RickBright
Active member
Have started on my '48 Model 306 Diamond T Truck project. Spent the day getting the cab ready to come off the frame.
I have a 1990 Isuzu NPR with a 4BD1T 4 cylinder turbo diesel. I have replaced the 16" stock rims with 19.5's on the rear of the Isuzu and have put probably 300 miles on the Isuzu just checking things out. Up to 1991 Isuzu diesels were direct injected and are a sleeved industrial diesel engine. After 1991 they went to indirect injection and started having some head failure issues. I had a 4BT Cummins for this project but after driving an direct injected early Isuzu diesel decided to go Isuzu. With the 19.5's sweet spot for the 4BD with the stock 5 speed transmission is right at 63 MPH.
Plans are to put the Diamond T cab and front clip on the Isuzu chassis. Keep the 5 speed, put a custom built flat bed on. May not be a "Real Rat" as I do plan on keeping the hood and front clip as is on the Diamond T. The Diamond T's have a chopped look from the factory. A couple of things I'll have to overcome is relocating the steering box on the Isuzu, and putting in a cable shift to shift the NPR 5 speed. I have a 5 speed cable shifter and cables from a 2002 Dodge Neon that I think will work as a shifter.
I have done a lot of measuring, the 4BT will fit under the hood great, when I line the trucks up front axles in line just about everything but the steering box lines up where it should. My main reasons for going with the Isuzu NPR chassis is the width of the front axle is close to the original axle under the Diamond T and the big 6 bolt pattern on the Budd wheels look good on the Diamond. I leaned the Isuzu Budd Wheels up on the Diamond T in the second picture so you can see how they will look.
Any thoughts comments or suggestions appreciated. I go to several sites on the web and this one has by far given me the most information for my build.
Rick
I have a 1990 Isuzu NPR with a 4BD1T 4 cylinder turbo diesel. I have replaced the 16" stock rims with 19.5's on the rear of the Isuzu and have put probably 300 miles on the Isuzu just checking things out. Up to 1991 Isuzu diesels were direct injected and are a sleeved industrial diesel engine. After 1991 they went to indirect injection and started having some head failure issues. I had a 4BT Cummins for this project but after driving an direct injected early Isuzu diesel decided to go Isuzu. With the 19.5's sweet spot for the 4BD with the stock 5 speed transmission is right at 63 MPH.
Plans are to put the Diamond T cab and front clip on the Isuzu chassis. Keep the 5 speed, put a custom built flat bed on. May not be a "Real Rat" as I do plan on keeping the hood and front clip as is on the Diamond T. The Diamond T's have a chopped look from the factory. A couple of things I'll have to overcome is relocating the steering box on the Isuzu, and putting in a cable shift to shift the NPR 5 speed. I have a 5 speed cable shifter and cables from a 2002 Dodge Neon that I think will work as a shifter.
I have done a lot of measuring, the 4BT will fit under the hood great, when I line the trucks up front axles in line just about everything but the steering box lines up where it should. My main reasons for going with the Isuzu NPR chassis is the width of the front axle is close to the original axle under the Diamond T and the big 6 bolt pattern on the Budd wheels look good on the Diamond. I leaned the Isuzu Budd Wheels up on the Diamond T in the second picture so you can see how they will look.
Any thoughts comments or suggestions appreciated. I go to several sites on the web and this one has by far given me the most information for my build.
Rick
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