Non-bling, practical Suzuki Jimny JB74 modifications
The Suzuki Jimny JB74 is a small, light 4WD which is popular because it's cheap, light and in my view, more fun than any other 4x4 on the market. Like any 4X4 it needs modification to tailor it for your purposes, but with a vehicle as small as the Jimny you simply can't modify it like you would a larger vehicle. Check out what's been done to do this one, and why.
00:00 introduction and ethos of Suzuki modifications
01:16 tyres and wheels
02:36 tyre ratings, sizing and pressures
07:01 wheels
07:54 snorkel
10:00 rocksliders
11:00 seat covers
11:23 long range fuel tank 80L for Jimny
14:06 rear storage
15:56 Towbar, rear
18:43 cross-axle lockers
19:14 suspension upgrade
21:30 front recovery points
22:54 Transmission
23:21 Roof racks & roof limits
24:52 compliance and approvals
26:19 summary of weights
Coming soon - the Jimny demonstrates brake traction control and lockers.
Post questions as comments!
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So, in summary, the Jimny when modified correctly, is absolutely the best off-road vehicle money can buy when you don't value directional stability or load capacity.
:-)
It's the fun factor that is attractive. They aren't made to carry heavy loads ... but they are surprisingly stable.
@@tindogmedia1216 100% agree TDM - my comment was tongue in cheek. I'd love a Jimny. In my mind, its up there with the mini moke in the fun stakes.
@@BenMitro Ohhhh ... Mini Mokes are cool!
No directional stability issues with ours. Possibly the case with those tyres though.
As usual - totally objective, to the point and without the BS
Thank you. Quite a few people comment there "is no BS" in my videos. What is meant by this?
@@L2SFBC no "bull shit"
I didn't mean what it stands for 😊
Sorry delay Robert. No BS - I enjoy your videos as there is no waffle or extraneous information. Re your video on the Jimny how in Australia is the additional load capacity calculated when "lift or suspension upgrade" is fitted. Here in South Africa we have no such conditions and I would be interested to know as I've fitted a 50mm coil spring and shock absorber lift. Thank and keep on trekking.
The engineer calculates that the vehicle can take the extra load. Exactly how that's done is vehicle-specific.
Excellent round up of the mods. Thanks again Dr Pepper..
Good to know I'm not the only Jimny owner who got their car back from it's service with 35psi. It's happened twice. I've been running the standard 195/80/r15 and they do really well in sand and dry dirt. The standard road tyres are especially good if you tow a trailer with the Jimny. My note with the Jimny, if you're recovering it be super gentle if you are snatch strapping it. It doesn't weigh much and an 8t snatch strap has essentially no give and will shock load the chassis. 99% of the time you can gently pull it out in first low.
!!!!!!!!! what is it with these people??? And yes, very good point re kinetic recovery.
george 4x4 and Saber Offroad and another I cant remember all sell 5000kg recovery ropes that are all much more suitable for recovering a Jimny. Note you should try to avoid recovering anything heavier with a Jimny and never underestimate the versatility of a few mates and a decent push!
You need the trailer behind the Jimny to bring home the weekly groceries.... :)
You obviously don't live in my house :-)
@@auszooker my mate insisted on snatching my Jimny backwards out of a rut and bent the bolts for the tow hitch. Got the bolts replaced, but it if that was my front recovery point it would've bent my chassis
Another excellent vid from Robert. Tks vm
Just saw one of those on the streets of Bangkok the other day and it looked pretty cool.
Great video, thank you for sharing. We're looking to purchase a Jimney in Mexico and a lot of great points.
One thing to consider with snorkels is that the standard air boxes aren't water tight. The air intake into the box also has holes at the bottom. If water crossings are in mind, then you need an aftermarket airbox.
You just block the holes on the airbox when you put a snorkel on a car. No need to replace the airbox.
FSM decal and panic button are the two most important mods, this rig will be unstoppable
Finally someone noticed!
😂🤣
Very much a practical video, great work 🎉
Glad it was helpful!
