For the price they're charging for this, it not having an Isuzu diesel is mindboggling. Sure the 6.0 is arguably the most reliable gas V8 ever made, but in this application the 5-6 MPG isn't going to cut it. Even the 3.0 Duramax would've been a better option imo.
The gas plant has some advantages- simplicity/reliability over modern diesel systems with DEF, availability of gas in the US vs diesel, price of engine + cheaper fuel, and weight and payload. But diesel gives you better range and more torque.
Anyone who has tried to maintain modern Isuzus diesel trucks will never buy another one. Constantly failing sensors will bankrupt you, when you can actually find them.
That is a very interesting platform for sure. You are right about the price I think its a fair value for what you are getting compared to other options on the market. That thing can go many places a full-size ram or ford couldn't. I love the no air brakes from an owners point of view and servicing on the road. Gas engine is interesting but I think we'll see more and more of that.
Isuzu and GM have partnered on these for a long time. They were sold as GMCs for a while. Now they are sold as Chevys. The commercial duty Chevy small block has been offered since the 1990's.
Great tour! Would love to see a comparison of this truck and the CORE platform offered by Earthcruiser. Wish we had the same options of 4x4 light and heavy duty trucks as they do in Europe and Australia.
I soo agree with you we really don’t compare with the options you can readily get in Europe MAN, Renault, Mercedes all har well equipped 4x4 and 6x6 trucks and north America seers clear for some reason. I’m in Canada we could really use them here. But nope. Hardly any to be found. We just have to chain up and cross our fingers.
@Nit, Earthcruiser CORE is a Class 3 truck, equivalent to a Dodge 3500. Acela Straya is a Class 5, equivalent to a Dodge 5500. The gimmick -- cab-over versus conventional.
the Acela Straya (Wide Body) 4X4 + 5.0 in. Lift 6.0 V8 4-Dr Crew Cab Light Camper Truck (LHD) could do with a tad thicker chassis frame . . . same chassis frame as the one in this video, just a bit thicker . . .
I would have one as a daily driver with a passthrough locker, crew cab, flat bed truck add a towing capacity. I mainly used the NPR series in landscaping which are fun to drive.
Andre,. I believe that would be considered a Low Cab Forward design as opposed to a cabover. It's a similar thing, but as the name suggests the driver sits more forward and lower than in a traditional cabover.
No gas options for these Cabover Japanese Trucks in Australia or outside North America. You get Japanese Trucks using 13litre and 15litre diesels as Semis
@joe, The FTS comes with a 7.8liter/7.8litre engine producing about 561 lb ft of torque. Although this torque may seem low compared to American pick-up trucks of 800 and more, the Isuzu engine is engineered for commercial 'million-mile' durability and longevity instead of drag-strip numbers.
@Just, During the video, was the tow capacity mentioned? . I think a pto-driven winch with a substantially higher capacity could be used. Rappel your vehicle out of a tight spot!
Andre are you out looking for a replacement for your Buhanka. That's heavy duty replacement at 18k gwwr. I'm gonna look into a slightly smaller Isuzu single cab as a pickup replacement.
@Rig, Federal laws stipulate headlight height. Accordingly, this conversion moved the headlights to the bumper, a common placement for 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles modified from a stock highway truck.
@Jeff, 2003, we converted a 1996 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle. Nearly two decades full-time live-aboard. . We rarely travel more than a hundred miles a month. Fuel is a very minor part of our budget.
Of course, Isuzu or Acela don't offer an additional fuel tank on a gas model. Only 30 gallons of gasoline. This truck is maybe for a local rescue mission or local weekend off-road travel.
without a diesel its limited to the local commercial market.. not enough range for an expedition truck at max GVM.. No idea why you would go gas on something like this.
Pretty cool but Stewart and Stevenson 6x6 that are ready to go and refurbed with common big cat diesel are like 40-50k. Seems a bit pricey for what it is and lacking in power for sure.
Originally an Austrian Steyr Truck designed for the US Army and assembled in the US. Japanese Trucks have a very limited range in the US, compared to similar Japanese trucks outside NA
@Stu, Excellent q. Loading our ExpeditionVehicle with groceries, some scold often chastises us for our extravagance. Our response: * "How many mpg do you get in your apartment?"
Not a diesel, Interest has left the room. That thing will have fuel economy like a big rig, low single digits. To be an effective overland vehicle it will need to tow its own fuel bowser to get from one fuel station to the next in the Australian outback or Africa.
Love everything except the GM plant. It should be diesel for fuel economy and torque. CDL driver here. I have been looking at their refurbished trucks that they do. Very exciting rigs!
No because it doesn’t have air brakes and is under 26,001 lbs. Regular license can drive. I used to drive these as a Lowe’s appliance delivery driver without a CDL.
From what I understand the npp has a beefier frame. The rest seems to have been removed and swapped drive train wise. Could do what ever you like I guess at that point. Cab & frame rails.
idk, i see it i think diesel. not a gas hog? tho usually the cabs are cheap and basic stuff. things id love to change up lol. kept it light without a dually too. more i read military.. i think send to uk.
You have over ten thousand pounds of payload put a couple big fuel tanks on each side and range is no longer a problem. If you can afford one of these trucks buying two hundred gallons of unleaded shouldn’t be a problem.
@A, 2003, we acquired and built our ExpeditionVehicle for a tenth of the price you claim for just the quarters. How much of the work are you willing to do?
Put a camper on it and its ok. Needs U Joints. Rezpa CVs don't like angles at speed. That 12k winch is for others you find stuck. Don't get stuck in that. I can see commercial use for it too, but its over priced.
My gawd that's a ton of spacers on the drivelines, especially the front. I'd sure hope they make some proper length ones before they start selling these.
That is awesome. Would love to know fuel economy. I'm sure it's terrible but would at least ilike a ball park. There is also an extended wheelbase version too which is great👍
@Will, (We discussed this with commenter Siu.) Loading groceries in our ExpeditionVehicle, some scold will occasionally chastise us for our extravagance. Our response: * "How many mpg do you get in your apartment?"
Honestly this nothing new have Mitsubishi FG140 diesel 6 speed manual mines set up a box truck 🚚 with a slide door .super easy to work on .the only bad thing the chassis always rot out. SMH
Cause petrol is cheaper in America, plus the required DEF systems can be complicated and expensive to run and maintain for folks using them for leisure rather than work. Also there's less diesel than petrol mechanics, opening up parts and service centers that can fix this if something goes wrong.
Those absolute junk plastic fenders would go bye-bye the first time a limb, sapling, whatever, touches them. Oh, and those new turbocharged gas engines last about 100k.
Diesel sucks too many components specialy in new ones, id get a diesel if im using the thing for commercial use only but in mi case that gasoline setup is great for personal use if i would get one of those, gasoline versions are quicker than diesels and are (Cheaper) to modify if you wana add more power specialy with the GM 6.0 platform sh!!!t 👍 it doesn't ask a diesel nothing
Has Andre denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Just curious. Don’t flame me! I don’t believe he has to….but it would be informative if he did as he is a RU-vid well-known personality. I’ve seen other Russian-born influencers denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I know this isn’t a political channel but current events surpasses politics. I think it’s fair to ask Andre, a main actor/figure on this and other affiliated channels to express his views. We as the audience can then make an informed decision whether or not to “consume” the products TFL puts out.
a full size truck with a off road package, 4 wheel drive, and a camper shell or pop tent, is a way smarter way to go overlanding, but i guess it depends on what type of overlanding your doing.