mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
Posted in regards to a Fuso FG 'for sale ad'
Since this started in a ‘Sales Tread' I thought it best to start a new thread over here in the Fuso section, were it is more appropriate (and not a 'rule 6' violation).
I'll have to disagree, a ‘convert' FE is not a FG.
I have some experience in this, as I never thought I would find a FG in my price range and so I bought an Iveco 18-14 to convert to 4x4. I even have a divorced NP205 transfer case still sitting in my garage.
I found a great (well super outstanding steal) deal on a 2002 Fuso FG via a posting link here on the Expo Portal and bought my FG within 5 minutes of seeing the link. So I have experience in both ‘conversions' and the real deal (a FG)
First the FG has a 7-inch step-up in it's frame at the front, while the FE is a straight frame. This is to allow clearance for the front axle and the oil pan of the engine. Of course you could get the clearance on a straight frame FE with a suspension lift, but it is not the same as a factory frame/suspension set-up, and of course adds to the cost of the build.
There is nothing the matter with a Dana 60 and NP205, but you might as well plan on changing the rear axle also for a few reasons (again adding to the cost of the conversion).
Finding a stock Dana 60 front with a ratio of 4.875 (5.714 pre '05) to match the Fuso's rear axle will be tough. Of course you can probably find a gear-set for the Dana with whatever ratio you need because of their popularity, but at an added cost for that and install. Plus if you want to run Hummer wheels, you will have mismatch bolt patterns front to rear. AND there is no way to get Hummer wheels to track in-line front to rear with the Fuso rear axle and Dana front. So you might as well bite the bullet and get a (fill in your favor rear axle) in a non-dually configuration for the rear (d'oh more costs). Now your Hummer wheels will track in-line, your bolt pattern will be the same and your axle ratios will be the same. But wait, if you went will ‘normal' stock axle ratio ratios, those 36"-37” tires will now kill your drivetrain numbers . So you either bit the bullet and change your front and rear axle ratios to use Hummer rims (dang, more $$), or go with stock rim/tire/ sizes (I'm betting about a 30” tires without the 4.875/5.714 diff gears). BTW the days of $100 military take-off tires seem to be over, and 16.5” tires for those Hummer rims are getting to be much less of a selection then 16" tires for those custom 16” Fuso SRW rims.
So all said and done, you have regular truck axles front and rear, an NP205 transfer (divorced I'm guessing, so 1 more driveshaft and perhaps space issues) connect to the Fuso engine and trans, mount to a frame that needs a new suspension set-up to work right. In that case, I'd just go with a (fill in your favor brand) non-cabover truck, and keep it simple and a non-hodgepodge.
There is something to be said for a factory built unit, that high dollar engineers designed and a company has to stand behind that everything works together as advertised for work, play AND safety.
A side note on Fuso FGs. After 2007 they got the smog equipment that precludes Hi Sulfur Diesel and after 2012 they lost the ‘wideband' engine and 2 speed transfer case. So pre '07 are very desirable. In ‘the old days' a business would sell their 2000 Fuso and buy a 2004, so a guy like me had a source for a used Fuso. Then they sold that 2004 and bought a 2007, so one more used Fuso in the market. Now they don't want to sell their 2007, because the 2013 will not fit their needs, so the secondary market for Fusos is drying up. Hence supply and demand changing the price structure.
Since this started in a ‘Sales Tread' I thought it best to start a new thread over here in the Fuso section, were it is more appropriate (and not a 'rule 6' violation).
I'll have to disagree, a ‘convert' FE is not a FG.
I have some experience in this, as I never thought I would find a FG in my price range and so I bought an Iveco 18-14 to convert to 4x4. I even have a divorced NP205 transfer case still sitting in my garage.
I found a great (well super outstanding steal) deal on a 2002 Fuso FG via a posting link here on the Expo Portal and bought my FG within 5 minutes of seeing the link. So I have experience in both ‘conversions' and the real deal (a FG)
First the FG has a 7-inch step-up in it's frame at the front, while the FE is a straight frame. This is to allow clearance for the front axle and the oil pan of the engine. Of course you could get the clearance on a straight frame FE with a suspension lift, but it is not the same as a factory frame/suspension set-up, and of course adds to the cost of the build.
There is nothing the matter with a Dana 60 and NP205, but you might as well plan on changing the rear axle also for a few reasons (again adding to the cost of the conversion).
Finding a stock Dana 60 front with a ratio of 4.875 (5.714 pre '05) to match the Fuso's rear axle will be tough. Of course you can probably find a gear-set for the Dana with whatever ratio you need because of their popularity, but at an added cost for that and install. Plus if you want to run Hummer wheels, you will have mismatch bolt patterns front to rear. AND there is no way to get Hummer wheels to track in-line front to rear with the Fuso rear axle and Dana front. So you might as well bite the bullet and get a (fill in your favor rear axle) in a non-dually configuration for the rear (d'oh more costs). Now your Hummer wheels will track in-line, your bolt pattern will be the same and your axle ratios will be the same. But wait, if you went will ‘normal' stock axle ratio ratios, those 36"-37” tires will now kill your drivetrain numbers . So you either bit the bullet and change your front and rear axle ratios to use Hummer rims (dang, more $$), or go with stock rim/tire/ sizes (I'm betting about a 30” tires without the 4.875/5.714 diff gears). BTW the days of $100 military take-off tires seem to be over, and 16.5” tires for those Hummer rims are getting to be much less of a selection then 16" tires for those custom 16” Fuso SRW rims.
So all said and done, you have regular truck axles front and rear, an NP205 transfer (divorced I'm guessing, so 1 more driveshaft and perhaps space issues) connect to the Fuso engine and trans, mount to a frame that needs a new suspension set-up to work right. In that case, I'd just go with a (fill in your favor brand) non-cabover truck, and keep it simple and a non-hodgepodge.
There is something to be said for a factory built unit, that high dollar engineers designed and a company has to stand behind that everything works together as advertised for work, play AND safety.
A side note on Fuso FGs. After 2007 they got the smog equipment that precludes Hi Sulfur Diesel and after 2012 they lost the ‘wideband' engine and 2 speed transfer case. So pre '07 are very desirable. In ‘the old days' a business would sell their 2000 Fuso and buy a 2004, so a guy like me had a source for a used Fuso. Then they sold that 2004 and bought a 2007, so one more used Fuso in the market. Now they don't want to sell their 2007, because the 2013 will not fit their needs, so the secondary market for Fusos is drying up. Hence supply and demand changing the price structure.
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