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Bedford TJ

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Bedford TJ
1966 Bedford TJ
Overview
ManufacturerBedford Vehicles
AWD Trucks
Hindustan Motors
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
Also calledAWD-Bedford TJ
Production1958–1998
AssemblyDunstable, Bedfordshire
Cambridge Airport, England
Body and chassis
ClassMedium-duty truck
RelatedBedford TA
Dimensions
Kerb weight2,998–24,000 lb (1,360–10,886 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorBedford TD
SuccessorBedford KB and Bedford CF (J0/J1 models)

The Bedford TJ is a truck that was produced by Bedford and their successors from 1958 to 1998, as a replacement for the earlier Bedford A series of medium-duty trucks that were produced between 1953 and 1958. The truck was the last bonneted truck produced by the company, and the last vehicle to be produced to have a relation with Bedford Vehicles.

History

The Bedford TJ started getting produced in 1958 as the company's new bonneted truck model, after the discontinuation of the Bedford TA truck (which was styled after the 1950s GM trucks of the same time), however, the TJ truck was a little more than just an updated version of the TA truck, and shared many components with that vehicle. The TJ trucks were produced in many versions but was not a big seller in its home market, but sales were moderately well so it was kept available in its home market up until 1975.[1] The lightest versions of the truck were the J0 and J1 models, with payloads up to 1100 kg. They were not very popular and were produced until the 1970s, when they were superseded by Bedford's main light truck vehicles, like the Bedford KB and Bedford CF.

After 1975 the production of the truck continued, but only for the export market, on which it was very popular with over 10,000 vehicles being built in 1982. In 1987 the Bedford factories that produced heavy-duty trucks (such as the TJ, TK, TM and TL), were sold to off to David J.B. Brown, who used their assets to form AWD Trucks, while the Bedford factories that produced light trucks (such as the Bedford CF, the Bedford HA, the Bedford Midi and the Bedford Rascal), were re-formed as IBC Vehicles.[1]

The production of the TJ continued but now it was renamed to AWD TJ and received an all-new all-wheel drive powertrain, which made it more capable in badly made roads. In 1992 the AWD Trucks brand was merged with Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group that discontinued most civilian models of the company, and kept only the TJ trucks in production, due to their popularity, especially in developing countries, although production of military vehicles continued.

Brown had opened another company called Multidrive Vehicles which produced 8x6 versions of the Bedford TL and Bedford TM trucks for various militaries around the world, in 1996 the company was bought by Caterpillar who rebadged the company's truck and continued producing them. In 1998 Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group re-named the AWD Trucks brand into Marshall Special Vehicles, and so all the Bedford models were discontiniued.[1]

Caterpillar offered to continue their production, but by that time it was clear that it did not comply with safety and fuel regulations and so the truck was finally discontinued in 1998, with over 500,000 trucks having been built by that time.[1]

Other markets

Pakistan

In Pakistan, the J5/6 is very popular and dominated commercial vehicular traffic. It has a cult status among drivers and is known for its power, reliability, and durability. Over 50% of the trucks in Pakistan are Bedford vehicles.[2]

India

An Indian company, Hindustan Motors, also produced the larger versions (J5/6) of the vehicle in that country from 1968, production lasted until 1995 when the vehicle proved to be unable to compete with Tata and Ashok Leyland vehicles.

Australia

The TJ was widely exported. In Australia they were distributed by GM-Holden.

Models

A Bedford J0 pickup
  • J0
  • J1
  • J2
  • J3
  • J4
  • J5
  • J6

Chassis codes

1958 To June 1967

  • J1 30cwt.
  • J2S 3ton.
  • J2L 3ton. (GVM - 5ton)
  • J2LC 3ton (GVM - 4.5ton)
  • J3L 4ton.
  • J4L 5ton.
  • J4E 5ton.
  • J4A 8ton tractor.
  • J5S 6ton.
  • J5L 6ton.
  • J6S 7ton.
  • J6L 7ton.

A 3rd or 4th number indicates engine type;

  • 1 = 300cu. in Diesel
  • 2 = 214cu. in Gasoline
  • 3 = 300cu. in Gasoline
  • 5 = 330cu. in Diesel
  • 7 = 200cu. in Diesel
  • 10 =220cu. in Diesel

July 1967 onwards

A Bedford TJ truck in Bangladesh, looks to be late model from the 1980s-1990s

Chassis codes changed in July 1967 to ensure Bedford complied with new legislation introduced in the UK (Construction and Use Regulations).

  • CDD/CHD 30cwt.
  • CDJ/CHJ 3ton.
  • CDL/CHL 4ton.
  • CFM/CJM 5ton.
  • CFN/CJN 6ton.
  • CFQ/CJQ 7 ton.

The 2nd letter indicates engine type;

  • D = 214cu. in Gasoline
  • F =3 00cu. in Gasoline
  • H = 220cu. in Diesel
  • J = 330cu. in Diesel

Engines

The engines available included:

  • 214cu Gasoline
  • 300cu Gasoline
  • 300cu Diesel
  • 330cu Diesel
  • 200cu Diesel
  • 220cu Diesel

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Bedford Trucks Club Registry". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Bedford J5 'Jingle Truck'". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
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