Picked up a new D-Max

[Captain Stubing]

I’m surprised, as we have had DMax dual cabs at work for the last maybe 8 years. I hated their agricultural qualities, until the current model. For the first time driving a work car, I thought, “I’d buy one of these!”
The current model Dmax is collab with the BT50, and so much more refined than the previous tractors. It may be the AWL canopy fitted on the back with our work gear inside that tames it. Bonus is all the safety features in the base unit… adaptive cruise control,lane assist etc.
I’ve noticed staff prefer to take the new model out over the older one, which is about due for upgrading at 110k.
@Jaydee maybe you should try it with a load in the back end, not a bare naked Ute.

[FPV0002]

These dual cabs all ride pretty jiggly and horribly until they have some weight in the back. Especially when new and suspension isn’t bedded in very well. I’ve got a 2016 D Max for work and a few hundred kilos of tools/equipment plus a canopy on the back and while it’s never going to be anywhere near a comfort level of a sedan it rides perfectly fine for what it is.

[PooDog]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Nope.
Landcruiser has had discs forever and have had a 3.5t tow rating for just as long. So does plenty of other wagons.

Thai utes have drums on the back simply because of Thai tax laws.

Good sized drums are cheap reliable and reasonably efficient.....the price you pay for a Landcruiser I'd expect a bit more than drums

75% of braking is done by the front if drums were 10% or so less efficient that's overall 2.5% less efficient overall .....if you want better brakes you'd be better off upgrading the front

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Tax incentives - that's how stupid we were, we subsidised Thailand's manufacturing industry and they became really popular to the point we disincentivised people buying our own cars.

Though from a fuel use perspective can understand why people went the diesel SUV and ute route, Ford Australia was way too late with the diesel Territory, talk about being behind the 8 ball.

Then no diesel Falcon ute when they had the diesel Territory?

Imagine the FG with the 6R80 and the 2.7L V6.

I don't mind basic, but when we're buying ladder frame chassis vehicles with diesel 4 clinder engines for close to or exceeding 6 figures, someones having a laugh

Or the absolute joke that's the 79 series Land Cruiser running the same drivetrain since 2007 going for 6 figures, that 1VD-FTV engine in stock form is an absolute turd and paired with a 5sp manual, feels like its 1985 again.

I agree with the first half but think the Landcruiser has always been a winning formula, built for a purpose, just the wrong people demanding change buying it, similar to the original Landrovers.
Like a certain real truck maker you like rabbiting on about.
If it ain't broke why fix it. Bring on 1985 again.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

I’m surprised, as we have had DMax dual cabs at work for the last maybe 8 years. I hated their agricultural qualities, until the current model. For the first time driving a work car, I thought, “I’d buy one of these!”
The current model Dmax is collab with the BT50, and so much more refined than the previous tractors. It may be the AWL canopy fitted on the back with our work gear inside that tames it. Bonus is all the safety features in the base unit… adaptive cruise control,lane assist etc.
I’ve noticed staff prefer to take the new model out over the older one, which is about due for upgrading at 110k.
@Jaydee maybe you should try it with a load in the back end, not a bare naked Ute.

Cheers mate, yes the kids plan on a canopy and kitting out the back with draws etc for camping expeditions and a roof top camper, plus towing a dinghy.
So hopefully you're right about some weight, but bare naked it's pretty uncomfortable.
The body sits high above the chassis, huge gaps in the wheel arch to the tyre, so plenty of compression available for loading up.

[Rallye Sport]

I think either peoples expectations are to high or they don't understand the purpose of such a vehicle by expecting them to tour the roads with the comfort of a Mustang and offroad like a Landcruiser.

They're a work ute. Built for a purpose and to a price, both of which they do well. Its naive thinking to expect there to be no compromises when using it for something its not intended for.

[LG17]

We have a Hilux dual cab 4x4 and an old AU trayback ute for the hard work around the property.
Yesterday we had to deliver the AU to my son at the Sunny Coast for a few weeks. I drove the AU there and my wife followed in the Hilux. I drove the Hilux home - 170km on crap main roads. The difference was chalk and cheese. I'd forgotten how comfy the AU was to drive over the Hilux. I felt every single undulation, change in surface, 'repaired' pothole and bump in the road on the way home. It was like driving on 2 entirely different roads. There's just something about Falcons on a road trip.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Cheers mate, yes the kids plan on a canopy and kitting out the back with draws etc for camping expeditions and a roof top camper, plus towing a dinghy.
So hopefully you're right about some weight, but bare naked it's pretty uncomfortable.
The body sits high above the chassis, huge gaps in the wheel arch to the tyre, so plenty of compression available for loading up.

It'll be fine then as weight certainly helps the ride.
When we looked at our Ranger it had a blown power steering fuse and being a weekend the dealers service dept was closed so coildnt fix it for a test drive.
They had another Ranger in the yard and as id never driven one I asked if we could test drive it to get a feel for them.
It was just a dualcab, no accessories and fdlt quite harsh on the country roads.
A few days later the Dealer rang me and arranged to drive the one I wanted which had a canopy, it rode better than the previous one.
We bought it and since then Ive added drawers, battery, fridge and roof platform to canopy and cab and the extra weight has made it better again.

