Isuzu NPR: Our Favorite Freight Truck

Today we are featuring our top selling truck, the Isuzu NPR. This truck is known for its maneuverability and reliability. In this post we will tell you the best parts of the truck, as well as the biggest things you as a driver or owner need to watch out for.

Look through our wide range of New & Used Isuzu NPR trucks.

Maneuverability

The Isuzu NPR is the number 1 most popular truck in the United States as far as maneuverability. Because this truck is so short, it has an incredible ability to get in to tight spots in the city, in businesses, in small parking lots, etc. That's why we started with it.
Because of the truck’s flat nose, the driver will be one of the first things to the wreck if hit head on. Make sure you are aware of this risk and take appropriate precautions when on the road.

Reliability

Most Isuzu NPRs run on an Isuzu 4 cylinder diesel engine. These are very fuel efficient and economical - with a 14-16 ft. box it can get 12-15 mpg.
If you keep your Isuzu NPR serviced, you will see 200,000 miles on it very easily, sometimes up to 400,000 miles.
Every time you fuel up you should check your oil and water. Frequently check your hoses.
One of the biggest things we see is that drivers tend to only check the reservoir jug. We urge you to open the radiator cap and physically look in and check your water. If it doesn't have water in the radiator, it cannot cool your engine.
Check your belts; make sure they aren't cracked or loose. Make sure your belt has some tension; you shouldn't be able to move it more than a half inch.

Comfort

The Isuzu NPR offers several amenities such as air conditioning, electric windows, AM/FM radio and a C.D. player.

Fuel

The Isuzu NPR uses a new fuel that is a low-sulfur fuel. This type of fuel doesn't use sulfur in it as a lubricant. Sulfur is added to most fuels as a lubricant for your fuel pumps and fuel injection system. For the Isuzu NPR, we recommend a product called Stanadyne.

Related: NPR and NQR Transmission Fluid Requirements

Transmission Fluid

Newer Isuzu N-Series from 2008 and up come with a new type of automatic transmission that requires an inexpensive silicone-based transmission fluid. It is a must that you use a silicone-based fluid such as Isuzu SCS Automatic Transmission Fluid -- Isuzu part # 2-90531-200-0. If you don’t use the proper fluid such as Dexron or Mercon III or V in it, it will burn it up in a matter of hours. You cannot use regular automatic transmission fluid or a petroleum based fluid in the NQR or NPR trucks built after late 2007.  This fluid is not expensive at all; it costs about the same as Dexron.

Emissions

The Isuzu NPR uses a urea system which cuts the fuel economy up some and cuts emissions drastically. The urea SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is the only technology available that can remove enough NOx from diesel exhaust to comply with strict new limits enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It reduces NOx by as much as 90% alone, and can take NOx to near-zero levels when used in combination with diesel particulate filter technology.
NOx is a major air pollutant which contributes to smog and causes asthma and respiratory and heart diseases.

Related: Isuzu Diesel Trucks, NPR, and the EPA's 2010 Emissions Standards, SCR

Rear Ends

The 2008 and up of Isuzu N-Series have a beefed up suspension that's more reliable than ever, and will get at least 200,000 - 300,000 miles on it. The rear ends of the Isuzu's run a leaf-spring suspension which is a very reliable type of suspension. But if you're up north, the rust will work on it. We sell a lot of leaf-springs because they rust out, not with just this truck but any truck.

Fuel Tanks

If you're up north, check the bottom of the fuel tanks frequently. Physically get under it and look for fuel dripping and deep-seated rust. We sell a lot of straps because when fuel tanks rust badly they will fall off, no matter where you are.
The number one reason we see Isuzu NPRs fail is because of the owner or driver’s own failure to service the truck's oil and water.
The biggest thing to remember when taking care of your Isuzu NPR is coolant levels. These trucks cannot stand to be over heated. If the truck is going to be run all day, check your coolant level in the morning and make sure it has enough to stay cool.

What Drivers Should Know About Brake Problems

With this cold weather (specifically in the North and Northeast) we think it is imperative for Mitsubishi Fuso, Isuzu, Hino, or UD freight truck drivers, or drivers of any other mid size truck or even regular passenger cars to have a thorough inspection of your trucks, especially your tires and brakes.
If you know what to look for, and are sensitive to the symptoms, you can spot many potential problems before they become real liabilities. And having concluded there's a problem, you can report it to the shop in a way that might prompt more than a readjustment of the slack adjusters.

Here's how to spot impending brake trouble -- and how to describe it to the mechanic.

Balance Problems
Ideally, each wheel on a truck (except the front wheels) should be doing an equal share of the braking work. The wheels on the left side should be providing the same stopping force as the wheels on the right. Same for tractor wheels versus trailer wheels.
If you were to notice your truck pulling distinctly to the one side or the other, it's possible that no obvious problem would reveal itself during a visual inspection. Assuming that adjustment is correct, the source of the imbalance could be any one (or a combination of) a dozen or more factors.
Lining material could be mismatched or the inner surface of one drum could be glazed. The air hoses and fittings between the valves and the brake chambers could be mismatched, or one might have a different (smaller or larger) inner diameter. One brake actuator chamber or slack adjuster might be the wrong size, or be malfunctioning. There could be a kink in a hose, or a blockage inside a valve, or a defect in the foundation brake that causes the hardware to deflect under the force of the application.
The problem could be easy to detect during a visual inspection if there's a broken or defective part. If the problem is internal, the mechanics will have to dig a little harder to find it. In any case, it's up to you to point out the problem.

