1.2 Commercial and Legal Aspects
1.2.1 Terminology
NOTE: Any modifications to the vehicle must
be noted in the owner's handbook or new
descriptive literature included with the owner's
documentation.
Vehicle Converter refers to any re-seller altering
the vehicle by converting the body and adding
or modifying any equipment not originally
specified and or supplied by Ford.
Unique component or similar wording refers to
non-Ford specified or after sale fitment not
covered by Ford warranty.
1.2.2 Warranty on Ford Vehicles
Please contact The National Sales Company in
the country where the vehicle will be registered
for details of the terms of any applicable Ford
warranty.
The Vehicle Converter should warrant its design,
materials and construction for a period at least
equal to any applicable Ford warranty
The Vehicle Converter must ensure that any
alteration made to a Ford vehicle or component
does not reduce the safety, function, or durability
of the vehicle or any component.
The Vehicle Converter shall be solely responsible
for any damage resulting from any alteration
made by the Vehicle Converter or any of its
agents to a Ford Vehicle Component.
The Vehicle Converter releases Ford from all
claims by any third party for any cost or loss
(including any consequential damages) arising
from work performed by a Vehicle Converter
unless Ford has given its prior written consent
to such liability.
1.2.3 Legal and Vehicle Type
Approval
•All components embodied on Ford vehicles
are approved to the applicable legal
requirements.
•Ford vehicles have Type Approval for the
intended marketing territories.
WARNING: Exception - Incomplete
vehicles require further approval
when completed by the Body
Builder.
•The Transit range has Type Approval for many
territories, although the full range of vehicles
shown in this manual are not necessarily
released in all territories. Check with your local
ford National Sales Company representative.
•Significant changes to the vehicle may affect
its legal compliance. Strict adherence to the
original design intent for brakes, weight
distribution, lighting, occupant safety and
hazardous materials compliance in particular
is mandatory.
1.2.4 Alternative Type Approval
If significant changes are made the Body Builder
must negotiate with the relevant authority. Any
changes to the vehicle operating conditions must
be advised to the customer.
1.2.5 Legal Obligations and
Liabilities
The Vehicle Converter should consult with its
legal advisor on any questions concerning its
legal obligations and liabilities.
1.2.6 General Product Safety
Requirement
The Vehicle Converter shall ensure that any
vehicle it places on the market complies with the
European General Product safety Directive
2001/95/EC (as amended periodically). The
Vehicle Converter shall also ensure that any
alteration it makes to a Ford vehicle or
component does not reduce its compliance with
the European General Product Safety Directive.
The Vehicle Converter shall release Ford from all
liability for damages resulting from:
•Failure to comply with these Body Equipment
Mounting directives, in particular warnings.
•Faulty design, production, installation,
assembly or alteration not originally specified
by Ford.
•Failure to comply with the basic fit for purpose
principles inherent in the original product.
WARNINGS:
Do not exceed the gross vehicle
mass, gross train mass, axle plates
and trailer plate
Do not change the tire size or load
rating
Do not modify the steering system.
Excessive heat can build up from
the exhaust system, in particular
from the catalytic converter. Ensure
adequate heat shields are
maintained. Maintain sufficient
clearance to hot parts
FordTransit 2006.5 (April 2006–)
Date of Publication: 12/2006
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7
2.4 Wheels and Tires
2.4.1 Wheel Clearance
The distance from the tire to the mudguard or
wheel arch must be sufficient, even if snow or
anti-skid chains are fitted and the suspension is
fully compressed allowing for axle twist as well.
Please consult the Vehicle Converter Advisory
Service [email protected] for clearance
requirements and data.
NOTE: Make sure that only approved wheels
and /or permissible tire sizes are fitted
For standard wheelhouse dimensions.
Refer to: 5.1 Body (page 175).
(Integral Bodies and Conversions)
2.4.2 Tire Manufacturers
Replacement tires should be of the same make,
size, tread pattern and load rating as the Original
Equipment Manufacturer. Under these conditions
the original tire label should be satisfactory,
however if the specified tires and/or inflation
pressures are changed then a new label should
be affixed over the original label.
2.4.3 Spare wheel
When converting or relocating the spare wheel,
access must be ensured.
2.4.4 Painting Road Wheels
CAUTION: Do not paint wheel clamp
surfaces in contact with other
wheels, brake drum or disc, hub and
holes, or surfaces under wheel nuts.
