Hang on a minute, your worst weren’t all that bad
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IT IS NICE To see criticism of foreign vehicles (“Worst trucks ever made”, CM 21 April). Still with the bigoted knocking of British products in the past, there are no true British manufacturers left. However, it is a pity that most of the authors didn’t seem to know much about the subjects they criticised.
The T in Big J4T stood for tractor unit to distinguish it from the haulage models that were J4 AEC AV470 and later AV505 engines could also be itted.
Contrary to the article, the Cummins V6 engine enabled a latter loor in the cab. The standard cab was no worse for sleeping in than other day cabs but a sleeper cab version was available as an option.
CM says: “Mercifully production ceased in 1979.” This was almost four years after Leyland announced it was going to be discontinued, due to operators realising
what good value for money it was compared to its competitors.
In the comments on the Foden S21, the author did not mention that as the load was applied to the front axles of the eight-wheeler, the track altered due to the axles moving further apart as both the swinging shackles were in the centre of the suspension.
I agree that the Leyland 500 series engines itted to the Buffalo could be troublesome but they “did not routinely” fail. The Buffalo sold in large numbers and many gave high mileages with good fuel consumption. The comments on the “spiteful” gearbox are nonsense unless it relates to the writer’s driving capabilities. It was a Fuller RTo609 as used by other manufacturers and an easy gearbox to use by experienced drivers. The ride was not “spine jarring” unless the trailer was badly loaded and the brakes were excellent.
No adverse criticism of any of these items were made by professional road testers in CM or its sister publication Motor Transport when they tested the vehicles. I agree that the interior inish was spartan on the Mk1s – the cabs were more comfortable than coachbuilt offerings on other makes – but the Mk2s were better trimmed and quieter.
If you plan more articles of this nature, I hope you will choose writers who will talk factually about these trucks. I know many tales of Volvo F86 failings, such as the range-change inhibitor not working and leaving a trail of parts down the road, but as they refer to foreign lorries, they were hushed up. RN Hannay Crewe, Cheshire Ed’s note: Well, any feature on the 10 worst trucks ever made was always going to be subjective... all suggestions for the list are welcome!