Isuzu D-Max Lift Kit Guide (2020+): 45mm, 75mm, and GVM Upgrades

The 2020+ Isuzu D-Max is one of the best factory-tuned dual cabs sold in Australia. Off-road capability is strong, the 3.0L turbo diesel is proven, and the 3500kg tow rating holds under real load. But like every Australian dual cab, the factory suspension is tuned for an empty tray on smooth highway. Load it up with a canopy, drawers, fridge, and a weekend of corrugations, and the stock setup runs out of travel.

A correctly-specified lift kit transforms a D-Max. This guide covers what works, what's ADR-legal in Australia, and what to budget.

45mm vs 75mm — which is right?

45mm (approx. 2-inch) lift

The default for touring D-Maxes. Clears 32-inch tyres, restores nose height after a bullbar, keeps CV angles inside factory spec, and doesn't require engineering in any Australian state. Suits most touring-spec builds.

75mm (3-inch) lift

Serious territory. Clears 33-34 inch tyres, improves approach and ramp-over angles, and changes the stance. Requires supporting mods: diff drop kit, extended brake lines, UCAs, and in most states an engineer's sign-off. Budget 2-3x the cost of a 45mm kit.

90mm+ (3.5-inch+) lift

Competition / serious off-road only. Every driveline component needs to be addressed. Not for daily-drive touring.

D-Max suspension — coil front, leaf rear

Like most dual cabs in the market, the D-Max runs a coil front and leaf rear. Your lift kit is two halves of a whole:

Front end

• Heavier coils matched to your constant front load.
• Shocks with longer stroke — foam-cell, twin-tube, or remote reservoir.
• UCAs for 45mm+ lifts to correct camber and castor.

Rear end

• Heavier leaf packs rated to your constant rear load.
• Extended U-bolts, greasable pins.
• Matched shocks with longer stroke.

Constant load — the bit most people get wrong

Every leaf spring is rated by the constant load it carries on top of factory kerb weight. A 300kg leaf pack on a canopied D-Max will sag inside 6 months. Always measure your constant rear load before ordering:

• Steel canopy: 80-100kg
• Drawer system: 40-60kg
• Fridge slide + fridge: 40kg
• Long-range tank (filled): 100kg
• Second battery + solar: 30kg

That's 350-400kg of constant rear load on a touring D-Max. Spec 400kg+ rear leafs.

GVM and payload on the D-Max

Factory GVM on the RG D-Max is 3100kg (LS-M) or 3150kg (LS-U/X-Terrain). Kerb weight with bullbar and bash plates is roughly 2300kg. That's 800-850kg of legal payload. Fill the ute with a canopy, drawers, tools, two people, and camping gear and you're over GVM before you've left the driveway.

A certified GVM upgrade to 3500-3600kg is often the most important mod on a heavily-built D-Max. Budget $3,500 - $5,500 for a certified Stage 1.

Tyre fitment on a lifted D-Max

• Stock: 265/60R18 or 255/65R17 (~30 inch).
• 45mm lift: 265/70R17 or 285/70R17 (~32 inch) clears cleanly.
• 75mm lift: 33x12.5R17 or 295/70R17 (33-34 inch) — diff drop and UCAs essential.

17x8 +25 to +30 offset is the sweet spot for most D-Max builds.

What a good D-Max lift kit costs

• Basic 45mm kit: $1,190 - $1,590
• 45mm kit with foam-cell shocks: $1,790 - $2,590
• Premium 45mm kit with remote-reservoir shocks + UCAs: $3,190 - $4,490
• 75mm kit with diff drop, extended brakes, engineering: $4,490 - $6,490
• Certified GVM upgrade: $3,500 - $5,500

Professional fitting adds $900 - $1,600.

Three spec traps to avoid

1. Under-rated rear leafs. A 300kg pack on a canopied D-Max sags within months.
2. Skipping UCAs on 45mm+ lifts. Factory UCAs bind at full droop and destroy CV boots.
3. Mixing brands front and rear. Always buy a matched engineered package.

Why Kren Bits

We ship D-Max lift kits Australia-wide. Every kit is sold matched — springs, shocks, and hardware engineered as a system. Send us your rego and your accessory list and we'll spec the constant-load rating to your exact build.

Browse the full lift kit collection.

All kits ship with minimum 2-year warranty. Fitting available through partner workshops across metro Australia.