Scale Model

Originally Published: October 2010 Words: Tim Gibson Pictures: Steve Taylor

The 2.8-litre Ford Essex V6 is warmed up by a pair of Zenith carburettors. The engine was used in a string of Fords including the Zephyr, Capri and Transit, as well as the AC ME, Reliant Scimitar, TVR Tuscan and, would you believe, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. So it’s more than capable of spiriting the 1.4-tonne Jimny along. You can also see the Twin Optima Yellow Tops in this picture, on either side of the engine bay. These provide plenty of power for the winches and other auxiliary electrics

A standard Jimny’s fuel pump would be located inside its tank, but not here. The Ford Essex engine comes from a different era – ‘when cars were cars,’ as Eron remarks – and the pump works mechanically rather than being controlled by an ECU. The vehicle doesn’t have a fuel gauge, but Eron has installed a light that illuminates when only a gallon remains. Just as well he doesn’t do green laning any more, then…

The cooler you see in this picture is for the three-speed Mercedes automatic gearbox, which came from an old S-Class limousine. Note also the synthetic Marlow rope on the winch drum

The Rock Lobster transfer case conversion is one of the most popular on extreme Suzukis, and the extra depth it adds to the Jimny’s overall gearing gives it awesome control over really rough terrain. Fitted by the last owner, it means the handbrake operates on the transfer case – just like the SJs from which the Rock Lobster’s key components are taken

The original bonnet and front wings have been replaced by weight-saving fibreglass copies. The air scoop comes from a Subaru Impreza – it’s actually there to clear the raised carburettors. ‘The original builders obviously cut a hole in the bonnet to make room for the carbs,’ opines Eron, ‘and then realised that it needed to be covered. The scoop does the job nicely!’

Eron might not use the Jimny for challenge competitions, but that’s what it was built to do. Hence the easily accessible waffle boards with their quick-release external tailgate mounts

The front winch mount is custom-made, and fixed directly on to the chassis for extra strength. The bumper is integrated with the roll cage, and is deceptively solid. Eron uses the exo cage for rubbing against trees as well as for protection – it’s a significant aid to the Jimny’s manoeuvrability

That old challenge favourite the doughty Warn 8274, in this case powered by a Gigglepin upgraded motor, adorns the Jimny’s front end. This picture also gives a sense of how tight a fit things are in the engine bay – which is hardly surprising when you consider that the Jimny’s standard lump displaces just 1.3 litres. The radiator is mounted a long way forward, and the front crossmember has been more or less dismantled in order to fit the Ford engine in, so the winch really is as far back as possible

Note how the roll cage provides protection for the front wings. Fibreglass splinters very easily, so Eron is grateful for the forethought that went into protecting them from knocks off-road. The rock sliders are integrated with the roll cage, tying it to the chassis via its A and B hoops

At the back of the vehicle, the roll cage is welded to the rear bumper – which in turn ties it to the chassis. Whereas at the front, wing bars protect a fragile pair of GRP arches, those at the back are made using yet more steel tube. Once again, the idea is to let the vehicle rub up against trees without suffering any damage

A brutally strong rear winch mount is welded directly to the Jimny’s chassis. Ferreted away within it is a Warn X9; like the 8274 up front, this too is spooled with synthetic rope

With the rear door open, you can see how well tucked away the Warn X9 is in its cage. Its Albright solenoids and remote spooling controls are just visible in these pictures, too

Lee Bond, who built the Jimny, was a long-time fan of G-Wagen axles. And with standard diff locks plus the strength of an ox, what’s not to love? Another benefit when you sling them under a Suzuki is that they massively increase the width of the vehicle’s footprint, meaning it’s a whole lot more stable, too. They’ll think nothing of wearing a set of 35-inch tyres, either, allowing the Jimny to clamber over pretty much any obstacle Eron chooses to point it at

Eron isn’t sure of the provenance of the coil springs. ‘They are very soft,’ he says, ‘which is surprising when you think of the weight difference between this car and a G-Wagen.’ This makes Eron think that the springs might have come from a vehicle other than the axle donor – possibly a Land Rover 90? Answers on a postcard…

Helping the Suzuki achieve spectacular amounts of front-end articulation, a three-link suspension set-up features a central arm whose leading rose joint allows the axle to pivot through an unlimited range of travel. The outer radius-arm links are cranked to provide a greater degree of droop, while Pro-Comp shock absorbers were chosen for the extensive range of travel they permit

Here’s how that three-link front set-up looks in action. This boulder was a good three feet high, and the Jimny waltzed up it. There’s a bit of rubbing against the chassis when the wheels’ articulation is pushed to its limit, but with those lockers available as back-up it’s nowhere near enough to hamper the truck’s mobility. It’s no wonder Eron is constantly hunting for greater challenges off-road

Simex Extreme Trekkers, size 35x11.50R15. Is there a better off-road tyre in the world? Eron doesn’t think so…