Incredibly informative 👍
Glad it was helpful!
I live in the US and Suzuki is no longer sold here but I do have an older Grand Vitara. It is a great rig and it has taken me to many remote locations. The smaller size gives me access to many locations that larger 3/4 ton rigs can not comfortably reach.
Thanks for this very useful video. I learnt a lot.
My pleasure Nick, please share!
Very detailed video. I have no doubt the Jimny would be fun on the bush tracks and even scooting around town too :)
Definitely! It's in many ways the ultimate towncar. No worries about kerbs, super short, small turning circle, easy to park, high up for visibility. Not super powerful, but zippy enough in first and second gear. And easy to get in and out of. Just let's not talk about the safety rating...
I use mine as a town car and it works great. It does roll around roundabouts but it I drive so slow it isn't so bad. If I have to be bit picky the seats aren't really good but Suzuki has never made good car seats.
@@aslkdfjhg thank you for your feedback :)
A magnificent video packed to the brim with vital information. In my experience, Jimny's don't like water above the level where the doors start and if you don't believe me go and try it out. However the greatest benefit of a snorkel is not with water crossings but to suck in clean air at the level of the roof instead of dusty air under the bonnet when travelling on dirt roads.
Thanks Casper!
Excellent - thank you - my grand daughter has recently bought one - she's a camping addict :)
Fantastic! I hope this assists with sensible, budget-friendly mods as opposed to throwing money at the car.
@@L2SFBC YES - I hope so too - her fiancé is a 4x4 "tragic" 200 series with all the bells and whistles ............... ah well :)
Very nice information sir I have also booked a 5 door in India and i also go for 215 section tyres
Smart build.
This is a great video, not only for showing how to setup a Jimny, but many 4wd in general, already sharing to people where it is suitable! And yes it is a good idea to unwrap all the new cool stuff and see how it works and if it isn't already damaged and actually fits where it is suppose to 🕵♂ A thought, could you post links to relevant videos you have done and mentioned here?
Yes may add links there are some embedded in the video.
I own a gu patrol which is a fairly heavy car when empty. For a laugh I opened Excel on my computer and did a jimny "build" with a gvm upgrade (you can get an 1800kg gvm upgrade now) and to my surprise, it actually gave me more payload than my gu patrol. Compromises will have to be made when packing it but it actually might be a viable option. Now I know why they're so popular. I never took them seriously for touring
this is so useful thank you
Glad it was helpful! Please share :-)
Good rig, well thought about mods without throwing the money away. My JB74 virtually a copy but no roof rack and I do have the 8000lb hidden warn winch in the OEM bumper and ofcourse diff breathers up into the engine bay. I didn’t see the need for a front diff lock so passed on that as well. I’m on the Wild West coast of Tasmania and not too many 4wds survive over here, but I’m happy to say my jimny is a bullet proof mountain goat with the mods and it goes where others wouldn’t dare. I must add I also passed on the snorkel and when water crossing I just attach my car bra and low 2nd with no issues. Believe me West Tasmania is all water crossings and bog holes and mountains and as yet haven’t come across a situation where I thought I wish I had a snorkel, if I lived in a dusty environment then I’d definitely invest in a snorkel.
Thanks! Great post but I think you're brave re snorkel...
@@L2SFBC you got to be brave to live on the West Coast of Tasmania, appreciate and good video of a very capable JB74. Definitely puts that rig into the go anywhere anytime position. I must say with all the mods I’ve done on my JB74 the one mod that I always smile about and absolutely know was money well worth spending was the long ranger fuel tank, it’s a must for a true 4wd JB74.
Totally agree re LR tank, the standard tank is too small and the car is too thirsty even before mods!
@@L2SFBC I totally agree for you guy living in Australia and the Tassie (love it there btw) Ive been out there twice. However I live in the uk 10 minutes from Salisbury Plain and it's really not necessary here. Or thought is a big area (300 Square miles) its surrounded by fuel stations. This is the biggest off roading area by far in England so you are never far from civilisation. So as with all mods its dependent on you own usage
Agreed on everything said on this video. Last but not least - Only very light stuff on the roof rack!
