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Introduction

So you are considering to buy a Jimny?

Whoever you are, your story probably matches one of these:

• Maybe you had just seen one for the first time on a street (or in an off-road situation), and you liked it so much that you are considering the purchase.
  • Therefore, you don't know anything about the Jimny.
• Maybe you used to drive some other all-terrain vehicle model in the past, and now you want a small all-terrain vehicle like the Jimny.
  • Therefore, you know the characteristics of all-terrain vehicles in general, but are not acquainted with the particular characteristics of Jimnys.
• Maybe your friend has a Jimny and you liked it so much to buy one for yourself.
  • Therefore, you have some hands-on experience in/with Jimnys, but you want to know some Jimny-specific peculiarities in order to avoid a bad specimen.
• Maybe you used to drive a Suzuki SJ 41x or even a Vitara, and you are interested to know how much different and/or improved Jimnys are.
  • Therefore, you are most concerned about what has changed for both on road and off road experience.

Whatever your background story is, this article will cover most of your answers.

This article will also provide some specific useful information on what to test / look out for when buying a Jimny, in order to avoid buying a problematic one.

General vehicle model description

• Suzuki Jimny is a rather specific vehicle, which will either suit you quite well or not at all.
  • There is hardly any middle ground between those two.
• The fact that it has been in production since 1998 up to today (2018) indicates that there is a significant number of people worldwide who find it rather suitable.

For those who are completely unfamiliar

• Suzuki Jimny is a true, proper all-terrain vehicle, which was designed and built for all-terrain use.
  • However, it looks rather "bubbly" and "cute" from the outside (like a lot of new modern crossovers / soft-roaders), so its tough all-terrain genetics might not be obvious at a first glance.

• Jimny is quite capable and durable in all-terrain exploitation (as its suspension and mechanics have a similar design like in a military heavy duty truck).
  • In some all-terrain situations, it is even more capable than large heavyweight all-terrain vehicles (Land Cruisers, Patrols, Range Rovers, Grand Cherokees, etc.) because it is very small, light and manouverable.
• The negative side of its all-terrain oriented design and construction is that (like any such vehicle) it is wobbly on the road with a high center of gravity, and sharp driving does not suit it well at all.
  • It has to be driven defensively and easy-going.
    • When driving a Jimny, the driver must bend to the laws of physics, not the other way around!
  • However, driving a Jimny is always quite fun and joyful, as the vehicle provides exceptional (and often excessive!) road feedback.

• Jimny's small dimensions and small turning radius make it excellent for manouvering in city environments, much like a small Fiat Panda for example.
• Jimny's interior space is rather sufficient for two persons.
  • When transporting three or four passengers, it gets cramped, especially for the rear passengers.
    • Therefore Jimny is not well suited to transport four people on long journeys.
• Jimny has very small cargo space, and it is all visible to the outside world.
  • A roof rack is a typical accessory for any Jimny owner who desires some "normal" cargo volume with some privacy.
    • Either that, or removing the rear seats completely and tinting all the rear windows.

For those who are familiar with all-terrain vehicles

• For those who are even vaguely familiar with Suzuki's all-terrain vehicles, it could vaguely be said that Suzuki Jimny is a modernized, improved and nicer Suzuki SJ 41x (Samurai).
  • It's a similar difference like a Volkswagen Golf 4 versus Volkswagen Golf 2.
• So, Jimny is essentially a Samurai with power steering, ABS, air bags, air conditioning, electrically operated side door windows and external side mirrors, fog lamps, etc.

• Dimensions of both vehicle models are almost the same, as are most of the mechanics.
  • Jimny still has body-on-frame construction, solid axles both front and rear, dual transfer gearing with 2:1 reduction ratio in low range, and manually selectable part-time four wheel drive without center differential.
  • The only major mechanical difference is that Jimny uses coil springs on both axles as opposed to Samurai's leaf springs on both axles.
    • This significantly improves ride comfort, and wheel articulation is also slightly improved as well.
      • On the other hand, the expenses of applying some off-road oriented vehicle modifications (like suspension lifts) are increased.
  • Jimny has a lot more "plastic surgery" applied to it, with plastic front and rear bumpers, wheel arches, door sills, etc.
    • Some of these body elements can present a vulnerability in some serious off road situations, or can present an obstacle for certain vehicle modifications (using larger tyres for example).

• The other perspective to look from is to say that Jimny is mechanically roughly like a Nissan Patrol Y61, just a lot smaller.

