Under the Bonnet

EGR Delete or catch can

Wondering whether you should fit a catch can, or go down the path of deleting, or blocking your EGR? This post dives into the pro’s and cons of both.

Provent vs HPD Catch cans; a real world comparison

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know my new Dmax was fitted with a HPD catch can not long after getting it as a catch can is a sensible idea, and they were the most highly recommended by a huge number of workshops and individuals.

Is a Catch Can important on a modern turbo diesel?

If you own a modern turbo diesel without a catch can, you’ll probably look back in the future and wish you’d fitted one. You can get a variety of different brands and models of catch can kits for $150 – $450 installed, and they play a hugely important role for your motor.

Provent 200 Filter Replacement

If you are running a Provent catch can, they need the filters replaced periodically, and if you don’t replace them, they’ll cause you a mighty big headache. Find out what you need to do, and why, here.

Why I’m removing our HPD Catch Can

After a substantial time frame, we’ve removed our HPD Catch Can, and here’s why.

How often do you need to empty a catch can?

Wondering how often you should drain, or empty your catch can? Here’s our thoughts.

Provent Catch Can Review

After more than 70,000km in our Isuzu Dmax, its time to do an honest, unbiased review on our Provent 200. Want to know how it goes?

Are HID and LED light conversions illegal?

A lot of new 4WD’s come factory fitted with LED or HID headlights. The benefits are significant in terms of light output, power consumption and reliability. Of course, when new technology comes out everyone is quick to try and roll it backwards, into vehicles that never came with it.

The Viscous Fan Hub

A lot of 4WD’s run viscous fan hubs. Over time, they deteriorate and eventually stop working. This means your engine has very little air being sucked through via the main cooling fan and as a result it can overheat.

The viscous fan hub is one of the most commonly overlooked components on a 4WD, and whats worse is it plays one of the most critical roles. It’s a recipe for total disaster; when did you last check yours?

Why everyone should carry a spare radiator cap

Despite costing a mere couple of bucks, your radiator cap is one of the most important parts of your 4WD. They do not last forever, and can ‘let go’ without much notice. Not a whole lot of fun if you are in the middle of the bush.

Fitting an aftermarket Transmission Cooler

When we upgraded from our 80 Series Land Cruiser to an Isuzu Dmax, one of the requirements was it had to be an automatic. Being our first automatic 4WD, there was some learning to be had, and we fitted an aftermarket transmission cooler not too long ago to cope with the extra heat. This was all part of caring for an automatic transmission.

Rats broke my 4WD

After a few nights near a creek, we headed off to find ourselves stuck on the side of the road with steam coming out of the bonnet! Here’s what happened.

Gturbo Diesel Power Upgrade

Several years ago a mate of mine showed me some power figures that a member of a 4WD forum was getting out of his 1HD-FTE (100 series turbo diesel Land Cruiser engine) using a custom turbo setup, running in a Lexus 4WD. I was blown away, but didn’t pay too much attention at the time as I was still driving around in a Petrol Hilux which couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding.

A new turbo for our new Dmax

I arrived home late one night, to see our new 4WD parked on the driveway. A 2016 Isuzu Dmax, purchased from Victoria and trucked over. Shiny, relatively clean and only 31km on the odometer; an undriven demo.

Fuel Filter Light; what should you do?

If you’re driving along, and the fuel filter light comes on, what should you do? You should know, as driving on without knowing what you are doing can be a very costly exercise, and one you’ll live to regret.

Do you need a secondary fuel filter for your 4WD?

Wondering if its a good idea to install a secondary fuel filter, as a pre or post filter? Here’s what you need to know.

How much attention does your 4WD’s air filter get?

When was the last time you checked your air filter?

The air filter in your 4WD does a very, very important role. If you were to remove it and drive on any dusty roads, your motor would live a substantially shortened life.

Stainless Steel Snorkels on a 4WD; are they worth it?

There’s a lot of people running stainless steel snorkels on their 4WD these days. What’s the benefits, and disadvantages of doing so? Are they really worth the money?

Safari Snorkel Review

If you’re looking for a snorkel for your 4WD, there’s no doubt that Safari are the most common, and popular. Is there a reason for that? Are they really any good? Here’s our honest review.