The interior is austere, but nonetheless pretty, with bright orange racing seats to match the exterior paint finish. These were imported from Belgium by the Jimny’s last owner, and Eron is well chuffed with the mixture of comfort and support they provide. They are rather large for the truck’s narrow little cabin, however – there are literally millimetres to spare on either side of them, and barely any space in between. Elsewhere, the three-speed auto shifter is effortless to use, and allows the driver to lock the car in first or second gear, for example when tackling steep descents. ‘I was never that keen on automatic transmission until I had this car,’ Eron admits. ‘Now I’m a definite convert’

What you’re looking at here are the levers for the Jimny’s diff locks, which sit between the seats. No need for ARBs when you’ve got a set of G-Wagen axles on the go – they were fitted with hydraulic units as standard

Yes, you can fit a 35-inch Simex across the width of a Jimny’s load bay. All the same, Eron had a nightmare trying to source a rim for his spare tyre. ‘I was told that a Mercedes Sprinter van wheel would fit to the G-Wagen’s axles,’ he says, ‘but it didn’t quite work out. It was a very expensive business finding a suitable replacement, but I like to have a spare on board. Punctures are a part of life when you’re into off-roading.’ Access to the spare is provided by a lifting shelf, on to which are strapped a set of ammo boxes containing tools, spares and recovery gear

The Suzuki Jimny is a diminutive truck that delights with its cutesy charm, right? Not when you fit G-Wagen axles, three-link front suspension and a 2.8-litre engine, it isn’t. Then, the giant-killer becomes the giant…

There’s a problem of scale when you look at Eron Baxter’s Jimny in isolation from other vehicles. It looks just like any other Jimny – albeit one that has been fitted with a bit of off-road hardware. There’s nothing to mark it out as particularly special.

But park it next to a standard example of Suzuki’s little 4x4, and the vehicle’s immensity begins to show. It’s the equivalent of wheeling Mount Everest up alongside Snowdon: the Welsh mountain might look tall when seen by itself, but stick it next to the world’s highest peak and its status as a mere hillock becomes obvious.

The same is true with Eron’s Jimny. A standard Jimny ends somewhere near the vehicle’s wing mirrors, and occupies about two-thirds of the road space. This really is a big truck.

That’s what happens when you merge G-Wagen axles, a large-capacity Ford petrol engine and 35-inch Simexes with Suzuki’s SJ heir apparent. You end up with a vehicle that has all the visual cues of a Jimny, combined with the off-road presence of something a lot more hardcore.

Small wonder, then, that Eron couldn’t resist buying the vehicle when a member of his local off-road club put it up for sale. ‘I agreed to go along and have a look,’ reports Eron, who already owned an off-road equipped L200. ‘That was a mistake, because the minute I set eyes upon the Jimny, I knew I just had to have it!’

In consequence, the Suzuki rapidly joined the Baxter fleet of 4x4s. In addition to the 2001 L200 that he uses for play days, Eron also owns a 2005-registered L200 Warrior, which is put into service as a tow truck. Eron prefers to trailer his off-roaders to events, so that he can really let loose in the rough stuff. ‘It means you can be more adventurous with the terrain you tackle,’ he says, ‘and you know you’ll still be able to get back home in one piece.’

The quest for muddy adventures is becoming something of an obsession for Burton-on-Trent based Eron. He first became interested in off-roading about five years ago, having fallen in love with a lifted Frontera while green laning with some friends. That prompted him to fit bigger tyres and a suspension lift to his double-cab, and his tastes have subsequently become more extreme by the day.

‘I’ve given up on green laning,’ he says, ‘because there isn’t really enough of a challenge in it for me now. I like fun days on really big sites, where I can find plenty to test my vehicles.’

Eron recognises that he’s a prime candidate for the challenge scene – and, with the Jimny, he has the perfect vehicle in which to compete. The truck was originally built by Lee Bond and used by Steve Lloyd to compete in top-level challenge competitions. With this kind of pedigree, it’s no wonder that Eron struggles to find terrain that is taxing enough for the car. But with a lack of time due to work commitments, he isn’t currently in a position to commit to one of the major championships.

For now, therefore, Eron is happy to get the most out of his unusual Jimny by touring the off-road sites of the UK. It gives him a good opportunity to compare notes with other enthusiasts, and to see how his modified 4x4 stands up against more standard vehicles. You won’t be surprised to learn that it tends to acquit itself pretty well.

Which just goes to show – you only get a genuine sense of what this vehicle is all about when you can measure it against something else. As I was saying, it’s all about scale…

FORD ESSEX ENGINE CONVERSION, OPTIMA YELLOW-TOPS, ROCK LOBSTER TRANSFER CASE, WARN 8274, GIGGLEPIN WINCH, FABRICATED ROLL CAGE, PRO-COMP SHOCKS, SIMEX EXTREME TREKKERS, JIMNY