Bedford TJ

The Bedford TJ is a truck that was produced by the Vauxhall-owned Bedford company.

History

The Bedford TJ was first manufactured in 1958 and was an updated version of the TD range. The TJ was available in the United Kingdom up until 1975, after 1975 it was manufactured only for export. Production continued until 1986, after that it was manufactured by AWD into the early 1990s. Petrol and diesel engines were available, the lightest (J0 designation) could be specified with the 2.6 litre (later 3.3) straight six petrol engine from the Vauxhall Cresta and offered saloon car levels of performance. TJs were not large sellers within the UK, however some high profile fleets did utilise them - notably the AA and British Telecom. Holland's Pies in Lancashire used a large fleet of TJ vans well into the 1980s, notable for being kept in very clean condition, and the TJ was often called a 'Holland's pie van' around Lancashire.

India and Pakistan

An Indian company, Hindustan Motors, also produced the larger versions (J5/6) of the vehicle in that country from 1968; production was stopped after the vehicle proved unable to compete against Tata and Ashok Leyland commercial vehicles. However, in Pakistan, the J5/6 proved popular and dominated commercial vehicular traffic.

Australia

The TJ was widely exported. In Australia they were distributed by General Motors-Holden's.

Models

• J0
• J1
• J2
• J3
• J4
• J5
• J6

Chassis codes

1958 To June 1967

• J1 30cwt.
• J2S 3ton.
• J2L 3ton.
• J3L 4ton.
• J4L 5ton.
• J4E 5ton.
• J4A 8ton tractor.
• J5S 6ton.
• J5L 6ton.
• J6S 7ton.
• J6L 7ton.

A 3rd or 4th number indicates engine type;

• 1=300cu.in Diesel
• 2=214cu.in Gasoline
• 3=300cu.in Gasoline
• 5=330cu.in Diesel
• 7=200cu.in Diesel
• 10=220cu.in Diesel

July 1967 onwards

Chassis codes changed in July 1967 to ensure Bedford complied with new legislation introduced in the UK (Construction and Use Regulations).

• CDD/CHD 30cwt.
• CDJ/CHJ 3ton.
• CDL/CHL 4ton.
• CFM/CJM 5ton.
• CFN/CJN 6ton.
• CFQ/CJQ 7 ton.

The 2nd letter indicates engine type;

• D=214cu.in Gasoline
• F=300cu.in Gasoline
• H=220cu.in Diesel
• J=330cu.in Diesel

Engines

The engines available included:

• 214cu Gasoline
• 300cu Gasoline
• 300cu Diesel
• 330cu Diesel
• 200cu Diesel
• 220cu Diesel