Absolutely!!!!
Great video, but that FSM comment was brilliant. Earned my sub with it! 🎉
Finally...someone commented!!! I was beginning to wonder if His Noodly Appengages didn't touch Suzuki owners!
@@L2SFBC Ha! I’m glad to have been the first! I scanned the comments but didn’t want to go through all 90+ to find one that mentioned it!
The Jimny's wading depth is rated at 30 cm give or take. With the air intake so much higher than that from the factory, I would suggest that something OTHER than the air intake is the limiting factor. A snorkel is still valuable, but it doesn't promise a deeper wading ability.
The dry inbetween jokes.. 🤭😂🤣 Great video! 💯🫵🏼👍🏼🫡👊🏼✌🏼🇳🇱
Finally someone noticed!
I got in USA the next best thing, which is the little fms remote control. Jimny and it's fantastic.
I have that too! So detailed. Just gutted they did not do the 1/12 scale in blue like my 1/1 scale 😄
Can you do a modification wish list for different cars to help out newbies, I’m interested in the Jimny and the Ssangyong muso! Great content and very educational!
Yes planning on that.
Robert, Another very informative and balanced review. I was just wondering if when you calculated the vehicle payload did you allow for the weight of the additional 20 litres in the long-range fuel tank?
The payload worked off the Suzuki supplied tare weight so no
18:45 Australia needs no seat heating in the Jimny 😄 nice car mate!
I use it all the time in the UK 🇬🇧 😆
Thank you, very informative video. 30kg max roof load limit ....
You are welcome, please share :-)
Amazing video, easy to take in. Well done. Planning on getting a 2" Ironman lift kit and as you said new 215/75 R15 tires at the same time. Hoping to do this the same week we receive our new car. Any idea in Australia if tire shops buy brand new tires of brand new cars like they do in Europe, USA, South Africa etc. Thanks
Generally no, but selling them on Marketplace or eBay is easy
In the Netherlands the TV ad from Suzuki has a Jimny with a roofrack tent on it ... and those are a lot heavier as 27 kg :)
doesn't make it right!
@@L2SFBC no, but it is strange to see 😄
Love the look of the Jimny, but it wasn't until I stood next to one for the first time I realised how minuscule they actually were. Would be a struggle to get half my camping gear in there, unfortunately.
Take smaller and lighter camping gear? I can camp with what I can carry on my back, so a Jimny is LUXURY!
@@L2SFBC Same. Went on a 4day trip with my son. 6 person test, table, 2 big chairs,2 small chairs, aladdin kerosene heater... And even brought a full size guitar!
How about for the standard jimny without any modification with bf goodrich 215/75/15 ko2 all terrain tyres. What is the tyre pressure that you can recommend on everday motorway use. Thank you so much!
as per placard
There is a lot of bad advice out there and badly modded Jimny's just for looks. This will land the owners in hot water if they ever need their insurance to payout! Very sensible advice on off roading in general and especially for jimmy owners like me. This is a lovely example of a well modified Jimmy. Though I am very surprised to see no radial mount protection. The lowest and weaker part of the underside. I have diff, guards transfer box and fuel tank gauds as well. All relatively cheap giving the amount spent on this Jimny. I am very envious of the air lockers, extended range fuel tank and suspension on this example. Great video 👍🏻
Yes, some Jimnys are bred like pugs!
Happy to see a brother that's been touched by His noodly appendage.
Sister ✔️
You didn't mention the effect larger diameter tyres would have on the speedo
Do you intend to enhance your Jimny with a coolant temperature gage? I don't trust in the silly hi temperature coolant alarm light.
i'm gonna find a flying spag monster emblem and stick it on my jimny asap
the world will be a better place if we're all touched by his Noodly Appendage
What are your thoughts on breathers? You mentioned the importance of the snorkel for water wading; I've been led to believe that breathers go hand in hand with the snorkel in making the vehicle more capable in water wading.
