WHEN it comes to off-road utes, the Isuzu D-Max is a quiet achiever. It might not have the boat-ramp champ cred of a HiLux or Ranger, and it's not as budget-focused as a Triton, but it's one of those 4x4s that gets the job done with little in the way of fuss or fanfare. And when you add a few improvements in a couple of key areas the D-Max transforms in to an absolute weapon.
Just ask Cory Hoffman, the owner of this pearl-white stunner. He was getting around in an RG Colorado for a few years and liked its Isuzu 4J engine's power delivery and fuel economy, so when it came time to update his ute, the D-Max was the logical choice.
"The interior, with its heated leather seats, fancy dash and large infotainment unit felt a lot more luxurious than the competition, and the 4JJ3 engine felt so much nicer to drive," Cory tells us. "Plus, the whole Isuzu reputation for reliability thing, as well as the functionality, drive ability and value for money, all made me feel secure in my purchase."
So, what did Cory do when he was handed the keys to a brand spanking, zero kilometers, zero-modifications Isuzu? The same as anyone with a penchant for ultra-tidy rigs - he got to work turning it in to one of the cleanest, most functional and most capable D-Maxs in the country.
MAKING THE 4J SING
Isuzu's 'little truck engines that could' are essentially begging to be modified. They're not only capable of putting out massive numbers for a four-cylinder engine (there are numerous 500hp models getting around), they're also renowned for taking it like a champ and not losing much in the reliability stakes. Here's the five-step rundown on how to get more from yours.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON