Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [35K Kms Crossed]

[bigdrive]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Thanks vis for the wishes. I am eagerly waiting for the experts to revert on my queries. I have sourced parts from Aliexpress for LED lights and speaker circuits. Also not sure of the availability of poly air springs in india and looks like a simple DIY but no one has installed. This is exactly what i was looking to install in vcross youtube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfJC3_shOBU

 

[Vin_Cruzer]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Hi BigDrive,

Regarding putting up airbags over the leaf suspension you can contact @ www.airbagman.com.au
I was thinking for a similar upgrade , but the guys at Airbagman suggested that the rear airbag kit is an assist product so it will only assist with ride quality and handling when a load is added to the vehicle.
if the vehicle has to be driven unladen, such setup won't be of much help.

Regards

 

[bigdrive]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Hi Vin,
Thank you for the pointer, i know the stock leaf-springs were tuned on softer side to justify 250Kg load bearing to meet India requirement on passenger vehicle carrying capacity. Not sure if it is possible to further tune it softer side to get the airbag in to play unladen or on smaller loads. As far i know, shocks play a major role in ride quality where as springs to make sure to keep wheels in contact with the ground. So upgrading to better shocks will certainly improve the ride quality however softer springs with airbag will help to keep wheels in contact with the ground in all scenarios. Hence the try.
Best.

 

[Iron Rock]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Dear fellow truckers,
I am a new kid on the block and have recently booked vcross and waiting for its arrival. I have been reading lot of information on various forums and Facebook posts, however I could not gather all information with clear details and pricing of preferred modifications required to turn this beast into a successful long distance family tourer with some adventure. I have listed down few modifications I think are necessary

Hearty Congratulations - Welcome to the TAI family and to being a trucker!

1. Safety
a. Tyres : I intended to keep the stock alloys and get safer upsize AT tyres, so what is the safest upsize AT tyres we can fit without lift, no wheel size changes and no wheel spacers. I have seen many fitting 265/70/R16 or higher which are tend to be heavier than stock so I would think that it put lot of stress on breaks due to heavy tyres. Please suggest good AT tyres with strong sidewall (puncture proof) with your experience and contacts (preferably in Hyderabad).

I have 275/70/R16 - thats the biggest tyre you could have on stock alloys without the need to cut etc. If you go for other alloys with offset it hits!
265/70 is also a good choice, some brands i would suggest is Discoverer Cooper AT3, Maxxis, BFGoodRich(if you can find), Continental Cross Contact.

b. Canopy: I have a pet so I would be going for full canopy (like carryboy series 7), please suggest best deal I can get in india with contact (preferable in Hyderabad). I am planning to install dual battery for AC in Canopy and solar panel for charging. Please share your experience if you had this type of setup with some pointers.

Please reach out to Pavan Anand, Jeep Tyres India - also look out for stuff other than carryboy too.

c. Suspension: I am planning to install airbag with stock leaf spring with high performance shock (like old man foam cell, etc..) at the rear and compatible air shocks at the front. This should improve the ride quality substantially over the stock setup which is critical for long family drives. Please share your experiences and pointers.

this is more suited when you have a trailer or heavy constant overlanding type loads - there is very little you can do to rear in my view, improved suspensuon from OME and Ironman or TJM can help. But a leaf is afterall a leaf - do check out Dr. Nano Carbon fibre leaf - an RFC participant gave me good reviews about it - I am yet to drive it myself - awaiting to do that. Person to contact is Rohit.

2. Others
a. nudge guard, side steps, door visors and rear bumpers, auxiliary lights and some general stuff which I am not very picky but appreciate if you can provide a contact where I can get all at one go in India (Hyderabad of course :-)).
b. Head Unit (music system): I am more of a DIY guy so planning to build a carpc with some integrated sensors useful for safety but the challenge is with the offline GPS maps. So if you have a preferred head unit system with good india maps, please share. I will keep posting on my progress if I decide to go with DIY.

No dearth of dealers in India, Pavan, Bimbra, Chadha all having lots of Isuzu stuff - in hyderabad let me check and revert.

Hello Sir, Greetings !

Can you please share the Led bulb size for Low beam, High Beam and Fog lamp? I have read a lot of positive reviews regarding upgrades to Led bulbs and from the beam patterns as per your post, i believe its a worthy upgrade.
I have booked my IV-Cross two days ago and is due for delivery in second week of November. I wish to upgrade the lights on the very first day itself.

