Isuzu NPR/GMC W43500 diesel - Opinions?

[cockeyedMFer]

Anyone have experience with these trucks?

I've been looking to upgrade from my old F350 box truck to something a little newer with a larger box and liftgate. There there seem to be a bunch of the NPR forward control trucks out there for sale at decent prices, most with the 5.2 turbodiesel 4 cylinder.

The GVWR is comparable to similar size trucks with larger motors. I don't mind something that's a little slower - my current box truck has an IDI diesel after all

Can they tow much?

Cost is a factor, and also the NPRs are generally configured with the type of box I prefer. Are they underpowered or unreliable? Or are folks just turned off by sitting on top of the engine?

Sorry for typo in title...I meant to say W3500-4500

 

[dodge man]

It seems like there is someone on the forums that owns a gas version of one. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have 2 of them. The one in the front is a 2008 W4500 diesel that I purchased about 1 month ago with 79,000 miles on it. After putting about 300 miles on it, it went to the shop for all 4 injectors to be changed. The cost for this was about $2600. I checked the fuel mileage on 1 tank so far, and it got about 9 mpg.

The one in the back is a 2003 W3500 with a 6.0L gas engine. I've had it about 4 years now and it has about 145,000 miles on it. I've had to do a brake job on it recently at about $1900, and I've had to repair the heater and air conditioner a couple years ago. I bought it with about 100,000 miles on it. It averages about 7.5 mpg.

Overall, I think they are good trucks. I would not hesitate to buy again.

 

[Wolfy]

Insulation and gutter companies around me seem to love them. I doubt they will pull like a 7.3L though.

 

[s219]

I drove one for a construction job many years ago (had a Jerr-Dan rollback bed on it, used to transport equipment and small sheds / guard shacks). I remember it being an excellent truck, but we always got sticker shock when any maintenance was needed.

Only problem it had was an exhaust brake that seized up. I remember that costing like $2K to fix.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

Thanks for the responses guys. CompleteLawncare - how do you like that curbside door? That's one feature I'm looking for on a box.

I would be concerned about maintenance cost though...guess its about the same on any of the medium duty trucks.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Thanks for the responses guys. CompleteLawncare - how do you like that curbside door? That's one feature I'm looking for on a box.

I would be concerned about maintenance cost though...guess its about the same on any of the medium duty trucks.

The curbside door is a very nice feature. But, they are harder to find on a used truck. They seem to be used by bread or cookie delivery companies, so you might look at those kind of places for one.

I would really prefer the truck with the curbside door to be a 4500 instead of a 3500, because if we put 3 mowers in it, it's getting heavy. Otherwise, having the extra 2' box is nice.

Here is a link to a thread I started on my forum with more about the truck I recently bought, if you want to read a little more about it.

I need advise on a truck purchase

 

[flusher]

I just sold my 2004 Isuzu NPR stakebed (8x14 ft by Supreme) that has the 6L GMC gas engine. 12000 lb GVWR, 18000 lb GCWR. It could cruise at 70 mph empty on the freeway. Truck weighed about 7100 lb with me, my toolkit and 3/4 tank of gas (87 octane regular).

No complaints from me. Used it to haul my small parade tractors short distances (100 miles) to events. I never had more than about 4000 lb on the bed. So it never felt underpowered.

Your kidneys will get a workout on a rough road with no load on the bed. Add 500 lb and the ride smooths out a lot.

The tilt cab is nice for engine access.

I enjoy sitting over the engine and steering the truck like a bus driver.

Good luck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I just sold my 2004 Isuzu NPR stakebed (8x14 ft by Supreme) that has the 6L GMC gas engine. 12000 lb GVWR, 18000 lb GCWR. It could cruise at 70 mph empty on the freeway. Truck weighed about 7100 lb with me, my toolkit and 3/4 tank of gas (87 octane regular).

No complaints from me. Used it to haul my small parade tractors short distances (100 miles) to events. I never had more than about 4000 lb on the bed. So it never felt underpowered.

Your kidneys will get a workout on a rough road with no load on the bed. Add 500 lb and the ride smooths out a lot.

The tilt cab is nice for engine access.

I enjoy sitting over the engine and steering the truck like a bus driver.

Good luck.

Why did you sell it? I remember you searching for the perfect rig and setting it up the way you wanted.

Chris

 

[farmboy12]

Have 2 of them at work. One is a 2002 NPR-HD (4500) with almost exactly 100k on it. That was has a 4 speed automatic. Other is a 99 NPR (3500) with about 60k on it. The 99 has a 5 speed manual. Both have the diesels in them. Absolutely love the trucks! If you can handle a work truck interior, a little rough riding from time to time, and limited towing capacity it would work well.

Had a few problems with them, but being the HVAC trade with many different drivers over the years, and them beating the dog **** out of them, it's not bad. The 99 is in MUCH better condition, as it gets used less due to it being a specialty truck and you need training on it in order to be allowed to drive it in my company. Very nice tough trucks and enjoy driving them.


Kyle