vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
Well spotted CF. Burning question then, is did it still have a 9-speed Fuller? At that power and torque it would have needed an RTX 14609 I would have thought. 
ERF-NGC-European:
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
Well spotted CF. Burning question then, is did it still have a 9-speed Fuller? At that power and torque it would have needed an RTX 14609 I would have thought.
RTO 14613 or 09 ?.
It’s a 1,300lbft+ motor.
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
Well spotted CF. Burning question then, is did it still have a 9-speed Fuller? At that power and torque it would have needed an RTX 14609 I would have thought.
RTO 14613 or 09 ?.
It’s a 1,300lbft+ motor.
RTX better shift pattern. 13-sp probably preferred by drivers; but at 475 the 9-sp would have been easily adequate at the then 38 tonnes. ERF offered the RTX 14609 in its owner-driver spec E-series with the 400 ■■■■■■■ in it as late as '87 
ERF-NGC-European:
RTX better shift pattern. 13-sp probably preferred by drivers; but at 475 the 9-sp would have been easily adequate at the then 38 tonnes. ERF offered the RTX 14609 in its owner-driver spec E-series with the 400 ■■■■■■■ in it as late as '87
From memory the usual Fuller shift pattern found in the TM was deffo the ‘round the gate’ RTO one not any of the H shift patterns ?.
Strangely also don’t remember the Spicer being used other than in the also rare 6v92 spec.
But agreed a 475 would be a flying machine whether 9 speed or 13.It would be interesting to find out more about this extremely rare beast and where it can be seen on the show circuit.
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
That badge was only fitted a few weeks ago, so I wouldn’t take it as the gospel.
big al st:
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
That badge was only fitted a few weeks ago, so I wouldn’t take it as the gospel.
probably a 290 ■■■■■■■ then!
I remember Chris Johnson wagons doing Morocco with MANs years ago.
big al st:
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
That badge was only fitted a few weeks ago, so I wouldn’t take it as the gospel.
If it doesn’t belong there it would be a bit pointless fitting it.
While if it does it would tie in with the credible rumours in the day that Bedford’s skunk works were turning out such options if anyone asked politely and quietly.
ERF-NGC-European:
big al st:
Carryfast:
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
475 8v92ta Silver Series.Ultimate and very rare TM.I’ve never seen one only the pre silver series 400 upgraded to 435 spec.
That badge was only fitted a few weeks ago, so I wouldn’t take it as the gospel.
I remember Chris Johnson wagons doing Morocco with MANs years ago.
Picture the scene as they fire it up for the waiting expectant crowd.
Although having said that if it was the genuine article I’d guess that STP trucks in Holland would have made an offer for it that was too good to refuse.
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
RTX better shift pattern. 13-sp probably preferred by drivers; but at 475 the 9-sp would have been easily adequate at the then 38 tonnes. ERF offered the RTX 14609 in its owner-driver spec E-series with the 400 ■■■■■■■ in it as late as '87From memory the usual Fuller shift pattern found in the TM was deffo the ‘round the gate’ RTO one not any of the H shift patterns ?.
Strangely also don’t remember the Spicer being used other than in the also rare 6v92 spec.
But agreed a 475 would be a flying machine whether 9 speed or 13.It would be interesting to find out more about this extremely rare beast and where it can be seen on the show circuit.
Statham potatoes of Barlestone, Leicestershire had a ■■■■■■■ powered TM with the Spicer gearbox. No pre-select like the Leyland Roadtrains.
colinwallace1:
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
RTX better shift pattern. 13-sp probably preferred by drivers; but at 475 the 9-sp would have been easily adequate at the then 38 tonnes. ERF offered the RTX 14609 in its owner-driver spec E-series with the 400 ■■■■■■■ in it as late as '87From memory the usual Fuller shift pattern found in the TM was deffo the ‘round the gate’ RTO one not any of the H shift patterns ?.
Strangely also don’t remember the Spicer being used other than in the also rare 6v92 spec.
But agreed a 475 would be a flying machine whether 9 speed or 13.It would be interesting to find out more about this extremely rare beast and where it can be seen on the show circuit.Statham potatoes of Barlestone, Leicestershire had a ■■■■■■■ powered TM with the Spicer gearbox. No pre-select like the Leyland Roadtrains.
I’m wondering if it was possible to spec Fuller boxes even in the case of the ‘supposed’ standard’ fitment of the Spicer like with the 8v71.
From memory our orders were mostly either 6v71 or 8v92 anyway and as stated only ever saw the Spicer fitted in a 6v92 order which I guess might have just been an issue of availability rather than customer choice.
As for ■■■■■■■ in a TM.In our specialist sector the Detroit was King in everything.With only the ■■■■■■■ 903 V8 used in some very rare Scammell based vehicles which was eventually usurped by Detroit on customer demand anyway.
Which is why the TM was rightly so well liked everywhere around the world for specialist applications like fire trucks at least.
Also bearing in mind that the anti Detroit thing was a specifically British one it was loved everywhere else including the Eastern Euro Bloc.
