Hey all,
Alan (Specky) here from Darwin, Australia. Thought I'd take the time to write up my 2014 Isuzu Dmax
Got the Dmax in September 2014 after i wrote off my earlier vehicle (2004 Toyota Hilux) on a wild horse - the Northern Territory where i live is home to countless large wild animals like horses, buffalo, cattle and camels so its a surprisingly common occurrence. video evidence here : .
Decided on the Isuzu Dmax as it gave better value for money than the Hilux/ Navara/ Ranger/ BT50 equivalents, and has one of the best motors in the game.
It's since gone under an extensive list of mods to suit our needs and lifestyle - i'm proud Dad to two lads (8 and 10) that LOVE the fishing, hunting and camping lifestyle so the Dmax has been built with that in mind. It's also my daily driver, so its a balancing act between function and practicality.
Frontal protection - ARB deluxe steel winch bar. ARB did me a great deal after using the video and a testimonial from the horse hitting my earlier car - the ARB bar on the Hilux undoubtedly saved my derriere.
Recovery - Magnum 9,000lb winch; ARB full recovery kit in the rear; MaxTrax on the roof when out bush; shovel & Hi Lift jack mounted to the right side of canopy rack.
Fuel - Long Ranger 140 litre long range tank
Front Suspension - Dobinson Suspension struts (150kg constant load) with the Dobinson MRR remote reservoir shocks - pretty happy with these so far. Did have the standard foam cell shocks but these failed within 5,000km and were replaced with the MRRs, which are a much better option.
Rear Suspension - Dobinson Suspension 450kg constant load springs with the Dobinson foam cell shocks. Have done 70,000km with these now and starting to get some drooping in the rear - happy though, given the punishment that they have copped over the years.
Driving lights - Lightforce HTX driving lights x 2. These replaced the Lightforce XGT 50W HID's and 22" LED light bar that were on there, and couldn't be happier - less wind noise and far greater peripheral coverage when driving at night.
Communications - Icom IC440N UHF radio teamed with a RFI UHF antenna (replaced the white GME on in the pics). RFI iPhone booster kit teamed to an external RFI antenna. iSatphone 2. Two UHF hand held radios (Uniden UH950's) with charging stations set up in the rear of cab.
Canopy - ARB plastic canopy
Canopy Rack - ARB aluminium trademans rack with under-rack Rigid Industries and Narva LED lights left, right and rearwards for work and camping duties at night
Roof Rack - Yakima Lock'nLoad
Solar - Redarc 180W solar panel feeding a 20A solar charge controller into the aux battery, in addition to an Engel Powerfilm 120W solar blanket that feeds into the charge controller when set up
Dual battery - Kickass 170AH deep cycle battery in the tray, controlled by a Redarc BCDC1225 charger with solar input to both batteries.
Wheels & Tyres - Isuzu 17" alloy rims with Cooper ST Maxx tyres in the rear and BF Goodrich ATs on the front - not happy with the performance of the Coopers so they are being phased out as they wear.
Draw system - home made, incorporating a 60 litre Boab by Dolium water tank and pump plumbed to a tap to the left side of the drawers.
Fridge - Engel 60 litre MT 60 fridge on a home made tilt slide.
Fire extinguishers - one in the cab (in front of passenger seat) and one in the canopy (mounted to the right of the windoor).
Annex - ARB 2.5x3m
I'm planning on building some more versatile drawers and a new tilt slide for the fridge in the coming months - both were first time projects so looking to cut weight and improve practicality than the current set-up.
Alan (Specky) here from Darwin, Australia. Thought I'd take the time to write up my 2014 Isuzu Dmax
Got the Dmax in September 2014 after i wrote off my earlier vehicle (2004 Toyota Hilux) on a wild horse - the Northern Territory where i live is home to countless large wild animals like horses, buffalo, cattle and camels so its a surprisingly common occurrence. video evidence here : .
Decided on the Isuzu Dmax as it gave better value for money than the Hilux/ Navara/ Ranger/ BT50 equivalents, and has one of the best motors in the game.
It's since gone under an extensive list of mods to suit our needs and lifestyle - i'm proud Dad to two lads (8 and 10) that LOVE the fishing, hunting and camping lifestyle so the Dmax has been built with that in mind. It's also my daily driver, so its a balancing act between function and practicality.
Frontal protection - ARB deluxe steel winch bar. ARB did me a great deal after using the video and a testimonial from the horse hitting my earlier car - the ARB bar on the Hilux undoubtedly saved my derriere.
Recovery - Magnum 9,000lb winch; ARB full recovery kit in the rear; MaxTrax on the roof when out bush; shovel & Hi Lift jack mounted to the right side of canopy rack.
Fuel - Long Ranger 140 litre long range tank
Front Suspension - Dobinson Suspension struts (150kg constant load) with the Dobinson MRR remote reservoir shocks - pretty happy with these so far. Did have the standard foam cell shocks but these failed within 5,000km and were replaced with the MRRs, which are a much better option.
Rear Suspension - Dobinson Suspension 450kg constant load springs with the Dobinson foam cell shocks. Have done 70,000km with these now and starting to get some drooping in the rear - happy though, given the punishment that they have copped over the years.
Driving lights - Lightforce HTX driving lights x 2. These replaced the Lightforce XGT 50W HID's and 22" LED light bar that were on there, and couldn't be happier - less wind noise and far greater peripheral coverage when driving at night.
Communications - Icom IC440N UHF radio teamed with a RFI UHF antenna (replaced the white GME on in the pics). RFI iPhone booster kit teamed to an external RFI antenna. iSatphone 2. Two UHF hand held radios (Uniden UH950's) with charging stations set up in the rear of cab.
Canopy - ARB plastic canopy
Canopy Rack - ARB aluminium trademans rack with under-rack Rigid Industries and Narva LED lights left, right and rearwards for work and camping duties at night
Roof Rack - Yakima Lock'nLoad
Solar - Redarc 180W solar panel feeding a 20A solar charge controller into the aux battery, in addition to an Engel Powerfilm 120W solar blanket that feeds into the charge controller when set up
Dual battery - Kickass 170AH deep cycle battery in the tray, controlled by a Redarc BCDC1225 charger with solar input to both batteries.
Wheels & Tyres - Isuzu 17" alloy rims with Cooper ST Maxx tyres in the rear and BF Goodrich ATs on the front - not happy with the performance of the Coopers so they are being phased out as they wear.
Draw system - home made, incorporating a 60 litre Boab by Dolium water tank and pump plumbed to a tap to the left side of the drawers.
Fridge - Engel 60 litre MT 60 fridge on a home made tilt slide.
Fire extinguishers - one in the cab (in front of passenger seat) and one in the canopy (mounted to the right of the windoor).
Annex - ARB 2.5x3m
I'm planning on building some more versatile drawers and a new tilt slide for the fridge in the coming months - both were first time projects so looking to cut weight and improve practicality than the current set-up.
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