If you’re tired of seeing yet another Singer-fied Porsche 911 or resto-modded Mustang clogging up your Instagram feed, Isuzu just delivered the perfect antidote. The Dragon Max restomod takes a humble 1988 TFR Space Cab pickup – a truck most Americans have never even heard of – and transforms it into the coolest compact hauler we’ve seen in years. Unveiled at the Bangkok International Motor Show, this slammed, matte-finished masterpiece proves that automotive creativity flourishes best when it ventures beyond the obvious.
While most companies are busy electrifying their lineup or churning out yet another crossover, Isuzu decided to have some actual fun. Taking their TFR pickup (known affectionately as the “Dragon” in Thailand since its 1988 launch coincided with the Chinese Year of the Dragon), they’ve created a one-off concept that blends ’80s boxy charm with modern performance and tech. The result feels like something straight out of a video game – in the best possible way.
The Perfect ’80s Canvas
For the unfamiliar, the TFR was Isuzu’s midsize pickup that wore many badges across global markets. Depending on where you lived, this truck might’ve been called the Faster, Rodeo, Pickup, or Invader. It was even sold as the Honda Ippon in some regions. GM brands like Chevrolet, Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden all had their own rebadged versions. This generation debuted in 1988 and incredibly soldiered on until 2002, when it was finally replaced by the first-gen Isuzu D-Max.
What makes the TFR such a perfect restomod candidate is its distinctly ’80s boxy profile – all straight lines and right angles, with none of that swoopy, aerodynamic nonsense that would come later. Isuzu wisely kept the basic silhouette intact, letting that vintage charm shine through while updating everything else.
Modern Muscle in Retro Packaging
This is where things get interesting. While the original TFR made a whopping [checks notes] 56 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque, the Dragon Max packs some serious heat. Under the hood sits Isuzu’s modern 2.2-liter MaxForce turbodiesel, tuned to produce 217 horsepower and a tire-shredding 406 lb-ft of torque – nearly quadruple the original truck’s output.
All that grunt gets sent to the rear wheels through a thoroughly modern eight-speed automatic transmission. While purists might bemoan the lack of a manual, the eight-speed is probably the right call for a build that’s meant to blend old-school looks with new-school performance. Plus, with that much torque on tap, you’d probably just be spinning the tires through first and second gear anyway.
Slammed to Perfection
The Dragon Max doesn’t just go dramatically better than the original – it also sits dramatically lower. The truck features a properly slammed stance thanks to a revamped suspension system with Profender Queen Series & Piggy Back shocks. New rack and pinion steering improves handling, while Brembo disc brakes (340mm front, 320mm rear) provide much-needed stopping power for all that extra grunt.
Those black 17-inch Bradley-V wheels wrapped in 225/50 Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 tires fill the wheel wells perfectly, giving the truck a properly sporty appearance without veering into the excessive stance-nation territory. The semi-matte “Katana Silver” paint job adds a contemporary touch while still feeling appropriate for a 1980s design.
Not Your Dad’s Work Truck Interior
Open the door and you’ll find an interior that’s been completely reimagined. Alcantara covers most surfaces, with carbon fiber trim pieces adding a technical flair. Recaro Premium Classic seats replace the utilitarian originals, and the driver faces a 10-inch AIM MXT digital display instead of analog gauges. There’s even an 11.8-inch Android infotainment system mounted vertically in the center dash – a far cry from the cassette deck and AM/FM radio that would have been cutting edge in 1988.
The infotainment isn’t just for show, either – it’s linked to an ECU Shop’s Ultra Boost control unit, displaying real-time performance metrics for when you inevitably take your vintage-looking pickup to the track. Because that’s what this truck is clearly built for, right?
LED Everything
In keeping with modern trends, Isuzu has replaced all the original lighting with LED units. The new headlights feature LED projector beams and daytime running lights, while the taillights get a smoked finish with LED elements. Even the grille is subtly illuminated, because it’s 2025 and apparently everything needs to glow now.
These lighting upgrades, along with the ducktail rear spoiler and muscle-style side skirts, transform the once-humble work truck into something genuinely head-turning. It’s like Isuzu reached into an alternate timeline where mini-trucks never went out of style and sport trucks evolved into their final form.
Spec Sheet
Model: Isuzu Dragon Max Restomod
Base Vehicle: 1988 Isuzu TFR Space Cab
Engine: 2.2-liter “MaxForce” turbodiesel four-cylinder
Horsepower: 217 HP (tuned by BRD)
Torque: 406 LB-FT (550 Nm)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: Rear-wheel
Suspension: Profender Queen Series & Piggy Back shocks
Brakes: Brembo discs (340mm front, 320mm rear)
Wheels: 17-inch Bradley-V
Tires: 225/50 Yokohama Advan Fleva V701
Special Features: Digital dash, 11.8-inch infotainment, Recaro seats, LED lighting package, ducktail spoiler
Production: One-off concept
Pricing & Availability
Bad news: Isuzu has no plans to put the Dragon Max into production. It’s a one-off concept built specifically for the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show, where it will remain on display until April 6. Even if they did sell it, you’d probably have to move to Thailand to get your hands on one, as Isuzu hasn’t sold passenger vehicles in the U.S. for decades.
Recap
Isuzu Dragon Max Restomod
The Isuzu Dragon Max transforms a forgotten 1988 TFR pickup into a slammed, 217-horsepower turbodiesel street truck with modern tech and perfect ’80s proportions – proving that the best restomods sometimes come from the most unexpected places.