Carryfast:
colinwallace1:
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
RTX better shift pattern. 13-sp probably preferred by drivers; but at 475 the 9-sp would have been easily adequate at the then 38 tonnes. ERF offered the RTX 14609 in its owner-driver spec E-series with the 400 ■■■■■■■ in it as late as '87From memory the usual Fuller shift pattern found in the TM was deffo the ‘round the gate’ RTO one not any of the H shift patterns ?.
Strangely also don’t remember the Spicer being used other than in the also rare 6v92 spec.
But agreed a 475 would be a flying machine whether 9 speed or 13.It would be interesting to find out more about this extremely rare beast and where it can be seen on the show circuit.Statham potatoes of Barlestone, Leicestershire had a ■■■■■■■ powered TM with the Spicer gearbox. No pre-select like the Leyland Roadtrains.
I’m wondering if it was possible to spec Fuller boxes even in the case of the ‘supposed’ standard’ fitment of the Spicer like with the 8v71.
From memory our orders were mostly either 6v71 or 8v92 anyway and as stated only ever saw the Spicer fitted in a 6v92 order which I guess might have just been an issue of availability rather than customer choice.
As for ■■■■■■■ in a TM.In our specialist sector the Detroit was King in everything.With only the ■■■■■■■ 903 V8 used in some very rare Scammell based vehicles which was eventually usurped by Detroit on customer demand anyway.
Which is why the TM was rightly so well liked everywhere around the world for specialist applications like fire trucks at least.
Also bearing in mind that the anti Detroit thing was a specifically British one it was loved everywhere else including the Eastern Euro Bloc.
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.
ERF-NGC-European:
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.0
Sure that’s a low torque rated RTO 9 speed Ro not 6 speed just as I remembered it.While we know that the 4400 was also an RTO 9.
While as stated I can only remember the Spicer fitted with a 6v92 because I remember the other drivers questioning why the more difficult less forgiving shift of the Spicer when a Fuller would fit just like with the 6v71 and 8v92 and from memory the few 8v71’s that we had at least.
The spicer was used in all the early wide cab V8 TM’s-as far as I know there wasn’t an option for anything else
vwvanman0:
0Nice example seen on a roadrun this weekend
This used to be painted dark blue and white and pulled an exhibition trailer for Delphi components.it used to be a regular at the Bedford gathering I believe
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.0
Sure that’s a low torque rated RTO 9 speed Ro not 6 speed just as I remembered it.While we know that the 4400 was also an RTO 9.
While as stated I can only remember the Spicer fitted with a 6v92 because I remember the other drivers questioning why the more difficult less forgiving shift of the Spicer when a Fuller would fit just like with the 6v71 and 8v92 and from memory the few 8v71’s that we had at least.
Yes, you’re quite right: 9-sp Fuller (slip of the thumb there, I’m afraid ). Never liked Spicer. Give me Fuller any day!
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.0
Sure that’s a low torque rated RTO 9 speed Ro not 6 speed just as I remembered it.While we know that the 4400 was also an RTO 9.
While as stated I can only remember the Spicer fitted with a 6v92 because I remember the other drivers questioning why the more difficult less forgiving shift of the Spicer when a Fuller would fit just like with the 6v71 and 8v92 and from memory the few 8v71’s that we had at least.
Where did you work that had 8v71 Detroit Bedfords fitted with anything other than a Spicer gearbox?
You said that you’d no experience of them except in 6v92’s-name an operator in the U.K. that had these?
The Roadtrains had them as standard and I don’t think there was much complaining about them at the time either-i can remember being with my father when we borrowed a new T45 unit when our TM had a fuel starvation problem, and the old man just drove it.didn’t complain, it was what it was.not a bad motor at all at the time.
Undoubtedly the Fuller box was preferred in everything at the time, but when the TM first came out, the V8 was 100 percent fitted with a spicer ten speed.
My father operated these vehicles,it would seem that you have swallowed the internet again Carryfast.
andrew.s:
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.0
Sure that’s a low torque rated RTO 9 speed Ro not 6 speed just as I remembered it.While we know that the 4400 was also an RTO 9.
While as stated I can only remember the Spicer fitted with a 6v92 because I remember the other drivers questioning why the more difficult less forgiving shift of the Spicer when a Fuller would fit just like with the 6v71 and 8v92 and from memory the few 8v71’s that we had at least.Where did you work that had 8v71 Detroit Bedfords fitted with anything other than a Spicer gearbox?
You said that you’d no experience of them except in 6v92’s-name an operator in the U.K. that had these?
The Roadtrains had them as standard and I don’t think there was much complaining about them at the time either-i can remember being with my father when we borrowed a new T45 unit when our TM had a fuel starvation problem, and the old man just drove it.didn’t complain, it was what it was.not a bad motor at all at the time.
Undoubtedly the Fuller box was preferred in everything at the time, but when the TM first came out, the V8 was 100 percent fitted with a spicer ten speed.
My father operated these vehicles,it would seem that you have swallowed the internet again Carryfast.
In my case ‘the operator’ was numerous different specialist fire truck customers mostly export based and certainly not usually limited to what was offered in the Bedford UK sales brochure.
