New Jimny - first mods?

Hi Guys,

I will hopefully be picking up my 2020 this afternoon.

It has the following: Towbar, Roof Rack.

What would be the best first mods from the ground up?

I am thinking about 32mm wheel spacers - does anyone have experience with these? It really looks like a good idea to give the car a bit of a bigger footprint.

I would recommend avoiding wheel spacers. Historically on the gen3 they have always decreased the service life of wheel bearings and kingpin bearings as given the similarity to these components in the gen4 it is likely that they will also suffer. Going for a slight increase in tyre width has much the same aesthetic effect and is kinder on bearings.

Makes sense - I did not think about this.....

I will rather look around for some 215/75R15 tyres with a bit more aggressive tread.

Groenewald wrote: Makes sense - I did not think about this.....

I will rather look around for some 215/75R15 tyres with a bit more aggressive tread.

Agree with Lambert.

Tires is good option and maybe a 50mm lift.
Old men emu or the Desol 50mm from SA with Gabrial HDP shocks.
des-sol.co.za/product/jimny-gabriel-shocks-springs-set-gen4/

I have the desol lift and it is a HUGE difference both on and off road.



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On my previous cars I have alway wanted the tyres flush with the arches. But on the Jimny, I prefer to keep them inside the arches to help keep mud and spray off the bodywork.

lookonimages wrote:

Groenewald wrote: Makes sense - I did not think about this.....

I will rather look around for some 215/75R15 tyres with a bit more aggressive tread.

Agree with Lambert.

Tires is good option and maybe a 50mm lift.
Old men emu or the Desol 50mm from SA with Gabrial HDP shocks.
des-sol.co.za/product/jimny-gabriel-shocks-springs-set-gen4/

I have the desol lift and it is a HUGE difference both on and off road.



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I'm also very happy with Des Sol's suspension.

I have taken a look at the Gabriel shocks and springs kit: looks very nice!

50mm is a significant raise... I think this would be an ideal combination with new tyres.

How does it affect on road handling? Specifically rolling from side to side?

Groenewald wrote: Hi Guys,

I will hopefully be picking up my 2020 this afternoon.

It has the following: Towbar, Roof Rack.

What would be the best first mods from the ground up?

I am thinking about 32mm wheel spacers - does anyone have experience with these? It really looks like a good idea to give the car a bit of a bigger footprint.

Off set alloys or steelies will do the job nicely. And will not wear like the dreaded wheel spacers.

Groenewald wrote: I have taken a look at the Gabriel shocks and springs kit: looks very nice!

50mm is a significant raise... I think this would be an ideal combination with new tyres.

How does it affect on road handling? Specifically rolling from side to side?

It is Huge difference. Body roll reduced significantly yet road handling still enjoyable.
It is a little stiffer but really enjoyable. Seen today again the difference just in a very very strong cross winds. (You know CapeTown winds)

This is standard vs gabriels.

HDP same push in as stardard but much longer extention. Thus huge increase in wheel travel distance. The longer springs facilitate the longer shock extention.

On a gravel road they are exceptional.


The gen4 jimny is a very soft ride standard and me coming from a gen3, you notice the softer ride of gen4 immediately.




Gabriel safari HDP front item number GS56283

Compressed 280mm extended 450mm

Gabriel Safari HDP rear item number GS56284

Compressed 314mm extended 501mm

So fronts HDP will push in 10mm (280-290) more then std shocks, but extent 70 mm longer (450-380) then std shocks.

So the rear HDP will push in 14mm less (314-300) then std shocks, but extent 51 mm longer (501-450) than std stock

NEVER FIT JUST THE Gabriels on its own. HAVE TO BE with a spacer kit or a longer spring set.

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Hi Lookonimages,

Thanks for the info! I love reading technical stuff.

Apart from the suspension benefits I am very impressed with the side by side photo of the shocks.

In terms of suspension/tyres this will be my first mod.

Where did you have them installed? I can either do it at Suzuki or get someone out that we have been using to service our vehicles.

One should research carefully all mods and always keep in mind what it is one wants from their Jimny:
the first and most immediate mod -> tyres; the bridgestone h/t are dangerous even on the black top. being an off roader in a country that is mountainous and with all terrains prevalent I chose the BFG KM3 215 75 r15, a/t don't cut it for my drive.
my biggest concern is weight, so i was and still am refraining from a roof rack and overloading, however i have installed Suzuki's under body protection prior to lifting, even though limited, meantime did my research and went with the ARB OME 40mm lift as it was customized for the JimnyJB74W. The next mod was a winch rather than lockers, as the AllGrip does a damn good job thus lowering the priority for lockers. The Jimny has not failed me yet in the varied rough terrains of Greece ; rocks, river crossings, mud, snow, sand, gravel and on Trans Alp European travel.

Andy2640 wrote:

Groenewald wrote: Hi Guys,

I will hopefully be picking up my 2020 this afternoon.

It has the following: Towbar, Roof Rack.

What would be the best first mods from the ground up?

I am thinking about 32mm wheel spacers - does anyone have experience with these? It really looks like a good idea to give the car a bit of a bigger footprint.

Off set alloys or steelies will do the job nicely. And will not wear like the dreaded wheel spacers.

If the offset wheels give the same offset as the spacers, you will get exactly the same results. The bearings will not know the difference.