“Suzuki’s “”Jimny”” is popular and customization is booming! Not only the standard “”Agekei””! What are the latest customization techniques?
Four Directions for Customizing the Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny is a domestic vehicle that has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years.
The current model has an endearing look that incorporates straight body lines and lovely rounded two-light headlights, and despite being a minicar, it features a ladder frame and part-time four-wheel drive for high rough road drivability.
The “”Jimny”” is very popular with its lifted-up and heavy-duty tires! Is the pickup “”Sierra”” an option?
Lift-up is a standard customization of Jimny (Off-Road Service Taniguchi)
Until now, the Jimny had a strong image as a professional-use vehicle for work and for men who like off-roading, but the current Jimny’s charming design has gained the support of women who were not interested in SUVs or XC vehicles. The new Jimny’s charming design has gained the support of women who were not interested in SUVs or XC vehicles.
The outdoor boom has made the Jimny even more popular among a wide range of people, and customizing the Jimny to one’s own taste is gaining momentum.
There are four directions of Jimny customization.
There is the “”full-fledged XC custom,”” in which the Jimny’s high rough-road drivability is further enhanced with parts and specifications to improve off-road driving performance, and the “”dress-up custom,”” in which the high basic performance is maintained and the vehicle is given a more sophisticated appearance.
Also popular among women is the “”Modify (Retro) Custom,”” in which parts are installed to give the Jimny the image of a popular large XC vehicle, and the “”Outdoor Camper,”” which adds practicality and enjoyment to outdoor activities, ranging from easy to overnight stays in the car. There is also the “”Outdoor Camper Custom”” that combines both practicality and enjoyment of going outdoors.
Among the various Jimny customizations that exist, the standard one is to upgrade the off-road performance.
Of these, Off-Road Service Taniguchi (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture), a 4WD specialty store, has sold many original parts.
We asked Mr. Taniguchi, the representative of Off-Road Service Taniguchi, about customizing the Jimny to make it an even more attractive off-roader.
The most popular customization for the current Jimny (JB64/74) is a lift-up.
If the vehicle is lifted and fitted with tires with a larger diameter, it will be more powerful, and its off-road performance will also be improved.
However, the ride quality will also change, so if you are considering a lifted vehicle, please pay attention not only to the amount of lift, but also to the performance of the suspension.
The combination of a lifted vehicle and larger tires seems to be a popular standard customization.
Another appeal of Jimny customization is the ability to create an original and unique Jimny by changing bumpers and other exterior parts.
In fact, the most popular custom parts at Off-Road Service Taniguchi are the “”ACE Series”” suspensions.
This suspension is not only for lifting, but also for a wide range of riding comfort from city driving to off-roading, and each coil has a different ride quality. The original 14-step adjustable shock absorber can be adjusted to meet your needs.
Custom parts for convenience goods are also popular, and storage parts such as drink holders and roof racks are attracting attention, and the number of users who have actually installed them is increasing.
For example, the “”Free Stop Door Opener,”” which stops the rear door in any position, the specially designed “”3D Rubber Mat,”” which prevents dirt and mud from spilling out, and the “”Two-Step Adjustable Side Steps,”” which make it easier to get in and out when the vehicle is lifted up, are hot-selling products.
The tail light garnish is also attracting attention as an easy way to change the look of the rear of the vehicle,”” says Mr. Taniguchi, representative of Off-Road Service Taniguchi.
As a long-established store, one would expect only full-scale customization, but surprisingly, easy customization is also popular.
When we asked about future customization of the Jimny, he said that since it is a vehicle that attracts the attention of young women, in addition to exterior parts that look good in installations and convenient products that solve inconveniences, guard system parts and drive system parts such as LSD are also likely to attract attention for off-road beginners.
Suzuki’s “”Jimny”” popularity has led to a boom in customization! Not just the standard “”Agekei””! What are the latest customization techniques?
Overland Style”” for Beginners!
The current Jimny is popular among a wide range of people because it has added on-road comfort to its existing full-fledged 4WD mechanism and robust body.
At events, the custom-made models tend to attract a lot of attention, but what about actual users?
We spoke with Mr. Uchida, public relations manager for JAOS (Haigashimura, Gunma Prefecture), a popular aftermarket parts manufacturer specializing in 4WDs and SUVs.
The Jimny (JAOS), with its rugged tires that emphasize the wildness of the vehicle
Mr. Uchida said, “”My personal impression, which I received at the event and from various media outlets, is that there are not many people who modify the current Jimny in a flashy way.
I think that most of the current Jimny owners like the neo-classical design similar to the second generation (JA11) from the 1990s, and the actual customization is mostly petit customization with wheels and grilles designed to further emphasize the slightly retro image.
Among these, the “”overland style”” is attracting attention due to the outdoor boom, and roof racks and other parts that allow efficient loading of camping and other cargo are popular.
If you are a beginner, I would recommend starting with one-point customization, such as replacing the grille and wheels to give the car an “”overland style”” feel.
That alone will change the atmosphere of the car and make you feel more attached to it,”” says JAOS spokesperson Mr. Uchida.
In fact, among JAOS products, suspension parts such as the “”BATTLE Lift-Up Set,”” which provides a moderate lift of approximately 40 mm while maintaining both ride comfort and vehicle stability, are popular, as is the original roof rack “”JAOS Flat Rack,”” which is designed to cover the entire roof and has expanded functionality. JAOS Flat Rack,”” an original roof rack designed to cover the entire roof and provide expanded functionality, is also popular.
When used 4WD and SUV models start to appear in abundance, people tend to prefer parts that are useful for off-roading, such as suspensions and protectors.
The Jimny is still a popular vehicle that takes a long time to be delivered, but even so, early models are about to undergo their first vehicle inspections, so we may see an increase in customization that goes one step deeper,”” says JAOS spokesperson Uchida.
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After all, Jimny customization is not only about pursuing off-road performance through suspension customization such as lifting, but also about enjoying the outdoorsy feel of the vehicle by simply changing the grille and wheels, all thanks to the appeal of the base vehicle.
The current Jimny is a great vehicle that can be transformed into both a classic and a full-fledged off-roader.”