It’s no secret that for many, the Suzuki Jimny is the ‘it’ 4WD of the year. Twelve months ago, NZ4WD tested the limited-run Safari edition, and loved it for is compact, can-do honesty. More recently, we have seen these little trucks adopted by motorhome set, who like to bring along something small, light and economic for grocery runs and local exploring while touring.

This tribe are abandoning their tatty Jap import tow-along sedans and hatchbacks in favour of off-road capable small 4WDs. That’s not silly.

Tauranga-based couple Darryl and Cathy Holden are no strangers to 4WD adventure, and have just completed their own Jimny build, using the higher specification Sierra model.

“Over the years, Cathy and I have owned a series 3 Land Rover, an FJ Land Cruiser with a 327 Chev, we also owned a Suzuki 413 and a Suzuki Escudo,” Darryl says.

They then travelled overseas for a while and ended up living in Australia where in 2010 the couple bought a GU Nissan Patrol and kitted it out for outback exploring. “We did all the usual outback modifications for overland adventures,” Darryl said.

Some epic trips followed, including two adventures in the daunting Simpson Desert.

Back in New Zealand, the couple retired early and were traveling around New Zealand in a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk towing an Australian off-road caravan. Ill health forced a revision of the travel plan and a switch to a motor home.

Like many, the pair had been eyeing Suzuki’s Jimny, and an idea began to form: using experience gained with previous vehicles and specifically the Australian Patrol, they would fit out a 4WD to tow behind the motor home.

There was no mucking around; a green Jimny was duly ordered. A slight diversion occurred when they saw a grey Jimny and changed their colour preference accordingly.

“The weight was the biggest factor and then came 4WD ability, the only real option was a Suzuki Jimny five-speed manual as its tare weight from new was only 1100 kg.”

Though some prospective owners have been somewhat disappointed by lengthy wait times for delivery, an eight month wait time actually worked in their favour with the switch from caravan to motor home happening at the same time.

Even better, the Jimny is a 2023 first-registration.

“From new we got Tauranga Motor Company to install speakers in the rear, weather shields, diff protectors, side protection strips on the doors and a duraseal treatment.”

When the vehicle arrived, Darryl took it straight in for upgrades.

“Before the Jimny arrived I had researched what mods to do and what brands to use.  One of the main issues with a standard Suzuki Jimny is the handling on standard suspension and tyres; they can be quite unnerving if you aren’t ready for some bumps.”

He had decided to go with Iron Man product, fitted by the local dealer, Auto Super Shoppe in Greerton Tauranga.

“They are the Iron Man specialists for Tauranga, and Eddie Dreaneen had his own Jimny all done up the way I wanted. Eddie and I had been talking over the mods for a few months and we came up with a plan; he had all items ordered and ready for when it was handed over.

“When Suzuki handed the Jimny to us we drove it straight to Auto Shoppe with only 14km on the clock. Eddie’s team did a fantastic job as I gave them a huge list of modifications to be done in one go.

The weight after all modifications is now 1350kg (an increase of 250kg), but Darryl says the wheels, tyres and suspension now work together to deliver highway speed handling “like a sports car”.

“It corners really well, no bounce or bumping off-line.”

An A-frame for towing the wee rig behind the motor home has been bought, and attached to the custom front bumper using a Blue OX A frame base plate installed by Probars in Hamilton.

It’s very neat, tucks up out of sight and doesn’t mess with the approach angle.

The Jimny is so new that its epic journeys are still ahead of it.

“We have only played on few hills, done some sand work and some cross loading checks. To date it performs unreal, it is so smooth traveling over large bumps in low range, I can’t stop smiling when we drive it and even more on the few occasions off-road.”

The couple are heading to the Tongariro National Park and the 42 Traverse for a play shortly, and say they will report back.

Also on the menu is a more ambitious South Island trip combining the motorhome and Suzuki.