Jimny suspension.

[Craig]

Hi Craig,

I looked at the specs of the Jimny, 1075 kerb weight, 1420 gvm. You're working at the upper end of the specifications for that chassis, and I know you'll be careful with any modifications. My water bladder has a base of 1100x1100, which spreads the weight fairly well (the Terios also has a payload of 500kg). I assume your bladder is similar? Or is the footprint smaller?
Adding a water bladder was the best thing I ever did, with a 12 metre motorhome, accessing water is often difficult.

Thanks Jon,

I am aware of the weight limitations as I had already checked the specs when I measured and designed the tank. That is a pretty good payload capacity for the Terios. How does it ride when your tank is full? Is there much travel in the suspension when full?

[Jon and Kay]

Sorry Craig, I just drive it, but before I bought my first one, I was told that it had a 5 link rear suspension with a rubber stop. I am not familiar with suspension modifications, but the Terios has never 'bottomed out', although the nose sits slightly higher than before. The previous Terios has 170,000km on it from being towed and driving with bladder fitted. I have never needed new shocks. I did see a Terios once pulling a caravan, he had new bright yellow shocks fitted.

[SteveW]

At the risk of skewing the bladder topic again, I got through the night only having to get up once!

Notwithstanding, it is interesting that the Terios has a higher cargo weight capacity than the Landcruiser Sahara that we had until we swapped for the MH. The Jimny is a little less but 300 litres and a not overweight driver would come in under the limit OK - if springs and shock are OK. On the subject of shock absorbers, originals are seldom OK after a couple of years or 40,000 k or so. We usually think they are OK because we are used to how they function, however, new good quality shock absorbers make a surprising improvement to ride and handling and can leave you wondering how you put up with the old ones.

[BruceS]

I noticed the comment "the front is a little higher" and thought I'm make a comment.
If the 'load' is put directly over the back wheel (50-50 either side of it), then there would be no effect (or at least very little), on the front.
I realise it probably can't been done but if a portion of that weight could be placed on the front axle either by moving the bladder forward or maybe filling 60% full & having some other container in the front seat compartment (where feet go?), the 'problem' might not be as bad.
Sorry........ starting to sound like Collyn here..........

[Jon and Kay]

The comment was made to me when we went for a wheel alignment, the driver and passenger were not on board at the time , and although we are very slim and at peak physical condition (why is my nose growing like that??) the car sits at an appropriate level when being driven.

[dibs]

wheres the bladder fitted i recon if its on the rear floor it should be ok i mite fill ours with bricks and see what it does but then ours is lifted 2 inchs and has gas shocks.


dibs

[Craig]

The bladder sits over the whole rear section with the seats down. It does sit low in the rear end when the bladder is full so no need to fill yours with bricks . I don't think a lift kit will fix the problem.

thanks
Craig