Transit with a difference
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FORD TRUCK specialist dealer Trimoco Trucks of Dunstable has been demonstrating a 12seater two-litre petrol-engined ICY 160 Transit crewbus fitted with a Gleason Torsen differential (CM May 5) to ambulance services, public utilities and construction companies.
Designed for use on vehicles with a limited off-road requirement, the Torsen differential uses a system of worm gears and worm wheels allowing normal wheel differentiation when cornering, but preventing individual wheels from spinning through loss of traction on slippery surfaces.
Eastern Electricity Board at Waltham Cross has ordered five Torsen units, while Bedfordshire Ambulance Service has taken one for service trials.
Trimoco is a dealer for the Torsen (torque sensing) differential, which is marketed by Gleason of Broadhembury, Devon.
The Torsen unit fits within an existing Transit rear-axle casing without modification and uses normal EP or HD90 gear lubricants.
Price for an LCY Transit Torsen diff is £283 plus vat and fitting by Trimoco.
A CM reporter recently drove the Trimoco demonstrator on a variety of off-road surfaces.
The two-litre 78hp Transit has a standard psv specification, except for the Torsen differential and Uniroyal Max T mud and snow tyres.
On loose shale, the Transit crewbus pulled away without any wheel slip and proved particularly stable cornering on uneven surfaces.
The lack of wheelspin was also apparent during hard acceleration.
On softer, more muddier surfaces, the Torsen diff allowed reasonable progress in conditions that would have caused problems for conventional vans.