Cab sets trend
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• A glass-reinforced plastics crew-cab introduced by Stoke on-Trent bodybuilder Whiteacres for the Iveco Ford Cargo range may set the trend in this area.
By sub-contracting the manufacture of the GRP cab extension, the bodybuilder keeps down development costs. While Whiteacres is anticipating sales in high volumes, the final specification can be selected by the customer. Options include: electric cab hydraulics; sun roof, cab heater; and even a television set.
Prices range from 23,630 plus VAT for the short (1,270inm) cab with municipal seating, to £4,080 plus VAT for the long (1,524mm) cab with four de luxe seats.
The Cargo crewcabs are likely to be joined by a similar range for MAN vehicles, and the Renault Dodge 50-Series soon; talks are taking place now with these manufacturers.
The cab is basically a 2.5rnm thick GRP shell with a rigid steel frame that is bonded in to place. The steel frame is then welded to an underframe that is bolted to the existing vehicle chassis.
Iveco Ford recommends the use of a secondary underframe to prevent undue torsion being fed between the vehicle chassis and the cab.
The double-skinned GRP shell is filled with insulation material to reduce the in-cab noise levels.