Front end

[Bean]

Hi Guys
After heaps of time ,energy and frustration I have hit another wall ,this time with the transport department,
The front track of my van is 150mm wider than the original and according to them that's not permitted ,+25 is the max, If I go back to standard commodore rims its only improves the situation by 50 mm as the front mags have a -25 offset. Apart from pulling the whole system out and starting from scratch does anyone have any idea on how I could get around this one.I would have thought that the geometry around the stub axil and disc configuration would be the area of concern, the width wouldn't matter -apparently not the case, the code says 25 over the original and they go by the code -All assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Gordon]

Hey Bean, sorry to hear that you are having to jump through some extra hoops.

So, if I'm understanding your post correctly the 150mm that you are over the standard is made up of an extra 50mm in your current front rims (25mm each side) plus an extra 100mm due to your front disk brake conversion. Is this correct ?

If so what disk conversion do you have up front ? If its the usual HQ disc machined for Bedford outer bearing, standard HQ caliper and a caliper mounting plate then an extra 100mm sounds excessive.

Let us know what disc setup you are running and also the width of your current front rims.

[Sammy]

the issue is that the further out the wheel sits the more load it puts in the stub axle which if too much could bend or snap it off!

but i agree its hard to comprehend it being that much wider than stock .... and i know with my VT twin piston brake conversion its actually sitting the wheel in more over stock, but im not sure how much of that is the wheel offset v's the hub!

i will have to measure so i know ...

[restoreid]

Hey Sammy Using The commodore rims with the 5inch backspace  from centre of tyre to centre of tyre was 5mm more than standard beddie & the steering was no heavier

[VanWolf]

That has even got me thinking/worried. 
I am not up to that stage yet but...........
So what is the measurement it has to be ? 1645mm?

[shaginwagin]

Hi Bean,    Generally if your change your motor to a bigger motor, you have to put better brakes on , The usual option is HQ disc's.    When you put the disc brakes on the beddie, it makes it a tad over ,   if you don't improve the brakes then you wont be able to get the bigger motor.    A big vicious circle..  The beddie I had in Vic when it had the 253  in it.  I had the steel monaro  6 inch rims, on it and it was over.  after discussion with the engineer it seemed impossible to get the track within limits unless you go  back to the standard drums, which you can't  do when putting in a different motor.   Thats what is on the engineers report  which I still carry in the van..

 I could be wrong but i don't think there are many beddie's running around that are still running original drums.

[Marishka]

Not even if you had custom rims?

[shaginwagin]

getting rims made would probably be the only real way of doing it.

[rumax]

I'm with Sammy on this- extra strain is the issue. Think of it as a fulcrum......

As for the solution.
Time to do some measuring people.
Mine is standard drums and has to stay that way for cheap rego.

[Bedford Fever]

    That sucks big time , sorry to hear Bean

    You go to all that trouble to be told " Oh sorry its 150 mm too wide " . Such red tape should be abolished , unless its actually unsafe .

    Could be a loophole for a way to negate this rule . Maybe some engineer could write a letter that over rides this rule 

    I dont know , trying to think outside the square . But your dealing with square heads .

    Hope you find a way to beat the system , without costing an arm or a leg . Get it in to square heads that Bedford Vans come in so many shapes

   and sizes . Ask for some compassion . Anyway good luck . Frank