Suzuki Jimny FAQs – Mods, Overlanding & Shop

Fitting bigger tyres on a Jimny sounds simple — but it’s a bit of a rabbit hole. You can fit 215s or 235s with no mods, but once you hit 30s or 31s (like I did), you’ll need to start looking at trimming the front bumper, adjusting your caster, and likely upgrading your gearing to bring back that lost power. On my turbo’d Gen 4, I’m running 33s with reduction gears, and it’s still a bit spicy on the highway.

That said, I would recommend going bigger — not just for looks, but because it improves your ground clearance and gives you better off-road grip. Just know you’ll need to reinforce some areas: your steering, brakes, gearing, and possibly your axles if you get carried away (ask me how I know ).

Let’s be real — we love our Jimnys, but they’ve got a few quirks:

• Steering wobble: Especially after lifting. Usually fixed with a proper alignment, HD steering arms, and checking your kingpins.

• Weak brakes: They’re alright stock, but once you add weight (or bigger tyres), they start to feel like suggestions more than brakes.

• Overgearing: Put 31s on a stock Jimny with no gear reduction and you’ll understand what I mean. It’s like driving with a wet sponge for a clutch.

• Lack of space: It’s part of the charm… but you’ll quickly learn to pack like a minimalist monk or start fabricating your own storage (which I’ve done — check out the molle panels).

If you’ve just bought a Jimny, congrats — welcome to the club. Here’s what I’d start with:

1. Tyres & suspension lift: Even a small 2-inch lift makes a big difference. Helps with clearance and stance.

2. Basic protection: Rock sliders, bash plates, and maybe some mud flaps if you like your paint.

3. Storage & packing: My grab handle molle panel has honestly changed how I camp. A drawer setup or seat-back molle panels help loads too.

4. Lighting: Factory lights are meh. A decent set of spots or a lightbar helps for night driving and just looks badass.

5. Comms & power: Dual battery setup, fridge wiring, or a radio if you do convoy drives.

Don’t go broke on Day 1 — mod slowly and learn what you actually need based on your trips.

Have a look at our blog for ideas and reviews!

If you’re asking, you probably already want to. Just know it’s not cheap, it’s not always reliable, and it WILL expose weak points. But yes… it’s ridiculously fun. I turbo’d mine and it transformed the drive. Just budget for gearing, cooling, and regular maintenance. Have a read about the turbo conversion on the blog.

Regearing is the answer. Either go for reduction gears (like I did with Protrack’s 17/87) or consider an SJ transfer case if you’re doing serious trails. Otherwise, a turbo or at least a tune can help you regain lost grunt.

Yes, especially if you’re going remote. The stock tank is tiny. A 40L+ auxiliary tank or long-range replacement gives you peace of mind on long trips and lets you skip dodgy fuel stops.

Auto lockers (like LockRight) are good value and work well up front. For more control, go selectable lockers like ARB or E-Locker. I’d recommend lockers only after you’ve done tyres, gearing, and recovery gear.

Packing a Jimny is like playing Tetris with your life. Here’s my trick:

• Rear drawer system
• Grab handle and seat-back molle panels
• Soft bags only — no hard cases
• Roof rack if you absolutely have to

If you camp often and want quick setups, yes. Just watch your weight limit. I’d suggest something like the Alu-Cab LT-50 for low profile and quick deployment. But I’ve also slept inside the Jimny — works in a pinch.

Slide the front seats forward, fold the rears, and use a platform or inflatable mattress. Not luxury, but it works — especially if your dog snores louder than your turbo.

I run a 45L Flex Adventures chest fridge — fits perfectly in the rear on a slider. Anything around 40–50L is ideal. Make sure you’ve got a dual battery setup if you want your drinks cold AND your starter battery alive.

Only take what you actually use. My rule: if it didn’t get touched on 2 trips, it’s out. I also rely on molle storage, compact cook kits, and DIY solutions over bulky gear.

Yes — my panels are designed to play nice with most drawer systems. I run a DIY setup and everything fits clean. Check product dimensions on the site if you’re unsure, or shoot me a message.

Yup! Designed by me and made by local suppliers and fabricators. I wanted gear that works for our trails, our Jimnys, and our weather.

At the moment, everything runs in small batches, but I’m always keen on experimenting. If you’ve got something specific in mind, send me a DM — can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.

Working on it. For now, SA only — but if you’re outside and really want something, drop me a message and I’ll see what I can do. Drop us an email if something sticks out; we can make a plan.

Most of my gear is designed around the Gen 4 JB74, but I’ll always help if something doesn’t fit right. You can return unused gear or we can figure out a mod to make it work.

Honestly? I was bored, broke, and obsessed with my Jimny. I wanted to share the mods, trips, and dumb ideas I tried — and it just grew from there. It’s now a brand, a store, and a way to connect with other weird Jimny people.

Right now, the Jimny is still the main squeeze. Turbo’d, lifted, and loud. I’ve got a Golf GTI as the daily (named Boo). Jimny’s for rocks and trails — Boo’s for traffic and snacks.

Well, well,it  should be easier to figure out if you know my name.

Bit of both. I work full-time in design, but this is where I pour all my love, time, and too much money. The store helps fund mods, and the content helps keep me sane.