MAXIMUM EFFORT
BEING a heavy-diesel mechanic, Chris Gillis was on the hunt for a new rig with proven driveline reliability and all the up-to-date tech, and the new design of the D-MAX was something that appealed straight out of the gate. That modern tech included Isuzu’s IDAS (Intelligent Driver Assist System) which helps with things like lane assist and adaptive cruise control. Remote engine start is also standard, but Chris added the ability to drop and raise all four windows via the key fob with the plug-and-play TRAC Electronics window module.
The mechanical monster that is the aftermarket auto-parts industry tends to take its sweet time to digest new models and spit out upgrades, and deciding to build a new tourer in the middle of a pandemic riddled with blown-out wait times took some gumption, but it afforded extra time to do proper research and get it just the way Chris and partner Bekk wanted.
Engine-wise, a few tasteful mods were green-lighted on the highly regarded Isuzu turbo-diesel 4JJ3-TCX 3.0L, given the considerable extra weight soon headed its way, but the dial was wound back for a bit more reliability in the outback.
This started with swapping out the factory intercooler piping for a Munji hard-pipe kit, with Munji also providing the gaslift bonnet struts. Guarding against dodgy outback refills is a Western Filters pre-line fuel filter, plus its fitting kit for the Mann+hummel Provent 200 catch can.
Adding touring range is an ARB Frontier fuel tank holding 133 litres. After hitting the rollers for a safe tune at Reaper Performance, the upgraded mill made 181hp and 656Nm.
Gearbox internals were left factory, with a torque converter lock-up already on-board. The rear diff came loaded with a factory diff lock, with Chris installing a Harrop Elocker up front plus a Munji diff drop.
Raising and levelling the stance with a three-inch lift at the pointy end and two inches out back are uprated Dobinson springs and remote-reservoir MMR adjustable shocks. Providing further support are a pair of Airbag Man heavy-duty airbags. In total, the GVM has been upgraded to a more portly 3600kg to handle the extra 980kg coming.
Developing a solid idea for what they needed when camping out bush, both Chris and Bekk set about researching companies to build their ultimate canopy. They opted for one of Bull Motor Bodies’ distinctive curved-side canopies as a base, and over several emails, diagrams and phone conversations, Chris and Bekk had the final, well-thought-out design for Bull to construct. This consisted of a headboard-less tray, with lift-off style canopy containing copious amounts of storage, dual spare-tyre holders, under-tray toolboxes and a trundle drawer.