[choppy2925]

Hi all,

This is my first post, i am been searching the forum for ages, so thanks for all the great info.

I have just finalised the purchase of a 2013 Suzuki Jimny (major roof damage etc) with minimal kms. I have been searching for a

car that would meet my needs for some time - cheap, low kms and as young as possible. The plan is to convert the vehicle into a dedicated offered hunting buggy. Looking forward to having heated hands in the cold

The car will have the front and rear bumpers removed, roof cut off and a roll bar / cage installed, all doors and windows will be removed.

At present i know i need to replace the following and was after some info as to the best place to source the parts:

Driver side rear axle and and flange
Off road tyres (and wheels is required) - what is the largest diameter tyre i can use without having to upgrade diff gearing etc.
A new radiator and fan - also would it worthwhile upsizing considering it will be spending its time in hot weather at low speed.
How do i disconnect the airbags so no faults show etc?

Thanks in advance. Really looking forward to this build.

Will put up photos of the progress once it commences.

[Gwagensteve]

Why on earth would you want a thermo fan?

[choppy2925]

I haven’t actually got the car yet, it’s being delivered next week. I have confused the fan in front of the radiator (a/c I think) with the radiator fan. Obviously I’ll keep the original fan setup, but still curious on possible radiator upgrades

[sideways]

Jimny cooling systems are pretty stout, a car that young shouldn't need anything changed. In any case, you can buy fully welded alloy radiators with a thicker core from eBay. The stock radiator is plastic tanks but it's pretty well protected and easy to put a bashplate under. The thermo on the front is just for A/C, they run a viscous hub fan off the motor for the radiator.

The airbag wiring is easy to find as it is has yellow conduit. I don't know what happens if you disconnect it, presumably you get the airbag light. In any case, there's big section in the manual that states all the accidents the airbags wont go off in. Basically they wont go off unless you really, really need them. Certainly they wont go off with general offroad hooning.

Tyre size depends on what you're doing/where you're going. VVT Jimnys have (relatively) good low range gearing so I reckon _for a hunting vehicle_ you could drive pretty happily and be reliable on 31s. If you're going to be doing technical 4wding or big hills or being particularly abusive I'd probably stick to something like a 235/75r15 (29") to maintain reliability and gearing, you can fit these on the stock rims and they will be a lot easier to fit into the wheel arches too.

I have no idea where you are but here we have lots of blacksoil type country and not much in the way of technical obstacles (to load up the drivetrain) so I'd run a 31 or 33 for minimum ground pressure.

You haven't said if it's auto or manual but if it's manual you can fit the transfer case from a VVT auto model to reduce gearing by 32% in both high and low range. This is a straightforward and affordable way to get some lower gearing.

For your axle I'm pretty sure non ABS axles are the same but you'd want to confirm that. The diff housing may well be bent too.

Jimny heaters are fantastic, you'l enjoy that.

[choppy2925]

Thanks sideways.

The areas i hunt are not that rough - i have found a set of 30x9.5 wheel and MT tyres - problem is they have a -55 offset - kinda like the extra width though worried they will break something (i posted another question separately about these).

Its a manual - so the auto transfer case will be an option - will i still need it with 30inch rubber if i go ahead with the above ?

[sideways]

For an offroad car I wouldn't worry about the extra offset, though the increased scrub radius might mean you need to do more chopping to fit them.

You wont need gearing for 30s and hunting use but you might enjoy having it.

No idea where you are but an Auszooker in Brizzy has these for sale. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=54779

[pete_79]

Apart from wheel bearings, I’d really only be worried about the arches behind the headlights.

30s on normal offset are ok, but you could run into issues being that wide.

Edit;
Just noticed Sideways link. Thanks mate.
But guessing if he needs heaters for his hands he’s further south than me....

[sideways]

Today I was trying to talk the gf into moving to bris by showing her it was actually cooler there than here. :/

[vet 180]

For a hunting rig that will be cut up 30’s on a -55 will be prefect. The extra width will be nice and you will just have to cut more because of the offset.


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