Real Road Test: 1979 Suzuki Jimny - two-stroke 4x4!

Another fascinating vehicle from the JHW Classics collection, this time the two-stroke Suzuki SJ10 (Jimny 55) with an LJ50 three-cylinder engine, but proper four-wheel drive credentials. But what is it like to drive? A slight error in this video is that the vehicle is an SJ10 or Jimny, but the engine is the LJ50 - 539cc.
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[@Sebastian_Dinwiddie]

This thing would bring a tear to Ed’s eye.

[@mareli82]

was looking for the morr fans

[@raquskane4002]

i only clicked on it to see and hear what Ed's from matts off road recovery

[@stonyrerootkit8922]

You have found a few of them!!! Go Ed's Golden Nugget!!! It Will Be Back!!! 🚀😎🗻🎵🎶💝🎉

[@whitneydesignlabs8738]

@@raquskane4002 Sssshhh! Ed doesn't know, yet. :)

[@Robdutton91]

Even though I understand why they’ve swapped the engine and axles it’s definitely a shame that they didn’t put a 2 stroke in it

[@niklaswejedal463]

As a Swede, that noise is the music of old Saabs! - That was very enjoyable to watch!

[@lmlmd2714]

I was thinking that too!

[@oldcarnut1]

Saabs are great

[@bongodave13]

Never owned a Saab, but I always thought they were cool cars. It's a shame they're no longer. When I lived in California, there was a Saab Sonnet club, and I would see them in the mountains on the weekends. Such unique little sports cars!

[@JoeOvercoat]

I came here for the sound of the motor for my toy jimny's sound unit, so thanks for the insight (sound files can be hard to come by). And who does not love a Saab?

[@MikeSamuelsII-ve8gp]

Fab Rats ( on youtube ) are doing a resto-mod on the hardtop version in the same "short bus" yellow color. Matt's Off Road Recovery( also youtube) has a couple viddies of it being rescued from where it was stuck in a forest in the Pacific northwest that's kind of funny too.

[@Redgolf2]

Yup, but they jinked the 2T motor to put in a yank heavy iron 🙈

[@jackd2083]

@@Redgolf2 What is a yank heavy iron? They are putting a Samurai engine/automatic transmission.

[@rayjennings3637]

I once worked at a company near Reading and one of the chaps there owned an old 'V' suffix reg Jimny. He lived on an old farm about 5 miles from the office and because he knew the farmers between his place and the office he used to drive cross-country every day into work through floods, snow, mud pools, you name it, he'd experienced it and that little car never let him down!

[@pablojones5613]

These were actually extremely popular in rural Australia, especially among sheep farmers. They were a step up from a Motorcycle, and more nimble than a Landcruiser.

[@kenpickett9317]

They were a handy shooting platform for hunting rabbits etc at night also. You could just take the ragtop off and you’d have 360’ access for both the spotlight operator and the shooter. Was a pretty damn cold place to be out in the middle of nowhere on a winters night though. 🥶🥶🥶

[@fugawiaus]

I spent part of my apprenticeship at the Clyde oil refinery in Sydney. All the tradies used these on site. Not registered for the road. They had auto mechanics on site keeping them going. So much fun. They were also a very capable off road vehicle. With the short wheelbase and minimum overhangs as well as a smaller width they didn’t fall into the wheel tracks of other 4x4s.

[@olik136]

all the Jimnys (that you could buy here) have been quiet popular in Germany, too- foresters, farmers and hunters often use them to get through our narrow forest and field paths

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@fugawiaus oh that brought back memories of having a view of the chimney stacks all the way from my window in Eastwood! I could see flames shooting out the top and illuminating the sky. I took one last pic of the refinery from the 7/11 petrol station on Blaxland Rd, Ryde corner of Anzac Ave with a spectacular view of the facility.

[@pablojones5613]

@@kenpickett9317 I have plenty of experience with culling vermin in that way, and even spent a few nights on the back of one of these.

[@17XeviousGreen]

Your excitement is genuinely infectious, was sat here grinning like an idiot watching you do the walk-around !

