2009 Suzuki Jimny

We have just bought our first Jimny, a 2009 1.3 JLX Jimny (unsure what generation that is?).

Very surprised to see the upper rear light bar only has one bulb for the reverse light and the red rear lights are blanked off.

I'm wondering if anyone has bought any after market tail lights and rewired it to show red rear lights on the upper bars as well as in the bumper?

​​​​​Thanks in advance

Rick

Congrats on buying a Jimny, your 2009 is a Gen 3.

The rear lights always looked odd to me, almost as if there was a fault, however, the arrangement works fine. I never really thought more than one reversing light was necessary and this might be quite common on vehicles today, as is one rear fog light.

I am not sure if there is a maximum number of rear lights you can have on a vehicle, I know that all lights must be CE approved and I think the maximum bulb size for a rear light is 5W, so if you go for aftermarket lights (these are usually LED now) make sure they are approved and CE marked.

The third gen rear lights are in the bumper, the red upper light is a rear fog - before you change anything familiarize yourself with the lighting regulations where you happen to be - there may be a requirement for the rear fog to be more than a specific distance from the remainder of the rear lights.

I have done what you are asking about on a Grand Vitara, but I'm in a country that doesn't require a rear fog, and in fact the only rear light required by law is a single red light "affixed to the right of center"

This GV now has dual sets of tail lights, brake lights & turn signals, one set (two) number plate lights and one set (two) reverse lights.

A side effect of this modification is a blown turn signal bulb does not have the "fast flash" tell tale, which may also be a legal requirement in some jurisdictions (it's not where I am).

Yes it is weird why Gen 3 Jimnys have such big rear lights which don't actually do much. Interestingly we have a JDM imported Gen 3 Jimny that lives near us and I noticed in the dark a few months ago that it does display full rear running lights on the upright light bars so perhaps there is a reason why it's blanked. Perhaps European regulations? 

jlines wrote:

Perhaps European regulations? 

 

The text above is from one of the UK IVA standards - the rear fog has a minimum height requirement as well as a minimum from the brake lamp.

The regulations differ depending on country, I think Australia requires the tail lights to be visible from any angle behind the vehicle, tail gate mounted spare wheels cause a problem, so they also use the tail lights in the bumper, but as far as I know there is no requirement for a rear fog.

The reason is to do with having the spare wheel on the back door and it obscuring the upper light when the door is open hence the lights being in the bumper where they are asking to be damaged when off road.

From 2005 the norwegian Jimny has the rear lights up there. Brake too.
Rear highway/fog and blinkers is downstairs.