ISUZU MU-X

Olley46 · Guru

ISUZU MU-X

PeterD · Guru

Lance, do you have a 4WD tug now? If so how often do you use the 4WD? If you have a 4WD and don't use the 4WD function then i think you may have answered your question.

Olley46 · Guru

Yes thanks Peter for your answer, I have a 03 Prado diesel at present never used 4WD low range since I have owned it,I was more interested in the fuel usage with the Isuzu and the towing caperbility from a already owner of one ,I am guessing the two wheel drive would be good enough for towing,just wondering what sort of run people have had with them.

Lance C

Big owl · Newbie

Melbourne to Warrnambool and back , small 2 berth van taking it easy never over 95 kmh auto 4 wheel drive model. fairly flat no wind average 9.5 litre per 100 , previous trip Melbourne to Alice springs and back from memory just under 11 litre per 100.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Hi Lance. I have a DMax and like many others here with one, love it.

There hasn't been a lot of feedback on the Mux, which is new, but one member had one and was very unhappy with its rear suspension - apparently it sagged badly when his 'van was hitched up.

Sorry, I cant remember his handle, but use the search function at the top of the page and look for MUX (or variations like Mux) - his posts attracted a lot of comment at the time (it was about 4-5 months ago) and it may be of some use to you

Cupie · Guru

Olley46 wrote:
A question for the experts what sort of a vehicle is the ISUZU MU-X is it economical ? Is it a good tow vehicle? I have just test drove one and was very impressed,is there any need to have 4WD or would 2WD be good enough for towing my 2tonne van? I don't do any 4WD driving, just want it to tow the van, I will wate for your answers thanks in advance.
Lance C

Lance ..

I only use 4WD Low Range in my Patrol when reversing the 2.6 ton van across the footpath and up a slight grassy incline to where I park it beside the house.

Did a similar thing many years ago at a relo's place in Castlemaine, but in 2WD. Bad move. Almost burnt out the clutch.

PeterD · Guru

Cupie wrote:
I only use 4WD Low Range in my Patrol when reversing the 2.6 ton van across the footpath and up a slight grassy incline to where I park it beside the house.
Did a similar thing many years ago at a relo's place in Castlemaine, but in 2WD. Bad move. Almost burnt out the clutch.

That's why most of us will not use a manual for towing. The torque converter in an auto gives us an extra 2:1 reduction gearing when we are manoeuvring a van.

patrol03 · Senior Member

The torque converter multiplies TORQUE 2.5 times ,or it did when I went to trade school.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

even CPs get wet grass (from rain or their water sprinklers) and having 4WD to tow or reverse into saves you a lot of frustration and tearing up the grass when the front wheels on a 2WWD just spin attempting to push your 'van and tug backwards

Olley46 · Guru

The drive wheels on the new Isuzu MU-X are on the rear the one I have ordered is two wheel drive rear.

lance C

if the front wheels on this one start spinning I have scored $7000.00 dollars with a 4WD

-- Edited by Olley46 on Tuesday 19th of January 2016 08:46:16 PM

migra · Senior Member

Lance

Just a reminder, Izuzu state you are not to use a WDH when towing. There is a letter from Izuzu stating this, the salespeople do not disclose this to the potential customer and do not want to know after the sale.

With reference to the MUX with the sagging bum, he has changed the suspension to a proper 300kg rated tough dog suspension ($1400 at his cost) and the rear does not drop when van is connected, which shows the Izuzu standard suspension is suspect.

Go to the ozizuzu.com.au website, it is a user forum, many comments regarding the MUX are shown.

Best of luck.

Olley46 · Guru

Hi Migra I percificly asked the dealer about the WDH and was told there was no problems with using it ,that was one of the conditions I bought it it was for towing a van , so someone has got there wires crossed and won't want to be this end or I will go APE S&$?.

Lance C

Olley46 · Guru

I went back to the dealer today to sort this WDH query out ,Isuzu ute Australia do not state at all not to use a WDH,what they do say is they haven't tested a WDH and they haven't said use the WDH and haven't said don't use the WDH, i also rang Heyman reese and asked if they make a tow bar for the Isuzu MU-X and they do ,and I asked the HR gentleman had there been any reports of trouble with WDH on the Isuzu MU-X and his reply was no, the Isuzu dealer has informed that there tow bars are made by Heyman Reese, so my question is what damage can a WDH do to a Towing vehicle, PLEASE EXPLAIN.

Lance C

migra · Senior Member

Lance

FYI, the letter from Izuzu HQ has been posted by Julie on the ozizuzu.com.au website, so you can read the letter for yourself.

Izuzu HQ would not disclose who supplied their tow bars on the MUX and when contacted Haymen Reese HQ they stated "they did not know if it was their towbar fitted by Izuzu" they had records on their computer for other brands but NOT the Izuzu MUX.

If you exceed the measurements shown in the user manual you lower the ball weight rating.

By replacing the orignal suspension with a aftermarket suspension he no longer requires a WDH.

A engineer from Izuzu Australia sent 3 photos to the dealership showing the damage that has been caused with a WDH fitted.