Before you buy

• Take one for a test drive, compared to modern cars even the most recent Jimnys feel primitive.
• Buy one in the Spring and sell one in the Winter, everyone wants a 4x4 when the snow falls so prices are higher in the winter.
• Check the MOT history online at https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

General points

• The main issue with Jimnys is rust, depending on the year/model etc some had rust protection but others did not. As the vehicle is chassis based it can pass a UK MOT test with quite a bit of rust unless the rust is around the body and seat mounting points.
  • Try and look behind the front headlamps, underneath the lamps and splashguard, this is a rust point and is near the front body mounts.
  • Lift any carpet in the boot and look into the small pan where the tools/jack are stored, this can rust out, particularly on soft-tops.
  • Check the boot floor in general, this can rust through and is the most common issue. This is a real problem for older Jimnys.
  • Check around the seat belt mounting points for rust.
  • Check around the plastic trim, particularly on the sills as rust hides behind.
  • Check the brackets which connect the arms holding the axle in place, these rust at the axle and at the chassis end.
• Kingpin bearings
  • A common issue on live axle 4x4s. These corrode and wear quickly. It is almost inevitable that you will have to change them at some point.
  • When buying take that vital test drive and check for steering wobble around 45 - 50 mph. see Death Wobble
  • Worn Kingpin Bearings are not the end of the world see: Changing the king pin bearings
  • Beware of ex-Landrover mechanics, they can insist that the Swivel joint should be filled with oil (Yes for Landrovers, NO for Suzuki)
• Corroded Balls
  • Again a Landrover issue where the chrome balls are vital. NOT a Suzuki issue, simply file them smooth and paint.
• Worn Transfer chains. Be mean to the car on its test drive, dump the clutch at high revs in 1st and listen for a very loud BRRR! noise with no car movement. (Transfer boxes are quite cheap on the scrap market - no point in changing the chain)
• 4WD - Check it works. Find a loose surface and try engaging it. Listen for loud clicks to confirm hubs have engaged. You cannot drive in 4WD on the road in dry conditions in a Jimny as it is part time 4WD and damages the car.
• Vacuum Hubs (see 4WD above). These fail regularly as they are not used often. A simple clean and service will fix most issues.
• Worn trailing arm mounts. A clunk from the rear as you pull away in 1st gear. Sometimes it just loose bolts, other times the mounting hole has worn away which will rquire welding.

The wiki article Common problems - overview contains a bit more details on some issues, and also contains links to some dedicated wiki articles.

G13B engine specifics

• These engines have a traditional cam-belt, make sure its been changed at the correct intervals.

Soft-top specifics

• The Soft-top retained the G13B engines until the end with some late registrations in 2005
• There are some M13A engined soft-tops around but these seem to be rare and an anomaly.
• The soft-top frames suffer considerable corrosion at the front, Suzuki no longer make these parts and getting hold of replacements is extremely difficult
• New soft tops can be bought from Monsoon in the UK. They have a reputation for good quality.
• There is a removable hard-top available to replace a soft-top during winter. Contact the BigJimny Store as some are still available. Dave at Bits4Vits has an article on fitting one.

Suzuki Jimny Hardtop

M13A Specifics

• These have a cam chain which DOES NOT require changing

M13A VVT Specifics

• VVT Engine is nice and no real issues
• These vehicles had a new style gearbox for a few years which gives issues. Check carefully for a noise in 3rd or 4th Gear. About £700 to repair if an issue occurs.
• Electronic Transfer box, ok for average users but not liked if you are modifying the Jimny.

K9K diesel engine specifics

Information sent by Bosanek from the BigJimny Forum

• Not available in the UK
• Engine is a Renault 1.5 dCi and most Renault parts and service skills apply to these engine.
• Two generations
  • First generation was produced from 2003 to approx 2006, and it used an older Renault K9K 700 engine. Engine specifications: 1461 cm3 cubic capacity, power 48 kW / 65 PS, turbocharged, non-intercooled.
  • Second generation was produced from approx 2006 to 2011, and it used a newer Renault K9k 266 engine. Engine specifications: 1461 cm3 cubic capacity, power 63 kW / 86 PS, turbocharged, intercooled
  • Like a lot of Santana built vehicles there are some mixed combinations of engines and features around the 2006 change over date. Later ones were built in Japan.
  • First generation engines suffer from high pressure fuel pump failure which wrecks the injectors and effectively ruins the engine.

Automatic transmission specifics

• Make sure they change smoothly and go through all the gears correctly. They love fresh AT Fluid and need changing and topping up otherwise changing is poor and top gear fails to select.

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Page last edited on 12/02/2018 by user Bosanek