Hilux versus Ford Ranger versus Isuzu DMax

I have a D-Max, no known problems and they are renown for their longevity.

G'day OBJ1, recently purchased a new DMax to tow around our campertrailer. Added ARB Canopy, bull bar etc which would have added a bit to its weight but have done 2 trips so far and love how it tows and the great fuel economy.

Cheers, Gary M.

Whilst not addressing your question, I'd be interested to know the background to trading down from the 79 Series, as it appears from the photo you have a great set-up for the type of touring you do and plan.

It might give some further context to your question.

Good luck with your deliberations...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy

Go a Dmax mate. I have 70k km on my auto which has done the Kimberley a couple of times and half of Australia, plenty of that offroad.
No problems so far. Save yourself $10-15k on the purchase price and use the savings for fuel or decking it out with accessories. They are popular out on the road and you will enjoy trouble free overlanding.

Another vote for Dmax - the auto is brilliant (same as 5 speed auto in 100 series Cruisers) . Renowned for reliability

Stick with the strength .
Toyota have dealers in every country town in Australia, you already know how good they are and so do i .
Colin

Yeah, Iv'e got a Rodeo (Izuzu) with 300000 on it and I cant wear the bloody thing out!

Gazza

I have a 2017 spec Ranger. Not yet outback tested but actually enjoy driving it. This is latest comparitive road test I could find.....................Ranger comes out on top.

I've had a good experience with a PX ranger and now a 2015 BT50 in auto.

After years of having Toyotas this year brought a D-Max Spacecab auto. So far have done over 25,000 k's off the bitumen on some pretty tought tracks.
Only one word - brilliant.
If you want a truck, if you want reliability, Isuzu is the answer. All the opposition are made by car companies and are becoming more and more car like. An Isuzu motor is good for at least 500,000 k's. You do not hear of to many of the others even getting to half that. Lastly, look at the forums on the various makes for the issues they have, you are hard pressed to find any issue with a D-Max.
Have a test drive, you will be very suprised, I know I was.

What are the differences between a Dmax and a Holden Colorado?

Just asking out of curiosity. I haven't done any research. Please excuse my laziness. (See the quote in my sig line.)

Use to be be very similar, now totally different. Thr Isuzu is still a real truck whereas GM with the Colarado is chasing Ford and making their vehicles more car like.

PX Ranger auto over 50000k of towing 2500kg plus ute loaded to a tad over 3000Kg, 90000K all up. Off road, tracks and some pretty hard ones on the gear.

Not one problem, except I changed the factory tow bar due to clearance.

My PX Ranger Supercab (manual) has done almost 80000klm towing a 2 tonne off-road van and now a 3 tonne off-roader. It has travelled the CREB and Telegraph tracks plus the development and the great central roads with no issues. Very comfortable and capable vehicle plus the trouble and strife likes it.
Regards

The new Hilux is such a refined vehicle, suggest you drive one. Very smooth and well finished product. The D-max is also high recommended. The Ranger is a great looking vehicle but not proving to be comparable in reliability when compared to the above 2. If you keep your vehicles outside of warranty this is worth considering. If you roll them over just as warranty expires then buy any of them. In the Outback Toyota is king and there is a good reason for that but the Dmax is just as worthy but suggest you drive them before purchasing. Tell the dealers you are considering all three and let the fun begin and may the sharpest pencil win.

Another happy px ranger owner. 3 years 90 000 kms. Hook weight up to all 3 and you'll see why ranger wins everything. Very comfy bus too.

Why ignore the Mazda BT50 in your search if you are looking at the Ford Ranger? They should at least be worth a look in the group of vehicles mentioned.

Good luck with your search
WBS

Well reading all the warm and fuzzes I must have got the only dmax on the planet with a fault. off the road for 5 weeks had a main control computer shit itself. went to dealer at Kippering after it went into limp mode was told I should of rang roadside support and they would have taken me the nearest dealer
any way telling them they wear it they booked me a service .first result turbo solenoid faulty 3 days later come and get it. Drove around the corner and back into the other driveway Not Fixed same problem. After a week got the shits with the mob and told them I was going to online and spamming every site about the service I had received. Queensland Manger Rang finally qualified for curtesy vehicle. stop the bullshit and tell the truth Finally worked out it was the main computer and it had to go back to japan to be rebuilt could not take one out of another Dmax or a spare one in the country Five weeks later get the keys back any way working ok now but just had to put it out there

my choice FORD RANGER 3.2 XLT AUTO

I have been through the same process and it took me nearly 6 months to select my vehicle..

I went with the Ford Ranger PX MK2 and I select a cab chassis base model.

Why:
* The base model came with a electric locking diff, as I do fair amount of 4WDing that was a necessity
* It came with vinyl floors, way better than carpet.
* As it was a base model the pricing was below the $40000 mark on the road
* I like the rated 800mm wading depth
* I like the way the alternator is mounted nice and high in the engine bay.
* I love the electric power steering setup -- It has a really good feel.
* I asked around the 4WD workshops to which of the current 4WDs are easiest to modify with lift kits etc .. They all said the Ford Ranger or the Mazda BT50.
* Vehicles that I seen lifted at the workshops, I checked CV shaft angles etc.. the Fords and Mazda still looked good even after their suspension lifts
* Looking under the vehicle, It appear to have the best clearance of the dual cab utes that I was looking at.
* The vehicle was available as a cab chassis at the time of purchase, all the other vehicle I was looking at I would have remove a tub tub to do my mods.
* Ford Ranger take larger tyres straight on their standard rims -- I fitted for 265/75/16LT tyres, on the standard steel rims
* I like the look of the fords.

I have found the Ford easy to modify to suit my needs, and I have documented my build process on the MySwag website -- The long range fuel tank, the lift, dual battery system, canopy etc (You will need to obtain a free account to view) http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=50278.0

Might as well have a picture here.


Cheers