Regards

Congrats vib_cruzer and welcome to TAI.
I think low is H11 and High is HB3/9005 - Fog i didnt change in mine and anyways took out the bumper - but let me check, it should be in manual i guess.

 

[viswanath]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

b. Canopy: I have a pet so I would be going for full canopy (like carryboy series 7), please suggest best deal I can get in india with contact (preferable in Hyderabad). I am planning to install dual battery for AC in Canopy and solar panel for charging. Please share your experience if you had this type of setup with some pointers.[/Q

You could go for carryboy G3- 1.7 k, G7- 1.4k...available @bangalore, Chennai

Ramesh Hot Tracks- +91 91489 79266, Bangalore
Kun Isuzu- Chennai

 

[bigdrive]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Thank you and i will reach out to the contacts and share latest happenings. Is it a good idea to do ECU remap right after delivery or after initial running (>5K)? what is recommended and why is it so?.

 

[Iron Rock]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Thank you and i will reach out to the contacts and share latest happenings. Is it a good idea to do ECU remap right after delivery or after initial running (>5K)? what is recommended and why is it so?.

Hi bigdrive, you can read more on remapping process here

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...little-bit-about-remaps-petes-automotive.html

A lot of new cars get remapped, theoretically its our driving style and running in pattern is what that defines engine longevity, whether its a stock car or remapped. A stock car has 134ps and remapped say at 164ps - a good driver will never be driving it at crazy rpms/rev range irrespective, you will rather use the benefits the new curve provides aptly - i had heard some arguments saying more power output from remap will decrease engine life, the answer is yes and no - how much time are you going to drive at the peak output, are you racing cars or doing normal runs - what matters more is how you drive at the end of the day!

My suggestion is do it after 5k - just so that if there are any early gremlins those will be resolved upfront and you dont have think whether a remap caused that issue. But knowing its an isuzu engine i am not really worried as long as you treat it well during running in, either ways it wont matter much.

 

[bigdrive]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Hi Iron Rock,
This is an excellent answer, thank you. I am more of a marathon driver than a sprinter so will not be hitting max rev ever, however i might consider a remap after 5k for better fuel economy if it offers. Regarding suspension upgrade to DrNano carbon fiber leafs, i have seen some youtube videos that these leafs will tend to break like a stick but not sure of the conditions they were put through. So i was little skeptical on the carbon fiber leafs. Please share if you happen to get feedback from Rohit. Also i am having hard time to figure out the isuzu aftermarket dealers in Hyderabad, appreciate if you please pass it on if you happen to hear good dealers in hyderabad.

 

[Vin_Cruzer]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Hi Vin,
Thank you for the pointer, i know the stock leaf-springs were tuned on softer side to justify 250Kg load bearing to meet India requirement on passenger vehicle carrying capacity. Not sure if it is possible to further tune it softer side to get the airbag in to play unladen or on smaller loads. As far i know, shocks play a major role in ride quality where as springs to make sure to keep wheels in contact with the ground. So upgrading to better shocks will certainly improve the ride quality however softer springs with airbag will help to keep wheels in contact with the ground in all scenarios. Hence the try.
Best.

Hi Bigdrive
Thankyou for the making the scenario clear. I am new to such upgrades, thus in a learning phase. Well, i have my IV-Cross scheduled to delivered in second week of November, if by any chance you get to upgrade the rear suspension on your truck kindly share your experience with us. I will be using the vehicle majorly for farm use carrying loads from one farm to another, may be few equipment's and labor at times, i guess such upgrade will help me too.

Regards

@ Iron rock :-Thankyou very much sir. Sir, by any chance would have any idea about IV-Cross registered under Agriculture vehicle?? I am saying so because my vehicle's financing bank has offered me finance on the same terms & conditions of agriculture vehicles such as tractors, since i am solely into farming.

Reference:-https://www.pnbindia.in/document/agricultural-banking/Scheme26.pdf

I was wondering if there is any clause in Indian motor vehicle act, which could help me in reducing registration cost. FYI agriculture based vehicles such as tractors incurs no tax on registration in Uttarakhand.

 

[Iron Rock]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Hi Iron Rock,
This is an excellent answer, thank you. I am more of a marathon driver than a sprinter so will not be hitting max rev ever, however i might consider a remap after 5k for better fuel economy if it offers. Regarding suspension upgrade to DrNano carbon fiber leafs, i have seen some youtube videos that these leafs will tend to break like a stick but not sure of the conditions they were put through. So i was little skeptical on the carbon fiber leafs. Please share if you happen to get feedback from Rohit. Also i am having hard time to figure out the isuzu aftermarket dealers in Hyderabad, appreciate if you please pass it on if you happen to hear good dealers in hyderabad.

