The Enlarged Jimny Reflects the "Japanese Custom Spirit" ── The Impact of NATS "Jimny J1"

Table of Contents

1. Positioning of NATS and Tokyo Auto Salon

2. Background of the Birth of Jimny J1

3. Bodywork—The Engineering Challenge of Merging Two Cars and Widening

4. Mechanism of the "Suicide Door" Six-Door Structure

5. Mechanism of Air Suspension and Ultra Low-Down

6. V6 Power Unit and Chassis Transplant

7. Interior and 12-Speaker Audio System

8. Has Off-Road Performance Really Been Lost?

9. Analysis of Media and SNS Reactions

10. Barriers of Regulations, Vehicle Inspection, and Public Road Driving

11. "Japanese Hummer" Seen by Overseas Media

12. Student Projects Cultivating Talent and Technology

13. Future Derivative Models and NATS's Next Plans

14. Conclusion—The Future Image of Custom Culture

1. Positioning of NATS and Tokyo Auto Salon

Nihon Automobile College (NATS), located in Chiba Prefecture, has been producing custom cars as graduation projects since 1997 and exhibiting them at the Tokyo Auto Salon every year. The style in which students take charge of design, sheet metal, welding, painting, and electrical work is a symbol of "practical education."

2. Background of the Birth of Jimny J1

The theme for 2024 was "City Off-Roader, Street Style." By transforming the iconic compact 4×4 Jimny into an "urban SUV," the aim was to leave a strong impact on visitors.

2.1 Basic Image of Jimny

Since its debut in 1970, the Jimny has been known as an "icon of off-road capability" with its ladder frame and part-time 4WD. However, by completely reversing this image, the J1 opened up a new frontier.

3. Bodywork—The Engineering Challenge of Merging Two Cars and Widening

• Merging Method: The first car is cut vertically, and the B-pillar of the second car is cut and welded in the center.

• Widening Amount: Approximately +800 mm compared to the original. The headlights are also configured with four lights on each side.

• Overall Length Extension: The rear frame is also extended, doubling the cargo space.
  This bold modification takes full advantage of the fact that the Jimny is a ladder frame vehicle, not a box-type monocoque.

4. Mechanism of the "Suicide Door" Six-Door Structure

Each side has three doors with a combination of front and rear reverse hinges, forming suicide doors. The rear gate is a combination of two original Jimny side-opening doors, reused as a large double-opening cargo door. Reinforcement plates are added and welded to the pillar section to ensure hinge strength.

5. Mechanism of Air Suspension and Ultra Low-Down

Equipped with Air Force Japan's "Super Performance Kit" on all four wheels, allowing for an "almost grounded" low height when stationary and up to an 80 mm lift when driving. The underside of the floor is flattened with a special cross member, prioritizing urban bump countermeasures over stone chipping.

6. V6 Power Unit and Chassis Transplant

• Engine: Suzuki Escudo 2.5 L V6 (J24B type) approximately 160 ps.

• Chassis: Utilizes the same Escudo ladder frame.

• Drive System: Fixed FR. The 4WD mechanism is removed to reduce transmission loss due to increased weight.
  This created a buzz with the gap of "a Jimny with six cylinders" and the thickness of low-speed torque.

7. Interior and 12-Speaker Audio System

The expanded cargo area is built-in with 12 speakers and 2 subwoofers. Two BMX bikes are loaded on the roof rack, creating a "West Coast Custom" taste. The interior is unified with vintage leather and yellow stitching.

8. Has Off-Road Performance Really Been Lost?

The minimum ground clearance is only 70 mm. The approach/departure angles are halved compared to the original, making actual off-road driving difficult. However, there are reports of actual driving that say "it can 'run' on beaches and flat dirt" due to the ladder frame and high-torque V6.

9. Analysis of Media and SNS Reactions

• Domestic: Praised as "too big to look like a Jimny" and "precision that doesn't seem like a student work."

• Overseas: Carscoops described it as a "slammed Hummer H1 replica," and Motor1 introduced it as a "Shakotan Jimny J1." On SNS, polarized comments such as "looks fast" and "seems impossible on rough roads" spread.
  

10. Barriers of Regulations, Vehicle Inspection, and Public Road Driving

Although it falls within the ordinary car frame in terms of width and displacement, there are many challenges remaining for vehicle inspection, such as the position of lighting equipment, side slip, and noise regulations. Currently, it is transported by trailer as an event-only vehicle.

11. "Japanese Hummer" Seen by Overseas Media

Media in India and Australia highly evaluated it as "a symbol of the creativity of the kei SUV culture." North American media analyzed it as "stirring envy in markets where the Jimny is hard to obtain."

12. Student Projects Cultivating Talent and Technology

Students are responsible for all processes, including welding, FRP molding, and CAN communication modification. While receiving parts supply through industry-academia collaboration, the "freedom without commercial interests" gives rise to innovative designs. Quality is thoroughly supervised by former automotive manufacturer instructors, ensuring tolerance management.

13. Future Derivative Models and NATS's Next Plans

NATS is preparing new works such as "C91 Supra" and "Vellfire Sedan" for 2026. There are also considerations for refreshing the aero and hybridization of the Jimny J1.

14. Conclusion—The Future Image of Custom Culture

By deliberately steering the Jimny, an "icon of off-road capability," towards an urban orientation, the Jimny J1 demonstrated the diversity and educational value of custom cars. Although off-road performance has regressed, the design, production, and presentation experience gained by the students is invaluable. The free-spirited ideas originating from Japan continue to captivate car enthusiasts worldwide—a prime example that will be talked about for years to come.

🔗 Reference Article List (External Links, Date Order)

• Carscoops "Two Conjoined Suzuki Jimnys Create A Slammed Hummer H1" (2024-01-16)

• Kuruma no News "Revisiting the Innovative 'Big Jimny' by Suzuki!" (2025-07-02)

• Motor1 "This Hummer Replica Was Built By Merging Two Suzuki Jimnys" (2024-01-16)

• IndianAutosBlog "Bizarre Cars: 2 Jimnys Combined, Draw Power from a V6 Engine" (2024-01-16)

• CarBuzz "Two Suzuki Jimny Crossovers Become One Extremely Low Hummer Lookalike" (2024-01-17)

• CarExpert "This fake Hummer is two Suzukis in disguise" (2024-01-17)

Feel free to paste this list at the end of your blog or article as needed. It can also be adjusted to other formats, so please feel free to consult.