Why the Jimny Loves a Modular Roof System
A versatile approach to the roof rack, designed specifically for the Suzuki Jimny.
There are three simple facts that led us to our roof rack design.
Roof platforms are super useful, but they can add a lot of weight.
Cross bars are more limited in terms of use, but naturally they’re much lighter.
Jimnys aren’t great pack horses. It’s smart to keep roof weight to a minimum where possible.
So not only did we want to create a lightweight roof rack for the Jimny, but one that was adaptable. What you need on the roof, when you need it.
It would be nice to spend all of our time overlanding. But the reality is, this kind of travel makes up a small fraction of our overall time behind the wheel. Therefore we didn’t really want a roof platform on the roof 24/7, not on a car where weight matters.
This was the thinking behind our Mighty Smart Roof Rack, and more recently the Mighty Long Roof Rack for the Jimny 5-Door. These kits integrate cross bars and platform, with the platform slotting right on top of the bars as required, forming a fully integrated unit. The cross bars stay fixed in place, the platform can be attached or detached quickly and easily.
With a friend, it’s an honest 2-3 minute job to attach the roof platform to the bars, and it’s even quicker to ‘strip back’ to the Strong Boy Roof Bars. Many like to run the Strong Boy Bars for their everyday setup, and the Mighty Platform for the bigger missions. Others run the full platform 24/7, that’s cool too. The platforms are super quiet, still light and a tough look.
From nimble navigator, to adventure-ready rig in a couple of minutes. It’s a doable job alone, but more fun with a mate.
The Jimny 5-Door gets the same treatment, but with a base of 3 cross bars rather than 2.
Enter ‘The Inbetweener’
Here’s where things get interesting. We were loving the way we could move between cross bars and roof platform, work week to weekend. But we wanted something in the garage we could throw on and off completely effortlessly, no extra hands needed. For quick trips, and the lighter cargo that accompanies you on them. Something in between. Enter the Inbetweener Roof Platform.
Low profile, 4.5kg per platform, and built strong – the Inbetweener engages directly with the t-tracks of the bars, with quick release attachment that make installing or removing a 1 minute job. Run one half-width platform, or two side by side. We utilised the same spacing as our Mighty Smart Rack, meaning you can easily move between the bars, the full rack and the Inbetweener if you like – many do! Or you can get the bars first, and gauge your needs as you go.
Of course we then had to create a ‘stubby length’ version, to slot perfectly into the Jimny 5-Door’s 3 bar setup, which our Mighty Long Rack also utilises. This 3/4 length version is also great for anyone who needs to run their bars narrower. Stocky, strong by weighing in at a featherweight 3.4kg per platform.
The three bar setup is equally useful for long loads as short loads, especially when you have a ‘stubby’ on hand.
A modular mentality
Modular design – it’s what has worked for us as Jimny owners, and now Jimny parts manufacturers. Ongoing we are always looking for ways to make separate products ‘play nice’ with one another. Whether that’s quick release awning brackets, tie-down straps, and of course all the new gear we have in the pipeline.
Better get back to it!