Beefy tires and a fresh paint job show well on this refurbished and upgraded 4×4, but that’s just the start. The 1988 Suzuki Jimny in Mesa, Arizona left the factory with a turbo and hood-scoop and later gained a nondescript “big turbo” and a host of other parts for added utility and adventure. Check out more pictures and notes here on Craigslist, where the asking price of $10,000 equals the parts invested, according to the listing. Thanks to reader Mitchell G. for spotting this diminutive Japanese SUV.
Nothing says “’80s economy vehicle” like a one-piece molded plastic steering wheel. I’ve considered the Jimny for a RV-towed vehicle or “toad,” something I don’t need and never have. Still, my brain is always making lists of things I may never buy, just in case. Is there a cure for this behavior? That dashboard seems to have taken a beating in the sun, but check out those leather seats!
Oversized tires and extra horsepower can wreck havoc on drive line components, so hopefully the seller-described “tons of new suspension/axle parts” are up to the task. If you’re scouring the web for interesting stories, check out the video of Matt’s Offroad Recovery rescuing a similar Suzuki LJ20 abandoned 40 years earlier.
If life has you feeling down, a basketball-sized turbo may be just the ticket to turn that frown upside down. This should be the JA71 four-stroke, turbocharged and fuel-injected 543 cc (33 cu in) inline three-cylinder making 41 HP stock, so figure at least 60 with the upgrades. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details. An air filter or screen may be advised before ingesting an errant songbird on the trail or waking one morning to find that industrious rodents have nested in your turbo housing.
Consider the Jimny a 2+2 in most situations, but I’d ride back there if we’re not tackling the Rubicon trail. You’ll appreciate the hard top for noise reduction and anytime it’s cold or rainy. A sagging factory headliner was removed, and fitting the monster turbo led to a deletion of factory air conditioning components under the bonnet. Credit the seller for mentioning these demerits. In modern times when vehicles seem to get bigger and bigger every year, it’s refreshing to see a trail-sized 4×4 from a simpler time, and the turbo and other upgrades boost interest and capability. How would you put this RHD off-roader to work?
Had one in Japan. Wound up doing a motor swap in a rural town. Had my tools shipped over to do the job. DIY isn’t really a thing there so I had a small audience. Was a success until I blew the head gasket some time later. These are a blast to drive.
Your comment DIY isn’t really a thing there. I thank that applies all over Asia. I lived in Beijing for a number of years and owned a Jeep Cherokee, big 6 cylinder, 5 speed manual and 4 WD. One Saturday morning I had the keep up on 4 jackstands changing the brakes and a neighbor walked over and was astonished to see me, a restaurant owner, working on my own vhicle. He was a manager at a Hyundai factory in Beijing. His first comment was “I didn’t know you were an automotive engineer”. I told him, I’m not, I just don’t trust other people to work on my vehicles (1 Jeep and about 4 motorcycles). He next asks me if I wanted to change jobs and work at the Hyundai plant. The look on his face when I crawled out from under the Jeep to say hi to him, still makes me chuckle.
worth about half that….
I count 4 spark plug wires?
…count again, blue wires to the right of the picture…3
Count the injectors. There’s 4 of them. One of the spark plug wires (the 4th one) is hard to see.
Right hand drive JDM vehicles in my neck of the woods are frightfully expensive. $10k or more for a Honda Acty or just about any Kei truck for example. The things can’t go down our freeways without sounding like their engines are about to throw every rod at the same time. This vehicle is no exception because you can bet it’s low-geared in addition to still being underpowered. This unit is too pricey and finding parts will be a challenge. You can’t even find domestic Suzuki parts easily, any more.
I bought a ’91 Suzuki Carry for $1,200. Sounded like it was falling apart but new u-joints in the front (25mm x 64 fit mine) and new diff bushings cured that. Fun little SxS for around the farm. I fabbed up a winch bumper and snow plow mount. Kids love it because rhd is different.
Ok, so who can confirm either way? 3 or 4 cylinders? The owner maybe?
It’s a 4 banger.. says it on the right side under the map.
Got it, thanks! I was only looking at the Barn Find listing where it says it’s a 3……all good!
These are cool rigs.. I met a guy who lived in the Coconino National Forest a few miles south of Flagstaff a couple of decades back who had a left hand drive that he towed behind his RV. I was camping nearby at the time and saw he had a for sale sign on it one day, but unfortunately it was already sold.
According ot the CL map this one is about a quarter mile from where I used to live and he’s directly south of the Salt River entrance to the Tonto National Forest, so I imagine it’s seen some offroading. I used to up with my ’89 Toyota 4×4 pickup when I lived on Culver St east of where he’s at.
Great for towing behind an RV.
I’m just relieved to find out I may not be abnormal.
“I’ve considered the Jimny for a RV-towed vehicle or “toad,” something I don’t need and never have. Still, my brain is always making lists of things I may never buy, just in case. Is there a cure for this behavior?”
Ditto. Thanks, Pnuts!