The Jimny XL That Became Family
Every now and then a build comes along that isn’t just a collection of parts — it’s a proper personal journey carved into metal and plastic. Taylor’s 2024 Jimny XL is exactly that. Born from a Christmas decision and built through countless trial-and-error moments, “Fido” has grown from a brand-new five-door into a genuine companion: a daily driver, an adventure buddy, and a faithful little tourer that follows its owner everywhere.
Based in Brisbane and juggling daily runs to Enoggera with weekend camping, beach work and guided trails with the NBS 4×4 crew, this Jimny XL is a tidy example of how you can shape Suzuki’s smallest 4WD into something truly capable and uniquely yours.
2023 Suzuki Jimny XL — Taylor (@letsgo_fido), Brisbane
Backstory
For Taylor, Fido began as more than just a practical choice.
“This rig was a personal journey for me to design and build a car that could go everywhere with me. From the moment I walked out the door of the dealership, I couldn’t help but think of the name Fido — like the pup you take everywhere.”
The Jimny became the beginning, middle and end of what she needed: a daily she could rely on, a 4WD to take on nature’s challenges, and a companion for the dogs on weekend adventures. The five-door XL was the perfect platform — same tough, honest capability as the three-door, but with the extra room needed to make her plans and storage systems come to life.
“It’s such a modifiable car. No two Jimnys are the same,” Taylor says. What started as a simple purchase over Christmas 2023 soon turned into an adventure… and eventually, a family member.
One of his standout memories?
Taking the Jimny stock as a rock at 9pm on a Friday, pointing it into the Victorian High Country and driving through the night just to visit Craig’s Hut in the snow — and the little rig never missed a beat.
From there the build became a process of discovery: what worked, what didn’t, and what truly shaped Fido into the 4WD Taylor needed. “I just love the way he has come up.”
Driven not Stored: How It’s Used
During the week, Fido battles Brisbane traffic en-route to Enoggera, where Taylor works as a heavy diesel mechanic. On weekends, it transforms into a camping-ready runabout, tackling bush tracks, beach runs and the regular guided trail days run by the local NBS 4×4 club. Everything about the build is designed to be self-sufficient, fuss-free and fun — minimal effort, maximum adventure.
Modifications
Like the rest of the build, Fido’s mods came together through experience — long nights in the High Country, sandy weekends with the dogs, and plenty of trial and error to refine what truly mattered. What you see now is the evolution of that journey: a Jimny that’s been shaped by purpose, not impulse. Each piece has earned its place on the car.
Exterior, Suspension & Protection
- Rhino-Rack Platform
- 270-degree awning
- Pirate Camp
- Under Body Bash Plates
- Bonnet Struts
- Tough Dog Complete lift kit ➡️🔗
- Fluid Film Rust Protection
Fluid Film Black on the Jimny
To keep Fido looking sharp underneath as well as up top, Taylor treats the Jimny with Fluid Film Black — a lanolin-based underbody protectant that’s perfect for small 4WDs that spend time on the beach and in the wet. The black finish blends neatly with the chassis and suspension, giving the underbody a clean, uniform look while actively fighting rust, moisture and salt corrosion. It’s simple to apply, self-healing after stone strikes, and ideal for a rig that sees everything from city rain to club trips and coastal sand. For Taylor, it’s an easy bit of preventative maintenance that keeps the Jimny tidy, protected and ready for the next adventure.
Electrical & Lighting
- Bushdoof: Complete lighting package:
- Headlights
- Fog lights
- Underbody light kit
- STEDI Jimny Rally Bar
- Hardkorr 9″ Spotties
- Ecowatt 105Ah Lithium battery
- Drivetech DC/DC Charger
Fido’s 12V setup is built around a smart bit of packaging: the Get Good Gear side M.O.L.L.E panel. It’s more than just storage — it’s the structural backbone of the whole electrical system. Taylor’s Drivetech DC/DC charger is mounted directly to the panel, safely tucked out of harm’s way yet perfectly ventilated, feeding a hidden EcoTech 105Ah lithium battery stashed under a custom floorboard.
The panel doesn’t just protect the charger; it transforms the rear of the Jimny into a modular workspace, offering solid mounting spots for fire extinguishers, M.O.L.L.E pouches, 12V sockets and whatever else the trip demands. It’s a tidy, tactical solution that keeps everything secure, accessible and working hard without cluttering the cabin.
Recovery & Capability
We asked Taylor what her most memorable recovery was:
Nothing like 1.3T shoe box pulling out a front wheel drive 4.5T Chrysler 300c stretch limo with a tiny 2T winch will never not be funny
One of Taylor’s most memorable recoveries didn’t happen on a track at all, but at a wedding on the Gold Coast. She was helping her best mate — a florist — pack down after the ceremony when chaos struck: the bride’s limo had buried itself and wasn’t going anywhere fast. With tensions rising and a very unimpressed bride pacing nearby, Fido stepped in as the unlikely hero. A quick rig-up, a calm approach and a tidy pull later, the limo was free, and the day was saved — much to the bride’s relief and everyone else’s amusement.
