Dmax

Yep, that's the post Sir Kev.

Ironically I was going to do an update on my D-MAX this afternoon. May as well hi-jack this thread and post it here ....

Opposite Lock Townsville rang me this morning and said, "Mate, we've got your ARB Bull Bar. We can fit it for you today!". Woopee. (When did I buy the car? Last October). Off I went straight away. Found out it was going to take around FIVE hours to do the job. "Any chance of a ride back home", I said. "Sorry,our courtesy car doesn't go out that far". Later was talking to the dealer principle and he finished up taking me home. How good is that !!

I've just finished picking up the car and taking some photos with the new ARB winch bullbar (no winch yet) ....

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I could not be more happy with the service I received from the local OL dealer. Compared to the one at Redcliffe they are like chalk and cheese.

An update ... now done 3400km ;-) Fuel consumption gone UP to around 10.6 l/100km. First service completed at 3300km - now they don't even change the oil !!! What used to be the old spin - need to remove bits of foreign material in a new engine after 1000 mile ???

Am I still happy with the D-MAX ? Happy as a pig in ...

Malcolm

Malcolm, that looks fantastic. I am currently saving the pennies for the same bar. 1 question, with the original plastic front bar, it is one piece all around and up the side of the radiator grill, did they cut that? and what does it look like close up? i have looked and looked and the only way i see it happening is by cutting the plastic across at the bottom of the grill, is this correct?

TonBon

When you compare the ARB bar to the one they originally fitted (see my sig photo for comparison) one can see why I pushed for the bar to be replaced with the one that I originally ordered. Also, the height of the top bar IMHO was restricting the airflow across the bonnet on the orignal. The ARB one is much lower.

The first bar needed the plastic to be cut away (and no they didn't give me back the lights that they also removed). When they fitted the ARB bar today they had to cut more of the plastic away. They also repainted (black) the metal work that had been cut previously. Basically, from the grill down has been removed.

I have a couple of photos I took this afternoon looking up under the bar that I can post if you want to see them.

Malcolm

Malcolm,

i see what you mean by the top bar, the ARB one definitely looks more suited to the shape of the vehicle with airflow etc. Definitely a better looking bar and no doubt better suited for its intended purpose.

Thats good info mate and yes, would love to see those photo's. Cheers.

Apologies to Ally Gator for stealing his thread. But it is all D-MAX stuff ;-)

Ton Bon. Here are the photos under the bar and another couple front/side on.

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I may have to investigate the amount of mud etc getting thrown up underneath. If it presents as a problem I'll make up some sort of skirt.

Malcolm

Unfortunately i cant comment on the towing ability as i dont tow, however i can say loaded up with all the necessaries for extended camping, including a rooftop tent, 2 eskis, sleep bags, food, clothes (yes i have a female life partner :-) etc, etc, it seemed to make no difference to power and about a 2 litre per hundred Km difference in fuel consumption on the black top, up from 8lt/100km. Off road in 4x4 with same gear that went up to around 12lt/100kn.

These are a very tourqey engine, plenty of power across the range, great fuel economy, quite comfortable to drive when loaded up even with heavy duty shocks springs and airbags in rear and great value for money.

IMHO you cant go wrong. Isuzu have been building diesel engines for many many years and they get it right, simple.