Ryno from Jimny Drive put together a really cool initiative for owners, and prospective owners, of Suzuki’s epic little 4×4. The fact is you seldom see a bog standard Jimny. Owners love to put their spin on their cars depending on what they intend to use their Jimny for. Maybe it is just because these cars just look so epic when pimped! I must confess, I know the feeling. Having recently acquired the ZA Bikers 3-door Jimny, I have got caught up in the same rush. Whilst the Jimny is ridiculously capable as a 4×4 in stock standard trim, it responds to fettling well.
Probably the most popular accessory is a roof rack and other Add-ons to help maximise the available space and pack the Jimny efficiently. No surprise really, given that the Jimny is tiny, and you need to suss out carefully how to pack the little beast. Other issues that owners address is suspension mods. Whilst the standard suspension is adequate, quality aftermarket suspension significantly enhances the Jimny’s handling and ride quality. Like I have experienced on many motorcycles that I have owned, suspension is sometimes built ‘to a price’ and I suspect this may be the case with the little Suz too.
To cater to this cottage industry, a host of product providers cater to the needs of the Jimny faithful. Those of you who have followed my ramblings over the years will know that I like using unlikely vehicles for epic trips. I have undertaken many ‘Tiddler Tours’ where I have ridden big distances on small-capacity motorcycles. My life is hectic, so the idea of slowing down and ‘Smelling the roses’ is very appealing. Enter project Jimny. My Jimny is going to get rigged for the occasion. I was lucky enough to inherit several brilliant goodies from the likes of Alucab, Takla, Des Sol, General Tyres and Jimny Wild with my Jimny, but there are still vital areas that I need to address to make it an even better little Micro Overlander, so I was stoked to attend the dedicated Jimny accessory event at the De Wildt 4×4 Game Park and Resort near Hartebeespoort Dam.
Right at the entrance was SG Performance with their turbo kit developed for the Jimny. I chatted with Jamie who elaborated on the kit. It uses a small Garrett turbocharger as the base of a seemingly thoroughly engineered kit with an intercooler, gearbox cooler for the auto, and all the complimentary hardware. A power-brake brake upgrade is an option should you feel that for double the power and torque you may need more stopping power. The turbo runs a conservative boost in the interest of engine longevity and reliability. If you lug huge loads with your Jimny or tow you may want to consider going the turbo route albeit at the cost of your factory warranty if still applicable.
Next door, Guy, from Jimny Wild had some of his cool goodies on display. I have some of his farkles on and in my Jimny which look good and work well. The console armrest is a firm favourite, as at last my errant left arm now has a comfy resting place. The subtle grill with the Suzuki in cursive also really looks super cool. He does a great snorkel kit which looks totally factory. I am talking to him about his slide system which is proper. Split in two it allows you to easily access a fridge or storage boxes as well as still utilise the space where the back seats typically go for additional storage. It is strong and decently priced. Check out his website to see the extensive range of cool Jimny bits that he stocks.
I strolled over to our friends at the Takla stand. What an awesome product their interior protection kit is. My Jimny has been the beneficiary of such a kit, and it still looks brand new despite some serious off-road trips. Fantastic stuff made from tough fabrics. The fit is superb and for me, it is a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your car’s interior.
The Tough Dog crowd were all but packed up, so I just drooled over their beautifully sorted 5-door Jimny before moving on. Not that Tough Dog needs much of an introduction. Their suspension is legendary amongst 4×4 aficionados. Speaking suspension, Profender were also in attendance. This specialist suspension provider out of Thailand offers some really cost-effective solutions that are well worth a look (both brands are distributed locally by Opposite Lock).
Two nicely sorted Jimny’s stood out in that they feature stuff that I will strongly consider as I finalise my micro-overland build. The one was the car built by 4X4 Megaworld who did a lot of fitments on my vehicle. It features bits from various firm favourites amongst the Jimnisti, like global player Alucab’s lightweight and aerodynamic rooftop tent, stowage shelf, molle plates, spotlights and their piece de resistance, the fold-down backdoor table and cutting board combo. My vehicle has these mods, and they all work superbly.
