Building a Touring-Ready Jimny XL: Storage, Power & Off-Grid Setup Guide
The Jimny XL 5-door (JC74) is a genuinely capable touring platform — but making it liveable for multi-day trips means solving storage and power first. This guide covers the full 4-step ExploreSetups touring build: false floor, lockable drawers, sleeping platform, and 110Ah lithium off-grid power system with Victron solar integration.
The Jimny XL has a reputation as a serious off-road machine. Ladder frame, live axles, low-range transfer case — on paper it punches well above its weight class. But for most owners, the real challenge isn't getting it off-road. It's making it liveable once you're out there.
Storage space is limited. The rear seats don't fold flat. There's no factory provision for a secondary battery or 12V system. If you want to run a fridge, lights, and charging on a multi-day trip without relying on a campsite hookup, you need to think carefully about how the setup fits together.
This guide walks through exactly how to build a touring-ready Jimny XL from the ground up — using the ExploreSetups modular system as the foundation.
Step 1 — Get the floor sorted first
Everything else in a touring build depends on a flat, stable load floor. The Jimny XL's rear seats create a stepped floor that makes proper storage almost impossible without modification.
The ExploreSetups False Floor ($550 AUD) is the starting point. It bolts into the factory floor mounting points with no drilling, creates a level cargo surface, and includes a hidden compartment sized for a 50mm slimline lithium battery — so you're building power-readiness in from day one, even if you don't add the battery immediately.
Step 2 — Secure, lockable storage for gear and recovery kit
Once you've got a flat floor, the Drawer System and Wing Kit ($2,700 AUD) is the natural next step. Two heavy-duty lockable drawers on polyethylene slides with approximately 75% extension — enough to reach the back of the drawer without leaning in. Lockable stainless steel latches keep everything secure over rough terrain.
Most people split the two drawers into distinct zones: one for recovery and safety gear (snatch strap, shackles, traction boards, first aid), and one for camping and cooking equipment. The wing kit closes off the sides to create a seamless flat surface across the full cargo width. Total weight approximately 23kg.
Step 3 — Flat platform for sleeping or full cargo
The Half Seat Platform ($350 AUD) completes the storage system and is what makes the Jimny XL genuinely liveable for multi-day trips. It snaps onto the front of the drawer system, creating a continuous flat surface from the tailgate through to the headrests.
Install one side and you keep a rear passenger seat — useful for everyday use. Install both and you have a full-length flat sleeping platform that works with a sleeping pad or foam mat. Setup takes about two minutes either way.
Step 4 — Off-grid power with the lithium system
This is where the Jimny XL touring build gets seriously capable. The Complete Setup + Power ($6,600 AUD) adds a full integrated 12V system to the storage platform.
- Cangoee 110Ah Slimline Lithium + 20A DC-DC charger — charges from your alternator while driving. 110Ah will run a 12V fridge for 2–3 days without any solar.
- Victron 75/15 MPPT solar controller — manages solar input efficiently, Bluetooth-connected for real-time monitoring via the Victron app on your phone.
- Victron BMV battery monitor + display — shows live battery state, current draw, and estimated remaining time from inside the cabin.
- Blue Anderson plug on tow bar — plug in a portable or fixed solar panel instantly, no additional wiring needed.
- Pre-wired OTS electrical enclosure — 6-way fuse box, 2 × 12V outlets, dual USB (including USB-C PD), 50A Anderson output, and Anderson solar input. All pre-wired. No DIY electrical required.
In practical terms: you drive to camp, the lithium charges from the alternator on the way. Park up, plug in a solar panel via the Anderson port on the tow bar. Run the fridge, lights, phone charging, and a fan overnight without any concern. The Victron display tells you exactly where you stand at all times.
What the full touring build looks like
A fully built ExploreSetups Jimny XL setup: false floor with lithium battery underneath, dual lockable drawers holding recovery gear and camping equipment, wing kit closing off the sides cleanly, half seat platforms extending forward to create a sleeping surface, and the Victron display and 12V panel accessible from inside the cabin.
The whole system installs without a single drill hole. If you sell the car, it all comes out. If you want to use the rear seats for a day, the platforms snap off in two minutes and the drawers slide out in under fifteen. That reversibility is the point — it works as hard as you need it to, but never gets in the way when you don't.
Is the Jimny XL a capable touring vehicle?
With the right setup, absolutely. The XL's longer wheelbase compared to the 3-door makes it more stable on highways and dirt roads, and the additional cargo space means you can carry meaningful gear without cramping the living space. The 110Ah lithium system is comparable to what people run in full-size utes — the JC74 just packages it more efficiently. The total system weight of approximately 32kg is about as efficient as it gets for the capability it delivers.
View the Complete Setup + Power →
How long will the 110Ah lithium battery run a fridge in the Jimny XL?
A 110Ah lithium battery will run a typical 12V compressor fridge drawing around 3–5Ah average for approximately 2–3 days without any solar. With a solar panel connected via the blue Anderson port on the tow bar, the system can maintain power indefinitely in reasonable sunlight. The Victron BMV display gives you real-time battery monitoring at all times.
Can I add solar panels to the ExploreSetups power system?
Yes. The Complete Setup + Power includes a Victron 75/15 MPPT solar controller and a blue Anderson plug pre-mounted on the tow bar. Any portable or fixed solar panel with an Anderson connector plugs straight in — no additional wiring needed. The Victron controller manages the charge and can be monitored via Bluetooth on your phone.
Can I sleep in the back of the Jimny XL with this setup installed?
Yes. With both half seat platforms installed, you have a continuous flat surface from the tailgate through to the back of the front seats. It works well with a sleeping pad or foam mat. Leave one platform out to retain a rear passenger seat while still having a sleeping surface on one side.
Will the setup affect the Jimny XL's off-road capability?
The complete system weighs approximately 32kg without a battery — modest for the capability it delivers. The weight sits low in the cargo area, which is better for handling than roof-mounted loads. Factor total vehicle weight into your trip planning, especially on technical tracks.
Does this system fit the Jimny 3-door or other variants?
No. The ExploreSetups system is engineered specifically for the Suzuki Jimny XL 5-door (JC74 model). It will not fit the 3-door Jimny or any other variant. ExploreSetups is an independent business and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Suzuki Motor Corporation.
What is the lead time and how does ordering work?
All products are made to order with a typical lead time of 3–4 weeks. After placing your order you have 48 hours to modify or cancel before manufacturing begins. Flat-rate shipping within Australia is $150–$199 AUD. New Zealand shipping is $400 AUD. Free pickup and on-site installation available from Bells Creek, QLD 4551.
