Isuzu’s 80s pickup restomod steals the Bangkok Motor Show

At the recent Bangkok Motor Show it was Isuzu that surprised attendees with a restomod based on an 80s compact truck. The Dragonmax Concept began life as a 1988 Isuzu TFR pickup built for the Thai market. Isuzu updated almost every aspect of the truck except for the body, which remains remarkably faithful to the blister-flared design that adorned the North American Isuzu Pickup, Amigo, and Rodeo.

Introduced as the third-generation Isuzu Faster in 1988 in Japan, it became one of Isuzu’s most popular models. While sales ended in Japan in 1994, the TF chassis continued to be built and sold in countries like China until 2016. In the US, it was known simply as the Isuzu Pickup, but the same basic design formed the basis for the Amigo and Rodeo SUVs, the latter of which was sold until 2004.

In Thailand the TF was succeeded by the Isuzu D-Max in 2002 but there was enough demand that the two were sold alongside each other until 2004. It’s so beloved there that it’s been nicknamed the Golden Dragon, which Isuzu gave a nod to with the Dragonmax name for the restomod.

The biggest change is found underhood, where the original 2.5-liter 4JA1 engine has been replaced with the RZ4F-TC of a modern D-Max. The new turbocharged 2.2-liter diesel makes 220 horsepower and an incredible 406 lb-ft of torque, quite a step up from the old 87 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque.

Visually, the Dragonmax has been given a sleek body kit that includes a small spoiler on the tailgate. The body has been painted a shade called Katana Matte Silver, and matched with black 17×8 Bradley-V 5-spokes that reveal a Brembo brake kit beneath. All the lighting has been converted to LEDs, reminiscent of the Hyundai Grandeur restomod from 2021. A tasteful lowering on new suspension bits and a modern steering rack help move the Dragonmax with the times.

Inside, the seats have been replaced with a set of Recaro Premium Classics while the dash and door cards have been slathered in Alcantara. A new digital gauge cluster and 11.8-inch center screen give readouts for fuel pressure, boost, ambient temperature, and more.

Sadly, the Dragonmax is a one-off build for the auto show. But it’s cool enough to make us wish that Isuzu would build more, and that they hadn’t disappeared from the passenger vehicle market entirely in North America.