For the 2022 Rebelle Rally, Kristin Shaw and I piloted a Hyundai Santa Cruz. While it did really well as a stock vehicle during training, with the help of Hyundai Motor America, we made a few modifications using both factory and aftermarket parts to make it a little more off-road ready.
You’ll have to watch the video to see all the modifications, but here are a few of the key additions we get asked about most frequently:
GoPro Camera Mount: This is actually a genuine Hyundai accessory that you can add on to any trim for $550.
Lift kit: The Rebelle Rally Santa Cruz has a 1.5-inch lift in the front and a 1-inch lift in the back provided by Truxxx to provide better ground clearance over rocky terrain and sand dunes.
Recovery hooks: Rally Innovations anchored into the bumper beam, installed a bracket and added the tow hooks on top of the bumper to enable us to be pulled out of a sand dune if necessary. (It wasn’t)
Bed rack: Another Rally Innovations modification specifically developed for the Santa Cruz has an accessible V-shape to hold the spare tire, shovels, MaxTrax and other tools without taking up any bed space.
To hear more about the Gear Offroad wheels, Falken Tires and Bally Designs lights, genuine accessory skid plate, be sure to watch the video.
Editor’s note: We had audio issues and a helicopter that must have been practicing lift-off and landing. So, you’ll probably need to crank up the volume to listen – but we think it’s worth it.
Now this is the article I’ve been waiting for! Thanks for making it and the video, Jill.
Happy New Years.