We all like the Suzuki Jimny, whether you are a self-professed "serious" off-roader or a tarmac-only boulevard-cruiser. Cheeky looks, reasonable price, its the ideal starting set of wheels to the exciting world of 4x4.

And anyone who spend a good deal of time on the white throne studying 4x4 magazines will have at one time or another noticed and even fantacised about a certain maroon coloured Suzuki Jimny Wide (JB33). It looks good doesn't it? Aluminium bars for bumpers on both ends, brash "WildBoar" wheels and dumpy BF-Goodrich Mud Terrain T/As, *sigh* if only we can all have our own little "WildBoar".

Not contented to just dream, yet short of actually doing up our own Project Wild Boar here (yet), we set about to get a first hand, butts on experience of riding monguls and ridges in the mighty Wild Boar of the Pearl of the East, i.e. jeepnation goes to HongKong to taste the WildBoar for ourselves. Here, you get to read and envy us!

It might be cliche now, to mention, but the pictures do not do the machine justice. This vehicle is the brainchild of APIO Japan, executed and perfected by Mr Sunny Cho, owner of New Technic RV Shop in Hong Kong, N.T. The equipments and modifications put into this Jimny is simply too extensive to blow into your 17" monitors. Just to set your coordinates to orientate to the intensity of this setup, here's a peep into the weaponary set into the machine.

In the engine department, there is the usual cable upgrades, open-pod air filter and a nasty full-exhaust mod, which includes a 4-2-1 extractor and stainless muffler from Totsugeki. The extractor are of equal length to give better torque characteristics. The sound of the machine at idle was, as one put it, like a Porsche 911, *Grrrrrr..h!* To the motorhead, "simply divine!"

The main bulk of the work done was to enhance the already very capable off-road performance for the cheeky Jimny. High-lift suspensions are obviously part of the plan, and this one here is a lift that is over 2 inches, enough to make the harshest of terrains break the driver before the Wild Boar rubs its nuts against the ground, yet not enough to make the vehicle handle like a bullock cart on-road. The undercarriage, for that matter is fully protected by APIO's arsenal of stainless underguards, in case absolute mindlessness get the better of us.

As if the incrediable amount of stroke and compression afforded by the modification was not enough, as if the LSD installation in the rear differentials needed more improvements, this WildBoar has LSD in the front as well! Coupled with the aggressive off-road tyres, no wonder the vehicle does not have a winch installed. There simply was not the need - yet. Then again, as in our nature, to have absolute power over our environment, there may come a time when this Wild Boar will actually get in trouble, but not for a while.

Before we get lost blabbing about its off-road performance, we have to talk about its handling on road too. For a vehicle with such a strong focus on off-road conquests, the vehicle is surprisingly composed on-road, taking corners in confidence, not the way a go-kart will feel, but perhaps better than the original Jimny setup, this afforded by the Trailwin shocks too of course. And the fact that the lift was not to sky-scraper levels as most would like, the entire setup was just so deliciously right...

Bringing it off-road.

To take it off-road in isolation is just so dull, we would just go on about how much a non-event the WildBoar makes the terrain to be. Maybe the grounds in Hong Kong was not "tough enough" for us? Well, along for the test were members of the Hong Kong Off Roaders Club, who meet regularly to crack their CV joints together, off the beaten path. In this particular trail, the WildBoar took the lead, clearing obstacles in its stride, while the more standard spec vehicles either get bogged or have that familar scratching sound from their chassis. In the stillness of the night, the sound appear even more morbid and painful. We are just thankful to be in the WildBoar.

And then there was a rather steep incline, about 250m worth of bad ground, set at a (approx) 45 degree incline. The other guys knew that no amont of ego or male hormones can push their wheels beyond the first bump (yes, its an all-male outing this time). On came the WildBoar, with its front and rear LSD ensuring active progress, the slope became another score in its log book of off-road conquests.

There's more to this little test and there will be more to come. But for now, take our word for it, here is a neat off-road modification that works well for normal individuals like the most of us who still have to work and use the car for normal roads. It may not be a competition machine full-time, but as it is, the WildBoar strikes a very good compromise for the "serious" leisure off-roader. For your information, we did try to sneak the vehicle over, but our luggage excess saw that that will not be possible.

The realistic alternative? We got the shop to run a quote to do up a JeepNation edition Wild Boar. Like to know how much?

To come in future issues, more mods and lessons from the "Jimny expert", Mr Sunny Cho.

New Technic RV Shop
Shop 29-30, Ho Shyn Yee Building,
9 Fung Yau Street, Yuen Long,
N.T. Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2477-8408
Fax: (852) 2475-2231
Email: newtech8@netvigator.com
Website: www.offroaders.com.hk

Special thanks to Mr Sunny Cho, owner of the vehicle, the H.K. Offroaders Club and Mr Kevin Tsang from 4x4 Magazine (HK) for making this article possible.