You recommend airbags over new springs? Or maybe a simple spring spacer
http://www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/jimny/suspension/jimny-superpro-25mm-spring-spacer/prod_1460.html?
Of course we have a budget, so that should fit the solution as well.
Actually, if I would do this (...well, I would get too excited about terrain and would probably go over board with beefing up my ride:sombrero: ) - I would do the 25 mm spacers AND airbags in the rear!! The 25mm lift will give you space for tires ANOTHER size bigger than you have now (sell these as "nearly new!"), which, with a rig as small as the Jimny gives you the REAL lift!!
Just new springs gives you the lift, BUT if you load up the Jimny (..and you WILL!!), you still will have the same issue with the tail riding low.
(IF you change the springs you need to change them all around...)
IF you do the spacers you also need to do them all around and with the stock springs you will STILL get the tail down when loaded...
The airbags DON'T give you any lift, just maintain the proper ride-height at the end they are installed.....
[The Jimny has seperate coils and shocks up front too, so you could install airbags in the front too, in case things get too heavy there...]
[Call the people I mentioned in my last post and talk to them about sponsoring you a little for the trip! For them this should be the VERY cheapest, but top-advertisement!!]
I know you are on a budget, BUT I think you still need to consider SOME heavy-duty bumper, doesn't have to be a ARB - make something yourself, or have the local blacksmith weld you up something from square/rectangular tube! Something sturdy but not too complicated or heavy - Imagine a front and side impact and what it should look like to deal with that!
You need to watch the weight a LOT, IF you stick with the stock springs....even with the spacers...
The advantage of the small Suzukis (Samurais and Jimnys) is they are light!! So, with a bumper you want it attached to the frame and sturdy enough, so it moves the whole car when hit!! Otherwise a hit will "eat up" part of the Jimny and destroy a lot of stuff!
[e.g.
http://www2.izook.com/?page_id=290 ,
http://www.adverts.ie/other/suzuki-grand-vitara-offroad-winch-bumper/6610916 , ...I know, not a Jimny, but you get the idea...]
To safe money, build the bumper WITHOUT a winch, but with HEAVY-duty recovery points and take at least a medium size Hi-Lift-Jack and a few accessories with you, incl. a good few meters of steel cable with you!! The Hi-Lift is your "poor man's winch" if needed, just takes longer!
Be aware, just because your plan is to "stick ON roads", doesn't mean that you cannot slip of the road or do not have to "escape" into a ditch, or...???
Also, IF you go for the longer springs OR the spacers, you need to get some CASTOR CORRECTION BUSHES [ e.g.
http://www.suspensiondealer.com.au/jimny.htm ,
http://www.suspensiondealer.com.au/images/instructions/Jimny Caster Radius Arm.pdf ]
Check out a few bumpers and start playing with cardboard!
IF you decide to go for the lift and bigger tires, make sure your spare has the same tire size too! Actually you might want to start a strict tire-rotation routine and stick to it - including the spare! This should ensure your tire wear is even throughout the trip - like rotate them every 5000 km....
When you are done with the minimums and you have SOME spare left, think about underbody armor - like skid plates.....
In any case - windowshop a little!! Gives you all kinds of good ideas! [e.g.:
http://www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/index.php - just a sample I googled quickly, ther is a few others more...]
Another "crazy" idea to get spinning in your head is a better rear-bumper with a TRAILER hitch!! :coffeedrink:
You might be running out of space - and for the Jimny a small trailer would not cost much! [Though if you entertain this idea, STILL go for a fully braked trailer....]
Have fun and go WILD!! :wings:
Cheers,
thjakits
PS: I had a tattered '87 Samurai and even before the minimal mods I made (a 2" shackle lift and a home-made bumper), that little thing would go ANYWHERE I dared!! A Jimny IS in my future (...or better my son's future...)
