Isuzu Malaysia may be half a product cycle behind Isuzu Thailand with the D-Max, but we’re really not alone here. Isuzu UK are also still selling the previous version of the D-Max. They were supposed to show these 3 variants of the 2nd generation D-Max Facelift at the 2020 Commercial Vehicle Show, but that was cancelled due to the ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Instead, they’re showing the three variants digitally on what they call the Isuzu 3V Show (Vehicles and Videos – Virtually). That being said, none of these 3 D-Max variants have any videos published on their media site or youtube channel. The three D-Max are pretty interesting nonetheless and we thought we’d feature them here to give local D-Max owners some modding ideas.
D-MAX GO2
First up, there’s the GO2 – a rugged, extreme off-roader take on the D-Max. All mods done to the car were done after registration, showing just how easy it would be to upgrade your own D-Max in this way.
Here’s a list of parts that have been added to what looks like a mid-to-high range variant of the D-Max with a manual gearbox.
- ARB Sahara bar
- roof mounted Lazer Light bar
- Britpart Pulling Power Winch
- full underguard kit including a rear differential guard
- Safari snorkel
- heavy duty side steps with a chequer plate design
- smaller 16” wheels and 33” General Grabber X3 Mud Terrain tyres
- Pedders drum and disc brake combination at the rear
- heavy duty brakes with vented discs and part ceramic pads in front
- Pedders TrakRyder eXtreme suspension
- Pedders TrakRyder front upper wishbone
- Pedders rear anti-roll bar
- lockable rear differential
- rear step tow bar
- retractable Mountain Top roller cover
- aluminium bed drawer system with lockable storage compartments
D-Max XTR Colour Edition
In the UK, Isuzu sell a localised variant of the D-Max called the ‘XTR‘ which features more aggressive styling and a few additional off-road performance upgrades like heavy-duty 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tyres and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Colour Edition expands on this product line in the following ways:
- front bumper guard, bonnet protector, wheel arch extensions, headlight frames, tailgate spoiler, rear light surrounds, rear bumper now colour coded
- The step remains as the black material finish and the exhaust finisher inserts are also black for contrast.
- Vibrant green Isuzu badge, rear anti-roll bar and rear dampers
Isuzu Tipper
Finally, there’s this: the Tipper. They’ve taken a basic extended cab model (the King Cab that you normally see in Thailand) and converted it to be a cost-effective dump truck.
What’s fitted is a Tippadeck bed, which is made of 18mm alloy floor panels with 300mm high sideboards and a tailboard that opens up 180°, either from the top or bottom (it has two hinges).