Thread: Found a donor truck

Last we heard was that Sheldon (The Grubb) was tooling up for a production run of the MSA to LT230 adapters, but haven't heard anything for several months.

Like you I'm looking/waiting for his adapter kit too. My 6X6 project is stalled waiting for it.

They were all 5 speed. So possibly expect a msb box with the cover on the sides, not top like the msa.
Look for engine letters on the side of the block. Can you view the truck?

Originally Posted by Dougal

They were all 5 speed. So possibly expect a msb box with the cover on the sides, not top like the msa.
Look for engine letters on the side of the block. Can you view the truck?

It is parked near a wall in a crowded Yard of Cars to be repaired. I viewed it through the LH door today-- should have looked for a turbo, but did not. prefer a Non-Turbo 4BE1 I think, but will not worry if it has a Turbo.

So I can look at the truck when that yard is open. Did not see engine letters, but did not know where to look. Only seen that yard open twice, once last week, when I found out who owned it--it is a block from his business, and today when I found the engine number and compared it to the expired Rego papers, of which I do have a copy. He-- a dealer, who appears not to deal much--he is a bit out of the way, and may be semi retired, and many of his cars have been their for years--gave me that photocopy for info on that truck.

I have been looking at that truck wondering if it is an Isuzu, and wondering why it was parked there for several years now, I guess since a few weeks after Rego was last paid as dated in my first post.

Look at the bottom L/H side of the block. This is where the engine type is cast into it.
Turbo and non turbo 4BD1's are all marked 4BD1, no T for turbo.

Cheers, Murray

Originally Posted by Dougal

They were all 5 speed. So possibly expect a msb box with the cover on the sides, not top like the msa.
Look for engine letters on the side of the block. Can you view the truck?

So is the adaption for both model gearboxes the same. And if we can get an adapter kit will it fit both??? Can someone please answer that question.

If kits cannot be sourced is one of these gearboxes easier to adapt than the other.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Last we heard was that Sheldon (The Grubb) was tooling up for a production run of the MSA to LT230 adapters, but haven't heard anything for several months.

Like you I'm looking/waiting for his adapter kit too. My 6X6 project is stalled waiting for it.

So please does anyone know if a kit is coming, or is there any other kit???

How hard is it to adapt without a kit-- I assume this has been done???

Or should we forget the idea of a Isuzu???

A kit made by one person can surely be made by someone else, but reinventing the wheel.

Maybe I'm stoopid, but I am waiting and hoping for Sheldon to be on top of it. Also hoping that he's actually O.K. - has anyone heard?

Originally Posted by JohnF

So is the adaption for both model gearboxes the same. And if we can get an adapter kit will it fit both??? Can someone please answer that question.

If kits cannot be sourced is one of these gearboxes easier to adapt than the other.

Bellhousing is the same adaption. May require a different clutch spline.
Gear linkages are completely different. They will adapt fine to cables, but linkages would need a complete redesign from Sheldons effort.