IVA feasibility - car body on 4x4 HGV chassis?

IVA feasibility - car body on 4x4 HGV chassis?

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Discussion

bigtomjaguar

Original Poster:

19 posts

149 months

Friday 21st October 2016
quotequote all
At the moment this is just a bit of a silly idea that I have been having but I was wondering if anyone on here could possibly offer any advice on how likely it would be to be able to get a car body mounted on a truck chassis through an IVA?

My idea is as follows; to take a Daf 45 150 4x4, shorten the chassis by just over 1m (to line the wheels up a bit better) and then mount a Jaguar XJ (X300/X308) body on top. I just like the idea of the juxtaposition of the elegant car on the ridiculous wheels.

In terms of the technical issues, I would think that the harder parts would be the throttle, gear linkage, steering and electrics. I would remove the engine/transmission (and all the suspension/subframes etc.) from the Jaguar, which would hopefully leave plenty of room in the engine bay for a pedal box for the clutch, brake and throttle. With the brakes being air, extending the lines for the brake pedal and for a handbrake ought to be relatively simple. The other controls might take a bit more work but I don't think it would be beyond the realms of possibility.

I would mount the body to the chassis using three mountings (two at the front and one centrally mounted at the rear) to account for the flex in the truck chassis.

I haven't studied the IVA manual closely, nor have ever put anything through an IVA test, but even I can see that there may be issues. As far as I understand it, if the weight can be kept below 6500kg, it can be classed as an M1 passenger car. Obviously the wheels need to be covered, so I would use tractor style mud guards (either fabricated or articles from a HGV/plant). I would intend to retain the Daf lights for the front and back, on the assumption that they are compliant in terms of height/lighting strength etc.?

I am also working on the assumption that the Jaguar/Daf parts (glass, mirrors etc.) would all be EC standard or otherwise compliant.

I can also see that there would potentially be limited visibility from the elevated driving position and being further back in the chassis than one would be in the truck. I can only see rearward visibility in the manual (the pole test) but is there a standard for forward visibility?

I'm sorry for the long post but in a nutshell, how likely is it that such a thing could ever legally be on the road?

Many thanks,

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Saturday 22nd October 2016
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I see no reason why you would have any more difficulties than any other kitcar/special.

Don't assume the rear lights will be compliant just because they came off the production car. Light spacing can be an issue as well as marking. If you read the manual carefully you will find that it refers to the marking on lights but elsewhere says if they are not correctly marked they must give the same light level as a marked light. There is one exception being the fog light which must be marked.

Check carefully that the glass will have the correct marking as this can be a real show stopper.

Sharp edges will likely be a problem. anywhere where the test sphere can be inserted is a problem.
As you will have large wheel arches remember that for the test the arch is regarded as closed off so the tester is not allowed to go looking for sharps in amongst your coilovers. Also be sure you understand how the tester is establishing the baseline of the car as this will also determine where he can go with the sphere.

Steve

NoCorseChris

332 posts

232 months

Monday 24th October 2016
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I'd think a chat with your local IVA examiner night be a good place to start. Taking onboard everything Steve has said of course.

I'm guessing you are watching the new series of Z Nation then?? If not...you really should catch the first two episodes. Exactly what you describe features in a few scenes.

CrutyRammers

13,735 posts

197 months

Monday 24th October 2016
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download and study the manual. It's generally pretty good, and vosa (as was) were very good at answering specific queries by email. As above, I don't see why it wouldn't be do-able.
Sharp edges etc aren't the horror people think they are, and can be easily checked at home. Ditto light spacing etc. The physical stuff shouldn't be an issue as long as you understand the requirements in advance and design for them.
I don't believe that there are any particular standards for forwards visibility.

Hoonigan

2,138 posts

234 months

Monday 24th October 2016
quotequote all
NoCorseChris said:
I'd think a chat with your local IVA examiner night be a good place to start. Taking onboard everything Steve has said of course.

I'm guessing you are watching the new series of Z Nation then?? If not...you really should catch the first two episodes. Exactly what you describe features in a few scenes.
You can say that again....

bigtomjaguar

Original Poster:

19 posts

149 months

Monday 24th October 2016
quotequote all
NoCorseChris said:
I'm guessing you are watching the new series of Z Nation then?? If not...you really should catch the first two episodes. Exactly what you describe features in a few scenes.
I'm actually not, although I might have to look it up if that's the case!

Thank you all for your responses, I was expecting a lot of negativity so they've definitely been food for thought.