Ben's Jimny of Kent

Hi Everyone,

Well, after procrastinating for what seemed like ages, I have now bought myself a Jimny. Its a standard black '03 hardtop, unfortunately I haven't got any pictures of it yet as I don't pick it up until next saturday. Its going to be a long wait!
It is my first ever 4x4, and so I am very excited about it.

As I am sure always happens here, I have a lot of questions to ask, and I hope some of you don't mind answering them!

The truck is intended to be used to get me out and about throughout the winter as I live out in the sticks, and also to have a bit of fun out on the local green lanes, so I am wondering what mods if any would be good to do. My initial thoughts was to be some good wheels and mud/snow tyres, a snorkel to keep the water out of the engine and maybe a suspension lift. So, the big question is, it worth just going for some good tyres in the first instance, or do I really need to fit a suspension lift?

Also, as I am a newcomer to the world of 4x4 ownership, can you please recommend some parts that are useful to fit first, as well as any helpful and reputable retailers?

My final question for now is a little more boring... Insurance... Do you have any recommendations of good companies to deal with? How do modifications like a suspension lift and bigger wheels affect premiums generally?

Anyway, thanks all in advance for the advice and hello to you all!

Benn

Welcome! Remember to post some pictures when you pick it up

Tyres would be a good mod to start off on as you plan on green laning, but everything else (snorkel, lift) you may not need. Best thing to do is use it for abit and do a few lanes you may find you desperatley need a lift or you may never need to lift it. Might be able to save youself some money :laugh:

Hi and welcome along!

You've been doing your homework it seems!

I once tried laning in a standard Jimny and it did not end well! Small ruts had me, I was unprepared and dug my way out with a screw driver, hurting my hand as I did.

My suggested spec would be to copy the spec of jonesyba420 on here if you look his thread up in this section.

He has a good sensible spec for green laning.

Kirkynut

Thanks for the welcomes and the advice.

I think I have now decided to not bother going for a suspension lift for the time being and just getting a new set of wheels and tyres, and going down a similar route to jonesyba420 as the kumho KL71 seems to get some really good reviews.
As the truck is now staying at the standard height for the time being, is it worth fitting some sort of protection underneath, and if so what is recommended?

I would go for slightly bigger tyres as jonesyba420 has and see how you get on. If you feel you need a suspension lift then a 2" lift is cheaper and easier by either springs or spacers as I understand you can use your standard shocks or have spacers for those too.

I think this was jonesyba420's approach too.

Otherwise Trailmaster do a 2" spring and shock kit that's supposed to be awesome in terms of comfort that people say it's better than standard on road. It's expensive but you can get a cheaper kit from Bigjimny shop or Jimny Bits or Bits4vits. They're all great people to deal with.

Kirkynut

Welcome our fine forum it’s good to have you join us you will soon have the Jimny smile ......

Welcome. What part of Kent are you from?

welcome to the forum

I took my stock jimny with A'T's and no lift out last weekend (noting to heavy)

left/begger tires is a dam good shout and some under body guards as it did take a beating we also found the jimny hugged the bit of grass/centre of the tracks we used made by the wider cars

I was put off by the price of the lift kits but after my weekend out it will be getting done soon

195/80 R15 or 215/75 R15 tyres are the best bet without a lift and will get you out and about on the green lanes in the winter. Then get some experience and you'll soon work out what else you want to do!

You may find the standard springs have sagged an inch or 2 (my 52 plate sits very low on it's original springs) so rather than getting a lift kit, just fitting new standard springs will give you some lift and save having all the other issues associated with suspension lifts!

Thanks for the advice, and it has already started as I ordered a set of wheels and tyres this morning, so the first step is done. I am really looking forward to getting out and about, so I guess that some sort of tow strap / rope, a shovel and a some gloves should be next on my list of purchases!

GuardianAngel wrote: Welcome. What part of Kent are you from?

I am just east of Ashford in East Kent.

my towing eyes are wrecked on mine (not by me) so defo worth getting some straps etc off road armory and other places do some uprated recovery points once you gone out in it once you'll be hooked when i got mine i said i'll give it a go and a few of the guys on here said "your land rover will be up for sale after you go out in the jimny" :blush: landys going after the tip runs are done :lol:

Hi benn . As everyone says get out in standard trim first, I've done a few lanes down by you and there are some easy ones to start with , you can get in touch with local council and they will give you a code to use the woods near knatts valley , a bit more demanding !! , then get a small mortgage and funk up the jimny