The Dodge Rar th New Styling
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ARADICAL change in styling, together with improvements in chassis details, has been incorporated in a new range of vehicles made by Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., Kew. The' series comprises seven models with nominal payload ratings ranging from 2 tons to 6 tons. These are long-wheelbase and shortwheelbase chassis, all powered by six-cylindered petrol or oil engines, according to the specification.
Semi-forward control has been retained, but by moving the power unit forward by 9 ins, and the front axle by 3 ins., more re0111 has been provided in the cab, without sacrificing load space or engine accessibility.
All-steel Cab
Frontal appearance of the new range is imposing, without going to extremes. The distinctive style of the bonnet and grille is accentuated by domed wings with flush-fitting chromium-plated headlamps and a deep bumper bar, which is attached directly to the chassis frame. The bonnet is a one-piece pressing, hinged at the rear to give easy access to the engine and hollow-shaped to increase visibility.
Of all-steel construction, the cab is solidly welded into a unit, forming a rigid box structure. The cowl section and rear panel have reinforcement ribs and steel braces to prevent drumming, and the doors are steel-panelled, both inside and outside.
To improve visibility for the driver, the windscreen is carried between narrow pillars and its lower edge conforms to the contour of the bonnet. Deep door windows and two large lights in the rear panel give a wide-angle view.
Cab on Sub-frame
An interesting innovation is the use of a sub-frame to carry the complete cab, together with wings, bonnet and radiator. The sub-frame is mounted on the chassis in a way that keeps the components always in correct alignment and relieved of stresses when operating on rough ground.
The seats are adjustable for leg length and back support within a range of 4 ins., and.are shaped for comfortable riding. Added luxury is imparted by the interior fittings of polished chromium and the cab trim from the waist downwards. Insulation against noise and heat is incorporated. In addition to fulldrop windows in the doors and to an opening windscreen panel in front of the driver, operated by a single control, there are two large cowl vents.
96 With the exception of fitting a rotor-pattern oil pump, practically no change has been made in the petrol engines. The smaller engine, which is adapted to the 2-3-ton and 5-ton models, develops 109 b.h.p. at 3,600 r p.m., whilst the larger version, developing 114 b.h.p. at 3,600 r.p.m., is used, in conjunction with a five-speed gearbox, in the 6-ton models.
A Perkins P.6 oil engine is available. for the 5-ton short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase chassis, which also incorporate a five-speed gearbox when fitted with the compression-ignition power unit.
Both petrol engines have L-shaped heads, coated aluminiumalloy pistons an,d fully balanced four bearing crankshafts. Steel-backed precision-type main and big-end bearings are used, and the lubrication system includes a floating-screen oil intake and replaceable-element filter.
Braking has received special consideration, and all models, except the 2-3-tanner, have Hydrovac servo brakes. The Hydroyac unit is mounted amidships on the chassisframe side members. . An enginedriven exhausteris fitted to the chassis which has the Perkins power unit.
The hydraulic system can be operated independently of vacuum assistance.All the 5-ton and 6-ton chassis have two -leading shoe braking with the Lockheed phase 11 system incorporating an individual cylinder for each shoe at the front axle. • To provide an ample measure of reserve strength, the frame depth and frontal width have been increased in all models and the side members are downsvvept beyond the front springhanger brackets to form a rigid support for the burfmer. Triangulated cross-bracing is retained on the frames of both the 5-tonner and 6-tonner.
Built-up Axle Casing A fully floating spiral-bevel rear axle is now used in the 2-3-ton chassis. It has a straddle-mounted drive pinion and four-pinion differential carried between adjustable taper-roller bearings. The .axle casing is constructed of steel tubes and has a cast-steel centre.
A spiral-bevel rear axle is also fitted to the 5-ton and 6-ton models. This axle is formed as a one-piece pressed-steel casing of rectangular
section. A spiral-bevel two-speed rear axle, available as an optional extra on the 5-tonner and 6-tonner, gives alternative top-gear ratiosof 5.14 and 7.15 to 1. The axle has a vacuum-operated change mechanism with a fingertip control oh the gear lever.
Front and rear axles of all models have been ,designed to provide a widertrack; which will permit. the fitting of the lciw-pressure•= tyres required by Many "overseas opera,. tors. The 5-ton and 6-ton types . — have .high-efficiency cam-and-lever steering, in which friction is minimized by mounting the conical peg in a roller bearing and the cam between ball bearings. Export models will be available with left.
hand or right-hand drive. Other features of the steering gear include a sturdier track rod and drag link, and more rigid support for the steering box.
The front and rear suspension is by semi-elliptic springs designed so that they are flat under load. The rear springs are of progressive pattern. Larger-diameter shackle pins are employed in conjunction with heavier hanger brackets • and spring shackles.
In the new range the 2-3-tonner has been designated Model 64. Equipped with 32-in. by 6-in. tyres, it has a gross running weight. of 51 tons. It has an 11-ft. 9-in. wheelbase, 109 b.h.p petrol engine and four-speed gearbox.
Fitted with a .similar -power unit and four-speed gearbox, Model 103, a 9-ft. 11-in.-wheelbase 5-tonner, has 34-in. by 7-in. tyres and a permissible operating weight of 81 tons. When ,powered by the Perkins engine and equipped with a five-speed gearbox, this vehicle, operating with a trailer, has a combined gross laden weight of 12 tons 1 cwt.
• Model 105 is a 13-ft. 9-in.wheelbase 5-tonner with a 109 b.h.p. petrol engine and four-speed gearbox. When the Perkins power unit and five-speed box are employed, the designation is changed to 105/P6. Tyre sizes of 34 ins. by 7 ins. are standard for these two chassis_
Both short-wheelbase, and longwheelbase 6-tonners, known as Models 123 and 125 respectively, have the 114 b.h.p. petrol unit and five-speed gearbox, and are equipped with 8.25 by 20/35 by 71 tyres. The 9-ft.. 11-in.-wheelbase chassis has a gross running weight of 91 tons when operating as a solo machine and 12 tons 19 cwt. when hauling a trailer: Model 125 has a 13-ft. 9-in. wheelbase. Alternative tyre equipment is• available for export models.