Hi,
I currently am in the market for a new ute and I have started to see a lot more Isuzu D-Max utes driving around and wondered what people on here thought of them - any help would be appreciated
I have had a look on http://www.isuzuutes.co.nz and the specs and features look good but it would be good to get some comments for owners.
Thanks,
Gareth
What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
a mate has one. Goes well. he considered them all, but eventually chose it ahead of a Ranger. Doesn't have the stalling problem in low gears that the new six speed colorado does. The motor is probably a fraction less sophisticated than most of the current crop (in terms of NVH and fuel economy,) but perfectly acceptable. And makes up for it in reliability.
For me,if i was buying a new ute, and wanted to keep it for 400,000km, the D-Max would be top of the list. In fact , it would be a very short list.
For me,if i was buying a new ute, and wanted to keep it for 400,000km, the D-Max would be top of the list. In fact , it would be a very short list.
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
I've had one since mid last year. Love it. Bonus was an standard LSD that I think rangers didn't get. I stand to be corrected.
Complaints would be engine is quite loud in cab compared to other utes but that is majorly offset by peace of mind knowing the big (torquey , long-stroke) displacement 4 cyl is comfortably being assisted by its turbo and not having boost rammed down its throat like the amaroks navaras and tritons.
I'D love to see ,say, an Amarok at 200,000kms vs the DMAX at 200,000kms. Recon the Amarok would have at least gone through a gearbox and a set of turbos.
My colleagues Amarok threw a cam sensor at 4000kms and completely destroyed the engine. A full engine replacement at 4000kms!!
Dmax Tows awesomely. Hardly know the boats on the back of it. 1.5t ish.
Offroad experience (farm tracks and muddy paddocks) has been impressive too even on cheap all terrains - just remember to turn off traction control or it just sits in the same spot all confused. It does however seem to be the lower (in terms of ground clearance) of the utes and I've managed to bottom it out pretty hard!
I've driven all the utes except the ranger (we have a large fleet) and my pick is still the DMAX. Perhaps someone can input here on the ranger.
Good luck
Complaints would be engine is quite loud in cab compared to other utes but that is majorly offset by peace of mind knowing the big (torquey , long-stroke) displacement 4 cyl is comfortably being assisted by its turbo and not having boost rammed down its throat like the amaroks navaras and tritons.
I'D love to see ,say, an Amarok at 200,000kms vs the DMAX at 200,000kms. Recon the Amarok would have at least gone through a gearbox and a set of turbos.
My colleagues Amarok threw a cam sensor at 4000kms and completely destroyed the engine. A full engine replacement at 4000kms!!
Dmax Tows awesomely. Hardly know the boats on the back of it. 1.5t ish.
Offroad experience (farm tracks and muddy paddocks) has been impressive too even on cheap all terrains - just remember to turn off traction control or it just sits in the same spot all confused. It does however seem to be the lower (in terms of ground clearance) of the utes and I've managed to bottom it out pretty hard!
I've driven all the utes except the ranger (we have a large fleet) and my pick is still the DMAX. Perhaps someone can input here on the ranger.
Good luck
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
What the ranger has over them all is simply refinement and ride quality/handling.
Downside is physical size, seeing over the bonnet, lifting something into the deck etc
Downside is physical size, seeing over the bonnet, lifting something into the deck etc
SWB V6 Paj with one or two mods 
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KIWI_TERRANO
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Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
The dmax is very under rated, I know several people with them and the love the reliablity, performance and towing capability while doing it in comfort
High country pest control has 2-3 and the boys thrash them, Red stag timber hunters club have them and take them places I wouldnt expect another modern ute to go, Josh James and Shaun Monk hunting have them along with hunter jornoul and they all love them and speck highly of izuzu service
High country pest control has 2-3 and the boys thrash them, Red stag timber hunters club have them and take them places I wouldnt expect another modern ute to go, Josh James and Shaun Monk hunting have them along with hunter jornoul and they all love them and speck highly of izuzu service
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
rangers/bt50 and tritons have e-locker rear diffs.
dmax probably still have the old plate style LSD that all the isuzu utes have had for ages. good diffs.
I have the precurser to the D-Max (09 colorado 2wd) as a work ute. have put about 60km on it. I don't drive the balls off it but I get the most out of it and average 8.5L/100k. the later ones are probably better. 4jj1 isuzu engines are great lumps.
dmax probably still have the old plate style LSD that all the isuzu utes have had for ages. good diffs.
I have the precurser to the D-Max (09 colorado 2wd) as a work ute. have put about 60km on it. I don't drive the balls off it but I get the most out of it and average 8.5L/100k. the later ones are probably better. 4jj1 isuzu engines are great lumps.
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catalystracing
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Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
One of the guys in our club bought a D-Max and loved it, but it went back to dealer 6 times in 6 months, replaced two thrust bearings and g/box was out 6 times, he has told them them to shove it and has ordered a Colorado. Must have been a Monday assembled one...if robots have a weekend on the piss that is.....
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
Isuzu D-Max does not have LSD rear diff. Only open diff but it has a very good traction control system allowing it to perform very well off road. For the money a D-Max is very good value and general very reliable.
Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
ahh so manual gearbox problems? interesting, and a bit of a shame. Should of mentioned mine is auto.catalystracing wrote:One of the guys in our club bought a D-Max and loved it, but it went back to dealer 6 times in 6 months, replaced two thrust bearings and g/box was out 6 times, he has told them them to shove it and has ordered a Colorado. Must have been a Monday assembled one...if robots have a weekend on the piss that is.....
I stand corrected.Ralfie wrote:Isuzu D-Max does not have LSD rear diff. Only open diff but it has a very good traction control system allowing it to perform very well off road. For the money a D-Max is very good value and general very reliable.
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geckoadventure
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Re: What are Isuzu D-Max Utes Like?
my 2008 3.0 Isuzu has 192,000K
Sell it NO WAY. It tows my boat with effortless ease and gets on a good day 10.1k per litre towing the boat at 80kph. It takes my ATVs. It goes offroad stock for charity work.
The low tailgate makes heavy loads easy including loading up ATVs by myself.
Nice gentle turbo cut in etc - Changed the shocks to heavy duty ones and the tuck is a dream to drive.
Sell it NO WAY. It tows my boat with effortless ease and gets on a good day 10.1k per litre towing the boat at 80kph. It takes my ATVs. It goes offroad stock for charity work.
The low tailgate makes heavy loads easy including loading up ATVs by myself.
Nice gentle turbo cut in etc - Changed the shocks to heavy duty ones and the tuck is a dream to drive.