We’ve recently had a number of Mitsubishi Fusos listed on the forum, and at first glance, you might be fooled into thinking this is another. However, despite the remarkable similarity, this is, in fact, an Isuzu NPR Crew Cab. Now, I have to admit, I don’t know a huge amount about the Isuzu brand (despite my love and ownership of other Japanese vehicles), but I’m fortunate to know someone who does. I recently interviewed my good friend Ori (who has owned over 50 vehicles, including many expedition rigs) and is currently spending a year overlanding Australia with his family in a monster Mitsubishi Canter 4×4. I was surprised when he explained that Down Under the Isuzus are very sought after and considered superior to Mitsubishi and even Toyota alternatives. Australia is extremely tough on vehicles and regarded as one of the ultimate proving grounds for overland rigs, so this is high praise. It’s therefore no surprise that Isuzu’s are increasingly selected as the base vehicle for expedition builds, and today’s example is one of the very best.
From Barry:
After over two years of design and building by Alum-Line in Iowa, I finally drove the rig home. Its first big trip was a 1,200-mile return journey to my home, near the ski area Sun Valley, Idaho. It drove very well, even in severe Montana and Wyoming crosswinds, and climbed mountain passes faster than I should’ve done.
The Isuzu’s construction is pretty unique as it doesn’t integrate any wood, instead being constructed completely out of aluminum. There are huge amounts of storage, including a garage area that’s big enough to sit in and an almost 9-foot sofa with storage underneath (I use the overhead sleeping area for additional storage). The truck is very well insulated, which I appreciate as I do a lot of winter camping, including a lot of time in North Dakota (heat retention is further bolstered thanks to dual pane glass—not acrylic—windows). The roof is totally flat, and there’s no air conditioner up top that can snag on low-hanging branches (that’s mounted safely underneath).
Another awesome feature is the overhead sleeping area, which has a huge rising roof that allows one to sleep under the stars if it’s warm enough. It’s pretty rare for a cab-over truck to incorporate an overhead sleeper since the cabin needs to be tilted for servicing, but this particular sleeping area was innovatively designed to flex independently of the camper box and tilts forward. That said, Isuzu explained that the motor and transmission could be removed without tilting the cab, and there are numerous inspection panels that can be utilized for routine servicing.
I’m tempted to keep it, but at 75, I’m deep into retirement and don’t go to the extreme places I used to. At this stage of my life, this truck is a little overkill, so I decided to put it up for sale. I have spent over $450,000 building this overland vehicle.
Specifications
2018 Isuzu NPR crew cab (11,000-miles), purchased new in 2019
Total wet weight: 14,700 pounds
65-gallon gas tank
Aluminum construction (no wood)
Insulation: including $8,000 of ceramic and Silent Running insulation inside walls and ceiling, Silent Running (sound dampening) painted inside, three coats of TempCoat 101 on top of Silent Running, 1-inch of R5 rigid foam on top of Tempcoat, etc.
Kevlar air suspension ($90,000), 4-wheel drive conversion, and completely custom 4-link suspension
Shocks: ADS 2.5-inch remote reservoir with external adjusters
Alcan springs
Auburn E-lockers
Trail Worth Fab Hero 2-speed transfer case
Dynatrac heavy axles (front Dynatrac Pro 60 and rear Dynatrac Pro 80)
Dual magnaflow exhausts coupled to 304 stainless tubing
19,000-BTU propane heater
Custom bumpers with two 16,500-pound winches (front and back)
Dual transfer case shifters (front and back)
Heavy duty alternator
Air ride: AMP air management by PacBrake
Air bags
Phoenix pressure sensor
Air tanks: Twin Viair compressors delivering 200 psi
Coatings: Dixie powdercoat
Controls: Switch-Pro control panels
Exhaust: Dual Magnaflows coupled to 304 stainless tubing and no catalytic converter
Lockers: Auburn E-Lockers
Seats: air suspension for driver’s seat
Shifters: Northwest Fab
Nitto Ridge Grappler tires 37/12.50R18 LT
Method 305 HD wheels, 4,500-pound rating in 18-inch x 9-inch
Hammock arms (side and rear), also lower and lift spare tires
Rear swing-out doors with spares: including Dual Nitto Ridge Grappler spare tire on Method wheel
Camper
Approximate length of truck and camper: 24 feet without spare
Inside height: 7 feet
Shower
Portable toilet inside shower area
Windows: Peninsula dual-pane, tinted, insulated, glass windows
Sleeps six
Kitchen
79-inch x 24-inch kitchen countertop
Portable induction cooktop
Moen touch faucet
Blanco under-mount sink measuring 18 x 13 x 8 inches
Dometic fridge/freezer (CFX95 and CFX100)
Five slide-out drawers
12-inch tall cookware drawer
Garbage storage
Convection toaster/oven
Storage
Garage space: 82 x 36 x 72 inches
Sofa storage: 108 x 32 x 32 inches (can store 10 surfboards, inflatable kayaks, etc.)
Under floor garage storage
Compartment under rear doors of truck cab (lockable)
Storage to the side camper door (lockable); includes built-in power for outside cooking, etc.
Lots of interior cabinets
Safes: rifle safe under rear mattress (with three locks, 80 x 10 x 4.5 inches) and Barska Biometric safe in sofa (10.5 x 19.5 x 13.6 inches)
Electronics
Blue Sea electrical systems components
Xantrex power inverter/charger, 3,000 watts
Lithionics, 600-amp-hour
Recharge batteries in approximately 2.5 hours with alternator
Solar, 320 watts
WeBoost home cell phone booster
115 VAC outlets throughout
ProAir air conditioner, 38,000 BTUs runs for six hours on high from one lithium battery
Camera security system: Pro Vision system ($9,000), controlled remotely via phone or inside camper. While driving you can monitor rear, sides and rooftop using cameras
Audio: Four channel audio system with Kenwood Bluetooth AMP (camper wired for surround sound)
Lighting
Dimmable LED floor, under counter, and ceiling lighting
Rock Lights under camper and truck,Vision-X XP kit (eight PODs in white)
Bumper Lighting by Vision-X ($6,000)
40-inch Shocker dual-action LED light bar (white/amber)
Four 80-watt 6.7-inch ADV Light Cannons with halo and mixed beam ($1,980)
Two 49-watt 4.7-inch 7-LED CG2 Light Cannons ($650)
Two 20-watt 3.7-inch 3-LED CG2 Light Cannons ($300)
Flush mounted Dura Mini 60-degree scene lights ($200)
High and low beam DOT-approved Superwhite bulb headlights
51-inch XPR LED light bar (10-watt LEDs, $1,200)
Two 12-inch XPR LED light bars (10-Watt LEDs, $600)
Water:
Two custom stainless-steel water tanks,holds 148 gallons freshwater
7-gallon electric Bosch water heater
27-gallon greywater tank
This Isuzu NPR Crew Cab expedition rig is listed for $298,000 and is currently located in Sun Valley, Idaho. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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