Smoke and Poke!
Here in Khon Kaen it’s seems that every other pickup truck has some form of modification.
There’s the Isuzu DMAX , Toyota Hilux (Revo) and Champ, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger, MG Extender, Nissan Navara, and probably some others being introduced as we speak.
The Isuzu DMAX and the Toyota Revo are the big players in the modified scene, closely followed by the Mitsubishi Triton.
The favorite style is what we at Modified in Thailand call “Thai Style”. Usually rolling on 17 or 18 inch rims and big tires around 245 on the front to 275 at the rear. Often lowered, with semi straight through exhaust systems, you certainly know when they are being pushed hard by the exhaust noise and usually the plumes of black smoke! This cloud of semi burnt diesel smoke is caused by bucket loads of diesel being pumped in the engine to compliment the extra boost from cpu and turbo mods. I suspect sometimes it is built into the fuel map on purpose.
While this “Rolling Coal” style is not to every ones taste it does make us smile …. as long as we are not behind it!
Add - Ons
The “Thai Style” is often a sort of set of tuning and modifications that is the base … Lowered , big wheels and tires, exhaust change or delete, and a cpu upgrade to up the boost a little.
From this point on, the mods get more and more.
Rear bumpers are often removed.
Carbon fiber bonnets (hoods) , tailgates, wings and doors.
Suspension lowered,often using air ride setups sometimes so low at the rear that the chassis has to be notched to clear the axle.
Engine upgrades can vary, anything from a re-map or piggy back unit to up the boost, right up to full on race builds. The engine bays themselves are often a work of art!
Big stereo systems are are personal thing, some seem to stick with the standard set up, while others take it to a whole new level!
Interiors range from mild to wild as well! Aluminum Kirkey style seats are a favorite, and gauges galore.
Even the Work Vehicles Get Modified!
Pretty much no variation of vehicles gets left un-modified here! Tuned trucks are often used as daily delivery trucks as a way of paying for the mods and just to look cool! It’s easy to see a DMAX , Revo or Triton, decked out in TE37 replicas, carbon fibre panels etc …
Modified as Standard!
For those that want a ready built “Thai Style” pickup, there’s the lovely Isuzu DMAX X-Series. Straight out of the showroom ready to go…how cool is that?!
Foam and Family
