Front Runner Slimline II vs Rhino Rack Pioneer — load rating and real-world comparison
Running the Isuzu D-Max AT35 for 8 months now, 84457km on the clock including 12 proper off-road trips. Here is my honest take.
The good: the off-road capability straight from factory surprised me. I have done Sani Pass, Matroosberg and multiple Kruger trips without a single mechanical issue. The 2.8L turbodiesel is 10L/100km on tar if you keep it under 120km/h.
The bad: the dealer experience left something to be desired. Also the dealer here in Vaalwater could learn something about customer service, but that is a SA-wide problem not specific to this brand.
Mods I have done: Rhino 4x4 bar (R14k fitted), Ironman suspension lift (R18k fitted), TRED Pro recovery boards, and a National Luna 40L fridge. Total spend on mods: around R85k. Worth every cent.
Price paid at my Vaalwater dealer was R680,000 — they threw in a full tank and floor mats. Finance rate was 11.5% over 72 months which is the reality of SA interest rates in 2025.
Would buy it again. Happy to go into detail on any specific aspect.
5 Replies
Good honest review. My experience with the AT35 has been similar — the factory setup is better off-road than the road testers give it credit for. The tyres are always the first thing that needs changing regardless of which bakkie you buy.
Have you tried it in high-speed gravel? That is where these bakkies differ most. The GR Sport with the revised calibration is a different vehicle at 100km/h on corrugated gravel compared to the base model.
— rikus_vdberg
Good honest review. My experience with the Raptor has been similar — the factory setup is surprisingly capable if you know how to drive it. The tyres are always the first thing that needs changing regardless of which bakkie you buy.
Interesting points on the dealer experience. I had the same in Rustenburg — 10 week wait for a service part that should have been in stock. This is why I budget for a proper extended warranty and use an independent workshop that specialises in 4x4s rather than the franchise dealer.
Good honest review. My experience with the AT35 has been similar — the factory setup is better off-road than the road testers give it credit for. The tyres are always the first thing that needs changing regardless of which bakkie you buy.
— liezel_erasmus
The fuel consumption figures you mention match what I see. The V6 Raptor is fine on tar if you stay under 120. The issue for me is long-range touring — I fitted a Brown Davis 110L long-range tank to solve the range anxiety completely.
Have you tried it in high-speed gravel? That is where these bakkies differ most. The GR Sport with the revised calibration is a different vehicle at 100km/h on corrugated gravel compared to the base model.