Nig99's D-Max

[nig99]

Description:
G'day, my name is Nigel, and I am a bit older than some of the other posters in this section - suffice to say my kids are also older then a lot of the poster in this section as well
Anyway, I live in the southern Canberra suburb of Calwell, and most of driving is done in the Brindabellas and Snowy Mountains
I have only had my D-Max since June this year, but have had an Isuzu ute of some description since 1992, and so I am pretty comfortable with them. So the D-Max is just getting loosened up, and I am looking forwad to many years of fun out of it
Modifications and Accessories:

Suspension:
Ironman mid range rear springs, with ProBags air bags - about 500mmm lift
Front is slightly cranked up standard - about 25mm lift
Body Lift:
None - not sure whether I can do anything legally here with airbags
Tyres/Wheels:
Standard 16x7 wheels with 245/70 tyres, but have a set of 265/70s off my old truck that are going on soon
or
White ROH Trak2s 15x7 with 10.5x31 Maxxis Buckshots
Traction Aids: (LSD, auto lockers or Air/electric lockers etc)
Standard rear LSD
Bullbar:
Isuzu dealer fitted option
Spot lights and Lighting:
None as yet
Communications/GPS:
GME TX3200 UHF
HP PDA GPS (runs TomTom & Oziexplorer
Dual Batteries:
Redarc isolator - wired to fridge & camper batery
Engine:
Bog standard 4JJ1-TC
Exhaust:
Standard
Sound system:
Standard CD player
External:
Tow Bar
Alloy tray
Under-tray tool boxes
Candy Canvas slide-on camper

Internal:
Rear seat removed - replaced with shelf fro fridge
Others:
Its a work in progress - will post up further mods as they happen


Pictures:

Will put up in next post as this editor is getting so silly for words once you get past a page of text.

[nig99]

So here athe pictures:

This one was after I had it for a couple of months down in the snow - this is wearing my set of 31" Buckshots


Fridge where the back seat used to be


UHF mounted on ash-tray


On a recent trip - morning tea stop


Camp setup at Pretendi Bore in SA


...and at Clover flat in Snowy Mountains

[Witchdoctor]

Nice set up Nig99.
Is that a Candy Camper?

Cheers David

[wbski007]

I'm a camper too Nigel, so I think your rig is really cool, good work mate. What size motor is in it? Cheers Wayne

[nig99]

Nice set up Nig99.
Is that a Candy Camper?

Cheers David

Yep - had it for a couple of years, used to have it on the back of my old Rodeo, but it wasnt overly well balanced - a bit too much weight behind the back axle led to a pitching motion over bumps.
The D-Max cab-chassis back axle is 150mm further back than the ute version or the older Rodeos and it balances a lot better, in fact if you dont look in the mirrors you could forget it is there.

The only down-side to longer wheel base is a pretty horrible turning circle, I am getting used to 3-point turns where I used to get by in one swing

[nig99]

I'm a camper too Nigel, so I think your rig is really cool, good work mate. What size motor is in it? Cheers Wayne

The 4JJ1-TC is a 3 litre direct injected common-rail turbo-charged & intercooled 4 valve double overhead cam 4 cylinder diesel - it produces 120kw and 360nm of torque.
A bit more hi-tech than my old 4JB1-T, with a lot more get-up-and-go

[Isuzumu1]

Great set up Nigel, from what I can see you have left one seat in the back is that correct? another good idea.

Cheers Bruce

PS think I had better get my act together and put up some stuff on my rig as well.

[nig99]

Great set up Nigel, from what I can see you have left one seat in the back is that correct? another good idea.

Nope - the whole back seat is out - the fridge sits on the left, and the platform it sits on continues across so I have stable base to strap down the polythene boxes we store our clothes in when traveling - and the space underneath is a handy place to stash odds & ends

[westozal]

Hi,
Just purchased a Dmax as well. Very happy so far.
Regards Alan
[img]

[nig99]

Hi,
Just purchased a Dmax as well. Very happy so far.
Regards Alan
[img]

Congratulations - keep us posted on how it goes

Cheer
Nigel

[tonbon]

Hey Nig, i too have a DMAX purchased May 09 which is currently getting fitted out for desert travel. The picture of the fridge mount where the rear seat used to be is invaluable as i am going to be doing exactly the same thing. Good job, well done.

[nig99]

Hey Nig, i too have a DMAX purchased May 09 which is currently getting fitted out for desert travel. The picture of the fridge mount where the rear seat used to be is invaluable as i am going to be doing exactly the same thing. Good job, well done.

I see from your profile that you are setting up for a bit of desert travel - same here. We are getting the truck up to do the Anne Beadell Highway this winter, and so the long range tank is on order, and extra storage for jerry cans, water etc is being organised.
After a quick run through Murray-Sunset NP in Victoria last year I think the truck will do the trip well, it steamed up the sand-dunes there in good style, although they exposed the limits of the standard shock absorbers, so something a bit beefier will be going on before the trip.

[morgan122]

hi there is it possiable to swap the 4jb1t for the 4JJ1 in my isuzu MU?? lookinf for something that will tow a tractor on a heavy trailor

[geeves]

Everything is possible but that will include lots of overtime.
4jj1 is computer controlled common rail engine. Its likely the same computer also controls the trans.
Fit the motor and trans as one unit and make sure you get the original wireing loom and computer. Dont know if it has anti theft. If it does the computer wont let anything work without the correct ignition key just like the ecotech comadoor motor. Then you need a software wiz to make a key emulation box
I have put aside 10 pages for your build write up and pictures