Information/FAQS

The Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.), The Model No. and Year can be found on the I.D. Plates:    The V.I.N. Plate is the small “GM”(General Motors) plate.

 The K.M.O Models:
The ID Plate can be found on the L/H side Firewall.

 TA,TD & TJ. Model: [R Series 4WD]
The ID Plate is on the L/H seat base or on the side of the L/H Firewall.

 T.K.Cabin Model: (K Series) [years1960-1966]
If the cabin is original the ID plate can be found by opening the L/H door the plate is right in front
of you below the passenger seat. on the L/H side Firewall and also the side of the L/H seat base.

 T.K. Cabin Model: (E & S Series) (M Series 4 WD)      [Years 1967-1981]. 
Open up the L/H engine inspection cover; it is on the plate on the firewall behind the passenger seat.

 All Other Models:

Lift up Bonnet, ID Plate is on the Firewall – L/Hand side.
                                 FOOTNOTE:
There is a misconception in the TJ”Range that they are all “J” Models. The “J” Series finished in 1966
and the “C” Series started in 1967.

 

The chassis number is most commonly located near the left-hand front Spring “front hanger”stamped into the chassis rail facing outwards.

Some Earlier 1930s , 1940’s  and some buses can have the chassis number stamped into the chassis rail facing outwards, but around the left-hand front Spring “rear hanger”.

Also, up to around 1954, a chassis number Metal tag can be found riveted to the right hand, front chassis rail top flange near the Steering box.

 

The first thing to do is to check your ratio, from that we can tell you what ratio to use for your requirements. The taller the gearing, the more road speed you will achieve but the more engine power you will need.

 

Turn both rear wheels at the same time, one [1] revolution in the same direction and count how many turns of tail-shaft.
e.g. one turn of both wheels 6¾-7 turns of tail-shaft = 6.8.

 Just over 6 turns = 6.2 etc

SINGLE SPEED DIFF.- 16″ WHEEL [Approx.1960/81]
For most 16″ Wheel Models,the Highway ratio available for the single speed is a 4.7-1.
This will give you 100kph at 2700r.

SINGLE  SPEED DIFF. 20″ WHEEL [Approx.1960/81]

The Highway ratio available for the single speed is a 5.2-1.
This will give you 100kph at 3000r.p.m Remembering there will be less engine power.

SI2  SPEED DIFF. 20″WHEEL

    [Approx.1960/81]

The quickest ratio Bedford made in a 2 speed is 5.8-1. Not as quick as the single speed, but the advantage is that you’ve got more gears to climb hills easier.

Still 100kph at 3200r.p.m.

We do a conversion into most Trucks & Buses, fully reconditioned complete from drum or drum or S/Hand.

This all depends on your Model.

All based on 8.25 Tyre Size.

5 SPEED O/DRIVE GEARBOX

[Approx.1960-1981]

The third option is an O/Drive Gearbox. We have found the Bedford Turner 300 to be the best all rounder. It fits all the medium to bigger Bedford engines.

 

(Approx. 1960-81)

We do V8 conversions.There are obvious performance benefits with V8 conversions and now with L.P.G. you can get Economy and Power.

 

All restorations carry their own unique complexities. It is impossible to quote exactly a cost for Restoration work; as there are many unforeseen problems due to the ravages of time on Vintage & Veteran Vehicles.
Whether it is a restoring project as a hobby or a commercial vehicle, small or big job on general wear & tear, rust removal or replacing/repairing, we will discuss your options with you and make recommendations that allow you to choose the amount of restoration you require.

It protects valves & valve seats from metal to metal contact that causes wear.
In addition to superior valve & valve seat protection it also cleans and
protects the complete upper cylinder area and increases fuel economy.
It is economical to use:-
1 litre will treat 1000 litres of fuel.

