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  • Bedford TK (1959-1992)
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Bedford
lorries Trucks
1950s
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History

Bedford TK

1959 to 1992
Bedford TK history
Overview
ManufacturerBedford Vehicles
Also calledMK (military model)
Production1959–1986 (Bedford)
1988-1992 (AWD)
AssemblyDunstable plant
Body and chassis
ClassCommercial vehicle, military vehicle
Body stylechassis cab, flatbed, troop carrier, tipper, recovery vehicle
LayoutLongitudinal front engine,
four-wheel drive (4x4)
Powertrain
Engine103 bhp 6-cylinder diesel
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase3.962 meter
Length6.579 meter
Width2.489 meter
Height2.501 (cap)
and 3.404 (tarpaulin)
Kerb weight5.1 ton
Chronology
PredecessorBedford S type
SuccessorBedford TL

 

The Bedford TK is a larger foward control truck that was produced by the Vauxhall Motors-owned Bedford Vehicles company. Launched in 1959 to replace the Bedford S type, the TK was scheduled to be replaced by the Bedford TL in 1981, but manufacturing of the TK continued as a cheaper alternative.

TK series as KA, KG and so on. Depending on their tonnage and years, these vehicles, in Diesel version, are equipped with 4-cylinder engines of 3.29 and 3.60 liters (200 and 220 cu in) or 6-cylinder engines of 4.93 and 5.41 liters (300 and 330 cu in).

In the advanced cabin version (TK series) with engine at the rear of the cabin which allows 3 seats in the front as in a normal cabin, these vehicles exist in as many as twenty different model versions in the chassis cab series., available as platform or tipper, tractor as well as the 4 x 4 version. "

A military 4x4 version called the Bedford MK was also produced. After Bedford's Dunstable factory was sold in 1987 to AWD, the TK restarted production for military only use until 1992 when AWD went into receivership.

History and use

The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other specialist utilities. A General Post Office (later British Telecom) version used for installing telegraph poles was known as the "Polecat".

Bedford-TK-trucks-coca-cola

1960s Film. Bedford TK trucks-coca-cola logos

Available with an inline four or inline six cylinder petrol and diesel engines - the TK was the quintessential light truck in the UK through most of the 1960s and 1970s, competing with the similar Ford D series. It was available in rigid form, and also as a light tractor unit normally using the Scammell coupling form of semi-trailer attachment.

An unusual variation on the well-known TK range (which covers payloads of 3.50 to 11.40 tons) is the TK 1260 Twin Steer model specially developed to keep axle loadings legal under variable delivery conditions. Small wheels also reduce loading height.
It has a 14.730 kg (14.5 ton) GVW, 5 forward gears and six-cylinder 81 98 cc (500.3 cu in.) diesel engine developing 94.3 kW (126.5 bhp) net.

In 1981 Bedford introduced turbocharging to the "Red Series" 3.6-litre and 5.4-litre diesel engines, now producing 72 bhp and 102 bhp respectively.

Model range

Series models with many variants and ending such as (A) (T) (F) and (S) for short (L) for long. Also numbers as: 570, 850, 1000 and so on.

KA

1960s: KFA 10-ton Tractor (4 x 2). Engine Bedford petrol or Diesel. Number, of cylinders 6. Cubic capacity 48927 litres (petrol), 5.42 litres or 5.76 litres (Diesel). B.H.P. 133 (petrol), 107 or 105 (fuel injection). Overall length 14 ft. 4} in. Overall width 7 ft. .in. Height (to top of cab) 7 ft. 1} in. Turning circle 30 ft. 6 in. Wheel-base 8 ft. Track 6 ft. in. (front), 5 ft. in. (rear). Fuel tank capacity 26 gallons. 

KB

KC

1960s : KC 3-ton Truck (4 x 2). Engine  Bedford petrol or Diesel. Number of cylinders 6 petrol), 4 (Diesel). Cubic capacity 3519 litres (petrol), 3614 litres (Diesel). B.H.P. 100 or 70. Overall length 20 ft. 8 in. Overall width 7 ft. 3 in. Height (to top of cab) 7 ft. 3 in. Turning circle 44 ft. Wheel-base 11 ft. 3 in. Track 6 ft. 2} in. (front), 5 ft. 4} in. (rear). Fuel tank capacity 20 gallons. Gross weight 5 tons. 

