Introduction
Upgrading your Suzuki Jimny’s gearing is one of the best ways to improve drivability with bigger tyres and technical off-road performance. Whether you’re crawling over rocks, tackling steep climbs, or trying to avoid clutch abuse on inclines, reduction gears make a massive difference.
This resource lists the most common Jimny reduction gear options, their high- and low-range percentage changes, and the tyre sizes they’re best suited for.
Suzuki Jimny Reduction Gear Ratio Comparison Table
| Brand & Model | High Range Reduction (%) | Low Range Reduction (%) | Best Tyre Size Fitment | Notes / Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protrack 17/87 | −17% | −87% | 31″–33″ | Great all-rounder for big tyres. Higher revs in high range. Ideal for mixed road/trail use. |
| Protrack 7/77 | −7% | −77% | 235/75R15 – 30″ | Lower impact on high range, strong crawl ratio. Balanced for daily driving and off-road. |
| Protrack Low-Only (0/77) | 0% | −77% | 235s–30″ | Keeps high range stock; reduces low range only. Good for mostly-road setups. |
| Sumo 12/88 | −12% | −88% | 31″–33″ | Similar to Protrack 17/87 with slightly deeper low range. |
| Sumo 0/88 | 0% | −88% | 30″–31″ | Keeps highway revs stock while improving crawl ability. |
| Trail Tough 15/87 | −15% | −87% | 31″–33″ | Popular in the US market; ratios similar to Protrack. |
| Trail Tough 0/87 | 0% | −87% | 30″–31″ | No change in high range; big improvement in low. |
| Low Range Only – Mild (0/50) | 0% | −50% | 235s–30″ | For light off-road users wanting more control without highway compromises. |
| SJ Transfer Case Swap (varies) | Varies | Up to −410% | 33″+ | Extreme crawl ratios. Requires custom mounts/shafts; generally not road-friendly gearing. |
How to Choose the Right Reduction Gears
When picking reduction gears for your Jimny, consider:
- Tyre Size — Larger tyres need more reduction to maintain drivability.
- Driving Style — Technical crawling benefits from deeper low range; touring setups often prefer milder ratios.
- On-Road Use — Big high-range reductions raise highway revs, affecting fuel economy and noise.
- Future Upgrades — Planning to move to 33s later? Choose a ratio that won’t feel under-geared after the upgrade.
Conclusion
Reduction gears are one of the most effective performance upgrades for a Suzuki Jimny used off-road. Match your tyre size and driving style to the right ratio to improve control, save your clutch, and make your Jimny more enjoyable on any terrain.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider a moderate option like Protrack 7/77 or low-only gears for smaller tyres, and move towards 17/87 (read our review) or SJ transfer case swaps for bigger builds running 33s and beyond.