Isuzu Dmax 2013 and or Mitsubishi triton 2.5L help please.

[Gozz]

How's it going fellers.
I am about to purchase a duel cab auto DID for work and also for play(towing boats etc between 1.5 and 2ton).
I've narrowed it down to these two ute's mainly because of price.
My questions are the usual, what type of km when towing and around town and are these two utes good quality as i keep cars for many many years.
One thing I've heard of with the 2.5L triton is they get a carbon build up but no one seems to say what it actually means or how it can be fixed or avoided.
Any help would be great thanks.
I've done heaps of research and I've done a search but could not find specific information.
Thanks heaps guys.

[j_man_84]

Mate you cant go wrong with the dmax, I have the 2014 model auto (same thing) and they just have got everything right! strong, reliable, great towing, heaps of torque/pulling power. Tritions are ok for what they are I guess but the dmax just ticks all the boxes and super reliable especially if you want to keep it a longtime. As for towing economy im not exactly sure as I haven't had a chance been to busy with work but you always hear good things from Isuzu not often you hear a bad comment. Go onto the 4wd action forum and check both utes out youll see what I mean.

Anway all the best with the decision.

J

[Gozz]

Thank heaps j_man.
Your information is very reassuring.
Just one question, where can I find the 4wd action forum.
Thanks again.

[bluefin59]

Mate I have the 2013 dmax and it's been faultless unlike my sons triton wich has been in for recalls and problems 4 times but they are cheap ,my max gets around 9.1 lt 100 k with a load in the back or not it's way good . I have a mate who actually fits in the back seat comfortably and he's a big boy , I would suggest you put the words dmax problems and then do the same with the triton and make your own mind up but I won't be selling mine anytime soon . I also tow a caravan and a boat all too easy ..Matt

[scottar]

Personally I am not a fan of the small capacity diesels that they put in a lot of the utes now. Not that they are bad engines and in the right application they would be fine but the reliance on rpm to develop power in a load carrying vehicle means everything is working harder than it needs to IMO. For this reason alone I think I would be swayed to the Dmax. As for carbon build up - if it is EGR (exhaust gas return) that is creating the problem (and it probably is) this is not just particular to the Triton but most if not all modern diesels. The exhaust gases are fed back into the inlet manifold under certain conditions to satisfy pollution requirements. This typically combines with "blow by" (oil residue from the crank case ventilation) and forms a horrible looking black carbon gunk that in extreme cases clogs up the air intake manifold. There are ways to prevent it from happening or minimise it - some are legal (catch can to seperate the oil from air in the crankcase ventilation line), some are not so legal (EGR Blanking Plate) and anyone who gets caught with one is subject to substantial fines.

[Gozz]

Thanks guys.
Excellent info and I'm pretty much sold on the dmsx or if I can find a cheap bt50 it would also sway my decision.
And thanks for the explenation Scottar I really appreciate it.

[Homebrewpig]

I had a 2012 manual Triton to tow the 552 evolution and a Jayco Expanda caravan 17.56.1
It was a good bus around town however the springs in the arse were to soft, and it didn't have the grunt to pull the skin off a rice pudding.

[hainsofast]

D max are the pick of the utes at the moment I reckon, having said that I have an 08 BT-50 with 130k on the clock and it goes great and have never missed a beat. If I were buying new today I would go a D max, steer clear of the triton's they are good for the price, but got nothing on the higher end utes.

