheel is so low it allows the tension to spin out.

This tension is called "transmission wind up" and the transmission is made to cope with an amount of it.

Only on high grip surfaces, such as tarmac is wind up an issue as it simply cannot be released by a wheel spinning it out.

So I the depths of winter when the road is covered in snow, ice and slush, there's such a lack of grip that 4wd is fine. Once you get out onto a main road that's been gritted or used a fair bit, you just pop it back out of 4wd. It just requires a little thought and common sense.

This is a perfectly normal set up and the only real 4wd I can think of on the road with permanent 4wd is a Land Rover. Then even the early Series ones were selectable 4wd like Suzukis.

As has been said above, tyre choice is important. I run mud terrains for the greenlaning I have the Jimny for and I'd quite happily drive it daily with them on and once did. I've recently considered doing so again.

This explains it too:





Kirkynut

Thank you very much! These videos answered many questions I had. Already found a good looking Jimny for 3000€, going to check it out on Sunday. Wish me luck!