Dual-cab utes are great. Super versatile, capable off-road, and perfectly suited to work-or-play duties. In saying that, they need a few key additions to make them even better in my opinion. Well for our needs anyway.
As we travel around creating content for you, our lovely readers, we need a place to store our equipment. We need a place to store our camping gear. And as our office has no roof or walls, we needed shelter from the elements. So in this installment of Project D-Max updates, we’re going to walk through the new canopy, 270-degree awning, and roof rack platforms we chose to make our time on the road far more enjoyable, and practical.
Maxliner Maxtop Canopy
Fitting a canopy to our dual-cab Isuzu D-Max was a no-brainer. We needed to create a secure location to store valuables. As well as maximise our storage space. We also wanted to keep water and as much dust as possible out of the vehicle’s tub.
While we were lusting over a full replacement canopy fitout and tray, we decided it just wasn’t what we needed this time around. So the decision was made to retain the factory tub and fit a Maxliner Maxtop canopy to it.
And why did we decide on a Maxliner Maxtop canopy? Well, quite frankly it just ticked all of our needs and wants. First of all, we wanted side-lifting widows, for ease of access. We also wanted a canopy with internal carpet lining, so it feels more like a wagon conversion.
It needed to be easy to install, with no drilling or complex wiring. We also wanted the canopy to be lockable via the D-Max’s remote central locking system. And we wanted the canopy to be colour matched to suit the lovely Cobalt Blue Mica paint our D-Max rolled off the factory line wearing. Not asking much, are we…
Well, we also wanted interior lighting, and a major point was we needed to be able to bolt a roof rack platform on top of the canopy. This is so we could have Perry and his team from Pez’s 4×4 Fitouts install our…
Priced from: $2846.25
For more info, visit: https://au.maxliner.com/
Rola MKIII Titan Platform Roof Rack with Ridge Mount
A roof rack was always going to be fitted to Project D-max. We need somewhere to put swags, and camping gear while leaving the tub area free for camera gear and slabs of beer. The captain’s call was made, however, to fit two Rola MKIII Titan platforms to the D-Max. And I for one, think it was a great call.
The Maxliner Maxtop Canopy has provisions for a roof rack, so fitting a Rola Titan platform made use of space we weren’t really using.
The main roof rack is bolted to the captive nuts in the D-Max’s roof via a Rola Ridge Mount system, with a 1500mm Rola Titan tray secured to the Ridge Mount. And it works really well. Perry from Pez’s 4×4 Fitouts even said the installation was smooth as butter, and everything they needed was included.
This way, we can have swags tied down to the Rola MKIII Titan Tray located on the roof of Project D-Max, and use the tray on the canopy for solar panels, or even storing last-minute firewood on the way to camp. It’s a rock-solid roof rack system, that is versatile.
We will be adding more accessories in the future, but for now, it’s great knowing we can fit all our gear in and on Project D-Max, thanks to the inclusion of two Rola MKIII Titan roof trays, and the Ridge Mount system.
Priced from:
1500mm MKIII Rola Titan Tray with Ridge Mount: $1451.44
Additional MKIII Titan Trays Priced from $700 – $1150 depending on size
For more info, visit: https://rola.com.au/
Bushwakka Extreme Darkness 270-degree awning
After trying a 270-degree awning on a mate’s 4×4, I was sold. While there’s nothing wrong with a traditional pull-out awning, the 270-degree has more benefits in my opinion.
Firstly, they are so quick and easy to set up. Secondly, they offer a huge amount of shade. Lastly, they just look cool. Yes, I am that shallow.
So while we wanted a 270-degree awning, we didn’t want a crap one. Nor did we want to blow our budget. We were looking for a quality unit, that offered bang for our buck. After more hours spent looking on the internet than I’d like to admit, and chatting with industry mates who install products every day of the week, we kept being recommended the Bushwakka Extreme Darkness – so now we have one. And I rate it.
The quality is first class, without having to spend two-or-three grand on an awning. The 900 Denier Polyester Canvas material feels thick and long-lasting, and the aluminum Endo frame design is light yet incredibly strong.
The Bushwakka Extreme Darkness is a freestanding awning too, so unless it’s crazy windy we just pop the awning out in a few seconds, and the job’s done. There is one built-in leg that folds down for added stability, and if the wind picks up, it’s no problem to peg the awning down to secure it.
We now have shelter from rain, and the sun while out on shoots. I’m still a little too excited every time we pull up to camp, so I can first fold out the Bushwakka Extreme Darkness 270-Degree awning. If you’ve ever had to sleep under a tarp in the rain, you can appreciate why.
Priced from: $1599
For more info: https://www.bushwakka.com.au/
Special thanks
A massive shoutout to Perry and his crew at Pez’s 4×4 Fitouts for all their hard work building Project D-Max. The work has been done quickly and to a high standard. Check them out if you are in the Brookvale NSW area and need quality work done on your 4×4.