Here are two dealers whom you can check with in Hyd

Amar - +91 8686000001
Yashwanth - +91 8977770911

Hi Bigdrive
Thankyou for the making the scenario clear. I am new to such upgrades, thus in a learning phase. Well, i have my IV-Cross scheduled to delivered in second week of November, if by any chance you get to upgrade the rear suspension on your truck kindly share your experience with us. I will be using the vehicle majorly for farm use carrying loads from one farm to another, may be few equipment's and labor at times, i guess such upgrade will help me too.

Regards

@ Iron rock :-Thankyou very much sir. Sir, by any chance would have any idea about IV-Cross registered under Agriculture vehicle?? I am saying so because my vehicle's financing bank has offered me finance on the same terms & conditions of agriculture vehicles such as tractors, since i am solely into farming.

Reference:-https://www.pnbindia.in/document/agricultural-banking/Scheme26.pdf

I was wondering if there is any clause in Indian motor vehicle act, which could help me in reducing registration cost. FYI agriculture based vehicles such as tractors incurs no tax on registration in Uttarakhand.

I doubt if it can be registered as agriculture vehicle as the Vcross has ARAI certification as a private vehicle - the dmax is available for commercial.

However your loan eligibility covers pickups, min trucks, jeeps and two wheelers - just check with them if they give for private registered vcross. Banking sector is opening up for the next big push - so they would be flexible and friendly especially towards farmers.

Nice to have a fledgling group of vcross owners here - always helps! Jai trucking!

 

[Iron Rock]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Aasuzu has crossed 11k and last week i got the 10k service done :-

Isuzu recommends gear box and differential oil changes in 10k - however i got the engine oil and oil filter changed too. So overall ill follow a 10k oil change interval as opposed to isuzu's recommended 20k.

Here are the list of items done :-

1) Engine Oil / Oil Filter
2) Gear box oil
3) Front and Rear differential Oil
4) Suspension Torque check including Shackles
5) Full box Torque Check
6) Brake pads check - Surprisingly i have 8.3 mm left, new is 10 mm so hopefully it should last 35k or more.
7) Tightening the Intercooler plumbing
8) Air Filter and AC filter cleanup by blowing air
9) Greasing propeller shafts and leafs

Total Cost - Around 9K INR

Some pictures from the Service :-

Draining Diff oil, Engine Oil and Refilling new clean Oil - all Isuzu recommended stuff













I used some tyre rubber and stuck it on the shackle to lessen the metal to metal grind noise.



Rock Sliders mounted on chassis via U Bolts





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[A.G.]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

So overall ill follow a 10k oil change interval as opposed to isuzu's recommended 20k.

Given our environment and road conditions, 10K oil change for Engine is itself a stretch. Surprised by Isuzu recommends 20K.

6) Brake pads check - Surprisingly i have 8.3 mm left, new is 10 mm so hopefully it should last 35k or more

Looks like it would need 2 brake pad changes when it's other Japanese cousin would get probably it's first to reach the same kms

 

[Iron Rock]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [10K Kms Crossed]

Given our environment and road conditions, 10K oil change for Engine is itself a stretch. Surprised by Isuzu recommends 20K.
Looks like it would need 2 brake pad changes when it's other Japanese cousin would get probably it's first to reach the same kms

Pajero Sport brake pads seem to be self healing - OEM ones at 57K and still going.
Btw lot of aasuzu owners raised brake pad wear issues leading to isuzu dropping the prices, they have apparently come up with a new compound which lasts longer. No data yet on how long.

Very true, aasuzu needs to realize indian conditions! See below Isuzu recommended intervals:-

And bidding final adieu to the monsoon a few weeks back



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[viswanath]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [11K Kms Crossed]

Hi Guys, I retrofitted Cruise control in my truck. The installation was smooth otherwise just ensure ECM cable is connected properly when plugging it back, I spent hours to figure out that the connector was not in place..other than this I had no challenge retrofitting. I just followed instructions provided by Iron Rock in the post #86,
It is very easy to perform retrofitting kit, so have confidence and go ahead. Happy DIY !

 

[viswanath]

Re: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Ownership Review: Remapped 165BHP [11K Kms Crossed]

For instructions please refer Post 86 ! in this thread