Re:The Rat Trap

Hey all. New to the forum and to Jimnys.

I'm not usually one for making a build thread but I wanted to document the resurrection of this car for myself, and hopefully others will enjoy the thread also (and maybe even offer advise )

So this is my Jimny. I picked it up from Glasgow last week (Feb 19) for cheap monies due to the vehicle being in a bit of a sorry state

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

First step was a basic one. New battery to get her going! (Old one in picture). I'd seen her run with a jump but the old battery was dead as a door nail. I believe the charging system is working but am making a note to myself to actually check it with a meter. Why will become clear further down the thread ...

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Side note - my girlfriend hates it. Thinks it's horrendously ugly.

My original intention was to just do it up for an MOT and sell on. Mostly as a hobby (I do like to tinker) but also to make a few quid in the process.

Much to my lady's dismay I'm slowly becoming a bit attached and have come round to thinking I'll run the Jimny for a year or 2 as a second car and joing the Scottish Off Road Club

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

Daft Tapatalk signature now off.

So anyway - why 'The Rat Trap'?

So this bugger was last MOT'd in 2008. It may well have been driven after then but the mileage ties in with it not seeing much action since then. it has however been used as a home for rodents! Hopefully mice. Probably rats.

It had by far the stinkiest interior I've ever experienced. My nearly 3 year old was dead excited to get it in then literally cried when I opened the door and she got a whiff. She's ever since called it 'dad's stinky car' and goes on about mice poo constantly.

I didn't take many pics but you get the gist -

So diagnoses at this point -

Needs new carpet and seats.

Needs king pin bearings both sides.

Front passenger CV knackered (limited steering, disconnecting the steering arms narrowed the fault down).

Needs welding in the boot and one rear seat belt mounting point.

Rev counter, abs light, hazards, indicators, rear wiper, rear taillights not working.

Paintwork ugly.

4x4 not working (vaccum leak suspected).

Purchased interior and removed the old one. Good time to take care of welding. Someone had made a P poor attempt at some point.


Paints still drying on my efforts. I'll post pics tomorrow

Welcome to the forum.

Well fella your well on the way enjoy it and hello.

Cheers guys ∆

Here's my boot. All bonnie now. More or less ...

Welding sorted interior still out - perfect time to track down the cause of my non functioning indicators rear lights rear wiper.

I'd already found some of wires for the seatbelt pretensioners chewed through so figured gnawed wires would be the issue (fuses fine)

Pretty much straightaway I found the nest and right enough chewed up wires

Having sorted the wires here - still no lights (rear wiper and central locking working again though!

Further exploration found more victim wires. Sorting these had no effect so I went further

Found this mess. Explains the non functioning rev counter and fuel guage as well I would think. Taking some time off later this week to solder this lot. Fingers crossed that solves it!