Took my Mum away last week for a few days down the coast and she actually commented about how nice it was to ride in for a ute.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I agree with the first half but think the Landcruiser has always been a winning formula, built for a purpose, just the wrong people demanding change buying it, similar to the original Landrovers.
Like a certain real truck maker you like rabbiting on about.
If it ain't broke why fix it. Bring on 1985 again.

Yeah, everyone thinks the 79 Landcruiser ain't broke so why fix it, until they do $8000 worth of fuel injectors on something with 150KW/430NM.



I've fixed enough turd 1VD-FTVs I'm my time to know

They should have stuck with the 1HD-FTE 6 cylinder engine.

Said truck manufacturer I **** talk on the regular has made big changes on the upcoming model so I guess they listened

I do like basic, I just don't like basic and 6 figures.

79 series + 3UR-FE (284KW) that the Tundra and LX570 has would be a WEAPON.

[Work Horse]

I have about 8000 Klm's on my 2021 base model twin cab D-max.

The ride from the rear suspension is quite harsh with nothing in the back.

Towing 1-2 tonnes as I do most of the time it rides really well.

I find the safety gear a bit intrusive at times, but also aware it may save my life one day.

It has over double the power of the 1989 Ford trader it replaced, and gets better economy. Sorry roKWiz! The Trader did have a better turning circle and a much bigger tray, but the D-max wins pretty much everywhere else.

The new 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-L engine is really well sorted out. The torque comes on so early it is a pleasure to tow with, hardly know the trailer is there.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

I think either peoples expectations are to high or they don't understand the purpose of such a vehicle by expecting them to tour the roads with the comfort of a Mustang and offroad like a Landcruiser.

They're a work ute. Built for a purpose and to a price, both of which they do well. Its naive thinking to expect there to be no compromises when using it for something its not intended for.

Don’t reckon a $70-80k wildcat Toorak tractor is classed as a workhorse.Most of them round here the owners wouldn’t even know how to engage 4wd far less take them off the bitumen where they might get a little scratch

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Yeah, everyone thinks the 79 Landcruiser ain't broke so why fix it, until they do $8000 worth of fuel injectors on something with 150KW/430NM.

image

I've fixed enough turd 1VD-FTVs I'm my time to know

They should have stuck with the 1HD-FTE 6 cylinder engine.

Said truck manufacturer I **** talk on the regular has made big changes on the upcoming model so I guess they listened

I do like basic, I just don't like basic and 6 figures.

79 series + 3UR-FE (284KW) that the Tundra and LX570 has would be a WEAPON.

Did I even mention a electronic injected V8 diesel. If it ain't broke don't fix it, meaning earlier 70's 80's 90's basic mechanical injected diesel engines not some electronic crap you like raving about.
Long before Franco was thought of.

[XR Martin]

Issue with the 70 series is that you have to spend $20-30k+ on it the day after you leave the dealership.

I must say I wouldn't mind one with the 4L V6 that the middle east and Japan gets. At least the front axle on those is the same width as the rear.
With a tub too.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Don’t reckon a $70-80k wildcat Toorak tractor is classed as a workhorse.Most of them round here the owners wouldn’t even know how to engage 4wd far less take them off the bitumen where they might get a little scratch

“Toorak tractor” Wildcat Ranger? Please!….
What an Absurd comment…
And you KNOW how many Wildtrack owners that wouldn’t know how to engage 4x4???
Generalisations Vs a wee bit if envy sometimes can cloud one’s thinking eh?

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

I have about 8000 Klm's on my 2021 base model twin cab D-max.

The ride from the rear suspension is quite harsh with nothing in the back.

Towing 1-2 tonnes as I do most of the time it rides really well.

I find the safety gear a bit intrusive at times, but also aware it may save my life one day.

It has over double the power of the 1989 Ford trader it replaced, and gets better economy. Sorry roKWiz! The Trader did have a better turning circle and a much bigger tray, but the D-max wins pretty much everywhere else.

The new 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-L engine is really well sorted out. The torque comes on so early it is a pleasure to tow with, hardly know the trailer is there.

All good! (Though I’d much prefer seeing your “sleeper” pano at Calder again!)

[Charliewool]

No idea how workhorses pano copped with drum brake rear though?

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

All good! (Though I’d much prefer seeing your “sleeper” pano at Calder again!)

Yes there are things that my new tow pig D-max can not do like my tow pig XD pano!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

“Toorak tractor” Wildcat Ranger? Please!….
What an Absurd comment…
And you KNOW how many Wildtrack owners that wouldn’t know how to engage 4x4???
Generalisations Vs a wee bit if envy sometimes can cloud one’s thinking eh?

The only time my old man's Wildtrack gets put into 4x4 mode is when I accidentally move the switch while cleaning the thing!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

I have about 8000 Klm's on my 2021 base model twin cab D-max.