[stockhorse]

http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum

[goat boy]

I'll throw a vote in for the Triton, and won't bad mouth the Dmax or others as I have never owned or ridden in one. Yep, the Tritons are cheap and that is what swayed me toward them (actually, the price dropped on them for what I was led to believe was a short period but has never gone back up much, maybe again when the new model comes out this year or next year?). I have owned a 13 and 14 model and both have been faultless, including hitching up the tinny and driving 6000km across Aus. The 13 cost me 29k delivered to my door (well, a km down the road) with factory tow bar fitted. I regularly tow the boat 250km round trip, have had it on the beach and it is my daily commute now I have offloaded the tired old Courier (which in itself was a great vehicle too). I have not had one issue with it other than 1 factory recall at the end of last year for an ecu update and replacement radiator cap, which was painless. That said, I would hope a brand new vehicle performs to specs effortlessly and trouble-free.
When I bought it I was in the position that I did not want to spend 39k+ on a new ute, and the only cheapies were great walls which were a no go for me. I was looking at 25k secondhand ones then Mits dropped the price and I couldnt go past a Triton for sub 30. It has things I like about it and things I dislike about it but overall is a good vehicle and I'm sure the step up to a high 30s vehicle (or higher) would result in joy relative to the pricing. If I was to spend that kind of money I would be looking at an Amarok but hey, half the fun is looking. I could not see any reason you wouldn't be happy with a Triton but if you have the extra $$ and want one, get a Dmax.

[The Black Unicorn]

I have a 2013/14 Triton and have owned it just under a year. It is a work car purchased for me which makes it good no matter what it is. I have done around 35000k in this first year. A couple of issues I see are the rear suspension as mentioned. Leaf springs just too weak and starting to sag even though I don't carry much weight in it. The other is towing my boat. I have a Yalta 555 which I,m guessing comes in around 1500ish kgs. Once going on the road tows fine but pulling up the ramp needs a bit of clutch riding or deploying low range to make it easier on the car. This is was worse in my last work car, a D22 Nissan. The most disturbing thing about the Triton was when I took it to a mates property and did some very steep bush work with it. Going up no probs. Low range plenty of poke. Coming down, holy crap!!!!! Low range, first gear, and the car is running away on you. Luckily it was dry and not dangerous but in a muddy situation you could get yourself into real strife. By comparison my mate Ranger would nearly require a little acceleration in low range to speed things up a bit going down the same hills. On the road I cannot fault the triton. It drives well and gets around 9l,100 around town and down into the 8s on the highway.

[Gozz]

Thanks guys.
I sat in a Triton the other day with my family and we all loved the space and a fairly new up to date interior.

I've pretty much set my heart on the Dmax and i'm going to see one on the weekend which is the 2012 model but in the new shape.
Pretty exited actually.
Thanks again.

[Gozz]

Just one more question please.
If the factory tyres are 245x70x16 can I fit 265x70x16 legally? .
Thanks again.

[hainsofast]

I can't see why not Gozz

[j_man_84]

Yeah mate they would be fine, 90% of dual cab utes when people get new tyres the 265/70/16 old size 31" is a safe and legal option. Police and insurance companies wouldn't look at them as they actually look like the size tyre utes should have instead of those pizza cutters 245's.

[j_man_84]

also I have had plenty of 265/709/16 put on utes and never once has any tyre shop mentioned a thing. They do have a duty of care to inform you of legality im sure? A mate had bought 35's for his patrol and the shop refused to fit but would sell to him so goes to show they take notice of the legal side.

[Funchy]

Personally I am not a fan of the small capacity diesels that they put in a lot of the utes now. Not that they are bad engines and in the right application they would be fine but the reliance on rpm to develop power in a load carrying vehicle means everything is working harder than it needs to IMO. For this reason alone I think I would be swayed to the Dmax. As for carbon build up - if it is EGR (exhaust gas return) that is creating the problem (and it probably is) this is not just particular to the Triton but most if not all modern diesels. The exhaust gases are fed back into the inlet manifold under certain conditions to satisfy pollution requirements. This typically combines with "blow by" (oil residue from the crank case ventilation) and forms a horrible looking black carbon gunk that in extreme cases clogs up the air intake manifold. There are ways to prevent it from happening or minimise it - some are legal (catch can to seperate the oil from air in the crankcase ventilation line), some are not so legal (EGR Blanking Plate) and anyone who gets caught with one is subject to substantial fines.


