Bedford TK

Bedford TK
British Army Bedford MK/MJ 4x4 truck
Overview
Manufacturer	Bedford (General Motors)
Also called	MK (military model)
Production	1959–1986 (Bedford) 1988-1992 (AWD)
Assembly	Dunstable plant, Petone, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Class	Commercial vehicle, military vehicle
Body style	chassis cab, flatbed, troop carrier, tipper, recovery vehicle
Layout	Longitudinal front engine two-wheel drive (TK) four-wheel drive (MK)
Powertrain
Engine	Engine choice was 200 and 220 cubic inch 4 cylinder diesel, 300 and 330 cubic inch 6 cylinder diesel, 214 cubic inch 6 cylinder petrol and on heavier rated chassis the Leyland 6 cylinder diesel. 103 bhp6-cylinder diesel
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3.962 meter
Length	6.579 meter
Width	2.489 meter
Height	2.501 (cap) and 3.404 (tarpaulin)
Kerb weight	5.1 ton
Chronology
Predecessor	Bedford S type
Successor	Bedford TL

The Bedford TK is a truck that was produced by Bedford. Launched in 1959 to replace the Bedford S type, the TK was scheduled to be replaced by the Bedford TL in 1981, but manufacturing of the TK continued as a cheaper alternative. A military 4x4 version called the Bedford MK (later MJ) was also produced. After Bedford's Dunstable factory was sold in 1987 to AWD, the TK restarted production for military only use until 1992 when AWD went into receivership.

The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other specialist utilities. A General Post Office (later British Telecom) version used for installing telegraph poles was known as the "Polecat".

Available with an inline four or inline six cylinder petrol and diesel engines - the TK was the quintessential light truck in the UK through most of the 1960s and 1970s, competing with the similar Ford D series. It was available in rigid form, and also as a light tractor unit normally using the Scammell coupling form of semi-trailer attachment.

In 1981, Bedford introduced turbocharging to the "Red Series" 3.6-litre and 5.4-litre diesel engines, now producing 72 bhp and 102 bhp respectively.

TKs were assembled for many years by General Motors New Zealand Limited at its Petone truck plant. The model was very popular and competed with the like of the also locally assembled Ford D series. It was succeeded by the TM series and GMNZ later switched source to launch a range of Bedford-by-Isuzu models assembled locally from kits shipped from Japan.