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14th July 2024
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Re:Jimny's off road capabilities
- TautvydasP
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Currently, I am looking to buy a 4WD car that I could daily and off road. I am almost certain that i want a Jimny. As I started reading Jimny wiki I found one thing very concerning - Jimny has and older 4WD system that cannot be engaged on dry surfaces, so if I'm off roading on rocks or gravel (or any dry surface for that matter) I am basically stuck with RWD? Does this reduce Jimny's capabilities?
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- Bill Portland
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The part time 4wd system in the Jimny, without a centre differential can't be used on a grippy surface, like tarmac, as there's no way for the front and rear to rotate at different speeds, which causes windup and expensive crunchy noises.
Off-road on a loose surface, including rocks and gravel, this isn't an issue as the terrain allows slippage between front and rear. The Jimny's off-road capability is excellent, being the equivalent of any other 4x4 with a locked centre diff.
If you want a full time AWD which automatically shuffles torque around when road conditions change suddenly, then the Jimny isn't the car you're looking for, however how often is that the case? What situation are you likely to be in where you suddenly have the need for all wheels to be driven? It's far more likely that you'll drive on tarmac and then transition to an unpaved surface, at which point you engage 4wd.
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Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
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Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
One of the last 200ish of the gen3s, probably.
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Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
One of the last 200ish of the gen3s, probably.
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- TautvydasP
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Lambert wrote: I'd suggest that you start with decent winter tyres if it's iced over reserve 4x4 for roads you are certain have not been gritted and are likely to be a problem. You can also shift on the fly at upto 60 mph though that speed in those types of conditions is asking for trouble.
IF IT AINT BROKE, KEEP FIXING IT UNTIL IT IS
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There is no issue with the Jimny not having permanent 4wd or a centre diff for what you want it to do.
On gravel there is a lack of grip, so the tension built up in the driveline caused by the front and rear wheels turning at different speeds, not dealt with by a centre diff is spun out by the odd wheel spinning very briefly on the gravel, usually the outside rear on a turn.
Similarly on rocks, they are often smooth, offering little enough grip for the tension to spin out and often the suspension is at the limit of its articulation, so the weight on one wheel is so low it allows the tension to spin out.
This tension is called "transmission wind up" and the transmission is made to cope with an amount of it.
Only on high grip surfaces, such as tarmac is wind up an issue as it simply cannot be released by a wheel spinning it out.
So I the depths of winter when the road is covered in snow, ice and slush, there's such a lack of grip that 4wd is fine. Once you get out onto a main road that's been gritted or used a fair bit, you just pop it back out of 4wd. It just requires a little thought and common sense.
This is a perfectly normal set up and the only real 4wd I can think of on the road with permanent 4wd is a Land Rover. Then even the early Series ones were selectable 4wd like Suzukis.
As has been said above, tyre choice is important. I run mud terrains for the greenlaning I have the Jimny for and I'd quite happily drive it daily with them on and once did. I've recently considered doing so again.
This explains it too:
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
My Jimny Thread Here: www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/8-my-ji...on-continues?start=0
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