Subtle D-MAX is loaded with quality kit

In a world where dual-cab utes are the most popular vehicle on the road, the problem facing every four-wheel driver is as clear as the tracks they tread.

How do you truly stand out in a crowd when everyone seems to be following the same script: a dual cab ute with a canopy? Some opt for the quirky and unconventional 4x4s, vintage rigs that turn heads at the expense of practicality.

Others choose a path paved with accessories, turning their rigs into off-road armouries equipped with every gadget conceivable, but that quickly becomes a rich man’s game on who can afford the most lithium.

Then there’s the road less travelled, the one taken by Russel Jensen, the owner of the Volcanic Amber D-Max we’re about to delve into.

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Instead of drowning in a sea of accessories, Russel embarked on a journey of meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering attention to detail.

This Isuzu isn't just another dual-cab ute with a canopy; it’s a canvas, a showcase for Russel’s business 4D Engineering which builds trick custom canopies. And we’ve gotta say, the D-Max is doing one hell of a job. So, fasten your seatbelts, because we're taking a deep dive into a 4x4 that doesn’t scream for attention but commands it through sheer refinement.

One where every nut, every bolt, and every lick of paint has been carefully considered. It’s a story that transcends the noise and chaos, proving that sometimes, it’s the subtle nuances that make the boldest statements.

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Whether you’re building a Lada Niva on a Unimog chassis or the latest and greatest dual cab ute, the attitude all comes down to the altitude.

Russel’s D-Max is no different. Look past that striking orange paintwork and the 4D Engineering rig rides two inches closer to the clouds thanks to a suspension lift on all four corners from the smart folks over at ARB.

The Old Man Emu Nitrocharger struts up front give the ride height increase. The twin-tube nitrogen-charged design a tried-and-tested robust platform for going the distance.

In the back a set of Old Man Emu constant rate leaf springs bump the ride height up, with matching Nitrocharger shocks keeping it in check. Combined, the package doesn’t just provide a lift, but an increase in legal maximum Gross Vehicle Mass, up from 3100kg to 3500kg.

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But what really catches the eye are those striking Fuel Coupler 18 x 9 alloy wheels.

They’re paired with Fuel’s Grappler A/T II 275/65R18 all-terrain tyre, the setup guaranteeing exceptional grip on the trails, rock-solid stability on the highways, and unparalleled style wherever it roams. Not bad for step one, eh?

Russel’s kept capitalising on the serious increase in attitude with a serious increase in armour, too. The tip of the spear is none other than the Aussie-designed and built Offroad Animal Predator front bar, although it’s been modified far beyond recognition.

4D Engineering is responsible for the flash… well, flashers. The side fog lights have been binned and custom housings now hold a set of custom daytime running lights and sequential indicators. Match that with the unique paint job and the bar has a look like no other.

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It’s jam-packed full of LED tech too; twin Stedi X-Pro 9-inch lights sit atop the bar, the outer rings colour-coded to the D-Max, a Stedi 21.5-inch LED light bar also got slotted into the integrated mount inside the bar.

The lights are flanked either side by GME whips: an AT4705BA cellular antenna feeds into the Cel-Fi unit for boosted phone reception on the go, and an AE4704B UHF antenna feeds into the XRS UHF for trackside comms. Can we get a radio check?

Move along the flank to the canopy and this is where 4D Engineering really starts to shine. Handbuilt in sunny Queensland from marine-grade aluminium, the lightweight offering works just as good as it looks, and thanks to the slick colour-coding melds seamlessly with the vehicle’s exterior. It’s a symphony of design, a testament to the builder’s unwavering commitment to perfection.

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That idea is evident in the custom mudguards mimicking the OE flares up front and the fact 4D Engineering has tied the lift-up doors into the D-Max’s central locking system.

If you’ve ever needed to individually lock every single canopy door just to run into the shops you’d know why that’s such a win.

Additional storage has been spec’d up with internal drawers in the main body, underbody rear toolboxes with shelves, underbody rear drawers, a roof rack up top, and a lockable jerry can holder for good measure. Oh, and don't forget the lockable fold-down rear ladder for rooftop access.

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Moving to the inside Russel’s tried to make the D-Max camping friendly without looking cluttered, a juggling act he’s absolutely nailed.

Powering the heart of the beast is none other than the Redarc Total Vehicle Management System paired with the company’s battery management system and Red Vision display.

If that sounds like a mouthful, the short version is the Redarc kit will monitor the Enerdrive 200Ah lithium battery, handle all of the controls for the various lighting inside and outside the canopy, run the Redarc 2000W inverter, and handle charge whether it’s from the Isuzu’s alternator, the three 100W solar panels on the roof, or mains power.

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Oh, and it’ll do it all with Bluetooth control through an app on Russel’s phone. Simples.

All great stuff, but it’s what you can do with it that we care about. That battery system keeps a Bushman DC130-X upright fridge running for an uninterrupted supply of adult beverages around the campfire.

If you’re feeling a bit of a health kick coming on there’s a 60L stainless water tank built into the canopy, the Redarc system dolling out pressurised water to multiple outlets and monitoring levels in the tank too.

On the camp cooking front, a dual-top induction cooker, 12V travel oven, and large stainless-steel slide-out table turn the D-Max into a gourmet kitchen on wheels.

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While the spec-sheet is impressive it’s also abundantly clear that Russel’s D-Max is a statement on quality and smooth integration rather than just throwing things at the wall.

Every single aspect from the colour-coded rings on the driving lights to the high-definition reverse camera on the rear has all been painstakingly planned to give a smooth experience with seamless integration.

It’s the kind of rig that might not immediately steal the spotlight in a sea of flashy attention-seekers, but take a moment to examine it, and it’ll pique your interest all day.

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