If you like being out in your 4×4 off-road or on a trip, you often meet like-minded people. That leads to great chats around the campfire and often to new friendships too. In the off-road and travel scene, many communities, clubs and associations, small and large, have formed and they are very active. We think that is brilliant, and so in our Scene & Clubs series we keep introducing interesting clubs and communities from the off-road and travel scene. That includes internet forums around our favourite hobby. Today it is about the Suzuki Jimny Forum.
Michael Steinert, the man behind the Suzuki Jimny Forum, came into contact with off-road vehicles early on. And so the spark for off-roading jumped across already in the family home. Where a 4×4 was used back then purely for towing a trailer, things look very different for Michael today. But one thing at a time.
At some point, then, he needed his own 4×4. Michael had always liked the Jimny. So he simply took the little off-road box for a test drive. It won him over straight away and the Jimny FJ was bought. And we all know it: once your own 4×4 is sitting outside, the real project only just begins. Michael started on the modifications too, and one thing led to another. More on that later.
The development of the Suzuki Jimny Forum and that of the Jimny are closely intertwined
Suzuki has been known for its popular lightweight off-roaders for decades. Many of you will surely remember the SJ or Samurai, which first saw the light of day back in 1981. Or even the LJ from the late 1970s. In 1998 the Jimny FJ arrived as the successor to the SJ. Like the SJ models, it was built as a convertible and as a closed version. With the FJ the little off-road box did lose a touch of off-road ability, but it became noticeably more comfortable and so works just as well as an everyday car.
After everything in the Suzuki Jimny Forum revolved around the well-known, popular FJ for many years, Suzuki presented the successor, the Jimny GJ, in 2018. This 4×4 is, as we all know, a big success and is hugely popular too. The Jimny became even more usable day to day, and more modern. And all while still being very capable off-road. A real hype grew up around the little car in the off-road scene that continues to this day. By now the Suzuki Jimny, which carries the designation HJ, is only available as a two-seater (commercial vehicle) for type-approval reasons (emissions). But that does nothing to dampen the joy in this car. And all of that brought fresh momentum and variety to the community of Jimny friends once again.
In 2008 Michael takes over the Jimny Forum
When a successor to run the forum was sought in 2008, two years after the Suzuki Jimny Forum was founded, Michael happily took it on. He is supported in this by his wife Stefanie. Both come from the IT industry, which naturally brings certain advantages when running a forum. And quite a lot has happened in the Suzuki Jimny Forum since then. That is also tied to the development of the popular off-road boxes from Suzuki.
By the way, even though there is naturally a strong Jimny focus in the Suzuki Jimny Forum, off-road enthusiasts without a Jimny are warmly welcome too. Alongside the sections for the Jimny FJ and the Jimny GJ/HJ, there is even a section called “Other 4×4”. Although that is mostly about the maker’s other 4×4 models.
So the community is a colourful mix. As ever, the classic Jimny drivers are part of it, of course, like hunters and anglers. On top come people who simply like the cute little off-road flea, all the way to hardcore off-roaders and even travellers.
The Jimny community is open and warmly welcomes every 4×4 friend. On top of that, the Suzuki Jimny Forum is free of advertising. And according to Michael it should stay that way.
Michael’s own Jimny is extreme
Michael likes to describe his Jimny FJ as a “lightly modified Jimny diesel”, but this vehicle is an example of a very extreme build, showing just what is possible with a Jimny. The vehicle is trimmed entirely for off-road. What stands out especially is that his Jimny comes on a very big foot. 235/85 16! That is quite a statement for a vehicle the size of a Jimny and does not come without massive modifications. On top come a 3-inch lift, diff locks front and rear, a winch and a raised air intake, to name just a few points of the extensive build. We all know that a 4×4 project is never quite finished, and so Michael also has the idea for a custom exo-cage for his Suzuki Jimny FJ. This Jimny is, by the way, one of the rather rare diesels. We will surely hear a lot more about his vehicle.
An active 4×4 community
Pure off-road driving is only one part of the activities away from the forum. Because things are family-like among the Jimny friends. This is especially true at the big annual summer meeting. It usually takes place in an off-road park, and Jimny friends and fans travel in from all over Germany and the neighbouring countries. At the last events, up to 60 Jimnys and their crews were represented.
As you can see, the Suzuki Jimny Forum community is very active and the members show plenty of initiative. There is always something going on here. Numerous get-togethers have formed all across the country.
These meet up regularly for shared trips and smaller events. Whether to the off-road park to play with the vehicles or, like the Stuttgart group recently, for example, for a family outing. Where did it take the Jimny friends? Well, they spent an exciting day together at the Sinsheim Technik Museum.
A special highlight are the roadbook tours of the Suzuki Jimny Forum. And travel works with the little Jimny too. Members of the Cologne group had already planned an Alpine tour for 2020, which sadly had to be postponed because of Covid.
The community grows and thrives. By now there are over 7,000 members in the Suzuki Jimny Forum, and to date around 400,000 posts have been written in soon-to-be 20,000 threads. Things are very harmonious, and Michael reports with delight that hardly any moderation is needed. That really is brilliant.
Do you have a Suzuki Jimny too, or are you simply curious?
Have a look around the Suzuki Jimny Forum! Here is the direct sign-up link. There are regular meet-ups and events organised by members of the Suzuki Jimny Forum. New members find a great community there and are warmly welcome any time.
© Photos: Michael Steinert / Suzuki Jimny Forum