The Bedford TL is a truck manufactured by Bedford. Launched in June 1980, it was intended to complement the Bedford TK, on which it was heavily based, and one of its main advantages was a tilt cab that improved maintenance.
Bedford TL at a glance
| Maker | Bedford, later AWD |
|---|---|
| Launched | June 1980 |
| Production | 1980-1986, then 1988-1992 under AWD |
| Based on | Bedford TK |
| Cab | tilt cab with flat floor |
| Front suspension | taper leaf springs |
| Petrol engines | 214P 3.5-litre and 300P 4.9-litre, 83 or 114 hp |
| Diesel engines | 220D 3.6-litre and 330D 5.4-litre, 65 or 98 hp |
| Heavy diesel | 8.2-litre Blue Series, 128 or 151 hp |
| 1984 engines | Red Series: 70TD, 105TD, 130TD, 175TD |
| AWD models | 17-18 with Perkins Phaser 180 bhp; 17-27 with Cummins 8.3-litre, 269 bhp |
History of the Bedford TL
A more comfortable TK
The TL was launched in June 1980 and was intended to complement the Bedford TK, on which it was heavily based. One of the main advantages of the TL over the TK was the incorporation of a tilt cab, which improved maintenance; a tilt cab was also a feature of the TK’s main competitor, the Ford D series, and had long been seen as a major advantage. Production began in April 1980, so that trucks could reach dealers for the premiere.
The chassis was as for the TK, with some minor alterations at the front to accommodate the new flat-floor cab. The front suspension, now taper leaf sprung, was also new. The TL was designed mainly for short hauls, but comfort was a bigger priority than for the TK. While an ample number of combinations were available, power outputs were higher than for the TK.
Engines
From launch the TL was powered by petrol and diesel engines. The six-cylinder petrol units were the 214P 3.5-litre and the 300P 4.9-litre, while the diesels were updated versions of the TK’s 3.6-litre four-cylinder 220D and 5.4-litre six-cylinder 330D, with the 8.2-litre Blue Series available for heavier models. Power outputs were 83 or 114 hp for the petrols, 65 or 98 hp for the 220D and 330D diesels, and 128 or 151 hp for the Blue Series.
By 1984 engine power was slightly increased with turbocharging and the engines were reclassified as the Red Series. The 3.6-litre 220D became the 70TD and the 5.4-litre 330D became the 105TD, with the new names signifying maximum power outputs. The 8.2-litre Blue Series continued in two versions, the 130TD and the higher-rated 175TD.
The AWD years
The TL was taken out of production with Bedford’s demise in 1986, but production recommenced in 1988 with the new owner AWD. The range expanded to include various derivatives before production ceased in 1992, when AWD was placed in receivership. When AWD relaunched the TL in 1988 it was equipped with two six-cylinder engines: initially the 17-18 model with a Perkins Phaser of 180 bhp, and from 1990 the 17-27 with a Cummins C Series 8.3-litre unit producing 269 bhp.
Design and features
- Tilt cab: the cab could be tilted for maintenance, a major advantage over the TK and a feature of the Ford D series.
- Flat-floor cab: the front of the TK chassis was altered to take the new flat-floor cab.
- Taper leaf springs: a new front suspension design for the TL.
- Higher power: outputs were higher than the TK’s, from 83 hp petrol to 151 hp Blue Series diesel.
- Red Series turbos: from 1984 the 70TD, 105TD, 130TD and 175TD replaced the earlier engine names.
Bedford TL versions
- TL with 214P petrol: 3.5-litre six-cylinder, 83 hp.
- TL with 300P petrol: 4.9-litre six-cylinder, 114 hp.
- TL with 220D diesel: 3.6-litre four-cylinder, 65 hp, later 70TD.
- TL with 330D diesel: 5.4-litre six-cylinder, 98 hp, later 105TD.
- TL Blue Series: 8.2-litre diesel, 128 or 151 hp, later 130TD and 175TD.
- AWD 17-18: Perkins Phaser 180 bhp, from 1988.
- AWD 17-27: Cummins C Series 8.3-litre, 269 bhp, from 1990.
The TL complemented the Bedford TK, and its military relative was the Bedford MK. More are in the Bedford collection.
Sources
- Bedford TL, English Wikipedia: history, engines, AWD models
- Bedford TL, German Wikipedia: technical development and AWD period
