Extended Chassis to Take Removals Van Bodies
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ACHASSIS conversion which has a specific interest for those hauliers engaged in the furniture-removals business is that for which Messrs. J.L.C. Motors, The Quadrant, Weybridge, Surrey, are responsible. The chassis concerned are the Thames and Fordson, the alterations which are effected being recognized by the Ford Motor Co., Ltd.
The work carried out by Messrs. J.L.C. Motors is concerned with the lengthening of the wheelbase and"the provision of extended chassis sidemembers, which are replicas of the Ford side-members. The J.L.C. extension is butt-welded at the point where the frame is cut, the joint being suitably reinforced by substantial angle members bolted inside the channel, a A deep-sectioned cross-member is added to sugport the forward end of the torque tube and propeller shaft, between which cross-member and the gearbox comes the J.L.C. extension shaft. This is tubular and 3 ins, in diameter, the universal joints at each end being enclosed.
By suitably altering the brake link. age, braking efficiency, commensurate with the increased size of the vehicle, has been obtained.
The normal wheelbase of the Thrpes 2-tanner or 3-tonner. on which these extensions have been made, is 9 ft. 10 ins., and an extension, bringing this measurement up to 15 ft. 3 ins., increases the weight of the chassis by approximately 11 cwt. With the body shown in an accompanying illustration, which, incidentally, is just under 1,000 cubic ft. capacity, the licensing weight comes well below 50 cwt.
On the Thames model the standard extensions are: 12 ft. 6 ins., 13 ft. 6 ins„
14 ft. 6 ins. and 15 ft, 3 ins. By arrangement, an extension giving a 16-ft. 3-in, wheelbase can be introduced. On the Fordson, with a normal wheelbase of 13 ft. I in., extensions to give a wheelbase of 14 ft. 6 ins. or IS ft. 3 ins. form the standard conver sion measurements, but these can be increased up to 18 ff. 6, ins.
It may be as well to mention that the J .1..C. scheme bas been well tried out over a number of years in the hands of such operators ,as Se:fridges, Ltd., W. Whiteley, Ltd., The Army and Navy Stores and other big concerns.
The particular body illustrated is of interest in that tit; overall height is unusually low for a furniture van. Whilst this may be looked upon a.. a disadvantage from the capacity point of view, it has fqr its object the simplification of loading and; what is more, it is not possible to pile so many pieces of furniture one on top of the other, which thus reduces the chances of damage.
Increased capacity can be obtained by taking advantage of the legal Overhang limit and, of course, ty raising
• the roof. Outriggers, too, can be fitted.
The composition of the body is somewhat unorthodox in that Sundeala • panels are used up to the waist-line, above which there is a light foundation to take tarpaulin sheet.