Extended trip - Europe. What do I need?

Toolwise, I would recommend getting a Halfords tool kit - their largest socket set in the plastic carry case. It has all the socket and spanner sizes you need with the popular ones in ratchet spanner too. I would also then invest in a cheap second set of spanners as you often need two of the same size where you can't fit a socket. Just don't use the cheap ones to to the undoing, just to keep the other end still!

Then everyting is kept together and organised, unlike you describe in an ammo box. I've done the ammo box thing in my old SJ and did not enjoy it. When things have gone wrong and you need your tools, being able to lay them out, put them back as you've finished with them so they are there again in 10 mins when you need them again is so much better than swearing cos you can't find the blessed things! It's always as the rain comes in and darkness falls too!

This does not include grips, pliers, ties, nut splitters (I've found these useful for rusted on nuts but get good quality ones or you'll waste your money), ball joint splitters and everyting else Simon has suggested. I keep all those in a seperate smaller toolbox.

In respect of spares. I would change all bearings and bushes and bolts before you go. This includes radius arm bushes and bolts aswell as shock bushes and bolts and Panhard Rod bushes and bolts. You will therefore grease them up and know they will come undone if you need to do so in the field. Bolts will sheer otherwise. I would take a selection of these bolts, bearing in mind that Suzuki use a metric fine thread that is tricky to get in some UK fasteners, let alone in remote places.

I can provide you with Suzuki part numbers for Radius Arm bolts from Suzuki. Shock bolts can be replaced with regular metric threaded bolts for easiness and I can get you ADK replacement Radius Arm Bush part numbers if your local motor factors can't or Camskill can't.

Make sure the front Panhard Rod to Axle bolt can be undone. It's a captive nut on the axle that you can't replace if the thread goes or the bolt sheers in it. I have changed axles after the previous owner stripped the thread in the captive nut and used a tack of wld to hold the bolt in - which fell out on an offroad site 2 hours from home!!! I have the part number for this bolt if you need it.

Change your kingpin bearings and get spared from Martin to take - they wear quickly.

Wheel bearings need a press to push out of the front hub and back in and need to be ground off the rear shafts with their retainers and pushed back on with a press likewise - change them before you go so you start with new ones and take a spare of each. Martin is the best source. Use new seals as you do so and new ones come with new bearings from Martin.

Change all your transmission oils and take some spare. I have found Motaquip do a transmission oil suitable for all parts of the transmission on a Jimny in 5 litres and Machine Mart do a great giant syringe type pump to get it in quickly with.

Consider braided brake hoses, even if you are not lifting the car. They won't be damaged or decay like rubber ones - ask Dave @ LLAMA 4x4. Take brake fluid and a one man easibleed type kit.

Check all brake linings are good before you go and take spare front pads. If you don't go through muddy crap, the rear shoes if new will last your trip out with plenty left. Start the journey with new front discs that have no lip and are not warped. It's no sports car, pattern ones will do fine.

Keep the car as standard as possible to ease getting replacement parts, depending on the terrain you intend to travel on - standard Jimny's are crap in ruts due to the low chassis end radius arm mounts.

LED head torches are a godsend when working on a car in crap conditions too - they use little battery power too!

My tool choice and storage does not fall in line with your under the bonnet theory though - but I could not stand a messy toolbox again.

Hope this helps and if you need part numbers for anything send me a PM.

Kirkynut

There is nothing you really need for the UK. Your car needs to have Insurance, be road worthy and safe and your German driving license covers you in the UK.

So you should legally be ready to go!

Where in the UK are you coming to?

Your English is good!

Kirkynut

Ah, I see, you'll be lucky to see a Live recording of Top Gear as there is a waiting list about 8 years long, for which I must be getting near the top of!

Kirkynut