[@NJ-76]

The drive looks / sounds so adventurous! I'd love to hire for an adventure day and be happy to film it to fit with rules! ;)

[@peterriggall8409]

These 2 stroke models were certainly available in Aus.. They had a reputation for being able to go places a SWB Land Rover could not. Don’t doubt it. You looked a bit cramped, no seat adjustment, one size fits all. Ripper test Ian.

[@raygale4198]

They are so light they floated on mud that bogged heavier Nissans and Tojos.

[@Pibydd]

@gilburton Yes but in a series Landrover you wouldn't be recording yourself speaking whilst at 40+ mph. Shouting maybe...I had a radio in mine and you could only hear it when you were parked up somewhere.

[@Thanos.m]

I got really scared there with the production quality of this video up until the last scene where half of the head was cut off and I was okay this is actually hubnut. Keep up the good work !

[@millomweb]

I 'like' (for the wrong reasons) the transition from road trip to back in the shed - where we see Ian getting out of the vehicle as though he's just driven it there. What utter nonsense Ian ! You'll be doing those idiotic 'noddies' next !

[@KelvynTaylor]

We used the pickup version of the LJ80 for seismic oil exploration in Thailand in 1980. Amazing - they were so light they rarely got stuck, and even if they did 4-5 people could lift them out! Great fun to drive.

[@JoeOvercoat]

We did that where i grew up in the Land of The V8...except only for running out of gas. :P

[@paulbennell3313]

When you look at a vehicle like this, the last thing you expect it to sound like is a Lambretta! That particular example is seriously mint!

[@frednerk5959]

Mate of mine had an LJ80 many years ago. It could go any where, Where other 4X4'S feared to tread. Max highway speed was 80 KPH- until you fit a set of expansion chambers (2 stroke,3 into 1) . With no other mods KPH went to 105. Note at 5:49- If you look at the distributor cap there are two plastic tubes. If you switched the heated to full and blocked the vents, this would pressurise the distributor with warm air for crossing rivers. AND IT WORKED!

[@TheWolfsnack]

A buddy of mine had one here in Canada in the late 80's working mining exploration...I had a company Toyota 4Runner and he could get up cow paths in the forest where I would have had to cut a tree...

[@sillyoldbastard3280]

Would have been an LJ50... LJ80 had a 800cc 4 stroke

[@rheinerftvideo2647]

Over here in Germany, it was called Suzy. I bought this Suzuki for a girlfriend in the late 1980ies - yellow :-) It was a simple, straight and honest car and she enjoyed it for years.

[@kenpickett9317]

Both the 3cyl 2 stroke and later 4cyl 4 stroke were pretty common in Australia back in the day. They were popular farm vehicles as they were quite capable off-road.

[@peterriggall8409]

Basically said the same thing then read your comment. They were very popular in Tassie. Nothing much would stop them. Been off-road in a two stroke. Quite an experience.

[@tedburnard841]

Knew people on a station property near Wilcannia who had a couple of these back in the 80s. They went just about anywhere and were great little workhorses

[@kenpickett9317]

@@peterriggall8409 Here in SA the cockies (farmers) would throttle down the oil flow into the fuel in an attempt stop the exhaust from making too much smoke. Needless to say, with the hot and dusty conditions here, most of the 2 strokes lived very short lives.

[@nathsmitto8667]

Best thing was if you were about to roll at crawling speed a quick arm out the window could balance it out, and that was the 1300 sierra

[@Kevinfordsynthesizers]

I remember hiring Suzy 2 stroke triple LJs in Greece, fantastic little things.

[@steamwally]

Being thoroughly afflicted by the Land Rover disease, I'm pleased to see that Suzuki had an equal grasp of ergonomics in those days.. What a fantastic little motor, I had no idea!

[@scottlp2323]

'Rough Riders, 4 by 4, you can try to stop 'em...' I'm instantly reminded of one of my favourite toys as a kid. :) I would imagine that this little gem is just as good offroad as they were. :)

[@stuartjones8238]

The soundtrack when you revved it could only be described as the same noise as when I used to "rev" a friction powered toy car!! Hope it was as much fun as it looked!

[@jimmyj1969]

"Gjiiin-gjiiin-gjiiiiiinnn!!!"

