ISUZU MU-X 4X4 Off-Road TEST || Tough 4WDing @ Glasshouse Mountains || Rocks, Mud and Ruts 4X4 Test

G'day Guys and Gals!
In todays video I take my 2018 Isuzu Mu-x out to Glasshouse Mountains Forestry 4x4 trails. Glasshouse Mountains in filled with tough 4wd tracks and you can pick you own adventure. From mild to insane, Glasshouse Mountains 4WD tracks have it all. I tackled some scenic trails before hitting up one of my favourite 4wd tracks at Glasshouse Mountains. The trail that I tested the Isuzu Mu-x on is a loop track around the trail called Ball Bearing. The climb is steep, washed out with ruts and very rocky.
While 4wding at Glasshouse mountains I dropped my tyre pressures to 16PSI to enable the tyres to bag out and give me more traction. I also disengaged traction control and engaged my Harrop Eaton E Locker in the Isuzu Mu-x Rear Differential. This gives the rear axle 100% drive to both rear wheels regardless of weather they are on the ground or not. While 4x4ing the tracks at Glasshouse Mountains I used Low range 1st gear in the automatic transmission the majority of the time.
Its important when 4x4ing tough tracks through mud, ruts and rocks to remember to drive slowly and pick your lines through the obstacles. Taking obstacles slower means you will be in more control and put less stress on your vehicle and its driveline. Finding the right momentum to get you through an obstacle is important also.
The Isuzu Mu-x is fitted with a 2 inch suspension lift and 275/70r17 Falken wildpeak Mud terrain tyres. These tyres are all terrain but they are a more aggressive tread pattern then some other brands. As you can see in this video the Falken wildpeak A/T's performed well in the mud, rocks and ruts.
When 4wding tough tracks the Automatic transmission fitted to the 2018 Isuzu Mu-x paired with the torquey 4jj1-txc motor really comes into its own. This setup enables you to tackle obstacles nice and slow and with a lot of control. Finding the correct gear is easy with the 6 speed automatic transmission.
My tips for 4wding in tough terrain are -
- Lower tyre pressures
- engage low range gearing and 4wd
- disengage traction control
- engage diff lock (if fitted)
- drive slowly and use the correct momentum for the obstacle
- HAVE FUN :)
When 4wding through rocks and rock crawling, try to take the obstacle slow and steady. You will be able to find the traction and allow the suspension and the tyres to claw there way up the rocks. Using the correct tyre pressures and having upgraded suspension will help with this.
The Isuzu Mu-x was never designed to tackle 4wd tracks like this. With some modifications you can turn the Isuzu Mu-x from a family wagon into a tough off road tourer and weekender. The 4jj1 engine is a great reliable engine that has been proved and tested over the years. Paired with the 6 speed auto it is the perfect combination for off roading. With a 2 inch lift and some bigger all terrain or mud terrain tyres the Isuzu Mu-x can become a very capable off road vehicle. It is a really fun vehicle to 4wd in and take off road.
My favourite type of driving is this technical rock driving because it makes you pick your lines and really think about wheel placement. It also tests your ability to 4wd and puts you and your vehicle through its paces. This is a fun way to learn to 4x4 as well, it can help to have a spotter on these technical trails to help with wheel placement. By using a spotter you can avoid unnecessary damage to your vehicle and get through obstacles a lot easier.
I have fitted every modification to the Isuzu MU-X myself and really enjoy filming and teaching you guys how to do the same to your own 4x4 vehicles. The modifications I have done are listed below -
-AFN Bull Bar
-AFN 9" LED Spotlights
-Domin8r Extreme 12000IB winch
-AUXBEAM S3 LED Foglights
-Oricom DTX4200 UHF Radio with Town and country Aerial Kit 3dbi + 6.5dbi
-Falken Wildpeak AT3 - 275/70r17
-Fuel Vector - Fuel off-road racing rims - 17x8.5 Pos 7.4mm offset
-Outback Armour Expedition H/D Lift Kit
-ECU Shop Super 4 Touch Tuning Module
-HIKEITX9 Throttle Controller
-SCF Flat step rock sliders with checker plate - Satin Black
-Genuine Towbar
-Full size 265/70r17 A/T spare on steel rim
-Custom rear draw setup
-CF50 Waeco Fridge
-Giant 85AH AGM secondary battery
-Redarc BCDC1225D Smart Charger
-TITAN 900mm Single draw
-Genuine ISUZU Floormats
-ILANA Neoprene Seat covers
-Dashmat
-Profent 200 Catch can kit from Western Filters
-Diff, Transfer, Gearbox Breathers
-LED interior light upgrades
-LED reverse light upgrade
-Engine bay HPD Bling Parts
-All Terrain Industries Hard Intercooler Piping Kit
-Harrop Rear E-Locker
-Yakima LockNLoad Roof Rack system
- Iron Man 2.5m x 2.5m Side awning
-Auxbeam 42" 5D Pro series Roof Light bar
Thanks a lot for watching guys! If you enjoyed this video and would like to see more videos like this. Please like and Subscribe to my channel : )
LowRangeNick -
Instagram - / lowrangenick
Facebook - / lowrangenick

