The Great Roadway Bazaar

[Scott Brady]

Any reason you're keeping the back seat, instead of pulling it & tossing it?

Two reasons. The first is that we have a minder in Tajikistan, who needs to ride along with us. The second is that this vehicle will be sold to a Mongolian family by the charity, so they like it if you keep all the seats in it. So far, it is working ok with the seats in.

Of course, Charlie is still not in the vehicle yet

 

[grahamfitter]

Top Gear Suzuki Jimny Review

Because I like Land Rover Defenders I ought to like this - a Japanese replica that shrunk in the wash. But actually it's as desirable as shrunken Y-fronts. -- Top Gear

http://www.topgear.com/uk/suzuki/jimny/verdict

It sounds like the perfect vehicle for a on-off-road trip. Have fun!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[crawler#976]

Hey Scott!

Good luck with the journey - I'll look forward to your continuing reports! The Zuk looks like a fine platform. After seeing what a mildly modified Zuk can do here, I'm sure it will be up to the task ahead.

 

[LC4Dakar]

Make sure you have room for a 20-25 liter drinking water container. Comes in handy at those border crossings. Ours averaged 4 hours each, most of the time waiting in or around the car.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

That little truck is awesome. That thing would make WAY more sense over here than a SxS ATV like a Yamaha Rhino or Polaris Ranger, for about the same money. Too bad it's not available here. The North American vehicle market is so tragicly dysfunctional.

 

[Toyotero]

Very cool looking little rig.


FYI, your link go to an image of the exhaust.

Detailed Factory Specs Here:

 

[Redline]

I was thinking something similar...

It may not be very large or 'high-tech', but a little 4-cylinder with a manual trans and live axles at BOTH ends seems like a nice simple combination. Adding a little wheelbase might help it ride better

Q

I assume it rides much better with those coil springs than the leaf-sprung Samurais we had here in the 80s?

Scott, is it a 5 speed? (not 4 or 6?).

That little truck is awesome. That thing would make WAY more sense over here than a SxS ATV like a Yamaha Rhino or Polaris Ranger, for about the same money. Too bad it's not available here. The North American vehicle market is so tragicly dysfunctional.

 

[Scott Brady]

FYI, your link go to an image of the exhaust.

Oooops

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/automobile/lineup/jimny/spec/index.html

 

[Scott Brady]

It is a 5-Speed.

It is like a mini Land Cruiser, where you have similar reliability and some decent economy. . .

. . .Ok, it is nothing like a Land Cruiser.

But, I do like it. So far, fuel economy is nearly 30mpg and it handles the twisty French roads better than I thought (not saying that it does it well). Overall, it has exceeded my expectations, and is reasonably comfortable to drive. The next 10,000 miles will prove it in the long-term.

Even with the HD springs, it is feeling the load. And the load is currently just me, the things I could carry from the airport and a single box we shipped ahead of time. The solution to this is just to slow down on the road and trail. I think it is going to work out well, and even if it doesn't, that will make for some interesting stories. . .

 

[Scott Brady]

Whoever said there is no "wheel'in" in France-

Was wrong. . .

Will the little Jimny survive the washout of death? :ylsmoke:

 

[jorge]

Hello Scott,

My sister Taty owned a Jimmy for many years..same color..One time I asked to borrow it she say.. NO!.. I will call and tell her about your adventure. To celebrate your trip I'm opening a good Cabernet Reserve every week! Salud to you and have a safe trip.

Jorge

 

[UK4X4]

two's up on getting the exhaust done while your still in europe, it will just save you some hassle and more expence later on......

a noisy car will attract police like flies:costumed-smiley-007

PS it would not pass an MOT like that so that rot appeared in less than a year !

so I recon you have about a month !

or its illegally in france / spain..........ie the vehicle can be there - but has to be fully taxed and MOT'd -Tested up to date in the country of origin.

I had to drive mine home every winter just to get the testing done

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Maybe you need a little trailer for your stuff.

 

[LC4Dakar]

Maybe you need a little trailer for your stuff.

Three guys (2 Americans and 1 Brit) did the MR last year in a '76 Capri with a custom built trailer. They had to turn back because the Ukraine roads were beating the trailer to death:Wow1:

 

[LC4Dakar]

The ride looks great. Don't forget more than one spare tire/wheel.

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