Wheel spacers on a Hilux — legal in SA and what do they do to handling?
Running the Suzuki Jimny for 14 months now, 72734km on the clock including 7 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, Baviaanskloof and multiple Kruger trips without a single mechanical issue. The 2.8L turbodiesel is 9L/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 George could learn something about customer service, but that is a SA-wide problem not specific to this brand.
Mods I have done: Ironman bull bar (R11k fitted), Ironman suspension lift (R11k fitted), MaxTrax recovery boards, and a National Luna 40L fridge. Total spend on mods: around R78k. Worth every cent.
Price paid at my George 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.
6 Replies
Good honest review. My experience with the Raptor 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.
Good honest review. My experience with the GR Sport 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.
Good honest review. My experience with the GR Sport 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.
Good honest review. My experience with the GR Sport 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.
— hannes_strydom
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The V6 Raptor is fine on tar if you stay under 120. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 118L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
What suspension are you running now? I have the same setup and am looking at Ironman 4x4 lift kit — around R17k fitted at my local workshop. Keen to know if the ride quality improvement on corrugated gravel roads is as significant as people claim.
— an_nell
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The GD6 is thirsty when you push it. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 122L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
What suspension are you running now? I have the same setup and am looking at Ironman 4x4 lift kit — around R17k fitted at my local workshop. Keen to know if the ride quality improvement on corrugated gravel roads is as significant as people claim.