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Guys! I hope you enjoyed my Glasshouse Mountains Adventure :) I have just become an ambassador for Oricom Gear, What that means is I can offer you guys a 15% off discount on all of their products :) Here's the link to the Oricom Website - oricom.com.au/ref/Lowrangenick/ Use this discount code at the Checkout for 15% OFF - LRN15 Cheers :)

[@tonyhadenough2574]

Hi Nick just wondering how did you fit a bigger tyre where the spare wheel goes. I have a 2016 LST Mux. By the looks of it I can only fit 265/65 /17's in where the spare sits. How did you get to fit your larger profile tyre in there ? Or is that tyre partially flat ? 🤔

[@LowRangeNick]

@@tonyhadenough2574 I am still running my 265/70r17 spare tyre underneath.

[@tonyhadenough2574]

@@LowRangeNick ok thanks for that Nick. I thought there wouldn't be enough room underneath once the spare was fully inflated. When I go to purchase new tyres, I will be getting 70R instead of 65R

[@scottgrogan3386]

It's about time you got the MUX back on the tracks. I would love to see more of this. Great job Nick.

[@LowRangeNick]

Thanks a lot Scott! Was heaps of fun! Definitely plan on filming a few more of our off-road trips 😀

[@bluedunn374]

I got the 2016 pre DPF model, done over 100K and zero issues.

[@sida3590]

Now this is responsible 4wding! Using skill and not just brute strength to get up. Not smashing your rig and leaving the trail in a good condition for the next person to come around. An absolute pleasure to watch! Waiting for my 2018 MUX that I've just popped a deposit on. Building it in my head since then and getting a real diff lock is something I'm contemplating. It either came down to getting a auto Fortuner 2017 with diff lock or the manual MUX without...couldn't go past the manual. Hopefully it's a softer ride than my 2006 Hilux but just as hardy!

[@zaidonthemoon144]

Have you got it yet? If you have how is it?

[@sida3590]

@zaidonthemoon144 Was just delivered this morning. So far, so good. It its sound awesome and is such a smooth and soft ride compared to by beautiful Hilux. My first two major works on it will be suspension and lift and bullbar/winch/spotties set up. A bit nervous on payload so may have to go gvm upgrade, for which I can't actually find any kits to do a home install. Getting the heavy duty suspension will also harden the ride, which is something I'm not looking forward to!

[@zaidonthemoon144]

@@sida3590 Nice ! I actually driven a 2015 a couple days ago and honestly it was very comfortable and feels solid. My father ended up going for the 2015 Fortuna which he is picking up tomorrow. We have never actually owned a 4x4. My dad got a good deal on the Fortuner he had to go that way. Both awesome cars honestly.

[@sida3590]

@@zaidonthemoon144 Cant go wrong with a Toyota! Good luck with it and enjoy. Let us know how it is

[@troothhertz6297]

Nice driving bru ,,you have sold 3 of them for my company.

[@growellyfilm]

Nice work. Im steering towards a MUX for a big Lap of Aus. Thanks for the video. Cheers from Tas

[@davidnoble173]

Would love to give Glasshouse a go sometime but no idea which tracks to take to steer clear of the really hardcore stuff. Such good wheeling so close to Brisbane.

[@JJO117]

Great to be seeing more videos love the setup up you are one of the only few MUX content creators.

[@russellroche8934]

Those tracks looked fun as! Every time I go to glasshouse I get lost, bogged and scratch the shit out my car haha

[@LowRangeNick]

It sure is a maze of tracks. I've been 4wding there for over 10 years so have a pretty good idea of where all the good tracks are haha

[@gizzmo667]

Hey nick we are getting very serious regarding towing Off road van around Australian Help

[@juangeyserza]

what kind of settings on all the mods were you using here? like low range? did this model have hill descent assist? what was your idrive throttle response set on? I love this. There arent many youtube channels showing what the MU X can do

[@LowRangeNick]

Low range 1st gear selected for most of it. Rear locker in. Throttle Controller off 🙂 thanks

[@YoItsZed]

I don’t skip ads to support the channel. I love this videos and as it is so helpful cos I own the same MUX as yours but got the 4x2 variant.

