Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hey guys im a noob to 4bs so i need some advice.

ive used the search function but it hasnt really answered my questions. i want to get a jimny, i will mainly use it as a daily driver, going up the beach and some bush work. basicly mods im planing on are about a 40-60mm lift, some tyres (not sure what size yet) snorkle, bull bar and spotties. maybe lockers and a whinch down the track.

i know the older models are good for doing mods but are under powered with the g13b engine, and that 05 on have the push button 4wd and the better engine.

i have dirven a 99 model with a dodgy motor so i couldnt really get a good indication of power from that. also looked @ an 04 model with a heap of rust so i didnt even bother driving it.

so my question is what is the best jimny model to go for. im looking to spend about 10k at the most for the car (will do the build over time)

also i have found a good priced 05 model with under 100k but it has a syncro issue so i was wondering is it worth putting in a diff gear box and a manual transfer case? im willing to do the work myself as long as there is not going to be massive custom work. i found a thread on this but it was never finished....

so yea any advise would be much aprecitated. thanks.

Dustin

bump

Hi Dustin,
My wife and I have 2 Jimnys. Mine is a 2000 with M13A motor and lever activated Tcase, hers is a 2007 with VVT and push button Tcase. Both have been owned from new. The 07 is stock and will stay that way until she upgrades and I get hold of it. Mine however has a few mods.

2000 Jimny;
It's been set up as daily driver with reliability being important, but I also like to have a play so off road capability is also important. We also like camping on the beach and now use a camper trailer.
My Jimny has 90mm of lift via 40mm springs and 50mm spacers. This is the third height adjustment that I've made. 1st 40mm, then 60mm. Once I went up to 90mm longer brake lines and adjustable panhards were installed.
It now has over 130,000 and has been quite reliable.

I think that if you want to modify a Jimny you should also keep in mind the air bag fitted to 2000 onward, makes body lift illegal. VVT motor is much more powerful then the non-VVT version.