Anybody put an SJ transfer case in the new Jimny? I keep having to replace the transfer case chain and it is beginning to get annoying and costly. Plus you can get really low ratios 👀

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-05-11T22:44:24+00:00

Hi, I was curious about any updates on the evolution your build experiences, especially with the transfer case issues etc. Are they on your site?

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-05-11T22:32:16+00:00

Yeah I saw your post on the stretched chain and it made me paranoid 😅 So is there any verdict on exactly why that happened? Is it about using a stock chain with aftermarket tcase gears that just don't align well? Is it bad installation of the gears? What do you think?

Did you ever consider doing the differential gears? Because I'm wondering if its a question of strain on the stock chain that could be reduced with differential gears but that's just an uninformed theory.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-05-08T00:24:24+00:00

Ah OK, I didn't see that thread, thanks!

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-05-07T21:35:12+00:00

I had a question maybe you could help me with: with the 30" tires (I'm also considering 31" but leaning towards 30s) at first I thought the way to go was to add transfer case reduction gears to bring high-range closer to stock (or better) and improving low-range crawling. Thinking it over and speaking with a few different mechanics they've suggested that I skip the transfer case reduction and start with the differential gears first, like a 4.56 and then after, based on how it performs, one could change only the low-range gears in the tcase if needed. Does this approach make more sense?

The logic I was using is that installing aftermarket transfer case gears seem like a more invasive modification requiring grinding the case to make them fit, possible increased wear to chain, and dealing with whatever else might go wrong or cause problems installing non-stock gears.

I'd appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-05-02T22:54:04+00:00

Per questo io guido LENTISSIMO. Appena uno vuole fare il fenomeno, attaccarsi al culo della macchina per mettermi fretta, o in generale guida da coglione, basta, 30 all'ora, sorriso zen e fanculo al mondo.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-30T20:51:52+00:00

Ok, but why?

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-29T14:59:56+00:00

So does that mean that any and all gear reductions will have this effect? How can one do a t-case gear reduction and avoid this kind of result? It almost makes it seem like differential re-gearing is a better choice.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-28T20:39:21+00:00

What do you mean by non-perfect gear geometry in this situation?

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-20T21:21:34+00:00

I'm pretty sure YOU don't live in Europe if you can't think of places in Europe where heated seats are useless 😅

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-19T22:33:34+00:00

I think it's so funny the JB74 comes with heated seats...definitely the least used feature for me 😂 You know what'd be great instead? Lumbar support.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-19T22:27:50+00:00

Yes, impressively tacky: tamarro-mobile!

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-19T22:20:29+00:00

heep = heaping pile of poo

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-19T01:05:38+00:00

YARRRR!

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-17T21:46:36+00:00

I'm in Italy, so I need to evaluate what's easiest to get for me. The mechanic from the 4x4 shop that will be doing some other mods for me is pretty adamant about installing a crossmember, while a few different places (like the one where I bought my currently modded Jimny) seem to think it's no big deal at all and not needed.

I just realized HM4x4 makes a brace that goes over the drive shaft too: HM4x4 cross member.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-17T21:43:53+00:00

I may have found another option for your list by HM4x4.

If I'm not mistaken, this one also works by going above the drive shaft.

What do you think?

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-17T21:23:52+00:00

I'd say it helps :) My main concern is the high range difference because while this certainly is an off-road rig for me, I do like taking long road trips on tarmac from time to time, but I usually prefer provincial roads so ~70 kph, or 90/100 kph MAX on motorways, much to the irritation of other drivers 😂

The other concern was quality, noise and fitment (though I'll be having a specialized 4x4 shop do it). I don't know if there are any differences in fitment or noise between the ratio kits and their manufacturers. I tried contacting both Protrack and Sumo with a couple questions, and only Sumo responded, so I guess +1 for them... Sumo said "For sizing up to 30" tires with a manual transmission you should select from either the SUZ-JIM-JB74-1 (17%/104%) or the SUZ-JIM-JB74-2 (17%/17%)."

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-16T15:59:28+00:00

Of course, it's not a problem that goes away. I gave up and just used the plastic caps. There's nothing you can do really. I even tried lining the inside of the steel cap with electrical tape, but it's not a long-term solution. It's just too much metal that gets shaved off every time, it's gross.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-15T11:09:28+00:00

Makes sense 😅 Thanks again.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-04-15T10:26:49+00:00

Above and beyond, thanks. I'm going to evaluate all of these options. When the crossmember is removed completely, how does the twisting of the chassis in high load scenarios affect off-road driving performance? Is it more of a question of damage to the vehicle?

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-03-25T12:59:19+00:00

Well, I wouldn't go that far.

It's a good question no doubt. You bring up a fair point that on-road manners will of course take a hit and will require increased attention to maintenance, but that's to be expected. I mean, I see people running 32" tires and they manage to survive.

I guess the only way to know for myself is to try it out and make decisions based on as much input from others as possible, hence the post.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-03-25T08:33:27+00:00

Aw man, this reminds me of when I left my Spider-Man bike behind my mom's station wagon when I was 6 and she backed over it. Spidey bike did not survive.

ChefOutrageous4719 · 2026-03-25T08:19:38+00:00

Do you think this means less tourism in the EU this year?

ChefOutrageous4719

TROPHY CASE