[@chrisdowns1987]

YES! That’s it! I was trying to place it all through the video, good spot (or listen?) 👍

[@Chris-zp6eh]

This is awesome! I don’t know how this came up in my recommended list but, Matt’s off-road recovery channel is restoring one of these that was just recovered from the mountains after sitting for 40yrs. It’s even yellow!

[@HubNut]

Yup, his videos have caused a lot of interest in this one I made! Interesting times. Fun to see what they're doing with it.

[@mpersad]

Such an interesting car, the Japanese attention to detail particularly in those smaller cars is really amazing. Great video Ian!

[@BuzZzKiller]

Oh hey! It's Ed's Golden Nugget....before it was abandoned for 40 years, floated down a river and smashed into a rock. Actually his was an LJ20, but close enough.

[@gryfandjane]

I was composing a comment while watching you drive the Suzuki, and you used the very words I picked... charming and hilarious. Thanks for this one!

[@Mercmad]

I worked on the Suzis when they were new. It was impossible to get them stuck ,when they did get a bit bogged,you could jump out ,pull the choke out and they would chug out of the mud by themselves in low. Standard wheels were 16" which helped a lot off road. I had a LJ80 which was i really enjoyed and Suzuki are selling a new version which looks similar. There's a huge waiting list for them .

[@theclappedoutdairy-man3507]

Had an SJ410 back in the 80s great little car. Pity the media spoiled its reputation by publicising the fact it would have a tendency to fall over at speed on the road during sudden manoeuvres. Always wanted the 1.3 for the extra power.

[@HubNut]

No, they really did. They failed the same sudden swerve tests in the UK. Mind you, some Jeeps, even in recent times, are absolutely awful in the same test...

[@paulwlynch]

Fantastic just fantastic. Huge fan of the little Suzuki Jimny model of 4X4. Watching your fantastic review but also hearing Aging Wheels Trabant from that amazing engine sound..

[@danrkelly]

Your reaction to the obvious discomfort was a highlight.

[@davideast5987]

Your positive comment on the breaks is very different from my first drive of the Suzuki. It was a misty night. There was a large trailer behind and the road was twisty. The breaks were almost non existent and the ball joints were very worn. You pumped the pedal before the corner and used the gears. What an introduction to one of the best fun vehicles ever made. If you want to enjoy a Suzuki take it on the beach and through some soft sand. They are outstanding.

[@markhood6654]

your videos have became so good lately ian, loving watching them

[@ebutuoyYT]

Hub Nut vs Top Gear. TG - let’s see how fast it goes, rah rah rah.... Hub Nut - Let’s see how slow she goes in 1st gear 😀

[@vidtech2630]

Top Gear ; it has a 359kw engine . Hub Nut ; it has a 359cc engine

[@satanslittlehelper3]

539cc Engine

[@jean-pierrejameselsener7049]

What a lovely rumbling noise that tiny engines make! Adorable, indeed. 😍

[@dreamofstorms]

Two great reviews, thanks so much once again.

[@chrisdowns1987]

Fantastic stuff, I think we were all grinning along with you! Instant contender in the top 5 Hubnut road test rankings…..Now off to work out the rest of them 🤔 seriously great video, thanks 👍

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

What a hilarious little car. You just don’t expect that noise in a little off-roader; seems so incongruous. Brilliant! 😃

[@jefferybrianring191]

I haven't seen one of those Suzuki 2 stroke 4x4's in over 30 yrs thanks for this.

[@declanmcquay3476]

One of my neighbours when I was a kid had an army green one. I agree with you on the ride quality, but it is very cool :)

[@geoffnoyes520]

I owned a 1970s Suzuki Front'e 4 door Kei car, (Japanese import). It had a rear mounted 360cc 3cylinder water cooled two stroke motor. It sounded exactly like this 4wd, incredibly it could cruised at 100 kph all day, and was enormous fun to own. It still exists in bulls, a small town near me here in New Zealand. Thank you Mr Hubnut for all your off beat but highly entertaining and interesting videos!.

