Isuzu has squeezed a decent update onto its D-Max ute before the halfway-point of 2018, with the main talking point being the updated rear suspension – a three-leaf pack, instead of the old five-leaf pack.
Naturally, a more supple spring pack will yield a more supple ride. Not only through a lower spring rate, this can also be achieved through the spring pack design. Reducing the number of leafs reduces interleaf friction, and using a different kind of steel also yields different characteristics.
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The end result is a great improvement. The D-Max feels particularly more comfortable on-road, especially over the rough bumps and undulations. We haven’t towed with the new suspension yet, but have driven it loaded to its GVM with sand bags. The suspension handled being loaded to GVM well: there was still a bit of bump stop space, and only driving way too fast over bumps unsettled the suspension. You do notice the dampers are out of their comfort zone, when loaded to the gunwales.
