Suzuki Jimny for serious overlanding — underrated or just a fun weekend toy?
Running the Ford Ranger Wildtrak for 16 months now, 85249km on the clock including 10 proper off-road trips. Here is my honest take.
The good: the off-road capability straight from factory surprised me. I have done Sani Pass, Kgalagadi and multiple Kruger trips without a single mechanical issue. The 2.8L turbodiesel is 10L/100km on tar if you keep it under 120km/h.
The bad: the dealer experience left something to be desired. Also the dealer here in Kimberley could learn something about customer service, but that is a SA-wide problem not specific to this brand.
Mods I have done: Rhino 4x4 bar (R14k fitted), OME BP51 shocks (R13k fitted), TRED Pro recovery boards, and a National Luna 40L fridge. Total spend on mods: around R56k. Worth every cent.
Price paid at my Kimberley dealer was R680,000 — they threw in a full tank and floor mats. Finance rate was 11.5% over 72 months which is the reality of SA interest rates in 2025.
Would buy it again. Happy to go into detail on any specific aspect.
4 Replies
Have you tried it in high-speed gravel? That is where these bakkies differ most. The Raptor on its Fox shocks is a different vehicle at 100km/h on corrugated gravel compared to the base model.
Good honest review. My experience with the LC79 has been similar — the factory setup is surprisingly capable if you know how to drive it. The tyres are always the first thing that needs changing regardless of which bakkie you buy.
What suspension are you running now? I have the same setup and am looking at OME BP51 bypass shocks — around R12k fitted at my local workshop. Keen to know if the ride quality improvement on corrugated gravel roads is as significant as people claim.
— jannie_swanepoel
What suspension are you running now? I have the same setup and am looking at OME BP51 bypass shocks — around R12k fitted at my local workshop. Keen to know if the ride quality improvement on corrugated gravel roads is as significant as people claim.
What suspension are you running now? I have the same setup and am looking at OME BP51 bypass shocks — around R12k fitted at my local workshop. Keen to know if the ride quality improvement on corrugated gravel roads is as significant as people claim.