Homer Crimson
Member
Knowing what you know now, would it have been easier/faster to start with a fresh NPR and do all the mods your way from the get go?
NPR 4wd conversion and camper build thread.
- Thread starter javajoe79
- Start date
javajoe79
Fabricator
Well.... I have redone nearly everything that they did previously but undoing their work hasn't been too big of a deal. Mostly just cut off and start over or salvage pieces here and there. Most of what they did was mockup work so most of the welds were tack welds or incomplete. It was definitely worth the purchase price. They gave me a great deal because of the work I did on Engine Power TV and it came with so much stuff that I didn't need, I came out ahead after selling parts. I would take the same deal again in a heartbeat.
Homer Crimson
Member
I was hoping you'd announce when you're going to start taking orders on conversions.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I drove it a few weeks ago. Ran well and was not slow. Not fast either but.... Anyway I had to move it out today to get a customers 69 Mustang fastback on the chassis table so I took it out back and did a little flex test. Not too bad for now. It will improve with more load on the back and some improvements to the front suspension leaf pack.
In the last pic you can see how the subframe mounts allow the frame to droop away from the the subframe itself. I think they're binding a bit though. I need to open up the hole in the frame bracket for more clearance.
In the last pic you can see how the subframe mounts allow the frame to droop away from the the subframe itself. I think they're binding a bit though. I need to open up the hole in the frame bracket for more clearance.
iguana4x4
Wiki_4x4
Hi javajoe79,
No intention to hijack your thread here, just curios to know how others are doing this conversion.
I am performing a similar conversion in Colombia, South America for a mining customer. We are experiencing a little bit of steering wander at speed when the trucks are fully loaded. Our caster is set a 2° positive (as per Isuzu NPS 4wd specs.) at the moment, will be testing the handling with 5° positive next week. How much caster are you running in your front axle?
Our conversions started with brand new 2018 NPRs (we are on our 6th conversion so far). Front axles and T-cases were sourced in asia. The front axle uses the same "push pull" type steering as used in the standard trucks, our T-case is divorce mounted and air shifted to avoid complicated linkages.
I am interested in your experience so far regarding the handling of the truck.
This is what our converted truck looks like. I hate the small tires, customer decision...
T-case mounted on the frame. Blue hoses are the air shifter supply hoses, there is one air actuator to control 2wd / 4wd, another one to select High / Low ranges.
No intention to hijack your thread here, just curios to know how others are doing this conversion.
I am performing a similar conversion in Colombia, South America for a mining customer. We are experiencing a little bit of steering wander at speed when the trucks are fully loaded. Our caster is set a 2° positive (as per Isuzu NPS 4wd specs.) at the moment, will be testing the handling with 5° positive next week. How much caster are you running in your front axle?
Our conversions started with brand new 2018 NPRs (we are on our 6th conversion so far). Front axles and T-cases were sourced in asia. The front axle uses the same "push pull" type steering as used in the standard trucks, our T-case is divorce mounted and air shifted to avoid complicated linkages.
I am interested in your experience so far regarding the handling of the truck.
This is what our converted truck looks like. I hate the small tires, customer decision...
T-case mounted on the frame. Blue hoses are the air shifter supply hoses, there is one air actuator to control 2wd / 4wd, another one to select High / Low ranges.
gait
Explorer
roll steer?
iguana4x4
Wiki_4x4
Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into that.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I had to make some floor space for customer projects this winter so I set the camper box on the truck today. Once I get it titled and registered, I'll start daily driving it to work out the kinks but for now it will probably sit for the winter while I get caught up after taking a bunch of time off for my wedding and honeymoon.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I finished the bumper prep and paint. Got it mounted yesterday. I painted it with SEM self etching primer and and SEM satin chip guard textured paint. Pretty happy with the finish. I will probably redo the rear bumper with the same stuff. I ordered a couple battery master switches, some military battery terminals and some cable too. I am going to wire the winch with 1/0 cable and install the master switches for the winch and the truck in an obscure place. I also ordered a winch line hook and shackles from Warn.
Looking good Chris. If you are inclined to change to synthetic rope and ditch the steel, check out Puget Sound's Plasma and Spectra ropes. Via a crystalization process, the fibers are 3x stronger than Dyneema, allowing you to run a smaller rope and/or spool more onto the drum.
Cortland 12 strand Plasma in 3/8” diameter has a minimum tensile strength of 17,500 pounds.
https://www.cortlandcompany.com/products/synthetic-rope-and-strength-members/utility-rv-winch-lines
Cortland 12 strand Plasma in 3/8” diameter has a minimum tensile strength of 17,500 pounds.
https://www.cortlandcompany.com/products/synthetic-rope-and-strength-members/utility-rv-winch-lines
javajoe79
Fabricator
Nice! I may eventually but I'll use what I have for now.