Just like Scandinavian drawbar prime mover operators which is how the turbo 92 series TMs originated thereby also providing exactly what our specialist sector needed.
You probably won’t find Bedford’s special order approved Tricentrol Chassis Developments skunk works on the internet in that regard.
The resulting products eventually then finding their way onto Bedford’s UK sales catalogue in the early 80’s including the 6v92.
As for the Roadtrain I’m sure that Euro export versions were fitted with Fullers not Spicer’s.
Having said that I also don’t get the anti Spicer thing like the 12 speed ZF it’s just a bit less forgiving of badly matched shifts.
But obviously more reason why the Fuller would be preferred for fire trucks and demanding terrain.
Carryfast:
andrew.s:
Carryfast:
ERF-NGC-European:
This page from a Bedford TM brochure states that 6v-71s were fitted with Fuller 6-sp boxes and 8v-71s with Spicer 10-sp boxes.0
Sure that’s a low torque rated RTO 9 speed Ro not 6 speed just as I remembered it.While we know that the 4400 was also an RTO 9.
While as stated I can only remember the Spicer fitted with a 6v92 because I remember the other drivers questioning why the more difficult less forgiving shift of the Spicer when a Fuller would fit just like with the 6v71 and 8v92 and from memory the few 8v71’s that we had at least.Where did you work that had 8v71 Detroit Bedfords fitted with anything other than a Spicer gearbox?
You said that you’d no experience of them except in 6v92’s-name an operator in the U.K. that had these?
The Roadtrains had them as standard and I don’t think there was much complaining about them at the time either-i can remember being with my father when we borrowed a new T45 unit when our TM had a fuel starvation problem, and the old man just drove it.didn’t complain, it was what it was.not a bad motor at all at the time.
Undoubtedly the Fuller box was preferred in everything at the time, but when the TM first came out, the V8 was 100 percent fitted with a spicer ten speed.
My father operated these vehicles,it would seem that you have swallowed the internet again Carryfast.In my case ‘the operator’ was numerous different specialist fire truck customers mostly export based and certainly not usually limited to what was offered in the Bedford UK sales brochure.
Just like Scandinavian drawbar prime mover operators which is how the turbo 92 series TMs originated thereby also providing exactly what our specialist sector needed.
You probably won’t find Bedford’s special order approved Tricentrol Chassis Developments skunk works on the internet in that regard.
The resulting products eventually then finding their way onto Bedford’s UK sales catalogue in the early 80’s including the 6v92.
As for the Roadtrain I’m sure that Euro export versions were fitted with Fullers not Spicer’s.
Having said that I also don’t get the anti Spicer thing like the 12 speed ZF it’s just a bit less forgiving of badly matched shifts.
But obviously more reason why the Fuller would be preferred for fire trucks and demanding terrain.
So your experience of TM’s was fire truck manufacturers, i don’t doubt this, but you post like you actually know about the models that were actually out doing haulage-i thought it was common knowledge that the early v8 TM’s only had spicer ten speed splitters, but your posts seem to suggest otherwise!
The early TM wide cab V8’s had spicer ten speed splitters and French Soma rear axles
The narrow cab V6 Detroit examples had the Fuller 9 speed with the arse about face gear change.the 500 Bedford engined models had a six speed…
Undoubtedly the later models had the 9 speed Fuller and the 13 speed available and ■■■■■■■ engines.
A super E370 ■■■■■■■ and 13 speed Fuller would be my choice
andrew.s:
Carryfast:
So your experience of TM’s was fire truck manufacturers, i don’t doubt this, but you post like you actually know about the models that were actually out doing haulage-i thought it was common knowledge that the early v8 TM’s only had spicer ten speed splitters, but your posts seem to suggest otherwise!
The early TM wide cab V8’s had spicer ten speed splitters and French Soma rear axles
The narrow cab V6 Detroit examples had the Fuller 9 speed with the arse about face gear change.the 500 Bedford engined models had a six speed…
Undoubtedly the later models had the 9 speed Fuller and the 13 speed available and ■■■■■■■ engines.
A super E370 ■■■■■■■ and 13 speed Fuller would be my choice
To be fair a 475 Detroit powered TM would deffo have been a product of Bedford’s ‘special order’ catalogue if not an aftermarket upgrade.Just like the 435 and the origins of the ‘400’ before that.I don’t think that the Spicer was even rated for 1,200 lb/ft + operation.
The ■■■■■■■ also obviously wasn’t going to cut it in that power league.
In view of all that I don’t think that it would have been impossible for any customer to combine the 8v71 with the Fuller RTO if specifically requested.While there’s also no reason to suggest that any big power V8 92 series TM was fitted with anything other than the Fuller RTO to whichever required torque capacity.
Also bearing in mind that the specialist vehicle interest was mostly the result of the TMs capacity for development, driven by the export haulage market, in which Detroit power wasn’t subject to the discrimination it suffered here at home.In fact the opposite, like the FTF, being one of the only European truckanufactirers offering it and welcomed on that basis.
The big power Detroit TMs, for me, were one of pinnacles of UK truck manufacturing.Hopefully the example referred to is the real deal in that regard in probably being the most powerful Bedford ever produced and what a way to bow out.