Years ago, I told myself that when the 1998 Suzuki Jimny became legal to import into the U.S in 2023, I’d buy one. Mercedes was on board with this plan, especially after we rented a 2019 Jimny in Iceland (we’ll have to wait until 2044 for one of these). Despite two years of tardiness, we just made good on this promise. Behold: our 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide.
We purchased this rig via Facebook Marketplace from the previous owner, who plated it in Washington, who bought it from an importer about a year ago. This means the import paperwork was already done, and we can simply register it without hassle. Speaking of, it’s technically a Jimny Wide (aka JB33W), so it has the 1.3-liter G13BB engine and slightly wider fenders, so it’s not a kei vehicle. Hopefully, the fine folks at the Oregon DMV realize this and don’t try to pull the registration, thinking it’s the smaller 660cc turbo-three pot kei model.
Impressively, this little 4×4 has power steering, power windows, keyless entry, and dual airbags. It has a two-speed transfer case, a five-speed manual, AVM manual hubs, 15″ steel wheels from Jimny Bits, and new 235/75/15 BFGoodrich KO2 tires—our rubber of choice. Additionally, it included a winch mount, a winch (which will be replaced with a WARN unit), King lift springs on Ultima shocks (from Australia), and a slew of spare parts, including brakes. It also has just over 71,000 km (44,000 miles).
While in very good shape, it needs a few things. We discovered an oil leak after our 200-mile drive back from the Seattle area (I think it may be a cam or crank seal). The 4WD needs a vacuum line plugged so the indicator light doesn’t flash when 4WD is engaged. The roof rack’s rails are a bit loose. However, the paint is in remarkably good shape, the A/C blows cold, and the heat is hot.
The G13BB Engine
This Jimny has the G13BB engine, a 1,300cc 16-valve SOHC mill—the same engine found in 1998+ Chevrolet Metro. This should be helpful for parts. The small powerplant makes 84 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission. The trucklet easily darts around town and is easily capable of holding 65 MPH on flat stretches of interstate. It even has a replacement “high-performance” air filter. I hope our necks can handle the violent acceleration.
Solid Axle Suspension
Jimnys are known for their off-road prowess. This is due in part to the coil-sprung solid front and rear axles. While it sacrifices ride quality, the solid axles are stout and offer admirable off-pavement performance. On the road, the rig is a bit twitchy, which is to be expected with the solid axles, 88.6″ wheelbase, 63″ width, and low 2,227 lbs. In traffic, it’s odd to think this is a lifted 4×4; it’s so small. It makes our former Suzuki Sidekick feel like a behemoth. When parked next to our two-door Mitsubishi Pajero, it feels as if it’s a 3/4-scale vehicle. It kind of is. It feels remarkably solid, however.
Modern Interior
While our 1991 Pajero was ahead of its time, this Jimny feels straight out of ’98. And compared to our previous 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, it feels much more substantial. It’s remarkably refined inside. Power windows, A/C, easy-to-read gauge cluster, and simple 4WD system are great and intuitive. There isn’t a tilt steering wheel, but so be it. It still has the JDM tape deck, which will likely get replaced. We also need to switch out the interior vents, which keep defaulting to the straight-up orientation. The seats are not bad for a car this old; my back didn’t kill me after the 200-mile jaunt from Seattle to Portland.
The back seat (yes, there is one) is tiny. The rear folds down and can fold flat for hauling cargo instead of passengers. A smart tonneau cover can also hide contents underneath by fastening to four corners; a neat and versatile trick.
Our Plans for the Jimny
We bought this car two days before leaving for the TransAmerica Trail. However, we’ve had time to think about what we’d like to do with it.
Phase one will be fixing what’s not right with it: the oil leak, 4WD light, roof rack, and realigning the rear door. Also, cleaning up the exterior, winch mount, and installing a WARN winch.
We have a set of spare Thule crossbars and a neat Inno roof rack that’d be good on this little thing, and perhaps a set of aftermarket lights would be cool—we have all at the ready. At this point, I’m not sure I want to install a heavy bull bar and winch mount; we may stick with the mount that’s on there now. Perhaps we’ll put a rear locker in it, but I’d like to keep it “fast and light.” Well, at least light. While the steel wheels are new and the right offset, perhaps a set of alloys is in the works; we’re not sure yet.
What adventures will the Jimny take us on? Slow ones, to be sure. Whether we’ll employ it for long-distance travel remains to be seen. First, it has to earn our trust. Then we’ll need to see how we fare in such a tiny mode of transportation. We traveled Iceland for nine days in a 2019 Suzuki Jimny, and found it to work fine, so long as you didn’t have too much stuff (we had a ground tent).
A JB33W Jimny is, as my friend Scott called it, my “white whale.” It’s a car I’ve always wanted, and now we have it. Mercedes and I are both super excited about our time with the Jimny and can’t wait to hit the road and trails with it.