[@princesstrojan740]

Such a British comment...."the handling is mildly terrifying" 🇬🇧

[@stealthkiwi1869]

Mr Hub Nut a great video, always puts a smile on my dial!

[@janhanchenmichelsen2627]

My brother had a SJ410. Simple, fun, rugged and practical. A very usable, little car.

[@ianhelyar9553]

In Australia, they were paddock bashers. I had friends who bought one for their property in the wet tropics. Any time they approached a muddy patch, they stuck the 4WD lever in and confidently pushed on. Many years later, they discovered the hub locks had never been engaged! They were incredible. But, like you said, you don't want to travel long distances in them. Even the latest Jimnys are a bit hard to take.

[@CaptHollister]

At first I was wondering why a two-stroke would need an oil light. Than it dawned on me that Suzuki, in common with other Japanese manufacturers, fitted its two-stroke motorcycles with a separate oil-injection system. It also means that the "screenwash bottle" under the hood is more likely the oil tank.

[@vespacheck]

The one on the left by the screen is a 2 stroke bottle. It is indeed automix

[@leeallen7491]

Love that...and the new camera angle

[@barryshackson4005]

Great road test Ian, looked like fun 👍🙂

[@JoeWalker98]

I've got an sj410, and im still in love with how nippy it is up to 40mph, and cruising on 55, although vague, loud, and tiring, is definitely doable, and worth it for every perk of a small, lightweight 4x4. That two stroke though sounds mental

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great video as always, i do like the Jimny so it's good to see one of it's predecessors, might be slow but the engine sounds a riot to drive.

[@actuallyusingmyrealnameher5061]

Why do I think a little Crazy Frog statue would suit that dashboard? 😉

[@gosportjamie]

The LJ80 actually was a pretty common sight in more rural areas of the UK. The main issue with them was that, like the SJ that replaced it, they weren't exactly well protected from rust out of the factory so a lot of them that were used as designed dissolved into advanced decrepitude within 10 years, and most of those that didn't were off-roaded to death in the period when you could buy them for not much money as they were amazingly capable in the mud, even if they did like to fall over periodically...

[@heiner71]

I can only agree with the quality. I owned an LJ80 for a few years in Germany. When I bought it it was about 4 years old and had already developed rust holes in certain areas in the rear of the body. It also had lots of issues with the carburetor and was really slow. I drove this thing once to Southern France on the Freeway. The cruising speed was 80-85km/h at about 4500RPM.

[@Robdutton91]

I’d imagine they’d be pretty easy to roll back over if it did decide to have a lie down 😂

[@-OzSteve]

Takes me back ! I had a 1978 LJ80 (800 cc 4 stroke) as my first car. Horrible on the freeway (4000 RPM at 80km/hr), but came into it's own off road. Nothing like hooting along the beach with no roof or doors ! I remember coming across landcruisers bogged in loose sand on Fraser Island and my little Suzi was not even in low range yet. By the way, I believe the model name was Stockman rather than Jimny (at least in Australia).

[@AJT296]

Very cool little vehicle and very well designed. Love the simplicity and as you say the sound is hilarious

[@jefferysmith3930]

I’ve been waiting for this one! What a riot.

[@andrewbannister4515]

Utterly splendid video. I really love your affection for these oddities.

[@ronaldbentley7180]

yet another fabulous video of yet another amazing little car, loved the sound track the 2 stroke engine made.

[@MrDutchino]

Great video, I enjoyed it much!

[@tw2210]

What a fantastic little car, in period 70's mustard too!

[@vernonhoover3060]

“Very simple, utilitarian, designed for strength” I like it. That does sound like what a Jeep is supposed to be.

[@howardjones8629]

Just love this, the design details are exquisite

[@tony-yp6qk]

Another great video has always Ian miss hubnut and hublets

[@darrencowley8265]

Hi Ian I really injoyed this video thankyou take care 😊👍🏻

[@send2mc]

A friend of mine had over of those here in Australia many years ago. He put a really old lawnmower hand zip starter on the bonnet with a hidden starter button. He would zip the cord as he pushed the hidden starter button and the 2 stroke would sputter into life. To anyone watching it looked as sounded like he really did pull start it.

[@kins749]

Love the sound, bet it smells great too!

