A new company in Montana is offering a 4x4 conversion for Nissan UD cab-forward trucks. Thanks to Expeditioncampers.com group member "groetcis" for bringing this to my attention.
The company is Pioneer 4 Wheel Drive truck.
http://pioneer4wheeldrive.com/home.htm
It's great to have a 4x4 cab forward option with greater capacity and longer wheelbases than offered by the Fuso FG.
Here's a Nissan UD with Pioneer 4x4 conversion at work:
According to the Pioneer web pages, Pioneer's 4x4 conversion is accepted as an OEM option for Nissan UD trucks. So you can order through any UD dealer. The conversion does not affect the standard warranty on the truck.
Pioneer plans to offer the conversion on three UD medium truck models:
UD 3300 -- GVWR 32,000 lbs Cargo capacity 22,000 lbs Tires 11R22.5
UD 2300 -- GVWR 23,000 lbs Cargo capacity 14,000 lbs Tires 245/70 R19.5
UD 2000 -- GVWR 19,500 Cargo capacity 12,000 lbs Tires 215/75 R17.5
All models are available in wheelbases from 150" to 238." Recommended truck body length is up to 26 ft, depending on wheelbase.
Pioneer has been producing the the UD 3300 for a few months. They expect to have the UD 2000 available by the end of 2007, and the UD2300 in 2008.
All three UD models share the same engine. It's the Nissan MD230 6 cylinder turbodiesel, with 469 cu in / 7.7L capacity. The engine produces 230 HP and 506 FT-LB torque. UD is emissions legal in 50 states. UD offers a 3 year, unlimited miles warranty on all components of the truck.
The conversion uses an Arvin Meritor front drive axle. All models use an Allison automatic transmission and 2 speed transfer case. The UD models offer a 6 speed manual trans. {edit: The manual transmission is available in the 4x4 Pioneer 3300 model only}
To improve driver comfort, the cabs of these models have a spring and shock absorber suspension. The driver and passenger seats are suspended, too.
According to Pioneer, there are about 120 Nissan UD dealers in 44 states in USA that can order their conversion. I'm not sure about Canada. See the map here to check your location.
http://www.udtrucks.com/dealers.asp
I was interested to learn that Nissan UD Truck is not related to Nissan Motors. Nissan UD has been in business in Japan for 70 years. A controlling interest in the company was purchased by the Volvo Group (again, not related to Volvo cars) in 2006.
Nissan UD truck cab/chassis are constructed in Japan, and are marketed in 70 countries worldwide. UD is best represented in South and East Asia, Australia, South Africa and USA. UD is not well represented in Central and South America, unfortunately.
Chip Haven
The company is Pioneer 4 Wheel Drive truck.
http://pioneer4wheeldrive.com/home.htm
It's great to have a 4x4 cab forward option with greater capacity and longer wheelbases than offered by the Fuso FG.
Here's a Nissan UD with Pioneer 4x4 conversion at work:
According to the Pioneer web pages, Pioneer's 4x4 conversion is accepted as an OEM option for Nissan UD trucks. So you can order through any UD dealer. The conversion does not affect the standard warranty on the truck.
Pioneer plans to offer the conversion on three UD medium truck models:
UD 3300 -- GVWR 32,000 lbs Cargo capacity 22,000 lbs Tires 11R22.5
UD 2300 -- GVWR 23,000 lbs Cargo capacity 14,000 lbs Tires 245/70 R19.5
UD 2000 -- GVWR 19,500 Cargo capacity 12,000 lbs Tires 215/75 R17.5
All models are available in wheelbases from 150" to 238." Recommended truck body length is up to 26 ft, depending on wheelbase.
Pioneer has been producing the the UD 3300 for a few months. They expect to have the UD 2000 available by the end of 2007, and the UD2300 in 2008.
All three UD models share the same engine. It's the Nissan MD230 6 cylinder turbodiesel, with 469 cu in / 7.7L capacity. The engine produces 230 HP and 506 FT-LB torque. UD is emissions legal in 50 states. UD offers a 3 year, unlimited miles warranty on all components of the truck.
The conversion uses an Arvin Meritor front drive axle. All models use an Allison automatic transmission and 2 speed transfer case. The UD models offer a 6 speed manual trans. {edit: The manual transmission is available in the 4x4 Pioneer 3300 model only}
To improve driver comfort, the cabs of these models have a spring and shock absorber suspension. The driver and passenger seats are suspended, too.
According to Pioneer, there are about 120 Nissan UD dealers in 44 states in USA that can order their conversion. I'm not sure about Canada. See the map here to check your location.
http://www.udtrucks.com/dealers.asp
I was interested to learn that Nissan UD Truck is not related to Nissan Motors. Nissan UD has been in business in Japan for 70 years. A controlling interest in the company was purchased by the Volvo Group (again, not related to Volvo cars) in 2006.
Nissan UD truck cab/chassis are constructed in Japan, and are marketed in 70 countries worldwide. UD is best represented in South and East Asia, Australia, South Africa and USA. UD is not well represented in Central and South America, unfortunately.
Chip Haven
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