Any further treatment in these areas
may affect the wheel clamp
performance and the vehicle safety.
•Mask the wheel when changing the color or
repairing paint.
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Date of Publication: 12/2006
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•It is recommended that the altered extension
has a similar closed section, material thickness
and properties to the existing chassis frame.
•An equivalent open section for the extension
assembly is at the vehicle converters
discretion.
•Lightening holes in new extension and cross
members are discretional.
•Do not weld original chassis frame except as
specified when adding reinforcing tubes,
please refer to Figure E745171.
•Do not drill the top or bottom surface of the
chassis frame, including the flanges turned
out, except as recommended above for
continuity of closure.
•Any alternative finish such as hot dip
galvanizing is at the discretion of the Body
Builder providing it does not have a detrimental
effect on the original Ford product.
Refer to: 5.10 Corrosion Prevention (page 221).
5.11.5 Frame Drilling and Tube
Reinforcing
The chassis frame may be drilled and reinforcing
spacer tubes may be welded in place, providing
the following is applied:
•Adhere to all details shown in Figure E74517.
•Drill and weld only side walls of the chassis
frame.
•Locate and drill holes accurately, using a drill
guide to ensure holes are square to frame
vertical centre line (note: allow for side member
draft angle).
•Drill undersize and ream out to size.
•Endeavor to remove all swarf from inside side
member, and treat to prevent corrosion.
•Fully weld each end of the tube and grind flat
and square, in groups if applicable. Be aware
of side member draft angle.
•Apply corrosion protection inside and outside
of the chassis frame.
Refer to: 5.10 Corrosion Prevention (page 221).
•Holes should be in groups of two (2), either
vertically spaced at 30 to 35mm from chassis
frame top and/or bottom surface, or
horizontally at 50mm minimum pitch, 30 to
35mm from top and/or bottom chassis frame
surface, please refer to Figure E74517.
•Always use M10 bolts with grade 8.8 minimum.
•Do not position tubes at the medium chassis
frame height, this may create “oil canning” of
the deep section side walls.
•Where possible, the outrigger moments should
be resolved by matching inner cross members
between the chassis side members inline with
the outriggers, please refer to Figure E74577-
Low Floor.
•A diameter of 16.5mm is the maximum
allowable hole size in the chassis frame side
wall, irrespective of the usage.
Avoid drilling into closed frame body members
to avoid the risk of corrosion from swarf.
Refer to: 5.10 Corrosion Prevention (page 221).
Drilling and welding of frames and body structure
have to be conducted following the program
guidelines. Please consult the Vehicle Converter
Advisory Service [email protected] for details.
5.11.6 Ancillary Equipment - Sub
Frame Mounting
Typical sub-frames and longitudinal members for
flatbed and low or drop-side bodies or equipment
exceeding the standard or Regular Production
Order frame length should adhere to the following
guidelines:
•Flat-beds and low bodies mounted on integral
longitudinal members (channel or box section
metal – not wood) must use both sides of all
frame mounting brackets, see Figure E74575.
•Longitudinal members must be relieved at the
front end if they are to contact the chassis
frame top surface, to minimize stress
concentrations, see Figure E74575. However,
it is preferable to mount the longitudinal onto
the mounting brackets, with a clearance to the
chassis frame top surface.
•Each set of brackets must use two (2) x M10
bolts grade 8.8 minimum.
•The rear two (2) sets of chassis frame
mounting holes / locations should have a full
bolt torque with 100% grip. The attachment to
the remaining forward chassis frame holes /
locations must be precisely located and
retained, but allow some relative flexing
between the sub-frame and chassis frame.
For example, clamp control devices such as
conical washer stacks or machine springs with
self locking fasteners.
•Minimum floor heights will require wheel arch
boxes to clear the rear tires, see Vehicle Data
sheets for relevant tire jounce.
•Chassis frame, for example: clamp control
devices such as conical washer stacks or
machine springs with self locking fastenings.
•Minimum floor heights will require wheel arch
boxes to clear the rear tires.
Pedestal mounted low or drop side bodies – (not
illustrated)
For bodies or equipment not exceeding the
standard or Regular Production Order chassis
frame length.
FordTransit 2006.5 (April 2006–)
Date of Publication: 12/2006
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