[@LowRangeNick]

That's soo awesome! Thanks soo much for your support 😀

[@juangeyserza]

I use an ad blocker. But I like share subscribe and comment to push the content. So hows the 4x2? is it the 1.9?

[@YoItsZed]

@@juangeyserza It’s a 3.0

[@NlghtHawk]

Crikey had a bit of a slide at 3:14 almost thought something broke for a second

[@alandiaz6010]

Wow es una camioneta muy capaz.

[@scottcarder9543]

Nick since I asked you the first time when I arrived up here in Queensland from Sydney I been up Glasshouse a few times now and I love it there. Those Rocky boulders near got stuck once also lol. I got my A/T tyre's now. Will try them out for the first time soon 💪💪, should I drop my tyres down to about 20psi??

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Scott, 20psi is a good starting point. You can even go 16psi or 18psi.

[@amitsej77]

Hi nick I have oil leaking in Isuzu d mux real wheels driver leaking is between gear box compartment and engine my car is still under warranty but dealership is pushing back saying it just wet I don’t know how to deal with dealership please help me

[@LowRangeNick]

It sounds like a rear main oil leak. If it is dripping oil then I would push for a warranty repair. If it is just a very minor oil mist around the area, I would clean it all down and check it in 1000km to see how bad the leak is. 👍

[@fabiosalerno1490]

Perché hai cambiato il land cruiser per questo?

[@jamestanner9198]

The auto seems to work very well . Does it slow you enough down hill or you have to brake as well ?

[@LowRangeNick]

In this terrain you still need to use the brakes to go nice and slow.

[@davidnoble173]

Are you using the hill descent control?

[@LowRangeNick]

@@davidnoble173 I wasn't using Hill decent control. I needed to go really slow and prefer to be in control.

[@mondirassoloadventuredesti7533]

Hey Mate, when going down that steep rocky decent with a lot of boulders do you ever put your feet on the breaks or the car is doing its thing. Just asking as i almost always get worried and put my legs on the breaks.

[@LowRangeNick]

Hi there, down the steep descents I always engage 1st gear low range in manual mode to give engine braking. If it is washed out I will use the rear locker as well to maintain traction. Then I will also use braking as needed to keep the vehicle going nice and slow.

[@tdock86]

Really good vid man, nice slow and controlled driving and not rolling the car for extra views, well done. Just sold my Dmax after 146,000km. Few issues but miss that engine and low down torque a lot. How is your car going and have you had any issues with DPF or god forbid cracked inner guards? I suffered both 😢

[@LowRangeNick]

Cheers man! I haven't had any issues with either of those things luckily. Just the turbo issues and a few other minor things.

[@tdock86]

@@LowRangeNick Great to hear. The vids you do are really good for beginners to learn to pick the right line, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Probably super annoying for video suggestions but maybe you could demonstrate a vid so people don’t rip up tracks and break their vehicles 😂. Cheers

[@andrewberg2361]

Is there an easier way of finding the not so tough tracks without spending 10 years exploring and getting lost ? Tracks like this would be good and not vehicle wreckers .

[@LowRangeNick]

You could tag along with a group or download some map software. I use Gaia gps app which helps track were I have been.

[@andrewberg2361]

@@LowRangeNick Thanks for the reply . I am not big on group trips and tag a longs are not my thing . Solo is waaaay better . I have all the apps/maps so might just go exploring 👍 Great cars these Mu-X .

[@princepartosa.]

Menn this is my dream suv

[@gonsungar9420]

do you use the rugged terrain mode? If not the traction control on the mux/dmax is actually quite capable. the only thing that makes me choose the triton vs dmax/mux (assuming they have same traction control algorythm on mux and dmax) is most reviewer said the traction control on the dmax/mux is trash and in my country the isuzu and mitsubishi only offer the non diff lock variant so i need to choose who had the best traction control.

[@LowRangeNick]

The Mitsubishi traction control is much better then the isuzu.

[@chrissettree-bb9ih]

Wow😂

[@chrissettree-bb9ih]

Their a shit box otherwise who has it's shit in their name 😂

[@gizzmo667]

What tyres are those A/T please nick

[@LowRangeNick]

@@gizzmo667 falken wildpeak at3

[@gizzmo667]

Can you get a rear locker installed and if so WHO AND WHERE PLEASE

[@LowRangeNick]

@@gizzmo667 you sure can. Either an Arb airlocker through ARB. A TJM pro locker through TJM or a harrop e locker through opposite lock.

[@gizzmo667]

@@LowRangeNick what would be your choice regarding BEST lokker

[@LowRangeNick]

@@gizzmo667 I chose the harrop e locker.

[@brabreaud]

Hi Nic, do all 2018 MU-X have a OEM rear diff lock or did you have it installed later?

