Chassis extention kit

[Andy]

I'm led to believe that a bolt in chassis extension kit is available for the Mk3 chassis cab.
Is this true ?? !
And where can they be obtained - does the kit come with the solutions for driveshaft, brake linkage, etc
Also may i request - does anyone know where I can get some reasonably cheap rear leaf springs for the 3500 kg twin wheel machine - are uprated ones available? - I drove a sierra onto the back of the transit this morning and the springs responded by going flat !!!

[ovlov]

There was a chassis extension on ebay a few days ago it bolts to the back of the chassis behind axle so wont affect axle etc uprated springs are available where are you theres a firm in middlesbrough do em dont know how much though

[FredTransit]

What year is your tranny? It matters cos the axle was moved back at a certain year (not too sure when), and the chassis is extended for the extra LWB after that year, before that (and the Mk2) the extention is done in the middle of the wheelbase. If your axle is very near the back of the chassis, I think you may be able to get the extention kit from Ford. As for the springs, you need to either add more leaves to the standard ones, or get the completely replaced with heavy duty ones, 2nd hand one off an ambulance are huge and very good for your needs.

[Andy]

Its an 89 crew cab - originally a pickup.
The extension option mid wheelbase is not possible now as someone has patched the chassis with a great big piece of steel along where the guide bold holes would have been !
Have just removed the side boxes and discovered this.
I only need about another 30 - 40 cm on the back of the bed thats already there so I might just graft that on and strenghen it up.

With regard to the springs - I am near Bonnie Dundee - might try the scrap yards for an ambulance if no local supplier.
Mind you I was at the stockcar racing last night and the two transits there sat right down when the cars loaded - they did have 3 leaf springs a side and mine has just two.

Cheers

[FredTransit]

Its an 89 crew cab - originally a pickup.
The extension option mid wheelbase is not possible now as someone has patched the chassis with a great big piece of steel along where the guide bold holes would have been !
Have just removed the side boxes and discovered this.
I only need about another 30 - 40 cm on the back of the bed thats already there so I might just graft that on and strenghen it up.

With regard to the springs - I am near Bonnie Dundee - might try the scrap yards for an ambulance if no local supplier.
Mind you I was at the stockcar racing last night and the two transits there sat right down when the cars loaded - they did have 3 leaf springs a side and mine has just two.

Cheers

We have 4 leaves on the back of our extras, the big un has 5! You are on the standard springs, so no wonder it's struggling! Your chassis should be extended in the middle, as there are rules on how much you can ovehang the back axle with the body. They are set out in the Construction and Use Regulations, but I can't remember what the percentage of the wheelbase it is.

[Andy]

Thanks for the info - will look out for stronger springs.
A mate informed me that the max extension allowed is 60% of the existing wheelbase.
Thats long enough for us - although the boot of the sierra will stick out the back - Im not sure on the legal situation with that but i have seen many the same so assume its ok !

[FredTransit]

60%? Are you sure? We have an extra LWB witha 15'6" Luton on it, the wheelbase is nearly long enough to fit a SWB into it. A SWB is say 10' long, so the overhang could be 6ft!!! That sounds a bit too much for me.............

[Andy]

Apparently its to do with the moment generated by the engine effectively over the front wheels, therby allowing beyond a 50% extention - which would be the natural balance point otherwise.
Added to which the normal loading practise of driving the vehicle on forward with the balance point therefore beyond 50%. ie the light arse of the vehicle is what hangs off the back.

I as always stand to be corrected !!!!

[bortaf]

My ExLWB Mk2 recovery truck only had single rear leaf springs and that used to carry V12 jags with no problem (only had 2 Ft of overhang)
The Mk3 has 5 leafes but is only a LWB so has a huge overhang (5ft+) thats the same length as from the axle to the cab rear wall .
Spec lift recoverys have lots or rear leafs if you want to uprate the rear a bit

[FredTransit]

Apparently its to do with the moment generated by the engine effectively over the front wheels, therby allowing beyond a 50% extention - which would be the natural balance point otherwise.
Added to which the normal loading practise of driving the vehicle on forward with the balance point therefore beyond 50%. ie the light arse of the vehicle is what hangs off the back.

I as always stand to be corrected !!!!

Ah yes, that makes sense.