'46 Chevy Shorty

[Tango]

Howdy Jack --- basically, I need about twice the length on the slip shaft that goes from the steering wheel down to the gearbox. The original plan involved ordering a second shaft and adding a serrated connection in the middle the same as what is on the input shaft at the gearbox. Problem is...Isuzu does not sell any parts for the gearbox except a couple of seals. If you want anything else you have to buy a complete box for over $600 bucks...rebuilt. I've shopped the local junk yards and nada. Even the cores goes for $250 to $350. Which I may wind up having to buy. When trying to get a local gear cutter to try and make the serrated shaft, I discovered that the Isuzu version is such and oddball, he would he would have to special order a cutter making the price around $1000 bucks for a two inch piece of metal. Not gonna happen. So I am back to shopping for a trashed out gearbox that has a solid input shaft. Still cheaper than several other designs including a custom made square shaft.

Oh well...nobody said making a 70 year old veteran roadworthy would be cheap or easy. But then...you already knew that...right?

[JunkYardDawg]

After reading every single post in this thread, and ogling every single pic along the way, I'll have to admit that your build has finally dragged me out of the shadows. I registered so that I could post here to tell you how much your bus build has inspired me. I got a dozen motorcycles to get running and sell off, and after that: I GOT TO GET ME A BUS!

[Tango]

Well Howdy JYD! --- I hope I also got across the importance of starting young.

12 scooters? I have to ask if you are a racer, collector, mechanic, all of the above??? I raced them for over 15 years and still love'em. But if you sell them all it oughta cover some of the bus expense.

And are you looking for a vintage bus...or modern? The builds are VERY different.

[JunkYardDawg]

Originally Posted by Tango

Well Howdy JYD! --- I hope I also got across the importance of starting young.

12 scooters? I have to ask if you are a racer, collector, mechanic, all of the above??? I raced them for over 15 years and still love'em. But if you sell them all it oughta cover some of the bus expense.

And are you looking for a vintage bus...or modern? The builds are VERY different.

I'm a retired machinist, but I've owned a motorcycle since I was nine. All my bikes are vintage 1970's Japanese twins. I was going to rebuild them and sell a few off in the Spring when bike season takes off again, but I've had my right arm in a cast for the last 6 weeks. I broke it real good - five hours on the operating table, a titanium plate, and 12 screws to hold my wrist together. I get a new cast on Tuesday, and then I have to wear it another 5 WEEKs! I'm so right-handed, I can't even wipe my nose right.

I like the old buses. I like yours. I doubt there are any to be had up this way - all claimed by rust by now I bet, and the ones still standing must look like a slice of swiss cheese.

[sdwarf36]

JYD-if you're sitting on a pile of XS 650's., you got something good + saleable there. The street tracker wave is at its peak right now.

[JunkYardDawg]

Originally Posted by sdwarf36

JYD-if you're sitting on a pile of XS 650's., you got something good + saleable there. The street tracker wave is at its peak right now.

I have one XS650, the rest are early CB350s, KZ400s, and XS400s. I'm looking for the right deal on a CB500t right now.

[Tango]

Sounds like a very sweet stable you have there and Roger the demand for those bikes. Me...I ran crazy modded Japanese 2-strokes. I just liked winning.

Meanwhile...Hey Jack...below is a pic of the input shaft I am trying to score since Isuzu won't sell it and no one seems to be able to fab it. If you see a junk NPR gearbox with a good serrated input shaft for under $200 bucks...I will jump on it.


'03 NPR steering gearbox input shaft

[opus]

Can you not scour junkyards? Did you try here: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Jus thinking out loud....

[Tango]

Ya...I put a lot of feelers out on the Junk Lines but so far they want $3-400 bucks just for a core. Did find one on Epay for $250 but still...

[opus]

Give me a specific and I'll make a couple calls tomorrow?

[Tango]

Thanks Opus. The steering gearbox in my rig is from a 2003 Isuzu NPR with the small diesel. From what I can glean, the gearboxes are the same from about '95 to '04 but can't get confirmation on the range. Like I said...all I really need is that input shaft.

[ol trunt]

Hey Tango, looks like the same gear as mine. If you have the original steering column just extend it with a piece of tube somewhere between the "U" joints. That'll get you the extra length you need without losing the slip joint. Jack
[b][b/]

[opus]

Like this? 1998 Isuzu NPR Lower Intermediate Steering Shaft Assm | eBay

[Tango]

Jack --- problem is I need another u-joint in the middle of it all.

Opus --- nope...what I need is the input shaft that is part of the steering gearbox...but thanks bud.

[opus]

$150 for a complete steering box is best I can find.

[ol trunt]

Tango, I don't think any of the Isuzu gears have a longer "input" shaft than what you (we) have. Slap a "u" joint from another 3 joint column in the middle of your intermediate shaft along with a pillow block for support and you're golden.

Opus, that intermediate shaft is exactly what I started out with. I'm not sure Tango got that when he bought his gear and column support but it bolts right up to the Isuzu steering wheel on one end and to the gear at the other. By the way, a buck and a half seems to be the going price for a gear around here too.

[Tango]

Thanks guys...I will jump on any box for one-fifty that has clean teeth on the input shaft. Please pm me or post the source.

[opus]

You'll have to go to car-part.com and search. Thats where I found it. I cant paste the url link because the search didnt take me to a specific page. It just popped up my search results.

[Tango]

Outstanding...thanks Opus. I just shot them a note to confirm the part number.

[opus]

I'd go get it and bring it to you but the scope of my kindness only goes so far. ;)