2006 Renault Magnum 480DXi

[carbuilder2002]

OK as a restorer od classic cars and builder of many replicas my dear friend and long time mentor finds himself terminally ill. Keeping his humour to the very end he left me his Magnum Tractor unit in his will with the stifulation that I try something out of my comfort zone and restore it to showroom condition.
Fortunatley he always was festidious and the truck is in amazing condition for its 911,000 miles.
So where am I? I moved my workshop to a space big enough to store it. Covid virus hit and cant get my Class C licence yet soby the time I get that this year will be nearlydone and it will be out of test.
Knowing nothing about Trucks somewhat at a loss even where to get it MOT'd let alone where to getparts other than from Renault or the Breaker yards and Ebay. Trying to find out where I stand regarding the tachograph as it will never be used to haul a trailer or goods.
The guy who delivered it to me gave me a ride round the localroads in it and well it's very high (I'm more a sports car driver).
Any one out there know where to start this journeyof restoring this thing?
Thanks in advance Jeff

[carbuilder2002]

Well my friend was 5'6" tall and I'm even shorter at 5'4" so to me its like a f;ing block of flats.
Tell me how to post pictures and I will?
Aparently it has the more desirable office cab layout, meaning it has an additional side facing seat behind the driver with a removable table for doing paperwork or watching your dvd's on a laptop lol.

[carbuilder2002]

Yep the mate who left it to me said it could have it's logbook changed to private use but I would still need a class C licence and the tacho is a very grey area so thinking of using ot anyway just to be sure. Had a hell of a job even finding someone to insure it as a non working truck as it's not old enough to be considered classic.
Oh one last stipulation was I was not to turn it into a bloody christmas tree (his words)

[carbuilder2002]

Well it's insured as private use, yes thats the beast except mine is white, 3 axle with mid lift and the video shows the latter instrument cluster mine has 2 big dials.
If anyone can tell me how to post jpg;s I can share some external pics

[carbuilder2002]

Thanks Croyde







As I said it's amazingly clean for the mileage only been used for hauling cars apparently so no where near the 44T max load limit.

[carbuilder2002]

As far as I can tell, body wise only damage seems to be to the offside skirt on the bottom corner and the nearside rear top mudguard.
Not really had a chance to have a good look around it as it arrived at my Unit during lock down so when things ease I will have to try and work out how everything works. Before then can anyone tell me what the red box is on the rear of the cab? I'm guessing a fire blanket or extinguisher, maybe a spill kit got no idea.
Obviously the chap that dropped it off was not able to give me a full rundown on the controls etc due to social distancing rules. Parked it up threw me the keys said the paperwork is in the cab then left. I got the paperwork out, locked it up set the alarm and not seen it since. Hoping it has some sort of owners handbook somewhere in one of the many lockers.
I know mexhanically it's all Volvo running gear but still Iam expecting any parts to be pretty expensive and not only because of the need to stand up to hard use but because they are invariably owned by companies who can offset spares to their tax returns.
So until I am safe to venture to my Unit again not much else I can share.
Jeff

[carbuilder2002]

As I understand it a tractor unit not being used to pull any kind of trailer is considered to be a ridgid axle lorry and as it's over 7.5T then I need to do my Class C heavy goods though I think these days it;s called LGV used to be called a class 2 licence when I first passed my test in 1974.
Looked into getting it de rated to 7.5T so I could drive iton grandad rights but seems thats impossible without removing the mid axle and god knows what else?
Jeff

[carbuilder2002]

Well I'm used to building cars and just done a rebuild on a V10 4 cam engine for the car currently under construction so getting my hands dirty is not an issue what may be is the size of things, going to need something like a 4 or 5 ton jack for starters and pair of heavy duty axle stands and my car battery charger will not be up to it either as been told the tachograph can run the batteries down if it's not being used daily.
Jeff

[carbuilder2002]

Thanks for all this advice guys, I plan driving it up and down the yard once a week both to keep batteries charged and also everything moving. Was not aware of the air system needing draining but am sure the guys who worked for my friend wouldno doubt be able to advise how to do that. Currently trying to get it changed to non comercial use so can tax it as Private and only need an MOT. Yes I know about the cab damping and suspension issues, been reading quite a lot about these beasts seems that they are like Marmite you love em or hate em. As one who tends to go for the unusual it suits me, ok getting in and out is a matter of practice as you have to sort of side step onto the door step, wonder how that goes when it's covered in ice or snow lol?

[carbuilder2002]

Yes the photos were taken at meadowfield well spotted you have probably seen the truck in passing.
Not had a really close look to be honest but had not noticed the rear wheel was different, no doubt once I get to give it a really good look over other things will become aparent.

[carbuilder2002]

I can certainly see them being a pain in the arse when you're in and out of the cab all day every day,many complaints of ripped and dirty paperwork as well as a few accidents with guys falling out of them even, yes thats a worry falling off the top step its a big one. As it's just a hobby for me aslong as I take care it's no hardship.

[carbuilder2002]

DaBuGi said:

That location looks very familiar, meadowfield industrial estate by any chance?

I'm guessing you either work in the area or actually live nearby?

[carbuilder2002]

There is a Scania Main Dealer only 2 miles from my unit so once I get my licence that will be my first stop unless I can get someone to take it for me?
Nearest Renault Truck Dealer is in North Newcastle.
I'm in Washington.

[carbuilder2002]

As said they are getting on and high miles, I know this one has not been pulling heavy loads at least for the last ten years probably 20T maximum and the owner has been fastidious about upkeep and maintenance, the interior is like a well kept car no scuffs scrapes or greasy marks anywhere.

Yes a lot of these are being sold for export, seemto be wellsought after in Africa and Eastern Europeasfar as I can see.

Thanks rangie999, I'm guessing you're no where near Washington that would be to handy lol.

[carbuilder2002]

Sorry rangie999 just noticed you're in Norfolk, hmm nice run out to get a service lol

[carbuilder2002]

Out of interest anyone got any idea what the fuel consumption will be when running solo most people claim to get between 6 and 10 mpg but thats when hauling a load.

[carbuilder2002]

Thanks guys I was hoping for about 15mpg as I had a 5.7litre car some time ago and it was getting between 12 and 16 when not being silly but then it was in a high state of tune so thought the 13 litre truck being driven sensibly would manage about the same.

[carbuilder2002]

Well considering the use it will be getting as long as I am getting into double figures I will be quite happy, other than going to truck shows once I'm licenced and it's MOT'd willplan on giving it a 25 mile run every week to keep everything working.

[carbuilder2002]

Fuel consumption is a bit of an emotive subject isn't it?
As it's going to be a hobby rather than business 15mpg would make me very happy, guessing it's more critical to you guys using these as your business. Being an older truck and with the aerodynamics of a tower block anything over 15 would be amazing lol.

[carbuilder2002]

As far as I am aware Class C1 is anything up to 7.5 Ton ridgid as I passed my test in 1974 I can drive C1 on my current licence but as the Magnum is nearer 8.5 Ton I will need a Class C. To pull a trailer I think you need a C+ what was the old Class 1. Though I'm no expert