Related: Some Quick Brake Maintenance Tips

Things to Take Note Of
Note the circumstances where the problem occurs, i.e., truck pulls to one side or the other at high or low speed, when lightly or heavily loaded, or only on wet pavement, etc.

Timing Problems
Brake balance and timing are critical: even ABS or electronic stability won't help you if the brakes are not applying and releasing as they should.
Tractor-trailer brakes are supposed to apply and release in order, rear first – by a slight margin. And release nearly immediately. When tractor brakes apply first, or with more force, the trailer could bump against the tractor, causing stability problems, or at least causing the tractor brakes to do more of their share of he work in stopping the truck.
In this case, if the trailer brakes aren't releasing as quickly as they should, it could compromise control in a skid. You have probably experienced trailer brakes hanging on a little longer than you'd like. That's worth writing up.
Application timing is controlled by the pressure at which various valves open and let air flow from the tanks into the brake chambers. Trailer valves are supposed to be set to a lower crack (or opening) pressure, and hence apply sooner than tractor brakes. Somewhere along the line, whether due to age or improper installation, the valves can open at the wrong pressures upsetting the application and release timing.
Additionally, for the brakes to release, the air has to evacuate from the chamber quickly so the brake linings can back away from the drum. If there's a physical obstruction, like a kink or a blockage the air may not escape fast enough, causing that brake to remain applied longer than you'd wish.

Related: Top 10 Foundation Brake Problems

Physical obstructions could cause brakes to delay applying, or cause them to hang up, too. Poorly lubricated cams, bushings etc. can be a problem here. Twists and distortions in the hardware can affect release and application timing too.
Be aware of a pushing sensation when you apply the brakes. That could indicate the trailer brakes are applying later than the tractor brakes. Be aware too of the sensation of the trailer brakes remaining applied after you've taken your foot off the treadle valve and applied some throttle. It'll feel like your powering up against a trailer with the brakes still on.
Whatever brake problems you might have, they can be identified by the driver if you know what to look for. The problem may be beyond your ability to repair, but that's what the mechanics are all about. Just be as specific as possible when writing up the inspection report so they can get to the root of the problem.
And never, under any circumstances, drive a truck with brakes that you're not entirely happy with.

Related: Some Quick Brake Maintenance Tips

Shop our brakes and brake parts

If you or a co-worker needs replacement parts this summer for your medium or heavy duty import truck, call us at (803) 564-3228 or (877) 564-6307. If you have any difficulties getting through our phone system, please use our Contact Form or Parts Request Form, or email sales@busbeetruckparts.com.
We have hundreds of Salvaged Medium Duty Trucks and Commercial Box Trucks for Parts including: Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, UD, and GMC. With thousands of parts, including our most popular Isuzu NPR Truck Parts, we should have any part that you need in stock. Our sales professionals will be glad to assist you.  We are located at 4107 Festival Trail Rd, Wagener, SC 29164.

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Ready Your Commercial Box Truck for Winter

Winter can be a hard time for commercial Mitsubishi Fuso, Isuzu, Hino, or UD freight truck drivers, or drivers of any other mid size truck. But if you prepare for a road trip, you will have a lot less to worry about.

Here are a few of our suggestions:

1. Prepare an emergency kit - road flares, fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, first aid kit, water, solar blanket, jumper cables, etc.
2. Check belts and hoses, replace when necessary.
3. Service fuel filter and drain the water separator to prevent freezing.
4. Check and fill windshield washer fluid/reservoirs regularly utilizing proper winter dilution levels.
5. Check the condition of the windshield wiper blades, replace when necessary.
6. Check windshields for chips and pitting. Temperature variations can add stress on windshields. Repair small chips to avoid crack migration and the need for full windshield replacement.
7. Check tire conditions and make sure tread thickness is at manufacturer minimum for winter driving. Ensure tires are properly inflated.
8. During severe snow or icy conditions - tire chains may be necessary.
9. Test battery and clean connections. Batteries face a high starting load in cold weather and tend to fail during low temperatures.
10. Check heater / defroster operation prior to moving vehicle for proper function.
11. Check exhaust systems to ensure cabin is free of leaks from carbon monoxide.
12. On diesel - engine trucks, check glow plug operation.
13. Check ABS operation, monitor stroke adjustment on drum brakes, fluid levels and parking brake operation.
14. Keep radiator frontal surface clean and free of bugs, dirt and debris.
15. If equipped with heated mirrors, check operation.
16. Clean cab, body and undercarriage regularly to remove road salt, heavy snow, debris and dirt.
17. Check mud flaps regularly, replace when necessary.
18. Check coolant for proper protection levels. Coolants life typically is specified by the coolant manufacturers at 24 months. Anything older should be flushed and replaced. While the antifreeze properties of the coolant may not dissipate with time additives that provide corrosive protection, anti-gumming, and other functions break down and compromise the overall performance.
19. DEF - Diesel Exhaust Fluid. For diesel engines models using urea-based DEF in the emissions control systems.
20. Diesel engine models, use ASTM D-975 Grade 1 diesel in geographic areas that drop below 10°F (-12°C). For DPF equipped vehicles, Ultra Low Sulfer diesel is required in all temperature conditions.
21. Maintain and check engine heaters.

Related:  Inspect Your Truck's Brakes for Safe Winter Driving
Related: It's Time to Check Your Antifreeze