[@LowRangeNick]

I have fitted a harrop e locker to the rear diff. They don't have one from factory.

[@777anarchist]

Nice SlowTV!

[@amanbrar1267]

Hello Nick do we need flares for 275’s tyres

[@LowRangeNick]

Depends on the offset of the rims. I have had to trim the body mount on mine to run 275s on 17x8.5 pos 7.4mm offset rims.

[@corbymarshall3921]

What drone are you using? And camera?

[@LowRangeNick]

My brother helped me film this video with his equipment he was using the new mavic mini drone and Sony a7 s3 camera.

[@bisdakcebuspride3712]

Do you still have a catch can on your car? Thanks

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep, I sure do!

[@shahfarudinsalleh5733]

Neat !

[@craigosborne457]

What rear locker are you using?

[@LowRangeNick]

I fitted a harrop e locker into the rear diff.

[@peterendres3751]

Just a quick note how long would you expect rear brakes to last on a brand new dmax 2023.

[@LowRangeNick]

150k probably 👍

[@peterendres3751]

@@LowRangeNick mine had done 3000 and they have tried to hit me up for new ones, supposedly down to 4 mm on the shoes rear. Also are these extremely noisy in low range has not been used off road. Thanks again for your reply.

[@LowRangeNick]

@peterendres3751 If the shoes are at 4mm thickness they should last a long time as the rear only does 20% of the braking. What sort of noises are you experiencing in low range?

[@peterendres3751]

@@LowRangeNick I have had hilux old series 3 and disco landy range rover, and this has the loudest whine in low range,they say it's normal bit not convinced a brand new car should be this loud the range had 1 Mil on it over 15 years.

[@harryridley2714]

You running a 2inch lift on the old girl , much scrubbing .. great build bud

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Harry, yep 2 inch lift with 275/70r17. No scrubbing with body mount trim. Cheers

[@harryridley2714]

@@LowRangeNick beauty mate , I’m just about to pick up a 2018 dmax an this is the exact combo I’m looking to run , perfect match I think .. I presume the body mount will be the same as the mux, I’ll check it out when we get it hopefully this weekend 👍🏼legend

[@LowRangeNick]

@harryridley2714 awesome! Congrats on the dmax. You can get away without trimming but you need to run 17x8 pos 20 offset rims. My rims are 17x8.5 pos 7.4mm offset so wider and more offset. It's the same on the dmax.

[@harryridley2714]

@@LowRangeNick copy mate , thanks for the info bud, legend 👍🏼

[@harryridley2714]

@@LowRangeNick just a quick one Nick , you thought about running a secondary fuel filter or not enough room in the engine bay , I’m just about to pre order a catch can an just wondering about a second filter 🤔

[@CRN8091]

Hey mate, random question.would you, despite the turbo and body mount issues buy another Isuzu?.

[@aussiecue]

As for me, I like the car but had also had Air con evap crack and DPF go poopy. They wont fix the turbo or the air con. Mine just out of warranty. If I was going to buy a new Dmax it would be a Mazda BT50, Less chance to get thrown under a bus.

[@CRN8091]

@@aussiecue yeah I love mine.haven’t had any major issues yet.but these common faults make me nervous.

[@LowRangeNick]

To be honest, Im pretty sure I will be looking at a different brand of vehicle for my next 4wd. In saying that, I don't plan on selling the Mu-x or getting rid of it. I built the vehicle to keep long term and despite the issues I've had I'm not going to get rid of it because it's setup exactly how I want it and is so comfortable to drive.

[@krump743]

@@CRN8091 i think the isuzu is a great tourer. If ur wanting to do the harder stuff with out worrying bout breaking stuff isuzu aint it. Im contemplating selling my dmax and jumping to a GU ute. The dmax just feels "cheap" in terms of build quality, and i find myself really second guessing if i should do that track is it gonna break on me.

[@travellingdave80]

@@LowRangeNick spot on Nick. I'm thinking very much the same. Given the new pricing, if I had to make a choice these days I'd go for the new Ford Ranger. Drove one recently and must admit it was an amazing experience. I definitely wouldn't let my Isuzu go though. It's part of the family now.

[@saiyadi]

What tire size are you using sir?

[@LowRangeNick]

I'm running 275/70r17 Falken Wildpeak All Terrain tyres.

[@saiyadi]

@@LowRangeNick thanks sir

[@NhatBui]

And how about the tyre pressure here?

[@rumighazali8984]

I read in another comments he used 16psi​@@NhatBui

[@plantpower3048]

Pajero sport looks better for off roading

[@MehSlushy]

what tyre pressure did you go down too ? awesome driving

[@LowRangeNick]

I was running 16psi in the tyres. Thanks a lot 😀