Transit Chassis Frame question

[Huffstutler]

Can someone tell me what year did the Transit (believe on LWB models), that it switched from a cruciform (X braced) chassis to the current style with a center T re enforcement? Thank You.

Eric

[Huffstutler]

I know that the Mk-3 has the cruciform. I know that the 2000 has the new frame which is Mk-5. So, can I assume that the Mk-4 also had the X brace? But, I thought that I saw someone offering the rear suspension attached to part of a cut frame and it had a bit of the X showing for a 1994. Could there be both style frames in 1994 or was the person misinformed about the year and 1993 was the last year with the X (cruciform) frame brace?

Many Thanks...
Eric

[Altransit]

I seem to remember my 1994 Mk4 having a centre T reinforcement, so maybe the Mk4 was the start of the 'new frame'. Mk4 (1992-1994) and Mk5 (1995-2000), were bodily quite similar, and really just a facelift

[ake]

The mk 4 1992 was the change of chassis, from the earlier type shared between mk 1,2,3

[Huffstutler]

Thanks... then I guess the person selling a rear axle assembly attached to the frame section that shows indications of an X, and saying it is a 1994, is incorrect. So, the T brace started in 1992.

[Altransit]

It's always possible that the part is from a late registered Mk3, especially if it was a Camper, which are notorious for being stockpiled before registering

[Huffstutler]

Hmmm... actually it came from a 2012 ad from this site and said: "Hi got for sale a complete rear end chassis cut from a 1994 transit 2.5 diesel." Here is the picture that came with it:

[Huffstutler]

I suppose a late registration could be the reason. Here in the USA, at least since the 1930s, a vehicle is registered by the year it was built no matter when sold, especially with our culture of yearly design changes in the 1950s-1970s.

My interest is trying to establish production vehicles that had utilized the cruciform (X-braced) in more recent years. I know the London Taxi TX4 has one and could possible be the last of the breed? The Transit ending in 1993, would be a contender but, I wonder if there are others that I may have overlooked as I accidently stumbled across the Transit.

Many Thanks!
Eric

[Huffstutler]

I thought I would bump this up in hopes someone new will be able to answer.

[Cider Andy]

Sorry, I can't answer your question re: the Transit, but a family member used to convert London Taxis into wedding and funeral cars by mounting custom made bodies on to their chassis. He told me the taxi chassis has never changed over the years, irrespective of the body style, as they would have to go through the expensive process of type approval (or homologation or whatever; I can't quite remember). As far as I know that's still the case today, so the taxi is probably your winner!

[Huffstutler]

Sorry, I can't answer your question re: the Transit, but a family member used to convert London Taxis ... is probably your winner!

Not sure why none of the photo posts are not working on this group including the brochures? But as far as the TX4, the new LEVC TX 2018 model went to electric hybrid and the chassis changed completely to a unibody. Unless there is an unknown vehicle still mass-produced somewhere in the world, I suspect the TX4 was the last utilizing an X brace frame. There were some very slight differences with the London Taxi frame over the years but nothing major as you mentioned. I would still like to see a Transit bare frame minus the cab, to see the entire chassis frame with the X. Thanks.

[Keef]

Why not just ask the seller what size wheels it has? If they are 14" then it's a pre 92 Mk3 and if they're 15" then it's post 92 Mk4/5.

[Huffstutler]

Why not just ask the seller what size wheels it has? If they are 14" then it's a pre 92 Mk3 and if they're 15" then it's post 92 Mk4/5.

I appreciate the response but my question has nothing to do with wheel size. It involves the cruciform chassis design and seeing it sans the body. And the years they were used.