Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Motor Car Guide
    • Engines By Make
    • Engine Components
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
  • Trivia
    • Vintage Advertising
    • Race events
    • Film & TV
    • Museums
  • links
    • Advertise your business
    • About us
  • Register
  • Log in
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bedford
  • Bedford TM (1974-1986)
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bedford
Categories
Bedford
lorries Trucks
1970s
Britain

Info

Bedford TM Lorry

 (1974 to 1986)

Bedford TM truck range

 

The Bedford TM was a heavy goods vehicle constructed by Bedford Vehicles, the British arm of General Motors' commercial vehicle division, between 1974 and 1986. Up until the TM, Bedford had been building mostly low-specification short haul distribution trucks, such as the Bedford TK and KM. In view of the increasing popularity of high cab "luxury" cabs in the maximum weight long distance category, such as the Volvo F88, Scania 110 and Leyland Marathon, Bedford designed the TM as a competitor.

History

The TM was originally introduced in 1974, and was of a clean and modern design. A thorough update in 1982 left the appearance mostly untouched - perhaps to the detriment of sales of the mostly new model. Improvements included the new Detroit Diesel "Silver 92" engine, a new frame, many new engine and transmission options, and a variety of other updated fittings. The Fuller transmissions now received a new telescopic shift mechanism, allowing for a sealed cabin floor. The cab is counterbalanced so as to allow one-man tilting, while two front flaps allow access to check on vitals.

Powertrain

Through its lifespan, it was available with a Detroit Diesel two-stroke V8 and V6, the Bedford 500 turbo engine also known as the "8.2 Blue", or a Cummins L10 - coupled to either a Fuller or Spicer transmission, and a S.O.M.A. rear axle (dropped after the 1982 facelift). The Detroit engine (introduced in 1982) was not a successful choice in the UK. Because of its high-revving characteristics, it proved unpopular with drivers, who were used to slow revving, long stroke, UK diesels. It was also disliked by operators because of its poor fuel economy.

Bedford TM truck cab

Variants

Available as either an articulated tractor unit, or as a rigid, in either wide or narrow day and sleeper cabs, the TM was actually a highly competent vehicle, and over the years was a common sight with some of the larger UK operators. It offered new standards of comfort and refinement especially for a Bedford.

The TM 4-4 is an 8-tonne capacity 4x4 with tilt cab of which €40 million worth had been ordered by the British Ministry of Defence for delivery from 1980. It uses the Bedford six-cylinder 500 series engine 8198 cc.

TM 3800 plated for 38 tonnes GTW but limited to 32 tons in UK. It has the Cummins E-290 diesel developing 273bhp or the Detroit V-8 297 bhp diesel, A larger capacity TM 4200 for 42 tonnes G TW is also available, and other TMs are available with 2 or 3 axles as artics and rigids.

End of production

The model finally bowed out in 1986, with the collapse of its parent company; the UK military continues to use some four-wheel drive and six-wheel drive TMs but they are being replaced by more modern trucks produced by MAN SE

Late 1985 Bedford TM 4400 truck

Late 1985 Bedford TM

Related items
Vehicles launched in 1974 | British Commercial vehicles | Lorry-Trucks | Commercial vehicles

Technical

  • Bedford TM Technical details and specifications (1974-1986)


    ENGINE :Detroit Diesel Type W V6
    Type - 2-stroke, V6 4 overhead exhaust valves per cylinder operated by push-rods
    Cooling system - Water pump, fan radiator (6/81b./in.')
    Number of cylinders - 6 (dry,liners)
    Firing order - 1L-3R-3L-2R-2L-2R-1R
    idle speed - 500 r.p.m.; governed speed, 2100 r.p.m
    Bore - 4.25in
    Stroke - 5in
    Cubic capacity - 426 in (6.97 litres)
    Brake horse-power - 221 at 2100 r.p.m.
    Torque (lb.ft.) - 593 at 1400 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 3 compression, 2 oil
    Oil presure (lb./in.2) 50/70 1b./in. hot, at 1800 r.p.m. -
    main bearings - 4 Thin shell, steel-backed, lead-bronze
    Valve timing—inlet - Opens 124°ATDC; closes 236°ATDC
    Valve timing—Exhaust -Opens 76°ATDC; closes 270°ATDC
    Injector type - G.M. Allison Divn, type 71 (N—65), No. 5228900