KD 

KE

KF

KH

1960s :Bedford KHT 9-ton Heavy Duty Tipper (4 X 2). Engine Leyland 400-S fuel injeetion. Number of cylinders 6. Cubic  capacity 6.54 litrcs. B.H.P. 125. Overall length 17 ft. 10 in. Overall width 7 ft. 5/2 in. hejght (to top of cab) 7 ft. 7 in. Turning circle 4 ft. Wheel-base 10 ft. Track 6 ft. (front), 5 ft. in. (rear). Fuel tank capacity 20 gallons. 

KG

KE

KF

KG

MK

Bedford MKs - a 4x4 variant of the TK - are still used by the British Armed Forces. The Bedford MK was introduced to replace the Bedford RL. It was very successful and by year end 1977 a total of 11,700 units had been produced for the British Army and overseas military services. The MK has been produced in many variants.

1971 Bedford MK truck.

MK in popular culture

The Bedford MK has had many appearances over the years, in TV such as Doctor Who, the Saint and Heartbeat. can often be seen in films from the 1960s.

Bedford TK in The Fast Lady Movie from 1962

bedford-TK-The-Fast-Lady-Movie-1962

Related items
Vehicles launched in 1959 | British Commercial vehicles | Lorry-Trucks | Military | TV Cars | Commercial vehicles

Technical

  • Bedford TK Technical details and specifications (1959-1992)

    Engine 214 petrol Cubic capacity- 214.7cu.in. (3 1/2 litres)

    Type - 4-stroke; overhead valves
    Cooling system - Water pump radiator
    Number of cylinders - 6 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 3-375in.
    Stroke - 4.0in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 6.75:1; 130/1401b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 86 at 3,400 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 170 at 1,200 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 2 comp.; 1 oil .
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) - 25 to 35
    Gudgeon pin diameter - 0-8125 to 0-8122in.
    Crankpin diameter -010, .020, .030, .040in
    Con. rod length (centres) - 6-942 to 6-932in.
    Camshaft drive—type - Chain
    Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco

    Carburettor (Zenith) 42VN
    Choke tube - 36 (3 bars)
    Main jet - 135
    Air correction jet - 135
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2.0 (l.6 washer)

    Carburettor (Zenith) 34VN
    Choke tube - 29 (l bar)
    Main jet - 115
    Air correction jet - 100
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2-25 (2mm washer)

    Carburettor (Zenith) 37VNR
    Choke tube - 32 (3 bar)
    Main jet - 130
    Air correction jet - 100
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2-25 (2mm washer)

    Engine 300 Petrol 300.7cu.in. (5 litres)

    Type - 4 stroke
    Cooling system - Water pump radiator
    Number of cylinders - 6 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 3.875in
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 6.6:1 125/1351b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 114 at 3,200 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 222 at 1,200 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 2 comp.; 1 oil .
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) - 25 to 35
    Gudgeon pin diameter - 1.0002 to 0.9998in.
    Crankpin diameter - 1.0002 to 0.9998in.
    Con. rod length (centres) - 6-942 to 6-932in.
    Camshaft drive—type - Gears
    Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco mech

    Carburettor (Zenith) 48VIN
    Choke tube - 36 (no bars)
    Main jet - 150
    Air correction jet - 140
    Pilot jet - 70
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 80
    Needle valve 2.5 (l.6 washer)

    220 Diesel 220cu.in. Engine

    Type - 4-stroke, overhead valves Direct injection
    Cooling system - fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders - 4 (dry liners)
    Firing order - 1-3-4-2
    Bore - 4.0625in.
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 17:1 420/4801b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 64,8 at 2,600 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 153 at 1,400 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 3 comp.; 2 oil
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35
    Valve timing- Inlet opens, 160 48' B.T.D.C. 660 A.B.D.C. Exhaust opens, 460 48' B.B.D.C.; closes 360 A.T.D.C.

    330 Diesel 330cu.in.Engine

    Type - 4-stroke, overhead valves.side camshaft Direct injection
    Cooling system - fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders - 6 (dry liners)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 4.0625in.
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 17:1 420/4801b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 98 at 2,600 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 234 at 1,800 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 3 comp.; 2 oil
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35
    Valve timing- Inlet opens, 160 48' B.T.D.C. 660 A.B.D.C. Exhaust opens, 460 48' B.B.D.C.; closes 360 A.T.D.C.

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