^^^^^ this

[Greg P]

For the triton egr rather than a blanking plate with hole I think if you look on the newtriton forum they were doing some electrical patch kit to trick the ECM into keeping the egr system closed.

New triton ton out here soon if not already, I'd take a dmax over a triton any day but would expect some super deals on run out models once the new one hits the showroom floors.

[bluefin59]

There's a thread on the new Isuzu dmax forum about the egr plate and tricking up the ecm as well but I'm not touching mine till later . Matt

[Still_Dreamin]

I'll throw a vote in for the Triton, and won't bad mouth the Dmax or others as I have never owned or ridden in one. Yep, the Tritons are cheap and that is what swayed me toward them (actually, the price dropped on them for what I was led to believe was a short period but has never gone back up much, maybe again when the new model comes out this year or next year?). I have owned a 13 and 14 model and both have been faultless, including hitching up the tinny and driving 6000km across Aus. The 13 cost me 29k delivered to my door (well, a km down the road) with factory tow bar fitted. I regularly tow the boat 250km round trip, have had it on the beach and it is my daily commute now I have offloaded the tired old Courier (which in itself was a great vehicle too). I have not had one issue with it other than 1 factory recall at the end of last year for an ecu update and replacement radiator cap, which was painless. That said, I would hope a brand new vehicle performs to specs effortlessly and trouble-free.
When I bought it I was in the position that I did not want to spend 39k+ on a new ute, and the only cheapies were great walls which were a no go for me. I was looking at 25k secondhand ones then Mits dropped the price and I couldnt go past a Triton for sub 30. It has things I like about it and things I dislike about it but overall is a good vehicle and I'm sure the step up to a high 30s vehicle (or higher) would result in joy relative to the pricing. If I was to spend that kind of money I would be looking at an Amarok but hey, half the fun is looking. I could not see any reason you wouldn't be happy with a Triton but if you have the extra $$ and want one, get a Dmax.

Well said, basically the same story here. I agree that the springs are crap. Can't understand how they are rated to a 300kg ball weight. The van ball weight is 178kg and without the load leveller the springs are resting on the bump stop. Would definitely go the auto if I had my time again. As stated in another reply the manual has difficulty starting off under load. I have had to use 4wd a couple times when taking off at lights with an expanda 17.56.1 on the back especially if on any sort of incline. But you get what you pay for, mine set me back $28k drive away compared to the day dmax being close to 40km for same specs at the time I did the deal

[Still_Dreamin]

I get 9lt/100k highway, 10lt/100k city and around 13/100k towing the boat or van

[ITZADOOZEE]

I've got a 2014 Triton dual cab which I ran from Cairns to Gladstone just before Christmas to Pick up my new boat. A Roberts Longboat 21, don't know the exact weight of the boat and trailer but guessing its close to 2500kg.
Didn't get the actual fuel figures for the trip but I used 2 tanks going down, and 4 tanks towing the boat back up.
Not towing I usually get between 700 to 800 k's per tank.

[Bustedoff]

I'm happy with my '13 DMax. 30,000km with no dramas, great fuel economy and tows HH580SF no probs. had a Triton as a work truck from '07-'10, wasn't a great vehicle, but it was ok.

[toddo1]

Hey mate, I've got a 2013 Lsu dmax auto, just over a year old! Absolutely a fantastic car, cannot fault it, highway driving I would get no worse than 9.5l/100kms with A/T tyres! Fuel economy brilliant! Usually around high 8's! Tritons are going cheap tho but not a fan of the 2.5 litre motor as I was stuck between the 2 also! But after test driving dmax I was sold! But not guna lay the slipper into triton, but will tell u to steer clear of the new bt50, 3 mates got them all done a gear box under 50k on the clock! And one was a auto!!!!!! Best advice buy what YOU like and u will be happy!

