Pick-up truck modification may be big business here in Malaysia, but it’s absolutely dwarfed by the industry in Thailand. The Land of Smiles has us beat not just in terms of scale, but variety as well – for every one truck owner aspiring to build a Ford Ranger Raptor on a budget, there’s another that believes their low-riding entry-level machine is every bit as sporty and tuneable as a Toyota 86.
The two extremes were illustrated by Isuzu at the recent Thailand International Motor Expo, where it showcased a pair of modified D-Max models. Drawing the most eyeballs was a white low-rider that was hilariously festooned with a whole manner of performance-enhancing components.
Funnily enough, this particular D-Max did not start out as a low-rider, but rather a high-riding Cab4 double cab model in base form. The suspension was likely lifted from the commercial-oriented Spark single cab, perhaps outfitted with a set of coilovers to further lower the ride height. It also received bi-LED headlights that are only offered ex-factory on higher-end variants.
On top of this, Isuzu threw on a smattering of real carbon fibre components, including a vented bonnet, a roof lip spoiler and a tailgate that made it ridiculously easy to lift with one finger. Rays’ iconic Volk Racing TE37 alloy wheels, measuring 18 inches in diameter and wrapped in 245/45ZR18 Toyo Proxes Sport tyres, hid massive Endless slotted disc brakes with six-pot front callipers. There was also an uprated exhaust.
The interior makeover was less drastic, but the company still saw fit to install H.Drive Racing bucket seats and Simpson Racing five-point harnesses, though quite how those harnesses could have been attached without a harness bar or a roll cage is anyone’s guess. The modifications didn’t come cheap, with the sticker on the rear window listing a total price of 627,600 baht (RM86,600), which is nearly the cost of the truck itself.
Less attention-grabbing but no less striking was a V-Cross 4×4 that went the other way in terms of accessories. Jacked up over a set of 17-inch KMC XD Series beadlock wheels shod in knobbly BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A tyres, it looked ready to hit the forest, outfitted with a Rhino-Rack, an ARB roof-mounted light bar and a beefy rear tow bar.
Getting some ideas for your next pick-up project? Check out the images in the galleries below, and let us know which one do you prefer in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: Modified Isuzu D-Max Cab4 1.9 Ddi 4×2
GALLERY: Modified Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 3.0 Ddi 4×4
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Ahh. The land of modded pickups and modded people.
I have 2017 Izuzu MUX ID LIKE TO LOWER , could you supply front & rear coils & rear shocks for drop in height of around 50 mils please .