'09 Isuzu D Max towing and reliability.

Do not have one but would love one especially this one
http://www.drivermagazine.com.au/motor-sport/garland-and-d-max-for-safari-crown.html

The latest edition of 4wd action is reviewing the D-max. They say a good unit. Worth a read if considering purchasing one.

I have the rodeo version and no problems with that

I did put in a DP chip do a lift and upgrade on the suspension for towing but the unit itself is fine.

It all depends what you want to use it for. We do some serious 4 x 4 in our Rodeo (Basically the same car) but have had to do the mods to look after the car.

I would not think of towing anything much above 2 tonne for long distances, it is just not capable of it in my opinion. (Overheating issues under load when it gets hot, that is any temperature high 20s and above).

It has been 100% reliable so no issue for me there. (3 & 1/2 years, 89k)

They need a lift if you are going to do Mud or Sand and if carrying a load you will have to upgrade the suspension, stock is useless.

Let us know what you intend to use it for.

Cheers Tony

Hi Rex,
I have a SX 2009 man Dual Cab Dmax. Owned since new now 11000km. I added a canopy,ute liner,bullbar,window tint and towbar at purchase.
Overall I am very happy with power and economy.
Has been very reliable so far with nil warranty issues.
Economy ranges between 33 and 35 mpg most fills.....sorry I understand mpg better. I think its about 12 km per ltr. I dont thrash the car....more a cruisey driver I guess.
I tow a Tandem Poptop Caravan (body length 5.8 m or 19ft) and it does a good job. No complaints from me. I tow at about 100kmph where practible.
I have towed the same van with a 1996 80 series auto Pet and a 2004 man 3ltr diesel Patrol.
Both the Patrol and Dmax in my opionion are better towing than the Landcruiser with the Dmax in front in both power and economy compared to the Nissan.
The Dmax revs lower than the Nissan too ,at 110 in 5th the Nissan was about 600rpm higher than the Isuzu. 2200 vs 2800.In saying this the Nissan was still a good bus just that I got a bit nervous re the engine issues.
Off road no doubt the Patrol and 80 series would be a bit better due to not having independent front suspension but I find the Dmax still goes well.
Both the Toyota and Nissan had lift kits whereas I have not fitted one yet to the Dmax as i'm not so offroad orientated for now.
Would I buy another one should this get wrecked or stolen?, yes I would which for someone like me who has had dozens of vehicles is a pretty good endorsement.
Things that annoy me regards my car are basically symtoms of buying a base model, no cruise control(the news ones have it as standard now), one speed intermitent wipers which annoys the crap out of me as they are too fast, and lack of electric mirrors. I would buy the up market model next time. But this was my first foray into the Dual cab market and I wasn't sure it was going to be what I wanted after the Wagons.
No, I do not work for Isuzu either.
Anything else you may like to know ...let me know and I will help out if if I can.
Regards Alan

Thanks everyone for the informed replies. The D max certainly looks the goods.
thanks
Rex

I own an 09 LS-M, 60,000 k's so far (approx 15,000 of those off-road in many and varied conditions) and with the exception of a deisel fuel regulator replaced under warranty at 20,000 k's it has been super reliable and tough. Avg fuel economy to work and back (sydney sth west to nth west) 10 Km to the litre with a constant 55Kg payload (rooftop tent on tray plus recovery gear and camping gear so i am ready to go anytime). Avg fuel economy across Kidson Track/Gary Jct Rd/Sandy Blight Jct Rd on recent trip was 8Km to the Litre with a total of 800 Kg (approx payload) with tyres down at 26PSI and across some kidney destroying corrugations.

2 inch lift plus air bags on rear with Tough Dog heavy duty suspension. Tyres are 265/75/16 Bridgestone Dueller LT's on the 16 inch alloys it came with and even with all the corrugations etc i have no new rattles. Cant advise on the towing aspect as i dont tow but in my view, these are the real deal and i can see me being a very happy DMAX owner for a long time to come.

Tony

Hi Rex. I have a 2009 D-MAX 4x4 Diesel Auto LS-U just on 12 months old. Now done 12,500km. I had a lot of problems with the after market stuff that was fitted down south but is now all sorted out by the dealer up here. Fuel consumption varies between 8 litres 100km to 12 depending where I refuel. Normally BP - I now try to avoid "cheap" places. The fuel monitor guage is great for this. Cheap is NOT best. In the long run it gets WORSE fuel consumption with crap fuel.

I've been getting ready for our two month trip next month. I'll be towing a Gazal Infinity 2000 van. Today the D-MAX went in to local ARB to fit the Old Man Emu suspension kit - took the van as well - fully loaded with three water tanks etc. The back was sitting down a bit. Be interesting to compare it towing home tonight. I do have a Hayman Reece WDH with anti-sway kit I used to use on my 20' Regent. Not sure if it will be necessary on this rig - time will tell.

My kit so far: ARB steel winch bar (no winch yet), Driving lights, Safari Snorkel, OL ChargeMaster Dual Battery system (wired with 25mm2 cable) with optional Controller (actually this is a rebranded National Luna product), Prodigy Brake Controller, Outback Dual Drawers with one drawer holding 40 litre Engel, Anderson plug to rear, Outback Roof Console with GME TX4400 Radio, 3G Antennae for mobile phone, Navman GPS (so I can find my way around in Mexico), ARB Canopy, OME suspension upgrade, EEPC Computer with NatMap GPS, OBDII Interface and Software - connects to computer.

Yesterday I bought some rubber to fit around the inside of the tailgate - the gap is enormous ! 3 metres of 'D' shape rubber. Tailgate is a bit harder to open but the gaps are gone.

I'll post an update photo later.

Malcolm

BTW - My Kimberley Kamper is still for sale in the Trader Section if anybody is interested.