Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge — First Proper Test of the Jimny Build

Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge — First Proper Test of the Jimny Build (Hard Trails, Real Lessons, and a Few Hiccups)

This past weekend we took the Jimny to the Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge — and for me it wasn’t just another trail day. This was the first proper test of the Jimny in its current form: new suspension, turbo setup, and the rig finally “as intended”.

And I’m genuinely surprised (in the best way) at how well it performed.

This event is the kind of place where you quickly find out if your build is solid… or if you’ve just built an expensive driveway ornament.

Why this trip mattered (context)

The truth is, the Jimny hasn’t had a fair chance to prove itself for a while.

Last year we had transfer case issues, then we did a light outing at a Durbanville 4×4 day (which, in my opinion, barely counts as a proper trail). On that day we ended up bending a side shaft, then the timing was terrible — parts delays over the festive season meant the Jimny sat for another couple of months.

On top of that, I had a six-month break for medical reasons, which meant the car stood still even longer than I wanted.

So the Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge wasn’t just a fun weekend — it was the “finally, let’s see what this thing can actually do” moment.

The main hiccup: alternator not charging the battery

We did have one proper issue that could’ve derailed the weekend: the alternator wasn’t charging the battery properly.

Luckily, it was sorted quickly in Wellington by a solid auto electrician. Quick diagnosis, quick fix, and we were back on track without the whole trip turning into a recovery mission.

That’s exactly why I like doing events like this — they expose the weak points fast, and you can fix them properly before the next one.

How the Jimny performed (the important bit)

Even with the Jimny taking slightly different lines to some of the bigger rigs, it managed the obstacles well and kept pushing forward without feeling fragile.

A lot of the mods we’ve done over time hadn’t really been tested properly — and that’s what shocked me most: the small finishing touches and little changes made the biggest difference.

It felt confident, predictable, and way more capable than it did the last time it was out.

EFS shocks: genuinely a game changer

I’m running the EFS shocks now, and I’ll be straight — they’ve been groundbreaking.

People love giving EFS grief (usually with the usual “they’re importing this” chatter), but even if they are — the quality and performance is still there.

They’re not cheap. They’re definitely on the more expensive end of the scale.
But if you want a Jimny that can:

• do hard trails properly, and

• still drive on the highway without feeling like a shopping trolley,

…they’re worth the extra moolah.

Reservoir placement + 33s: still the usual packaging battle

With 33s, the Jimny always becomes a packaging exercise. Flex gets wild, and you end up finding all the spots where things want to occupy the same space at full articulation.

We’ve already had to move and rethink a few bits (including where reservoirs live) because the tyres just don’t care about your plans.

That said — it worked, and nothing was catastrophic, which is honestly a win.

First time properly using the Dirty Life beadlocks (and I’m converted)

This was the first time properly running the Dirty Life beadlocks off-road, and I don’t care what anyone says — they’ve become one of my favourite mods.

People love calling beadlocks a gimmick, but here’s the real-world result:

• we ran between 0.4 and 0.6 bar

• no de-beading

• no drama

• and it let us drive with confidence on technical sections without worrying about popping a tyre off the rim

Also… that silver colour? It’s grown on me. A lot. It just works.

The one thing that would level it up: lockers

If there’s one mod that would make the Jimny feel “complete” for this kind of hardcore trail work, it’s lockers.

We’re not running lockers right now because we previously paid for a set from someone who never delivered. Still irritating, still unfinished business.

So that’s the priority:

• get the locker situation sorted properly

• then do another Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge (or similar) and see how the Jimny performs with that extra traction advantage

Final thoughts

The Cape Route Rally Hex Challenge reminded me why I love this side of 4x4ing: proper obstacles, good people, everyone helping each other through the hard lines, and a build that actually gets used the way it was meant to be used.

This wasn’t the hardest day I’ve ever had on a trail, but it was easily one of the most enjoyable — and it set the tone for where I want the Jimny to go next.

Lockers next. Then we go again.