Kirkynut's Jimny (aka Daddy's Tractor) - The Evolution continues...

helijohn wrote:

The tyres were 215/80/15 Colway MT's, so it's quite ironic I'm back on 215/80/15's again now! -

So you really like that tyre? What is it like?

well my current ones are Malatesta Kaimans in that size, which don't compare to the old Colways as they are far more aggressive and bigger due to the tread depth.

I think the size suits the Jimny well though. It still really benefits from a Rocklobster with them though.

Kirkynut

kirkynut wrote:

helijohn wrote:

The tyres were 215/80/15 Colway MT's, so it's quite ironic I'm back on 215/80/15's again now! -

So you really like that tyre? What is it like?

well my current ones are Malatesta Kaimans in that size, which don't compare to the old Colways as they are far more aggressive and bigger due to the tread depth.

I think the size suits the Jimny well though. It still really benefits from a Rocklobster with them though.

Kirkynut

I have a motor in need of some 215 x 70 x 16s (can't fit bigger) and like them there Colways.

helijohn wrote:

kirkynut wrote:

helijohn wrote:

The tyres were 215/80/15 Colway MT's, so it's quite ironic I'm back on 215/80/15's again now! -

So you really like that tyre? What is it like?

well my current ones are Malatesta Kaimans in that size, which don't compare to the old Colways as they are far more aggressive and bigger due to the tread depth.

I think the size suits the Jimny well though. It still really benefits from a Rocklobster with them though.

Kirkynut

I have a motor in need of some 215 x 70 x 16s (can't fit bigger) and like them there Colways.

Unfortunately Colway are no more John. Kingpin I believe took them over but they're not good quality and I'd avoid them. Look up Insa Turbo Dakar instead!

Kirkynut

Thanks for sharing, always good to a Jimny doing what it does best .............

kirkynut wrote:
Unfortunately Colway are no more John. Kingpin I believe took them over but they're not good quality and I'd avoid them. Look up Insa Turbo Dakar instead!

Kirkynut

Thanks for the suggestion Kirky.

I've been a bit busy with the Jim Jam over the last week or so.

I've had a set of Big Jimny Shop's extended brake lines on the shelf, ready to fit for a while. Whilst I have a bit of time on my hands I decided to stick them on as they are an inch or so longer than the Goodridge ones on it at the moment.

I know an inch is not a lot but after testing my new suspension some time ago I found that the Goodridge hoses get quite towards the uncomfortable side of taught on the front when on full droop.

This photo shows it if you look carefully:

Now it still has a little bit more before it's at full stretch, but you don't want it at full stretch - ever! I don't know if the shock had anymore in it or not but don't want to find out the hard way, one day on a Green Lane in the lakes or Wales etc!

I suspect it is as far as the shock can go down as in this old picture in the Lakes on my old suspension, with the same length shocks, the brake line looks similar:

This is with the Big Jimny 2-3" Rough Country shocks and the reason why it says on the Big Jimny shop that you'll need the 2-3" lift shocks with Goodridge Brake Hoses and not the longer ones on the Big Jimny shop - I was the tester of the kit!

I only got the front driver's side hose on though as when I went to fit the front passenger side I ran into trouble!

It seems that the Goodridge Brake Hoses available from KAP have the wrong fitting at the top! I've got a spare set of these with this same fitting on that side as I damaged the driver's side front a while ago. Both are the same.

As such, the previous owner (or KAP if they worked on it) chose to change the fitting on the car to suit the Goodridge Hoses rather than the fitting on the hose. This means I can't fit any hose intended for the Jimny to that side!

Fortunately I had bought from the Big Jimny Shop and had Martin to contact to help establish where the problem lied. As always, Martin was as helpful as can be and contacted his supplier who confirmed my car has the wrong fitting as opposed to the supplied Brake Line.

So if I want a long one that side I have to either change the fitting back over and buy a flaring tool to do so or get another longer hose made up locally. I think in time I'll get one made up locally as the easier, albeit not cheaper option.

I have also fitted a set of Big Jimny diff breathers as my hose pipe never was the ideal solution and looked a bit Heath Robinson.

I have also fitted the nylon bushed Rocklobster mounting bushes back on, rather than the original Jimny rubber mounts as the rubber ones did little to reduce the noise transfer and were a potential art to break with no benefit to the risk of failure they brought with them.

I may fit the rear Brake Line that came in the kit but I am less concerned about the length of that as it sits in the middle and thus does not have to be that much longer, unlike the front ones. The new one is only an inch longer too.

Having said that, I have some Rhino Ray rear shock locating bushes, which effectively extend the rear shock by 2", along with some ORA rear spring clamps. I originally intended to fit these and drill out the rear shock mount, putting a bolt all the way through instead. the Jury is out on that idea though!

I've also fitted a set of Big Jimny Panhard Rod bushes on the front axle which has cured a bout of Death Wobble. Read about that fully in my Death Wobble thread though!

Kirkynut