I should have mentioned breathers. However a snorkel is more important; a bit of water in your diff won't stop you, but your cylinders trying to compress water is definitely going to slow you down. If your 4x4 does not come with decent breathers they should be fitted if you do a lot of water work.
Great video. I have a question re the roof racks. I have a slimline front runner II roof rack which is one of the lighter full racks and it’s about 30kg. So are you saying I now can’t put anything like a tent or awning on it? I’ve seen ppl that have done them so I’m confused…
The limit is 30kg, so yes if your rack weighs 30kg, you can't carry anything on it. However, you may choose to exceed the limit as others have done.
with a full tank the total payload decreases about 40kgs which is about the same as my kayak. tough decision 🤣🤣🤣
where did the ARB Compressor switch come from, are matching locker switches available?
Aftermarket install psrt of the lockers. Don't know what you mean by matching.
@@L2SFBC ARB supplies switches with the lockers, usually a larger Carling Contura, that would be too big to fit where that compressor switch is, by matching I mean one that is the same size & appearance.
Hello Robert, you say that the roof weight limit for the JIMNY is 30kgs. You are referring to the stability of the car when traveling or the general capability of the roof that it might be damaged?
I am referring to the maximum weight that you can place on the roof. This is set by Suzuki with reference to a) the roof's carrying capacity and b) the effect on the car's handling. You can exceed the limit and many do...but need to consider that you're going against Suzuki's advice. There are many, many examples from aftermarket companies with overloaded roofs. Personally, I would absolutely minimise what goes up there.
🙌🙌💪💪
Robert, having done a bit of desert work, I would under no circumstances use alloy rims, no matter the percentage profile tyres fitted. Steel rims can be belted back into temporary working order, whereas alloy are throw-away items - not many available in the outback. Perhaps one day you may cover this aspect.
Bruno, I disagree. In all my years of 4x4 I've dented steel rims, yes, and belted them back into shape. But I've never seriously damaged an alloy in recreation or competition. If I did, there's a spare and the chances of damaging two beyond repair are tiny. If you run offroad tyres in high profile at appropriate pressures and take appropriate care, the risk is tiny.
@@L2SFBC "... the risk is tiny." The risk of finding water in the desert is tiny also, if both alloys are shot, something to think about re personal safety.
Does the tyre size of 235 75 15 will be a better choice compared to 215? I saw many Jimny’s on 235 tyre and also some of the 4x4 shop technicians recommend 235 as well. Especially for the manual Jimny which can provide a little bit extra power compared to auto.
There is no best unless you have a specific circumstance in mind.
Hi, great videos, where can I find the ARB dash compressor button? Thanks
At your local ARB shop.
WHERE BUY ALL THIS STUFF???
What about the power unit in the Jimny? I've seen one struggle in many attempts going up steep sand and it struggled because it seems to lack power. Other vehicles didn't struggle. Although I've seen Suzuki Sierra's do well in dunes. I don't really know what happened with the Jimny. Too much weight or skinny tyres? The jury is still out on that one for me.
Take a look at my narrow vs wide tyre video...it won't be the tyres. I'd suspect driver error. For example some people are fixated on a given tyre pressure in sand eg 20psi. That is too bigh for a Jimny. As I explained in my sand pressures video. The Jimny is underpowered but not so badly it can't handle sand work.
@@L2SFBC Yes, it may be driver error or tyre pressure not low enough.
Engine power is 70kw. The 195 tyres offer the most acceleration. 215 tyres are balanced and introduce you to more off-road tyre brands. The 235 tyres majorly drop acceleration and fuel economy. For sand I start at 15psi and go down if necessary. The 195 tyres are in my opinion superior on sand. A lot lighter, skinnier, thinner squishy sidewall and no large tread blocks.
kzhead.info/sun/qLJphMpqnIuGeHA/bejne.html
When you go that deep, isn't the Jimny full of water ?
Sir, as per many websites the maximum tyre size on a 5.5 inch rim is 205mm, but the factory fitted rim on jimny is 5.5 j rim can we install 215/75 tyre...
