NPR 4wd conversion and camper build thread.

[DzlToy]

****** is going on with the frame in the second picture of post #138?

From the side, it appears that the frame has an outer skin that has separated, but from the top, it appears to still be attached?

Is that some of Ian's handy work or is that factory Isuzu? I have seen a lot of truck frames, but never one quite like that.

(maybe that is what you mean when you refer to repairing the clustered front spring hangars. However, that piece is red and the frame was red when Ian bought the truck)

 

[ScottReb]

It looks to be part of the Isuzu frame, you can see where the cab hinge mounts to it. Havent spent enough time under a NPR to know for sure

 

[javajoe79]

Yes that is the factory front section. The full length frame rails end there and have that structure riveted to them. The steering box, cab and front leaf mounts all attach to that. Ian had welded some universal leaf spring hangers to the same place as my fabricated hangers that are shown. However the hangers he used weren't quite the right size plus I wanted to add a couple inches there to move the spring pack away from the steering components on the DS, so I redid them.

Thanks. Youre doing a great job! Really glad you came up with the supersteer piece. I could see something under RebelZilla but had no idea what it was, didnt know there was such an option to change push-pull.

Yeah I was pretty happy to find that piece. When I bought the truck Ian mentioned some freightliner steering component so I am pretty sure he was on to it already, just hadn't bought one yet.

 

[javajoe79]

I've got the front axle back in place with all new hangers and shackles as well as HD U bolts and spring plates. I wanted some more clearance to the steering parts and some more caster so I built in about 1.5" more height and a couple degrees caster. I added the lower shock mounts and limit strap tabs to the spring plates also. The rancho shocks come with a nice threaded 5/8" mounting pin so I used that for a nice clean bottom mount and modified the Isuzu upper mount to accept the ranchos. Next up I'll finish the upper shock mounts, then make a panhard bar and steering stabilizer mounts and I'll have a complete front suspension. I also just ordered 4.10 gears and a detroit truetrac for the rear end. So I'll be digging in to that soon.

 

[Haf-E]

Very nice work!

 

[javajoe79]

Very nice work!

Thanks man!

I got my parts in to build the rear end. I went with a Detroit Truetrac helical LSD and 4:10 gears. The front is already geared 4:10 but I'll probably install the same differential up front when the time comes.

 

[guidolyons]

Glad to see the Crawler Hauler getting a new lease on life. I wondered what happened to it.

Didn't keep the airbags in the rear? Seems they would be ideal for a camper on the back.

Would be a cool build thread, but none of your older pictures are working. Upload them to the thread rather than hot link from an external source and they won't disappear.

 

[javajoe79]

Glad to see the Crawler Hauler getting a new lease on life. I wondered what happened to it.

Didn't keep the airbags in the rear? Seems they would be ideal for a camper on the back.

Would be a cool build thread, but none of your older pictures are working. Upload them to the thread rather than hot link from an external source and they won't disappear.

Thanks. The air beg setup left a bit to be desired so I got rid of it. Not for me. If you click the link in my signature, it will bring up the entire album.

I am in the shop today building my front shock upper mounts. I didn't like my first version that I made off of the factory Isuzu piece so I am making them completely from scratch now. The other day I finished rebuilding the rear axle and reinstalling most of the steering. Pretty soon I will have a roadworthy chassis. I'll have some plumbing and wiring to do first but it's not too far away from driving.

 

[javajoe79]

I wasn't happy with my first shock mount based off of the factory part so I started again from scratch. Much better now.

 

[EuroJoe]

subscribed

Need to come back with coffee and get reading!

 

[javajoe79]

I got the last of the steering parts bolted up. I didn't have the correct steering box for this truck so I bought one on ebay. It's a recent reman from a wrecked truck for $175. Bolted it up and used the arm from the older NPR that I was using before.

Today I sorted out the brake lines and ordered fittings for the brakes and power steering.

 

[javajoe79]

I've made some more good progress. Lot's of plumbing has been done. Finished the brake lines and hoses, mounted and plumbed the transmission cooler, plumbed the power steering, fabbed coolant pipes and mocked up the front bumper with winch. I also decided to move the starting battery. I mounted it to the outside of the water tank. I was previously planning all the batteries going in the well next to the tank but now I am going to make that part of the water tank. The house batteries will go in a different box on the drivers side behind the fuel tank. I am not sure on the bumper. When I bought the truck it came with it. I may modify it or redo it all together. Any ideas?

 

[javajoe79]

 

[javajoe79]

It runs! Getting closer to roadworthy but plenty to do still

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...ffeyFabrication/videos/1517512218358667/&_rdr

 

[guidolyons]

So cool.