2020 Isuzu D-MAX LS-M in the 4x4 shed

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: Wish List
• Part 3: Adventure Time
• Part 4: Shakedown
  

Part 1: Introduction

KEEN readers would be well aware of our previous project vehicle, the highly modified Ford Ranger that was used on filming trips and for editorial duties over the last year or so.

Well, it was time to do something new and a bit different. We still wanted a dual-cab ute, though, as they just work for the activities we regularly undertake.

Why the D-MAX? Well, the all-new model is claimed to be leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation in terms of refinement, and, let’s be honest, people are going crazy for them, with some dealers reporting a six-month wait for stock.

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So, why not be one of the first to modify a 2020 Isuzu D-MAX. The plan was hatched, the deal signed and we’re the proud owners of a lovely new ute.

We’ve wasted no time putting the stock D-MAX to work, performing a few tasks dual-cab utes do so well including picking up some wheels and tyres and doing a tip run.

Even the 10-hour drive from Melbourne to Sydney after picking the ute up was a ripper, as I arrived home in NSW without feeling sore or fatigued, signalling this is certainly a big step forward for Isuzu. We’ve also had a little time playing off-road, testing out the new rear diff lock – and we’re stoked Isuzu finally installed one from the factory.

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We’ve racked up 1200km in the new ute, and we have to say we’re impressed. The seats are great, as are the vinyl floors – a must for a hard-working 4x4. There aren’t too many complaints to mention at all yet, however it is early days. And that’s not to say we can’t make a good thing better.

So, what are the plans? Well, you are just going to have to follow the journey to see what we come up with. However, it’s safe to say this D-MAX won’t be staying stock for long, and it certainly won’t be getting used solely for mundane purposes – think full-blown touring destinations, wild off-road tracks, and many trips to the local tip.

RRP: $51,900
TOTAL KM: 1200
AVERAGE FUEL: 8.3L/100km

Part 2: Wish List

WE brought 4X4 Australia’s Project D-MAX along for the ride on the recent LED driving lights comparison in the March issue of the magazine.

While we obviously needed something to transport nine sets of driving lights in, we also wanted to stretch its legs after its recent first service (3000km). We even used the D-MAX to power the LED lights for the test, a punishing task considering the vehicle is sitting idling for hours on end.

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We headed to Gloucester-NSW, ending up in Taree over three days. This gave photographer Scott Mason and myself the chance to explore the really scenic areas in between, that don’t seem to get as much attention as they deserved.

We’re talking water crossings, glorious rainforests, dirt roads for as long as you can see and steep lookouts with 360-degree views. With the weather not playing along for the conditions we needed on the light test, we had more time than expected to explore, too.

And while the Isuzu performed admirably on this trip, I am absolutely champing at the bit to get it modified and set up for proper touring. Sadly, with COVID-19 making it hard to get our hands on stock, things have taken longer than expected to organise. But rest assured, the ball is well and truly rolling.

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One benefit of doing trips like this, with a stock-standard vehicle though, is working out what we need in a touring vehicle, and what we’d like. That list grows more each and every day.

Stay tuned for the next update, as we get ready to spin spanners and build a properly setup tourer. Oh, and what work did the D-MAX need at the first service? Not much, I just requested the handbrake be tightened up a little as I live on a steep block. It’s better than ever now.

KM SINCE LAST UPDATE: 2952
TOTAL KM: 4152
AVERAGE FUEL: 8.3L/100km

Part 3: Adventure Time

I feel as though I’ve been living out of the 4X4 Australia D-MAX build. We’re just about to hit 10,000km on the odometer, most of which has been done off-road or heading to 4x4 destinations.

In the last month, I’ve driven to Melbourne and back for the massive ute test. As I left Lang Lang late, it took three hours to get to the Hume Hwy, so I decided to stay overnight in Tumut instead of doing the drive in one sitting.

This gave me the chance to test the Narva LED driving lights while coming in on the Snowy Mountains Highway and, to be honest, I don’t feel we have any need for more light. Very impressive for a seven-inch LED and stay tuned for a full review soon.