1. Breaking the welds where the tow bar is connected to the chassis

2. The inner sleeve of the female section of the tow hitch is being ripped out by the male tongue of the tow hitch

3. Welds breaking.

-- Edited by migra on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 11:13:53 AM

rockylizard · Guru

migra wrote:
Lance
FYI, the letter from Izuzu HQ has been posted by Julie on the ozizuzu.com.au website, so you can read the letter for yourself. ~~~SNIP

Gday...

confuse Sorry Migra, that website you have nominated provides this confuse

cheers - John

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

cry it helps to spell it properly Migra hmm

Try this - http://www.ozisuzu.com.au/

[edit: so just where do we find this letter? ... I could not 'access' anything without registering or being a member cry ]

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 07:15:10 PM

Olley46 · Guru

Migra

I read the letter that July got from Isuzu ute Australia ,and as it said in the letter they did not state weather to use the WDH or weather to not use it,because they have not done a test with the WDH ,the dealer I am dealing with doesn't no a thing in reguards to what you state, Shorely all Isuzu dealers through out Australia would be informed,until they tell me different I can't take that on board, just my thoughts.

PS my dealer told me the tow bars are supplied by Heyman Reese,and Heyman Reese told me they haven't heard of any trouble with tow bars on IsuzuMU -X.

Lance C

-- Edited by Olley46 on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 09:38:26 PM

MUX-1 · Newbie

-- Edited by MUX-1 on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 04:28:09 PM

-- Edited by MUX-1 on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 04:28:48 PM

MUX-1 · Newbie

MUX-1 wrote:
I rang Isuzu Australia headquarters in Queensland and I spoke with a female consultant from the technical dept and I was advised "quote that I could not use a WDH as they had not been tested on the MU-X". I was advsied to write a letter to Isuzu Australia which I did.

-- Edited by MUX-1 on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 04:28:09 PM

-- Edited by MUX-1 on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 04:28:48 PM

Ryjoe · Member

Hi Mate,

I own a 2015 Isuzu MUX LST with the auto box and the 3 litre TD engine which I have had since new and it tows our van brilliantly. Our ATM is 1.8T. Economy is excellent although Isuzu fitted too small a fuel tank in the car for my linking as it is only 65 litres I think. Still towing we get around 500klm from a tank. Headwinds etc can play havoc with that figure.

Despite what others here are saying Isuzu do not support the use of a WDH and like a lot of car manufacturers the fine print tells you that if the fitment of a WDH can be identified as causing a problem with the car then it will not be covered by warranty. In fact that is the standard clause from Isuzu on all aftermarket add ons and also a lot of other manufacturers.

I went ahead anyway and fitted one as I have always used Hayman Reese gear and it performs really well. Minimal sag in the rear end of ours when we hook up and the geometry of the van and car are easily brought back into line by the WDH.

We use ours in 4x4 mode a bit and it is really a great performer even in stock standard mode. Have never had to use low range as yet. Have been on Fraser Island, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island and out through Birdsville and I am really impressed with it.

Great car with a 3T tow capacity and really happy with it. Plenty of torque when required and not too much turbo lag. It is not the perfect vehicle but the issues are all only minor and it is great value for money. I have come previously from Toyotas and I just couldn't justify the extra dollars Toyota are now chasing for their range.

Cheers

Brian

-- Edited by Ryjoe on Saturday 6th of February 2016 05:47:35 PM

greyhoundtom · Senior Member

I also have a 2015 MU-X and agree wholeheartedly with everything Brian has posted.

Great tow vehicle, great value for money, and a reasonably comfortable suspension to ride in when not towing, and yes the fuel tank is too damn small for my liking especially if outback travel is contemplated. For that reason I have had the original fuel tank replaced with a 112 litre after market tank by ARB. This was my preferred option rather than carry separate fuel containers.

Stratman77 · Senior Member

We have an Mux LST and love it to bits. It pulls our 1.8T van with little effort and we get great fuel economy. I am frequently stopped by other Isuzu owners (especially when I'm wearing my Isuzu cap) who rave about their D-maxes and Muxies and frequently add they have done 500,000 Km with nothing required except normal servicing. It's easily the best car we've ever had.

Greybloke · Newbie

Love the MU-X. 2015 4wd. It could do with a bit bigger fuel tank. When the gauge gets to quarter full it drops really fast so I carry an extra 15l drum. And the suspension was slightly saggy (190 ball weight and 1.6t van) so I added Firestone air bags. The ones with the sleeves for a bit of extra capacity. I run them at 7psi with no van and 18psi towing, and everything is dead level and wonderful. There is a bit of controversy over air bags on utes with leaf springs, but the MU-X has coils. There are plenty of discussions elsewhere, but my preference is bags over wdh. I had bags on an old Grand Cherokee for 15 years with no problems. Back to topic: Love the MU-X

MUX-1 · Newbie

we have put air bags on ours they were fitted by opposite lock. we put 10 psi in when we tow and 5 psi when not towing. The vehicle tows beautiful no complaints about sagging now.

KenH · Newbie

I've recently purchased a 4X2 Isuzu MuX to tow my Coromal caravan. Previusly I had a diesel Ford Territory but it developed a gremlin that could not be easily diagnosed. The MuX is not as refined as the Territory and the engine is certainly a bit noisy in comparison but I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the MuX actually travels and tows. Fuel consumption so far is better than the Territory so overall I'm happy. Mine is a 2021 model but is the last of the old series. My caravan is an on road model so I just went for a 4X2 which has the same tow rating anyway. I reckon it will go far enough on reasonable dirt roads as it has the same ground clearance as 4X4 versions.