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View Full Version : MSA vs DMax gearboxes and NPR vs DMax engines?



cjc_td5
23rd April 2020, 07:59 PM
I'm converting a 2A FC landy to Isuzu power. Rather than the std 4DB1 route I am aiming to go with the J series family, probably a 4JH1 from a mid 2000s DMax, Rodeo or NPR/NKR truck.

Gearbox options are MSA/MXR from an Isuzu truck or the manual gearbox from a DMax. There is a huge cost difference between the two options. Like $2,500-3,000 for the MSA box vs <$1000 for a DMax box. Is a DMax box really that inferior to push a 3.5T landy along? I'm intending to run a divorced LT230 transfer so output/mating is not important. All discussions seem to indicate that the DMax is strong and reliable? The only swaying factor is that a remote cable linkage will bolt straight up to a MSA box if it came from a cab-over truck, whereas a custom remote linkage would have to be devised for the DMax box in a FC configuration.

It seem the same with 4JH1 engines from a Isuzu truck vs from a DMax? Does anyone know how the bellhousings vary between the two source engines?

Vern
23rd April 2020, 08:27 PM
Is that reco box pricing?

cjc_td5
23rd April 2020, 08:32 PM
Is that reco box pricing?Probably? Just what I have seen online/gumtree etc.

Vern
23rd April 2020, 08:37 PM
I would think $1k is cheap for a reco box.
I paid about $3k for a reco msa, but have bought a couple of good secondhand ones for $800.
Not sure if the 4j series will bolt up to the msa, my choice would be a 4be1 to msa, or a 4h series to msa/mxa.

cjc_td5
23rd April 2020, 08:46 PM
I would think $1k is cheap for a reco box.
I paid about $3k for a reco msa, but have bought a couple of good secondhand ones for $800.
Not sure if the 4j series will bolt up to the msa, my choice would be a 4be1 to msa, or a 4h series to msa/mxa.I believe the 4J series engines are SAE pattern bellhousings like the 4DB series. 4JH1 and MSA5R is definately a combo in abt 2003 Isuzu NPR200 trucks.

I think there may be a shallow or deep bellhousing difference between the truck and DMax/Rodeo 4JH engines? Thats what im trying to define.

Vern
23rd April 2020, 09:00 PM
In that case, i would use the msa box

cjc_td5
24th April 2020, 07:57 AM
Reaching out to Dougal? He hasn't been on here since Jan 2019. If anyone has an email address for him, could you PM it to me please?
Chris

Don 130
24th April 2020, 08:31 PM
Reaching out to Dougal? He hasn't been on here since Jan 2019. If anyone has an email address for him, could you PM it to me please?
Chris


The Dougal (http://www.dougal.co.nz/dougal.html)

www.engen.co.nz - Engineering Contact (http://www.engen.co.nz/engenaddress.html)

Don.

Vern
25th April 2020, 11:08 AM
Reaching out to Dougal? He hasn't been on here since Jan 2019. If anyone has an email address for him, could you PM it to me please?
ChrisHe is on 4btswaps all the time

cjc_td5
25th April 2020, 12:21 PM
He is on 4btswaps all the timeYep, thanks. I reached him through the 4BT forum. Dougal recons that I don't need a MSA/MYY truck box behind a J series engine. A DMax MUA5G box would be just fine.