Mark's 03 Jimny

I had a spare 20 minutes at school, today, so I thought I would fix the reversing lights, since they've been broken since I got the car. I had the new switch in the car, but hadn't had the time to fit before now. Nice simple fit, but for some reason needed a imperial spanner, rather than metric, which struck me as strange. But I soon discovered why the lights hadn't been working when I got the old switch out. It looks like some twonk in the past has cut the wires... :silly:

Off road today with the Suffolk 4x4 Club. Very friendly folks, who even gave me free driving advice and showed me round. Got the Jimny quite dirty today, but it was great fun, and really shows just how capably a standard(ish) Jimny is. Another Jimny even turned up, a black S reg with Mud Terrain tyres, which was also hugely capable.

Tow bar fitted today, for off road recovery purposes instead of towing. But of a pain to put on, and plenty of grit and rust in the eyes, but it is certainly a good job. The tow hitch is a spare that was laying around, and would be far more secure for recovery compared to the standard tow ball.

Wheel spacers have been fitted this afternoon. I'm very happy with them so far, and on test drive they certainly feel to have sharpened up the handling! Easy to fit, and perform excellently, would most defiantly recommend them. However, if you like your Jimny clean, then these may not be for you, as can be seen in photos taken tomorrow. one short little green lane to test off road and the outside is rather muddy to say the least

Before spacers were fitted. After photos coming tomorrow in daylight.



When the front spacers were fitted,look how skinny the back looks.

Looking good! I reckon you should do the wheels black as your next Mod, would look awesome on silver!

minibbb wrote: Looking good! I reckon you should do the wheels black as your next Mod, would look awesome on silver!

Thats the plan, when the weather is good for painting.

mark98 wrote:

minibbb wrote: Looking good! I reckon you should do the wheels black as your next Mod, would look awesome on silver!

Thats the plan, when the weather is good for painting.

Plan! I needed two cans of Hammerite spray hammered black paint for mine and they came up great

More photos

The finished article. Looking mighty fine if I do say so myself



The stance is far better now, looks and does indeed feel more stable.


However, it is now far muddier, this was from one trip down a 1 mile green lane! Looks cool though

A little update. I bought a set of used Vitara rims over Christmas, local bargain at £80 with (junk) tyres as well! I have been looking for wheels for a while, with the intention of putting a set of M/T tyres on for trailing, as well as extended green lane or pay and play sessions. I went for a nice set of 4 195/80R15 Insa turbo Sahara's, which look great, but also perform great off road and reasonably on road, if a little whiney.





I have also got a new light bar, which needs a mount making. The mount will be hidden under the bumper, but will support the weight of the light bar better than just flimsy plastic.

new rims & tyres look snazzy, how do the vitara rims compare to your original jimny set ? do they sit in a little more from the guards ?

GraphicX wrote: new rims & tyres look snazzy, how do the vitara rims compare to your original jimny set ? do they sit in a little more from the guards ?

They do sit slightly further in. The offset is different to standard Jimny rims, so 30mm spacers are vital for running Vitara rims, otherwise I would have major rubbing issues!

Light bar is now fitted! Took some considerable fettling, but it looks great now its on. Its not currently wired up, because my electrical knowledge can just about stretch to wiring a plug, but hopefully it will be wired next week. The mount goes under the bumper,and supports the light bar really well, no vibrating while I'm driving along!