First new UK Dodge 6x4 since 1972
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THE FIRST Dodge 6x4 to be produced at the Dunstable plant for the UK market in over 12 years goes on sale this week.
A prototype 24-tonne gvw Commando G24 was seen as early as October 1982 at the NEC Motor Show, but it was only last year, when this sector grew by 30 per cent, that Dodge felt the market was right.
Available with either 4.31m (170in) or 5.11m (201in) wheelbase dimensions, the Dodge's power is provided by a Perkins V8-540 8.83Iit (540cuin) diesel engine developing 127kW (170bhp) at 2,600rpm and installed torque of 53.8Nm (396 Ibft) at 1,700rpm.
The driveline continues with a 351mm (13.8in) diameter single dry plate diaphragm clutch, operated mechanically incorporating a Bowdenflex link Fuller RT 6609 nine-speed rangechange gearbox driver through to Eaton leading and trailing axles which have inter axle differential lock.
Hendrickson RT 440 steelbeam rear suspension combines with semi-elliptic leaf-spring single-speed axles to form the rear bogie, which has a capacity of 18.8 tonnes.
At the front of the bolted and riveted chassis frame, a reverse Elliot I-beam with a capacity of 6.61 tonnes is used with semielliptic springs. Worm and roller steering offers a ratio of 24.6 to 1 and incorporates direct-coupled in-line ram power assistance.
Full air brakes with an effective lining area of 7,427sq cm (1,151sqin) includes automatic load sensing. There are spring brakes working on the first and third axles for parking.
With a 134Iit (30gal) fuel tank, the on/off highway short wheelbase G24 chassis cab has a kerb weight of 6.36 tonnes, which is increased to 6.42 tonnes on the longer model.
The Hendrickson aluminium bogie has been dropped in favour of steel, giving the 5.11m (201in) highway model with a high spec cab an unladen weight of 6.51 tonnes.