[@minilife1481]

You never fall asleep at the wheel in that,I love it

[@robenglish416]

Absolutely love it, made for a different environment and darn good on a jungle road in Thailand or so! About 2-strokes and Wartburg; I seem to have read somewhere that they were quite popular among some in the UK, cheap, sturdy and low maintenance, IFA-club UK writes “A big selling point of this model was its 30,000 mile service interval - this was at a time when many cars needed servicing every 3,000 miles! “

[@robertdean3507]

been waiting for this, there's an LJ80 that's been sitting for years in a dealer at the end of my road, always had my eye on it :)

[@ninaandbob]

As an owner of an LJ80 in NZ I appreciate this video. We did get the LJ50 here too.

[@craigtw1984]

Oh Ian, that mini right next to you and this beauty looks really tasty! thanks for sharing another great video! :)

[@davidhinkson8856]

Brings back some memories! I remember not just this LJ, but other Suzuki vehicles also carried this 2-stroke engine, including the Carry vans and the predecessor of the Alto, the SS20.

[@jeffwhite9001]

I used to work for what was called South Pacific Suzuki and later on Suzuki NZ , I started working at the assembly plant just as the LJ80 was ending and production was starting on the SJ410, best days of my life, loved working there.

[@martinwarner1178]

Loved the video. Made me giggle. Thank you Mr. HubNut

[@frothe42]

I LOVE THE SOUND OF THAT ENGINE! I remember the Samurai, big hit here until Consumer Reports rated it Not Acceptable. I can see this being used off-road on one's property. Most likely now to be hideously expensive to buy. I could see Miss Carly (Miss HubNut) driving this after passing her driving exam. Love these extremely unique vehicles! Your smile is absolutely priceless. Another brilliant review!

[@anonymuswere]

ooh, I was wondering if someone would bring up the Samurai "flop". for those of you who hadn't heard: the Jimny was ported to the US as Samurai. Consumer's union DELIBERATLY rigged the avoidance test tighter and tighter till it fell over. this triggered a 15 year lawsuit against suz that was finally settled out of court. this basically ruined Suz' car division for the states, and they eventually made a rude gesture and left (isuzu followed a year later, but they were basically making clones). I think they even yoinked the bikes off the US market

[@gnuttz1972]

Our family friends had a 410 and they lived in Jersey Channel Islands. I used to borrow it to bum around the place absolutely loved it and it was actually quite nippy to drive and really good fun!

[@chrisjones6017]

What an absolutely brilliant little car. I'd really like one

[@jonathanprior1166]

Great review Ian. I have a 3rd gen Jimny it’s it’s amazing what these little 4x4s are capable of. I’ll be using mine to tow our caravan from Ireland to Wales in a couple of weeks. Apologies to anyone who gets stuck behind me on the hills 😂

[@daniellee9015]

Brilliant video Ian beautiful car 👍

[@davidking9707]

That exhaust note made me smile. Very motor bike like. A very cute little car. I adore it!!!!

[@MartinObviously]

Your "screenwash" bottle mentioned at 6 mins is actually an oil tank for the oil pump as it's oil injected. :) my SJ has the oil tank there as well. I'm also in the UK and using the same engine 😃 there's a couple of guys that have the 2 stroke here too in LJ and one in Ireland that I know of

[@mpkcleaningservices-cardet2835]

These were popular in Australia I remember that distinct two stroke sound a neighbour had one years ago still see an occasional one albeit a four stroke version mainly

[@sbomorse]

I have just bought a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara and I'm really impressed with it.

[@brianreardon956]

The dashboard is absolutely perfect 👌

[@robinwells8879]

Distilled essence of off-roader!❤️

[@Oliver-l1c]

Omg, all these wonderful cars so close to me! I wish JHW was open to the public!

[@georgec2126]

I remember seeing a test of various 4x4s back when the LJ80 came to Britain. The big Jeep Cherokee got stuck, while the Suzuki did not! And the new Jimny looks terrific. Gimme!👍👍

[@PurityVendetta]

I've been saving this video up for watching at the weekend. What a fab little car. Back in the day I wanted a car to try 4x4ing or whatever it's called and big enough for Mr Brian my horse/dog cross 🤭 I bought an SJ410 in van spec with an engine problem. Turned out to be a cracked valve. Quick engine rebuild on the kitchen floor an much fun was had. Such a great little car, we had lots of adventures and fun. I quite miss it.