    TRANSMISSION V6

    Type - Rear-wheel drive 4 x 2. 6 x 2 .6 x 4
    Clutch - Rollway or spicer 14in. diam. twin plate
    Gearbox (manual) - Fuller RTO-0/D, 9-speed
    Drive shafts - Fully-floating, Eaton or Bedford axle

    ENGINE :Detroit Diesel Type X V8
    Type - 2-stroke, V8 4 overhead exhaust valves per cylinder operated by push-rods
    Cooling system - Water pump, fan radiator (6/81b./in.')
    Number of cylinders - 8 (dry,line)
    Firing order - 1L-3R-3L-4R-4L-2R-2L-1R
    idle speed - 500 r.p.m.; governed speed, 2100 r.p.m
    Bore - 4.25in
    Stroke - 5in
    Cubic capacity - (9.31 litres)
    Brake horse-power - 296 at 2100 r.p.m.
    Torque (lb.ft.) - 784 at 1600 r.p.m
    Piston rings—number - 3 compression, 2 oil
    Oil presure (lb./in.2) - 50/70 1b./in. hot, at 1800 r.p.m.
    Big-end bearings - 5 Thin shell, steel-backed, lead-bronze
    Valve timing—inlet - Opens 124°ATDC; closes 236°ATDC
    Valve timing—Exhaust -Opens 76°ATDC; closes 270°ATDC
    Injector type - G.M. Allison Divn, type 71 (N—65), No. 5228900


    TRANSMISSION V8
    Type - Rear-wheel drive 4 x 2. 6 x 2 .6 x 4
    Clutch - Rollway or spicer 14in. diam. twin plate
    Gearbox (manual) - Spicer 10-speed O/D
    Drive shafts - Fully-floating, Eaton or Bedford axle
    SERVICE

    BRAKES
    Front - 5.5in. diam.
    Rear - 5.5in. diam.
    Handbrake - Spring brakes on all truck rear axles front axles on 4 X 2 Tractors
    Power assistance - Clayton Dewandre, 3.line full-air

    STEERING
    Type - Burman recirculating ball, integral power assistance

    SUSPENSION

    Front
    Single I-beam axle; semi-elliptic taper, leaf springs; hydraulic, telescopic shock absorbers
    Spring length - 70in
    Number of leaves - 2
    Width of leaves - 2.95in.

    Rear
    Type - Semi-elliptic leaf springs ; shock-absorbers standard or optional according to model
    Number of leaves - main 9 or 10
    Width of leaves -2.95in.

    ELECTRICAL

    Battery - x2 24V. 128A.h; in-line engine,
    Battery earth -Negative
    Alternator -CAV AC5R-24; 31-8A. at 5000 r.p.m. -
    Starter motor -Delco-Remy 40MT, type 200

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Bedford TM Maintenance and Service Guide (1974-1986)


    Detroit Diesel Type W V6 (6.97 litres)
    Engine oil (total) - 34 pints
    Engine oil (service) -30 pints
    Gearbox - 15.5 pints
    Differential - 16 to 24 pints according to model
    Cooling system (total) - 88 pints
    Fuel tank - 30-43 gallons

    Detroit Diesel Type X V8 (9.31 litres)
    Engine oil (total) - 42 pints
    Engine oil (service) -38 pints
    Gearbox - 34 pints
    Differential - 16 to 24 pints according to model
    Cooling system (total) - 104 pints
    Fuel tank - 30-43 gallons

    © Motor car History

Gallery

Gallery

Maintenance

Maintenance Advanced Data

Members Only !  >>  Register here. <<

Models and years covered 1910 to around 2020 all make and years. Car and Commercial vehicles Worldwide including basic to advanced.

Including Below on request for members..

  • Engine rebuilds
  • Manufacturer recall checks
  • Known problems
  • Trouble shooting
  • Wiring diagrams
  • Transmission rebuilds
  • Brakes
  • Steering
  • Suspension
  • Wheel alignment data
  • Dimensions and sizes
  • Torque wrench settings
  • Capacities
  • Carburettors
  • Injection systems
  • Cooling system
  • Serial number locations
Share this page on Motor Car

Can’t see this article ?  >>  Register here. <<


Back to Top

© 2023 Motor Car History