martin

Hi Richard, Many thanks for the interest. I've known about the dodge50 site for a couple of years and actually supplied them with a parts and instruction manual for the dodge50 4x4 conversion. Unfortunately this manual is for the utilities mk1 rb's, which although very similar to the x mod mk2 version, there are major differences and it is by no means a workshop manual. As for the pics you saw on the site (2005 live forum or picture gallery i guess). The nato green one with the luton box is mine, the green crew cab one with the winch and scaffolding is a mates, and the chassis cab one with the shiny paint job is a also a mates. There are a number of others about that haven't got pics up yet. Unfortunately none of us has managed to track down a workshop manual yet (they appear to be rarer than gold dust), not even the Reme museum has any info on these machines. Maybe i'll have to join the army. Again many thanks for the help. P.S. You'll no doubt here from me again one day as i am after a petrol landrover next. Thanks, Martin.

Thats the beast. I've now got a luton box on mine to house me and my equipment, and will be adding a large winch to the front end. Bye for now, Martin.

Martin, I think it was Reynolds Boughton who should have had egg on there face. It was a classic mistake that was similar to the jeep problem of WW2. On braking the front springs deflect, moving the axle back slightly and pulling on the steering linkage, hence "the diving across the road" problem. I was witness to all this at that time, the vehicles were off the road for over a year, if not more, before a mod kit came out. Now, I cannot remember what the kit consisted of, as I did not fit them myself, but seem to think it was a spring shackle change. Nothing to do with the actual brakes. It may of course be that like the jeep, the problem was not fully solved even then, after modifying. You could of course, contact Reynolds Boughton to see if they can supply a book, because the AESP is often only a commercial publication, unlike the old EMER's. Richard Richard, Thanks also to you for more invaluable information. Reynolds Boughton are very helpful over the phone with regard to part numbers, but are unable to supply a workshop manual at present. I'm hoping this might change in the future as there are now a number of us driving these things privately. As for the kit your description sounds about right (sorry i know almost nothing about mechanics/engineering but am enjoying learning fast), there is a shackle connecting the front of the springs to the front axle but like you say the problem has never been fully resolved. Funny how the utility company RB's dont have a diving problem or a shackle or a 2 or 3 inch body lift (that i've seen), and they are older(mostly). Many thanks, Martin.

Thanks very much I'll look into that. Martin.

Hi Paul, From places like Withams they are about £8000 (pricey). I believe the mod paid £26million for 846 of them plus another million spent on modifying the brakes, which works out to about £30,000 each. Looking at it this way £8000 for an almost new 4x4 heavy utility vehicle isn't so bad if it can pay its way. last year one went for about £3000 near Birmingham in a private sale. I've seen the civilian versions going for between 2k and 5k recently, some of these have been painted nato green such that only someone in the know would know it wasn't an ex-military machine. What do you consider to be cheap? All the best, Martin.

Hi all, You've got it, or should i say yes, i've got a Reynolds Boughton 4x4 and yes i believe they were supposed to replace the 101 and yes the MOD did end up with egg on their faces over it. THey have a tendancy to veer a little to the left when breaking heavily at speed, although the longer wheelbase utility company models do not. This can be rectified by adjusting the breaks. What i'm really after is a workshop manual. The DSA told me these are destroyed before going to auction on health and safety grounds????? I would have thought a vehicle with a manual would be far safer, but what do i know. Anyway thanks for the rapid responses and if anyone can help i would be most grateful. I'll put a post on the intros board some time soon, might even manage a few pics of truck on Spanish mountains whilst working last summer. All the best, Martin.

HI all, Does anyone out there know anything about the RB44. I'm particularly interested in getting hold of a parts and maintenance manual. Any info much appreciated. Many thanks.