After lot of research and chatting to other Jimny owners on Instagram I chose the Old Man Emu 40mm lift, with 10mm spring spacers as I generally have the text and awning on 24/7 due to lack of storage. My goal was to stiffen the ride and reduce the head wobble that the stock suspension has. I wanted to improve was the road manners, especially under load.
Obviously off road capability improves with better suspension as well as the overall stance of the car, but unlike most people that to me is an added bonus.
The stock suspension gets a rough time from reviewers and I’ve always felt like they’re overreacting to how terrifying the Jimny is to drive. That said, it’s hardly perfect and I was generally sitting at 60 mph with the camping set up on the car. This felt ok to me.
Frankly, I’d have thought twice about adding a lift if I never ran with a camper setup or did zero off roading, not that I go crazy anyway.
Purchase
I went with Storm Customs to order the lift kit. They helped a lot with good advice on what I should do for my specific circumstances. A massive plus point for me was their willingness to let me demo what their Jimny feels like with the kit installed. Big thanks to Mike who took time out of his weekend to accommodate me.
Mike performed some manoeuvres in his Jimny I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing with the stock set up. An excellent demonstration to justify the benefits of the install.
Here’s the exact kit I went with:
- Front Coil Spring Pair: 3144
- Front Shocks Pair: 60154
- Rear Coil Spring Pair: 3146
- Rear Shocks Pair: 60155
- Rear Panhard Rod Bracket and bump stop extensions FK96
- Headlight Level Sensor Bracket FK97
- Castor Correction Bushes OMECA001
- Extended brake hose
- 10mm spring spacers.
I also bought 30mm wheel spacers from Jimnybits.com.
Installation
Storm Customs did the install, they even let me film some of it 🙂 hopefully I didn’t get too much in the way. Being a non mechanical kinda guy it was interesting to see the attention to detail that went into installing it. They have a few little mods up their sleeve after already fitting this suspension to a few Jimny’s. They know what they’re doing.
This video timestamps direct to the clip from the install.
Result
Ok so it feels like there’s little difference at normal town speeds 20-30mph but most noticeably there’s far less body roll when cornering and on roundabouts. That’s probably quite obvious to you but we think it’s great. We definitely feel the additional height and the car isn’t able to be wobbled by coughing at a red light. It’s as comfortable as the stock suspension around town, which I always liked anyway.
The big ticket improvement is on the motorway! It’s completely transformed the ride. We are far more confident riding down the motorway at 65-70 mph with the full camping set up loaded up top. A total win. This justifies the cost and a worthwhile addition to the Jimny in my book.
So far on the small amount of off road driving I’ve done I’ve noticed I can ride a faster than I would have. It eats up the terrain a lot smoother. Excited for the next green laning trip where I get to experience more challenging trails.
All in all, this is the best upgrade I’ve made to the Jimny and my wife agrees as it’s boosted her confidence driving it too, albeit just around town.
I’m happy to answer any questions from a layman’s perspective, just comment below. For any technical questions I’d recommend giving Andy a call at Storm Customs on 01482 666 491 or email sales@stormcustoms.com.
Hi there,
I am considering the same kit – although I don’t have any roof rack or the like so far, maybe it will come in the future.
But I am looking for a bit more clearance when off-road driving and going the once a week commute of 600 km…. well, a bit less body roll in cross winds or when shifting lanes, that wouldn’t hurt:-)
What is your inputs, overkill with Old Emu?
Secondly, the offer I have does not include Castor Correction Bushes nor bump stops – what are the bushes for?
And the 10mm spacers, are those wheel spacers?
Sorry for all the questions but I would appreciate your inputs and experience with the suspension.
Cheers, Mads
Hi Mads, one of the main reasons for the change to OME was to get rid of that body roll, especially on motorways and winding country roads. The OME kit has really stabilised the ride it’s road benefits are most noticeable at higher speeds. I do have 30mm wheel spacers on though and they give the ride more stability (imho).
Roof weight wise the stock car did fine with my tent and rack system but with OME it’s completely unnoticeable up there day to day.
Storm Customs in York who supplied and fitted the kit did explain why the castor correction bushes (and bump stops) are needed but I’ve forgotten lol. I’d give Andy a ring, the guys there a spot on and took into consideration my camping setup and typical usage to decide on the exact kit to go for.
I’m super happy with the kit, it’s the most noticeable improvement so far over the stock car and looks great too.
Good luck mate.
Hi there
I was wondering if you had the extended rear brake lines installed? 🙂
Brg
Lasse
Hi Lasse, yeah we did 👍
Hi when fitting the AMU Jimny lift fit from Strom, did they have to modify the from cross arm?
Hi Mark, No need too. Give Andy a call at Storm he can talk you through 👍
Hi Geordie
What tyres are you running? I just bought a Jimny and want to fit the same lift kit but some chunkier tyres? Any advice on tyres using the existing rims? Thanks!
Neil
Hi Neil,
I run Toyo Open Country A/T Plus 215/75R15. They’re great on and off road for me needs. After the lift they do look a bit small and I’ll likely change to 16″ wheels with 225/75R16.
I’m no expert on these matters though mate.
Thanks Geordie
Ill prob do both at once, the lift and the wheels. Wanted to make sure the lift accomodates the biggest wheels. If you think you can accommodate a 225 thats what ill order.
Thanks again
The most optimum if you’re going to do some off-roading too, as I’ve learned is 215/75R15.
These sizes I’ve seen mostly used and work with a lift or some with stock suspension.
Hi Geordie
I’m considering the same kit and to also get some bigger 215/75R15 tyres. How big effect has this had on power and fuel consumption?
Thanks!
Hi Daniel, Hard to say exactly how much it’s effected fuel as I did the tyre changes before the first 2k run in mileage and run the tent on 24/7. So for normal users with an automatic it’ll be better than the ~32 mph I get around town as a daily driver. Sometimes it’s 30 just depends on all the different factors. I went with lightweight tyres though, Toyo Open Country. I have seen some autos hitting up to 40 mpg but I never once got close to that regardless of setup on my automatic.