Our D-Max gets a new Piranha canopy

RUNNING our D-MAX without a tonneau cover or canopy over the tub has meant that I’ve had to store any valuables on the back seat of the ute for the last few months, making it difficult to cart passengers around. There are few things in this world more frustrating than having a ute without some form of cover over the tray. Sure, it’s fine if you are moving house and need maximum height, but we’re moving swags not domestic fridges or washing machines.

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Piranha Off Road has been around for more than 30 years, specialising in 4WD electronic battery management systems and trays. Recently, it has expanded its product range into 4WD canopies and ute trays, and we saw this as a great opportunity to have one of its fibreglass canopies installed on to our 2020 D-MAX. We wanted to fit a fibreglass canopy, that had rated roof racks (100kg in this case), lift-up side windows and a nice colour-matched painted finish. We also wanted to have central locking and a rear window demister. The Piranha canopy ticked all those boxes, and really suits the look of the D-MAX.

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These roof rails were supplied, and are rated to 100kg

The canopy arrived unpainted and once we supplied the paint code, it was sent off to be sprayed. Once dry, the team at McNaughtans in Western Sydney handled the fitment, which was by all accounts a simple affair. Everything was supplied with the canopy, including a wiring loom to tap into the factory rear brake lights, central locking and window demister.

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Sturdy (and simple) clamps mount the canopy to the tray for a quick install, and easy removal if ever required. No drilling is required, which I feel is a good thing for resale value or if you decide to go a different way down the line. Now that the canopy has been installed, Piranha Off Road are developing a battery tray specifically for this vehicle, so we can mount our 100amp/h Invicta lithium battery behind the back seat. Stay tuned for that update.

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RATED

AVAILABLE FROM: piranhaoffroad.com.au

RRP: $3400 including paint, side lift-up windows and installation.

WE SAY: Piranha Off Road canopies are available to suit a range of 4x4 utes, including Hilux, Ranger, Navara, Triton, Amarok, Colorado and naturally the Isuzu D-MAX.