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'New' Bedford truck
someone made me an offer on my 'k' series Bedford truck that was too good to refuse, so it went off to a new home. An older guy that lives local who absolutely loves it. So I started looking for something else, this new 'TK' wasn't actually advertised for sale, I saw it in the background of a truck that was for sale, asked some questions and a few weeks later it was in my hands.
It's a 1969 Bedford TK, built by Holden. Very similar driveline to the 'K' series, having the 214 Bedford 6 cylinder and 4 speed. Currently having the radiator reconditioned, installing a new water pump, making a HEI dizzy and a general tidy up and she will be ready for the road once again.
It appears to have an issue with the eccentric that drives the fuel pump, resulting in the fuel pump not working, which given the good condition of the truck is probably what ended its use quite a few years ago. An electric fuel pump has solved that problem for now.
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Comments
TK
Saw a TK tray in the 'burbs the other day, original dark red colour, black bumper and beautiful hand painted yellow script on the door. Thought it was a resto till I got close enough to see it was making a delivery, It's great to see these old vehicles still working.
BTW can you confirm my theory that the TK and maybe some other Bedfords use the same bumper as the HQ-HZ Tonner comercial?
tk bumper
I cant see I've laid my hands or eyes on a commercial bumper for some time, but im guessing it different. Its a fairly solid bumper and im thinking would also be a bit wider than that required for the HQ-WB.
bedford bumper
Holden 6 feet wide, bedford 7 foot 4 = not possible to be the same as the holden one, a copy yes,
What a bewdy..
I'd own that.
........π£π²πΆ.
β--------------------------------------------------------
-_--_--_ ________
_--_-_ -/___+__|__\__
.,.,.,,.,|_O ________O_|
me to
yup quite happy to have that parked in the driveway
Email Me
Nice pickup.
Nice pickup.
Disclaimer :- The above is purely speculation and is only posted for entertainment purposes!!!
we have a 68 tk 330 diesel
we have a 68 tk 330 diesel with 24 foot tray on dads farm, i used to drive it from about age 10 carting hay, with my dad on the back along with my younger brother and cousin. had a bail loader tied to the side and you have to aim the loader at the bale and then the gearing driven by the wheel speed ramps the bale up to the tray, where it is then stacked as high as we were game. got a great pic from the early 90's with small bales stacked about 5 meters high on the tray.
my uncle had 2 also, one was the "fast" truck with the 466 diesel and tall gearing for runs to the big smoke, the other was a local truck with the 330.
my memories of all 3 is poor seating, poor suspension, but classic styling and able to carry more weight than rated - and the diesels all had the stop switch on the "parcel tray" behind the driver!
Tk
It's funny you mention poor seating and poor suspension because both are a vast improvement on the k model. I'm just over 6 foot in the old money and my old man couldn't work out how I managed to drive the k. This one, however, is quite comfortable. It's only the 214 (higher hp I think) but I think it will be fine for what I will use it for. The HEI really woke the k up so this will be getting the same mods. There's also a multitude of driveline combos available for these things as you have suggested including the holden v8 which was factory fitted to some models.
Whoever invented the tilt cab needs a round of applause because these are not. I'm currently replacing the water pump and it's a complete r-sole of a job.
i had to replace the water
i had to replace the water hose between head and block (or water pump??) it was a mission, like you say would have been oh-so easy with tilt cab.
Tk
There a small hose between the thermostat housing and the water pump. Lucky to be 40mm long. I had to pull the radiator to get it recoed anyway so that has made the water pump a much easier job as it opened up a fair bit of room at the front of the motor.
Useful Tip
If you're working the radiator do the head/block interchange hose at the same time.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Bedford Images
Any Bedford Images you can provide would be appreciated Ben.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Great Shot
I'll add the photo to the Bedford page soon.
Keep us posted on the HEI upgrade to the TK and please share shots of the engine and running gear if you wouldn't mind?
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Pics
Will do, considering they were so popular there is a distinct lack of information on these things on the internet.
Many Thanks
I'd welcome all the info and images possible, even start a separate TK page.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Image Added
Here ...
http://holdenpaedia....