A 215/75/15 is ok on a 5.5" wide rim. But no narrower eg 5.0.
Thanks for the information sir.
Tesla model y recommends 45psi
Excellent. Would be interested to know what those mods cost.
Around $16,000 AUD
@@L2SFBC thanks
Hi Robert …. i would be interested if i would be able to put a sunroof up. Do you think that would be possible / advisable …. btw i am a novice so good in stupid questions .
I don't see why not. However do NOT skimp on cheap options, ensure it's done properly and to any applicable laws. Not familiar wit such conversions but have seen some bad ones.
@@L2SFBC Alike the additional fuel tank that creates some issues ive heard . I am afraid that the roof is part of the construction so building in a sunroof will be detrimental.
The Jimny is a seperate-chassis vehicle so should be ideal for a sunroof, but consult a sunroof maker and/or state engineer.
The Jimny doesnt need BFG. That tire is 5 kg per tire heavier than the standard tire which increases the unsprung weight and makes for a hard ride. Ant tire but the BFG. Go for a 215/70/15 for sure but of other brand
I don't understand why tyres weight is considered in GVM. The tyres on the ground that is. Sure the GVM is the total gross vehicle mass but tyres are on the ground holding up the rest payload. If anything, I would think slightly bigger tyres would theoretically give you a very very minor "GVM upgrade".
The tyres still need to be moved by the engine.
@@L2SFBC Yea that makes sense and I am probably wrong but isn't a GVM upgrade usually better suspension and frame reinforcement? I don't think I have seen a GVM upgrade involving engine or drive shaft modifications. I don't quite understand how a GVM upgrade would help with this.
Is that a stock front bumper?
Yes
A lot of money is spent on that Jimny !
Holy mic clipping
I put bfg all terrain 115/75/15 and bloke in tyre shop said I should put 40psi in. This is what I’ve been doing and runs fine. Is this wrong?also I’m a fat bastard.
115/75/15? You sure?
@@L2SFBC 215/75/15 I mean
Well, the more weight you put into a car, the higher the tyre pressure required. If you think your Jimny runs fine with 40psi, assuming you drive a Jim, then I won't argue but I would suggest that you try 30psi, and keep an eye on the wear pattern...you may find it's centre-worn and if so that means it's too high a pressure.
@@L2SFBC good idea. Thanks I’ll do that
snorkels do not increase wading depth
I have a two door Jeep Wrangler. It is more expensive than the Jimmny. And.... It is wider and more stable Has higher ground clearance Greater cargo capacity by both volume and weight. I remove the back seats to reduce weight (30 kilo) and to increase cargo capacity I drive off road and do overlanding. I tow a box trailer. I sleep in a Blackwolf turbo tent because I don't like roof top tents. Overall, my two door Jeep is many times more capable than a Jimmny. . As a foot note, the external dimensions of the 1941 Jeep, is almost exactly the same as a Jimmny :)
We may be smaller but we are lighter ... 'Suzuki, squeeze between the shit Jeeps can't drive over' ;)
Good points Joe - but couldn't the driver of say a Ram pickup say their car is wider and more stable than your Jeep, has higher ground clearance, and greater cargo capacity both by weigh and volume? And then comes the Fuso Canter truck driver and so on. I would however disagree with your comment "many times more capable".
It is roughly twice the price and has a certain stigma. The old marketing campaign "They Bought a Jeep" has kind of backfired in Australia is more ridicule than envy.
@@L2SFBC A two door Wrangler is comparable to a Jimmny. A RAM pickup is not.
Is it comparable? The two-door Wrangler is wider, longer and more expensive. Arguably, similar to the RAM or Ranger vs the Wrangler.
Just buy a Discovery1
Just in case you want to do 180kmh in ya Jimny ??? yeah not today.....
No? Why not? :-) Of course it's more about legality than what you'd actually do...laws are laws!
@@L2SFBC 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Over priced for what it is, get a far better deal buying Chinese. 😂