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Once the ute test was done and dusted, we headed north for an early morning shoot on the beach with our mates from Safari 4x4 Engineering. As we wanted to capture the sun rise, we hit the beach around 5am. Again, the LED driving lights came in to their own, but I was equally impressed with the Tough Dog suspension and Maxxis tyres on the rough beaches of the Mid-North Coast.

It’s not all beer and skittles, though, as we noticed an oil leak coming from the engine. Yep, it looks like our D-MAX has a rear main seal leak. By the time you read this, it will have been repaired. So, I’ll check back in with an update once we get the vehicle back from the service department.

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Overall, I’m really impressed with how all the modifications are performing, but can’t wait for the next stage to kick off. Namely fitting a canopy, making it safer to store camera and camping gear. I mention this, as we’ve decided which canopy we want to fit … it’s being painted as I type this update.

Exciting times ahead for the 4X4 Australia D-MAX build.

TOTAL KM: 9815KM
KM SINCE LAST UPDATE: 5663
AV FUEL: 8.5L/100KM

Part 4: Shakedown

We were out on a shoot in the Lithgow area of NSW, about to wrap up for the day, when photographer Mick Ellem asked a question I’ll never forget. “What time do you need to be home, and are you up for bit of a drive,” Mick said with a grin.

After months of being stuck at home, it was a question that didn’t need an answer. Time for an adventure in the 4X4 D-MAX, one with no plans other than achieving a specific goal.

You see, Mick wanted red dirt and bulldust on the D-MAX for a shot he had in mind, and who was I to argue. A phone call to my wife was made, a last-minute shop and fuel-up done, and we were now on our way to Outback NSW, next stop Cobar.

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For obvious reasons, we haven’t been able to travel as much as we would have liked in the D-MAX.

With restrictions now eased, it was game on. Before I knew it, we were now setting up camp on beautiful red dirt, and lighting our campfire well past midnight. It was going to be an early start, so we did the only logical thing, cracked a beer and talked shit around the fire. And man, it was good, I had really missed this stuff.

This proved to be a great shakedown trip for the 4X4 Australia D-MAX, wasting no time to hit the tracks around Cobar in search of awesome scenery and as much bulldust as we could find.

Everything we had done to the vehicle and all the hard work over the last year was suddenly worth it. The D-MAX was running superbly, now a practical set-up for touring. The only issue was dust ingress in to the tub area, and some additional sealing will be installed by the time you are reading this.

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I was also wishing we’d installed a long-range fuel tank, as the standard fuel tank was proving to be the limitation for how far we could travel. All in all, it was a successful few days, and a great feeling to be out travelling again.

It was time to give the D-MAX a service when we arrived home, as well as several trips to the car wash in an attempt to wash out that Cobar dust from every nook and cranny.

There were no surprises from the 15,000km service, the only thing that needed a quick look at were the rear drum brakes, which were no doubt full of dust and starting to squeak. After being told she’s all good to go, we left the dealership and went on our way back home, 45 minutes away from the dealership.

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Well, things took a turn when I arrived home and noticed oil leaking from the front diff. It turns out the dealership forgot to tighten both the fill and drain plug on the front diff after changing the oil – they were not even finger tight. A friendly phone call was made, and they insisted I came back so they could inspect the diff, top it up and put a spanner on the plugs this time.

Look, mistakes happen, I get it. And it’s not the problem, but the solution that counts. I’m not going to bash the dealership, as it fixed the problem quickly and even offered me a can of degreaser to clean up the oil from my driveway.

What have I learned from this experience, though? Take the trip, go out and have an adventure. The ones you don’t plan usually turn out to be the most exciting. And if you are getting work done on your 4x4, nobody knows it better than you. Double-check things when you get home, because it’s much easier having issues in your driveway than halfway through the outback.

TOTAL KM: 16,231KM
KM SINCE LAST UPDATE: 6213
AV FUEL: 10.4L/100KM