 

Bedford K, M & O Overview

Bedfords were derived from Chev in 1931 with the W model that had a Bedford engine not a Chev engine.
The K,M & O engines where classed as the 27 horse power and the O model engine 28 horse power; only because of the bigger carburetor fitted later on.

Even though the K, M & O Models started in 1939 when the W models finished, Australia saw most of their K, M & O models from 1947 on-wards due to the War.

 

 The Difference between

The English Cabin & The Australian Cabin:

 

                   The English Cabin

 The English Cabin is flat under the doors on the outside. They have no inside “door handles”, they use the lever towards the back near the side window glass, that points upwards and moves side to side.They do not have window winder handles, they  use a holder “Grab Handle” at the top of the glass to push it up and down. They have fixed Vent Windows, and the push out Driver’s side windscreen.

               The Australian Cabin

The Australian Cabin is curved under the doors on the outside and has Door Trims.

They have proper door handles, also proper window winder handles and have push out “swivel” Quarter vent windows. The windscreen of the Australian cabin is fixed and is more tilted for a more streamlined & faster appearance.

INSIDE AUSSIE K MODEL

 Inside Aust. K & M Model.
 

 

                   Model Explanation for

                            K,M,O Types

 

Bedford K Model

Bedford K Model (Australian)

 
 

              Bedford KModel(English)

  

English Cabin Specifications

 
 

             

 

h

Bedford M Model

M models have dual rear wheels with the long nose still as per the K models. It has a 2-3 ton load carrying capacity.

h

The MS “short wheel base M model”, has 120 inch wheel base.

The ML “long wheel base M model”, has 143 inch  wheel base.


The wheel base is measured from the centre of the front wheel hub to the centre of the rear wheel hub.

 

 
 

Bedford O Model

The O model has the shorter nose cabin than the K & M Models.

They only have the single passenger seat unlike the dual passenger seat of the K & M Models.
The O model engine is a 28 horse power. The carrying capacity is 3 ton initially then to 5 ton on the later ones, with the heavier rear springs and the bigger diff. “Hypoid” swapped from the smaller little spiral bevel diff.

 

          Bedford O Model Specifications

 

Bedford TA/TD, S & R(4WD) Models

Bedford TA Model

 The TA range was launched in 1953, replacing the essentially pre-war bonneted K, M and O-Series lorries. The new A-Type was modern in appearance. It had a split windscreen and  The radiator grille had three painted thick horizontal bars, with headlights mounted at the outside of the front panel.

 

Bedford D Model

 

 In 1957, the range was slightly restyled to become the D-Type, or TD. This had a wider grille, still with three painted horizontal bars, with an extra chrome trim above. The front bumper was wider. The cab still had a split windscreen.

 

Bedford TJ Model

 The Bedford J Models

In 1958, the D-Type was replaced by the long-lived J-Type, or TJ. This had a deeper, single piece windscreen, still with clap-hands wipers. The J1, J2 and J3 (25cwt up to 4-ton payload) had vertical grille bars, peaks over the headlamps, faired-in sidelights and 16in wheels. The heavier duty trucks, the J4, J5 and J6 (from 5- to 7-tons) had horizontal grille bars, no headlamp peaks, sidelights below the headlights and 20in wheels. The TJ range lasted until 1999 for overseas markets

 

FOOTNOTE:There is a misconception in the TJ”Range that they are all “J” Models. The “J” Series finished in 1966 and the “C” Series started in 1967.

                            BEDFORD TJ MODEL(CDJ3)

 

Bedford TK Model

 
       
                                      Bedford TK (KGL)
          T.K.Cabin Model:(K Series)[years1961-1966]

If the cabin is original the ID plate can be found by opening the L/H door the plate is right in front of you below the passenger seat, or on the L/H side Firewall.

 

 

 

 

                      T.K. Cabin Model: (E & S Series)
                                   (M Series 4WD)
                                  [Years 1967-1981].

  Open up the L/H engine inspection cover it is on the plate and on the firewall behind the passenger seat.

 

 
 

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