Suzuki Jimny Gets a Toyota Makeover—Sort Of
Tuning

Suzuki Jimny Gets a Toyota Makeover—Sort Of

Suzuki’s pint-sized adventurer, the Jimny, has always marched to the beat of its own drum. Despite Suzuki’s long-standing partnership with Toyota—which has spawned a handful of rebadged models—the little off-roader has remained proudly independent. Until now.

Enter ill Garage, a Japanese tuner with a mischievous sense of humor and an eye for design mashups. Their latest project, dubbed the CH:AMP conversion, takes the Jimny and gives it a front-end transplant inspired by Toyota’s utilitarian Hilux Champ pickup—also known as the Rangga, Stout, or Tamaraw, depending on the market. And if you squint just right, you might even catch a hint of Toyota’s new baby Land Cruiser FJ in the mix.

What’s in a Face?

Up front, the CH:AMP swaps out the Jimny’s familiar round-eyed stare for rectangular headlights, a chunky two-piece bumper, and a simple, boxy grille. The result looks equal parts rugged and retro—more budget Toyota than boutique Suzuki. Every element is finished in black to play nice with the contrasting roof and widened fenders of the demo car, which also sits slightly lower thanks to a set of 1.5-inch (38 mm) lowering springs.

Adding to the show-truck flair are dummy towing hooks, chunky all-terrain tires, and aftermarket wheels. It’s the kind of visual trickery that might make you look twice in a Tokyo parking lot—only to realize that, legally speaking, it’s not quite a Toyota. To make that crystal clear, the tuner stamped “CH:AMP” in big red letters across the grille. A tongue-in-cheek move, perhaps, but also a smart one to keep Toyota’s legal team at bay.

Retro Inside, Too

Inside, ill Garage offers a pair of retro seat cover options in Cognac Brown or Charcoal Black, mixing leather and braided inserts for an old-school vibe. Rear seatback pockets add a touch of practical charm—something any small SUV owner can appreciate.

Two (and a Half) Jimnys Walk into a Garage…

The CH:AMP treatment fits both the three-door Jimny Sierra and the stretched five-door Jimny Nomad, but the narrower kei-spec Jimny sold in Japan doesn’t make the cut. Customers can order individual parts à la carte or go all-in with a factory-style pre-converted Jimny, new or used, delivered straight from ill Garage.

How Much for the Fun?

Pricing starts at ¥360,800 ($2,300) for the base setup with halogen lights, or ¥386,100 ($2,500) if you want LEDs. Paint and installation are extra. From there, the options list reads like a candy shop for modders:

  • Lowering springs: ¥55,000 ($350)
  • Dummy towing hooks: ¥49,000 ($320)
  • Real towing hooks: ¥98,000 ($640)
  • Baja-style fog lights: ¥165,000 ($1,100)
  • Rugged rear bumper: ¥132,000 ($860)
  • Sport muffler: ¥66,000 ($430)
  • Seat covers: ¥85,800 ($560)

Add it all up and you’re still looking at less than the cost of a mild Wrangler option package—but with ten times the personality.

Not a Toyota Fan? No Problem.

If Toyota styling isn’t your flavor, ill Garage also offers a Ford Bronco–inspired Jimny conversion. Either way, it’s proof that the aftermarket hasn’t lost its sense of humor—or creativity.

The CH:AMP might not make your Jimny faster, but it definitely makes it harder to ignore. And in a world where individuality is often crushed by badge engineering, a face-swap like this feels refreshingly cheeky.

Source: ill Garage