[tunaticer]

The Triton's issue with carbon buildup in the inlet manifold occurs in all the modern diesels.
If you get your vehicle serviced by Mitsubishi dealers they must flush the inlet manifold every service (it is something they must tick off in the service sheet).
This usually does not occur if you have it serviced by anyone else.
Fitting an oil catch can will remove the large majority of oil from the sump being put through the engine from blow by.
The EGR valve is the other culprit delivering oil residues to the inlet manifold causing coking......it is illegal to bypass or block this valve......

All vehicle manufacturers know this issue of coking of the inlet manifold can be avoided but most choose to go down the path of getting rebuilds out of warranty.......Audi is one I know of with factory oil catch cans fitted.

[Gozz]

Hey fellers.
I ended up buying a 2013 SLU Dmax auto in silver which came with a pretty nice bullbar and spotlights, all other fittings are factory options.
I will get the car this sometime week when it's ready to pick up.
I'm very excited like a little kid actually, hahaha
First thing first I'm fitting seat covers cause I concrete for a living and I don't wont to destroy the seats.
I'm also getting dark tinted windows.
I'll put some pic's up when I get the car.
Thanks again guys.

[bluefin59]

I got wetsuit rubber seat covers on mine , no dirt or water get through . Matt

[Gozz]

Thanks Matt.
Do u have a link or a name to those seat covers.
Thanks again.

[stockhorse]

http://www.supertrim.com.au/neoprene_seat_cover/

[bluefin59]

That's the ones

[Gozz]

Thanks heaps guys.

[Gozz]

How's it going fellers.
I finally had my Dmax delivered yesterday and I love the new car.
Only thing I can pick on is the ride which is a little hard and bouncy but I'm coming from a Nissan Patrol which felt like it drove on clouds and the other would be the gear box changing gears.
When I say changing gears I mean you need to put your foot down a bit to get it to change down.
The power is really good and flies when I put my foot down.
Next step is to tow the boat which brings me to my next question.
Should I tow in 5th gear or drive.?
I have a 560HH which is roughly 1.5ton.
Thanks guys.

[Dan5]

In general with an auto towing they say to keep it out of top gear so i'd suggest you use 4th while towing to keep the revs up a bit and the transmission temp down........on downward sloping inclines you could knock it back to 5th while it's not under as much load..........

Dan

[bluefin59]

Mines an auto and towing my van up to Cape trib last year it cruised in top and back a gear sometimes for down hill but it seemed to do it itself when needed . Matt

[Dan5]

Mines an auto and towing my van up to Cape trib last year it cruised in top and back a gear sometimes for down hill but it seemed to do it itself when needed . Matt

Hey Matt when are you towing the boat to Cape Darwin?

Dan

[bluefin59]

2 years we will be having another 3 month tour up your way or their abouts so the misses gets paid the whole time , I have a mate at Batchelor who is keen for us to come up as well mate

[macka17]

Hi
Same thing with the Patrol I had mine 14 yrs near.
The secret with coil suspension. Is to install next rate UP coils with 2 in lift
and "Progressive rate" .
Gives a softer ride for first coupla inches of travel,
then stiffening up and taking working load nicely.

14 yrs as tourer with tinny on top. and 6.5 mtr van behind
over lots of corrugations and Australian bitumin. 3 to 4 months a yr. Just a local trolley rest of time kept in garage.
Still a smooooth ride and no blown seals EFS shocks. King Coils.

Nowadays a 2010 D-Max.
Great truck once you change shockers like Patrol.and maybe EFS Torsion bars,
Rear springs fine with those Ironman Half leaf springs under back. Do a good job
as they did on my old Navara and 60 series Tojo.


Mate was visiting t'other day for a few on wah through.
'07 BT50.dual with canopy and Bull Bar.
Std as far as we know.

Hmm I have chip and 3 in Stainless exh Auto (4 cog)

Has manual BT has a lot more herbs taking off and mid range.
More comfortable seats smaller fuel tank and nice to drive.
But mazda have bad reports on Gearbox and clutches.

If I didn't have D-MAx. it'd be a BT50 methink's.