CLEAN AS A WHISTLE

THIS D-MAX SETS THE BAR FOR BUILDS YOU COULD EAT OFF

- DEX FULTON 

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.