I find the safety gear a bit intrusive at times, but also aware it may save my life one day.

I asked a customer the other day about his brand new Mazda BT-50, only for him to complain about how intrusive the electronic safety systems were, and this was from someone quite young, so not a situation of being overwhelmed by technology.

[DFB FGXR6]

And all this complaining about the ride quality of the modern crop of ladder-frame chassis pickups, clearly you lot have not had the (dis)pleasure of driving a PK Ranger single cab!



Brutal, bone jarring, stiffer than concrete are words and phrases that come to mind when thinking about daily driving that thing for 6 years!

Driving a PX MK II as daily these days is like riding in a limo by comparison!

Harden up fellers!

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I asked a customer the other day about his brand new Mazda BT-50, only for him to complain about how intrusive the electronic safety systems were, and this was from someone quite young, so not a situation of being overwhelmed by technology.

This was noted a lot in reviews that the lane keep assist in the BT50 and DMAX were very intrusive and wouldn’t work well on country roads.

Both manufacturers ended up putting buttons on the steering wheel to turn the system off.

[Sprintey]

Having a read of the comments here, I reckon there's still a market for the Aussie sedan-based utes like the Falcon and Commodore in this country.

[Sprintey]

Question for the dual cab owners, what kind of economy do their diesels run on the highway? Laden/unladen/towing if you wish.

Reason I ask, is I've heard some numbers that make me scratch my head. I'm hearing that the Toyota V8 will do 9's officially far worse unofficially, 14's when towing, 14's for the D4D Hilux not towing (!). In comparison my old HJ60 would do 10.5 day in, day out. A diesel hire car Xtrail got 8.8 which surprised me that it would chew so much.

And suprisingly, Dad's VY wagon with 3.8 Ecotec petrol I can get to low 8s on the highway. So I'm wondering if the old platforms, old tech and 4 speed autos in the Aussie stuff was really so inefficient? Or is it that the new stuff is about the same consumption in diesel?

[XR Martin]

Updated hilux with stock tyres and canopy averaged 9L for me on a trip Canberra to Wagga. 11.5 on the way back towing a motorcycle trailer with motorcycle.

Earlier N80s average about 10-11L with bull bar, AT tyres and tray.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

“Toorak tractor” Wildcat Ranger? Please!….
What an Absurd comment…
And you KNOW how many Wildtrack owners that wouldn’t know how to engage 4x4???
Generalisations Vs a wee bit if envy sometimes can cloud one’s thinking eh?

Why would I be envious of someone grossly overpriced Ranger Wildtrack which will probably never go offroad incase it gets a spot of mud or a scratch on it.Rather buy 2 XLs and use them

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Why would I be envious of someone grossly overpriced Ranger Wildtrack which will probably never go offroad incase it gets a spot of mud or a scratch on it.Rather buy 2 XLs and use them

How can you drive two at the same time?

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

How can you drive two at the same time?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKzC4VCdjQ4

just gotta get creative

[FERG_51]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Question for the dual cab owners, what kind of economy do their diesels run on the highway? Laden/unladen/towing if you wish.

Reason I ask, is I've heard some numbers that make me scratch my head. I'm hearing that the Toyota V8 will do 9's officially far worse unofficially, 14's when towing, 14's for the D4D Hilux not towing (!). In comparison my old HJ60 would do 10.5 day in, day out. A diesel hire car Xtrail got 8.8 which surprised me that it would chew so much.

And suprisingly, Dad's VY wagon with 3.8 Ecotec petrol I can get to low 8s on the highway. So I'm wondering if the old platforms, old tech and 4 speed autos in the Aussie stuff was really so inefficient? Or is it that the new stuff is about the same consumption in diesel?

Unfortunately the current emission specs have completely ruined the modern Diesel engine in economy, reliability and to some extent performance.

[.:4:.]

So i think this thread has gone a bit far from a new dmax.my mate who was my old manager has a dual cab dmax, its a 2017, so the old model. Its a dual cab with a hard top. The tub is full of family related crap and a toolbag that he claims the majority of stuff in it wasn't pinched from me. It drives nice. Standard issue diesel, it goes down hills as fast as it does up hill. The ranger i had was a single cab low rider with a tub on the back and a crappy canopy. Unlaiden it was bouncy. The triton i had after that, unlaiden it was pretty good. The triton had a steel service body on the back, real nice setup. Shelves on the passangers side, 3 roof racks up top. So weighed down even unlaiden. It was no van, im a van guy, but ypu look cooler in a decked out ute.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Yeah but even unloaded a one tonner Falcon ute is still a lot more comfortable than an unloaded Thailand Special.

You had 195KW too to go with it, and disc brakes on the rear axle

On my recent repair work for our Transit Custom, they loaned me a FG ute/al tray running on lpg and the first thing I said as I pulled out from the service road onto the highway was ..s*#t this things bloody quick...wonder what the real output was of those ecolpi's...and yes it rode better than any ute or van I've driven or currently own although I think the Trafic and Vito come closest of all comm. vehicles..imho.