[PDiddy]

Hi all!

I'm new so hope this post is ok.

I'm thinking of buying a 2008 manual jimny (will be my first 4wd!) which has done just over 100,000k. It needs a some brake work, new tyres and a shock but basically ok and has not been used off road. The plan is to put 215 tyres on and a snorkel and get out to Fraser Island, easyish 4wd tracks etc but also commute.

problem is the mechanic says it will engage into 4wd high but not into 4wd low and from talking to the owner he seems to have driven it on the tarmac in 4WD high in wet weather. At this stage the reason for not shifting into 4wd low is unknown and there is no more info. My question is whether the 4wd low problem is usually easy to fix or whether it can be complicated, expensive etc.?

If the 4wd low problem can be hard to fix then it will be a deal breaker for me unless the owner fixes it first. If there is an easy thing to have a go at then it might be doable now on the cheap..hopefully.

Can't wait to pimp out and hit the trails in a Jimny!!

[pete_79]

Have you tried to engage 4l or just going by what the mechanic is saying?

What are the beeping sounds and dash lights doing when you try to engage 4l?

Have you tried rolling forwards or backwards for a meter or 2 in 4h before trying to go to 4l?

Are you holding the clutch in the whole time while changing to 4l (like 3 or 4 seconds)?

Sorry for all the questions, but if you check/try/do all of the above and still have troubles it might be worth walking away from the deal.

[PDiddy]

Thanks Pete!

At this stage I've just got the mechanic's opinion. I recall it beeped when I hit the 4wd low button during the test drive and noted it did not seem to be crawling when I drove forward but Ive got no experience with 4wd sadly so really just the mech's opinion to go on. It's a bit of a drive to go look at the vehicle again but I will call the mechanic in the morning to check options.

Cheers

[Jezza86]

as pete is hinting toward, 4 low will not engage unless the clutch is fully on the floor and the car is doing less than 5kph.
it is most reliable engaging when you hold the 4L button whilst rolling very slowly in a straight line with the clutch on the floor.

if you hear one long beep and the 4L light comes on solid green, it thinks 4L is engaged. if it beeps a few times and 4l flashes theres a interlock problem (going too fast, clutch not in or clutch sensor fault) or a mechanical problem.

if you plan on bigger wheels down the track swaping the manual transfer case with a auto transfer will give you a 30% gear reduction.

[PDiddy]

Thank you both.

The owner has now done this on dirt and reckons 4wdL is engaging. Will ask mechanic to verify but looks like I could be a happy Jimny driver soon. All going well I just need to work out which 215 size all terrain tyres to put on (stock rims plus spacers for body). tyres are a confusing decision and I've not found a good thread yet. Will see if I get the car first

Cheers!

[Jezza86]

BFG 215's are a popular choice i have heard very little negative feedback on.
if you put them on stick rims you shouldnot need to put any spacers in.

[BRiteBak]

Not to mention that spacers are illegal in some states

[PDiddy]

Looks like it's all checked out So buying it tomorrow. Jimny time!

With tyres I've seen people post around the web that the BFG A/T tyres are good off road but not so good on road, even slippy in the wet. Have you found that? Given it rains like a biblical flood in Brisbane anytime it wants then wet road holding is an important feature for me. If the BFG's are ok then I'm keen. Thoughts?

Good to hear about the Spacers too - thanks

[Jezza86]

well i have the km2 muddies in a 30". i think they are sticky?...

[PDiddy]

Ah well that is right down the sticky spectrum! I don't want to be driving on gecko feet just yet so muddies might be too much for me, hence I am looking at ATs. Problem is there are so many tyres out there and so little objective reviews on how they perform or how durable they are. People love and hate the same tyres in forums. Hope I'm wrong there but have not found much info on tyre performance yet. The BFGs sure look good though.

[Jezza86]

well muddies are pretty widely accepted as less sticky onroad. i wouldnt expect you to have any issues with AT's onroad

[PDiddy]

Thanks again. hmmm lots I have to learn about tyres It seems. Found a useful thread tho and this link to a tyre survey. I will want to do sand driving plus light to medium rock and mud so hope ATs don't let me down on the mud parts. Maybe I could get muddies and then just drive more carefully on the road :/


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyres ... iameter=17

[striker99]

Just for the purpose of tech, if you have an auto Jimny, you have to put the car into neutral to be able to engage low range.

[Jezza86]

Makes since. What about in park? Just for tech.

[striker99]

Jezza86 wrote:

Makes since. What about in park? Just for tech.

Hey I just tried this, no matter what i tried low would not engage while the car was in Park, even after making sure there was no load on the transmission (Neutral - into park - try and change).

I did notice that you can engage 4wd high while in park however. Usually I would do this while in drive, take foot off accelerator and it will go straight in/or in neutral.

[Toy Machine]

I just picked up BFG A/T 215/75r15 on dynamics.
-12 offset means they stick out about 10mm, flares to sort that and tight in wheel arch so im fitting 2" tough dogs.
as for the tyres.. I hear good things for on road use, good all round tyre but it seems the more advanced drivers use the KO2 muddies.
$120 difference atm per tyre.