- Carbon Offroad Jimny long drum winch: ➡️🔗
- Stealth mount winch cradle
- Custom laser cut grille by Get Good Gear
- Front Recovery Points
- Maxtraxx recovery boards
Interior Fit-Out
Step inside Taylor’s Jimny XL and you instantly see the touch of someone who understands practical, hard-wearing kit. As a heavy diesel mechanic, she works around equipment that has to perform without excuses — so naturally, Fido runs a full Get Good Gear M.O.L.L.E fit-out maximising every inch of space. Every panel becomes functional storage, every pouch earns its keep, and nothing is wasted. It’s disciplined, efficient and perfectly suited to a compact adventure rig.
Let’s Fido features an impressive Get Good Gear M.O.L.L.E fit out:
- Overhead MOLLE Panel Roof console ➡️🔗
- Grab Handle MOLLE Panel ➡️🔗
- Mid-section MOLLE shelf ➡️🔗
- Rear Window MOLLE Panels ➡️🔗
- Rear adjustable height shelf ➡️🔗
- Jimny drop down table ➡️🔗
- Rear Door UHF Bracket ➡️🔗
- Rear Side MOLLE Panel ➡️🔗
Interior upgrades continue with:
- All-terrain floor mats
- Jimny Hype “Coffee” seat covers
- Kings drawer fridge with custom built platform
- EcoXgear UHF
Wheels & Tyres
Check out Taylor’s Instagram page @letsgo_fido for a big announcement coming soon in regard to her next bid modification …. wheels and tyres coming soon.
Custom Vinyl — Brushed Copper Signature by The Wrap Boutique
Adding to Fido’s personality is a set of custom side decals laid in Avery Dennison Brushed Copper vinyl — a special-order material chosen specifically to complement the Jimny’s factory ivory paint. The work was carried out by The Wrap Boutique, who matched the brushed metallic texture to the build’s earthy, adventure-ready aesthetic. It’s a subtle but striking detail: the kind of clean, custom touch that makes the rig unmistakably Taylor’s, tying the whole colour theme together without overwhelming the compact lines of the XL.
Performance & On-Track Impressions
The Jimny XL’s 1.5-litre doesn’t pretend to be a powerhouse, but paired with the manual ‘box and kept light where it counts, Fido has no trouble on steep bush trails or long beach runs. The smart lighting package pays dividends on late-night climbs and club trips, while the interior electrical system ensures camp life stays easy and self-contained.
It’s a rig that works hard not by brute force, but by being thoughtfully built — every mod chosen to enhance capability without losing the Jimny’s playful nature.
Suspension — A Matched, No-Nonsense Setup
Rather than running an off-the-shelf kit, Taylor opted for a matched suspension setup that suits how Fido is actually used. Tough Dog springs provide the lift and load support, while Carbon Offroad shock absorbers handle damping duties, delivering a controlled, confidence-inspiring ride both on-road and off it. Supporting mods like extended brake hoses and adjustable panhard rods ensure everything stays aligned and operating correctly once lifted, maintaining proper geometry and wheel travel.
It’s a thoughtful combination that keeps the Jimny stable, predictable and comfortable — whether it’s commuting through Brisbane traffic or picking its way along club tracks on the weekend.
Starting Again — But Not Slowing Down
Unfortunately, just as Fido’s story was gaining momentum, Taylor’s original Instagram account documenting the entire build was hacked, wiping years of photos, trips and progress overnight. It’s a brutal setback for any enthusiast, especially when so much of a modern build lives online.
But rather than letting it stop her, Taylor has dusted herself off and started fresh, rebuilding the story from here on out. If you’ve followed Fido before—or you’re just discovering the rig now—jump across and support the new account @letsgo_fido and help get this Jimny’s journey back on track. The adventures are far from over.
Verdict: A Jimny With Heart, Purpose and Personality
Fido isn’t the biggest, baddest or most powerful rig on the tracks—and that’s exactly the point. It’s a reminder that capability isn’t measured in kilowatts or wheelbase alone. When you build with intention instead of impulse, a compact 4WD can become far more than the sum of its parts.
This Jimny XL is thoughtful, efficient and full of character. Every mod has a reason to exist, and every upgrade reflects real kilometres, not catalogue daydreams. In a sea of oversized tourers and overloaded builds, Fido proves that a light, clever, well-sorted rig can still punch well above its weight.
Our thoughts:
If anything, Fido represents where a lot of modern 4WDing is heading. Not everyone needs a full-size wagon with a six-figure parts list. There’s something refreshing—even admirable—about a build that sticks to its purpose, stays honest to the platform and still manages to deliver big adventures with small footprints. The Jimny might be modest on paper, but rigs like this show just how capable and enjoyable they can be when you build smart.
In a world where building a 4WD can be as simple as clicking “add to cart,” Fido stands apart as a genuinely hand-crafted rig. This build wasn’t about buying a kit and bolting it on — it was about picking, choosing, modifying and engineering solutions from multiple suppliers to create something truly unique. From the modified winch cradle that allows a slimline winch to hide neatly behind the factory bumper — no traditional bullbar required — to the custom laser-cut grille featuring the Fido motif, there are elements here you simply can’t buy off the shelf. Even the Get Good Gear M.O.L.L.E storage system was designed specifically around this build before it existed as a product, and the Carbon Offroad shock absorbers matched to Tough Dog springs is a combination you won’t find in any online checkout anywhere in the world. It’s a reminder that the most interesting builds aren’t assembled — they’re created.
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