[@Astonvanquishs]

that engine noise is beautiful!!!! I'm in love!!!

[@woofgbruk5947]

The LJ80 version was very popular in the Middle East while I was there in the mid to late70s.

[@robertamoyaw1979]

Truely a Proper 4x4 ! These little G.O.A.Ts climb Mountains out here like there's no tomorrow! 😁

[@safetyfirst5917]

Absolutely love this, grandfather of the modern day jimny. You absolutely have to do a review of that Toyota 2000gt if at all possible

[@peterjamieson4283]

Loved my LJ50 in Australia, great easy drive to work vehicle & almost impossible to beat in the rough.

[@gareththompson538]

I used to see a LJ80 near me quite regularly. It looked like so much fun!

[@gphone9619]

Fantastic little truck! I remember having a brochure of these in very early 80s prior to the SJ410 etc. Made an impression cos I bought a GV16SE in 2004 and is a fantastic drive - unlike here then! Yellow is just the perfect colour Tonka indeed.

[@trevorlack1726]

Love this and your videos ❤️

[@raygale4198]

There is nothing as awesome and at the same time hilarious as a convoy of 2 stroke Suzy's doing a Simpson Desert crossing in Australia, you hear them long before you see the blue haze, it's the coming chainsaw apocalypse. They are so light they will drive circles around other heavier bogged 4WDs. Their one slight drawback is being relatively tall with a very narrow track they do have a habit of rolling over on hill traverse' if you have put anything on the roof, not really a problem, just put it back on it's wheels and away you go. A dear departed mate of mine owned nearly every model of the Suzuki and used them as intended as real outback 4wd vehicles, they are unstoppable. PS Ian that big windscreen washer bottle is the 2 stroke oil tank.

[@richard9444]

We had a 1987 one, 1 .3 really good off road , I couldn't believe how capable it was .

[@simonhodgetts6530]

What a hilarious little vehicle - as you say, you don’t expect that noise from a 4x4!

[@martinrule1569]

Love that. What a cute little thing! Really enjoyed this vid. You could drive it home and put it on a shelf til next time. 👍🏼

[@markpirateuk]

What a cool little vehicle, never knew they made a two stroke version, nice to see it parked next to an N600, I used to own one back in the80's, the only car I ever owned that I could lift the rear end off the ground!

[@nakedlakedip57]

Me and a mate owned one in Western Australia, worked in the Pilbara in the iron ore mines , dam the little Suzuki could beat any other 4x4 in ruff terrain.

[@alanjackson4646]

I had an LJ80, very similar to this vehicle, but it had a 700cc petrol engine, bags of fun and a great lightweight off-roader.

[@davefuss]

I had an LJ50 for about 4 years in the centre of Oz. Though mine had a flat bonnet and fabric doors, the solid doors, and humped vented bonnet was introduced to fit the taller 4 cylinder LJ80. Did quite a few desert trips around Alice Springs and never got bogged, great low speed for rock crawling, a regular billy goat. But soooo slowww getting to and from the 4WD parts, highway travel boring as hell. The washer bottle you pointed to at the beginning was actually the 2 stroke oil container for the oil injector. Smelly 2 stroke exhaust and that sound brought back many memories. Thanks.

[@joshlockie9285]

This one’s in a little bit better shape than Matt’s off road recovery’s lmao

[@RichieRouge206]

Rob from Aging Wheels would absolutely love this!! The soundtrack is mad and the way it hangs onto revs between gear changes is mad. Having said that I had a hateful newish 1.0 Turbo Astra as a courtesy car and that held onto revs and had zero torque. At least the buzzy 2 stroke sounds fun! In summary.... mad! But that is what is appealing lol. Great review Ian!

[@lesklower7281]

Top video enjoyed this i remember when these suzukis came out it was the first Suzuki motor vehicle sold in australia my son has the latest jimny