The other Jimny was the Bushtec vehicle. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to chat with anyone from Bushtec, but having watched some of their goodies developed for the Roam Overlanding 3-door, I am a fan. I will be investigating their clever gullwing cupboard which replaces the side back window on the Jimny. Their slider system is also a winner. The design is excellent and uses existing threaded holes in the Jimny chassis wherever possible.
Strolling around and ogling the Jimny’s you realise what a staple supplier Front Runner has become. Their roof racks abound—and more often than not—their bespoke brackets attach all manner of accessories.
They are one of the Suzuki-approved suppliers that we are working with on our current 5-door Jimny project, so keep an eye on our platform as we explore and try out a number of their different attachments. Absolute quality kit!
I recognised the Ironman 3-Door Jimny that has been featured on YouTube with its Zambia exploits. It is properly rigged, and I feasted my eyes as my Jimny is heading in the same direction. Notable additions were the drawer/slide system and a brilliant 270-degree awning offering tons of shade. It deploys and packs away easily and makes loose gazebos seem redundant. They are working on version 2 as we speak so watch this space.
Jimny specialists, Des Sol, were showing off their impressive wares, including their turbo kit and an impressive suspension system developed totally in-house with tuneable dampers. These guys know their way around a Jimny. Their 80-litre long-range replacement tank solves the limited range issues which are a limiting factor for those who want to venture far off the beaten track.
Next up was the trailer and caravan boys. Ryno from Jimny Drive has developed a lightweight trailer which boasts some impressive specs.
Moremi Trailers was also there with various models, all well built and obviously benefitting from a lot of thought and practical feedback from their customers. Their bossman, Jan Venter, will custom design something specific for you if needs be.
Xcaliber’s Lil Jimny trailer is a beaut. It is tiny but cleverly designed, giving Jimny owners that extra space for home comforts out in the bush.
The Canyon 01 Basecamp by Krafted Kampers is fantastic value for money. It is well spec’d and cleverly designed with a separate kitchen and lovely ‘bedroom’. Fitted with an optional rooftop tent, it can accommodate sleeping space for four. Perhaps ideal for the four-member family. The awning provides plenty of shade and chill space.
Visit www.jmsa.co.za to see another range of very handy Jimny-specific goodies. They featured a lot of their goodies on their own Jimny which was in attendance.
ONCA had their 5-door on display with a smattering of their range of Jimny goodies that they have developed over the last 2 years. Particularly impressive for me is their 80 mm lift suspension kit, as well as an ingenious and beautifully made drawer system with a fridge that retains the seats in the 5-door. The quality of proudly South African-designed and built hardware on display harks back to a time when we were leaders in weapon design and manufacture. Those same skills are apparent when you study some of the locally manufactured kits.
Desert Wolf’s Ratel trailer was developed around the needs of Jimny owners needing a state-of-the-art camper with little or no compromise. The features are too many to mention but their modular design allows you to build it to your needs. If that is for you, give them a shout.
If you, like me, have cut a stick down to size and then gone from wheel to wheel with your tyre gauge to deflate your wheels for sand duty, then take heart, a solution to your misery is at hand! Indeflate has a system which can be attached to two wheels at a time, allowing precision deflating and, if attached to your compressor, inflating without hassle and with accuracy. Now there is a cool Christmas prezzie for Dad!
Last but certainly not least, a huge shout out to the two champions from the mobile baristas, Coffee Run. They kept everyone’s caffeine levels safe for the duration of the event and did it with a smile.
You guys rock! All in all, this was a great initiative by Ryno and Jimny Drive which I am sure will grow from strength to strength. If you have a Jimny, shop around and support these vendors while you fettle your ride. If you are considering a Jimny, what are you waiting for? A whole world of fun awaits! These funky funsters are not just transport, they’re a lifestyle!
In closing, we are super stoked with the recent announcement from Suzuki South Africa, that there will be a second Jimny Gathering happening in 2025, for more information visit: www.suzukiauto.co.za.