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
TK Bedford
Video here shows engine access from cab rear side panels ...
https://www.youtube....
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Description
What's the plated full model description?
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Model tag
Pic of the model tag.
Prefix of ID tag is EDLOBJH, which makes it a KC according to the english model guide in holdenpaedia. The next two letters are JH which differs to that recoreded in the guide, possibly something to do with the Australian manufacture.
Many Thanks
Do you think it's a KEL?
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
TK id
Im not sure, Ill have to get all the details together and do some research. I've seen some reference to indicate that post 68 models with more Australian content are actually called an 'E' series, even though they use the TK cab they are not actually a TK. Appears there may have been some good info here but the links are now dead.
https://www.hcvc.com...
Many Thanks
Many Thanks.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
TK HEI
Dizzy all done and ready to fit, blue motor HEI modified to fit the Bedford 214. Done a bit of research to try and find a dizzy with correct rotation to make the vacuum advance work but it proved elusive, down side is no vac advance but I can live with that.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks.
I've long wanted to HEI a Bedford especially a TK. Id expect a very pleasing all round improvement, more power, better economy. cleaner oil. better starts, improved pickup.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
HEI first start
HEI fitted and on first start the difference is obvious. Starts with one hit of the key and running extremely smoothly. This motor has not been run for around 15 years. I've cleaned out the carb but as yet have not tuned it or set valve clearances. Currently has no cooling system so unable to run for very long. Ignore what appears to be rattle sounds, the iPhone seems to change the sound, possibly amplifying the rocker noise? in reality the motor is very quiet.
Great News
Thanks for sharing.
I'm working on uploading the video now.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Rusty
Can you help me upload this to Holdenpaedia please?
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
TK Bedford
The Bedford TK is up and running. Was having problems with the mid range in the zenith carburettor, cleaned it out a few times but was still having dramas. Parts are available but they are a punish as there are so many kits but the carb on my truck had no ID numbers to order the correct kit. I decided to swap it out for a stromberg BX I had laying around. The truck is running great now, HEI and new carby and the TK's really feel like a modern truck to drive. It is very comfortable to drive and I could happily travel a long distance in it, except for the top speed of about 85kph! That will be the next mod, even the old K hit 105kph on the highway. Pic attached of stromberg fitted. Alluminium spacer will be tidied up eventually.
Great Shot
Many thanks for sharing the info and shot.
I remember sitting in the driver's seat of a TK and hitting the starter for my Dad who was giving the truck its 1st tuneup. I was about 10 yo.
The comfort, ease of steering and the visibility were all impressive. I always liked the efficient sound that TK's carried.
I imagine yours is sounding amazing now. A wonderful investment n time and effort.
I'll add the image and info to the TK page now.
Good job!
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
bedford history
From what i have managed to track down it started life as a soft drink delivery truck for Saxby's, North of the Newcastle area. Was used privately by the second owner, bought but only stored by the third owner, i'm now the fourth owner. Found the second owners last will and testament behind the passenger seat!
Original
Is it mostly original?
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
Bedford
Other than some minor cosmetic changes by previous owners and the carburettor, completely original.
Great News
Great News!
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
so is the top speed revs
so is the top speed revs limited or power limited?
i learnt to drive in old trucks like these, tk 330 diesel, d series ford 360 diesel, austin petrols etc.
just got told last week i will be getting my grandads old 55 f600 v8 whenever i can find room for it here. that was a quick truck for its day. i intend on making it suitable for carrying cars by modifying it to a banana back.
Bedford
Limited by revs/gearing. First gear is pretty much useless but were apparently designed to take off fully loaded on a steep hill. For its current use there would be room for a change in diff ratio, what's available and how far the little 214 will push the truck at higher speed would then be the limitation. I do have little supercharger handy though, so that may make it all come together nicely. Alternative to that a Holden v8 and matching driveline is an option and as they were factory fitted doesn't require engineering.
Efficiency
With the improvement in efficiency, I'd expect a re-ratio to be achievable.
T
My Shed
Holdenpaedia, they're the brakes Mate.
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