MK4 Inter.

Asking for a mate. What is the top speed of a "68 MK4 Inter, what would be the maximum cruising speed and any suggestions on how to improve this into not being a mobile roadblock on the highway?
Thanks,
Steve.

I don't recall actual numbers, but we had a Mk3 4x4 set up as a self propelled boomspray 25 years ago.  It was on standard 12:00-20 tyres.  It was economical in the paddock, and "drove like new" down the road.  I don't remember it being "slow" on the road, as we also used it as a fire truck during the summer months.  It was certainly faster than an RL Bedford.
Neighbors had a Mk4 6x6 fitted with Perkins Phaser motor, set up similarly.  I just remember that unit being very heavy in comparison, and leaving big wheel ruts through their paddocks.

If i had to guess now, i'd say a constant 70 km/h on the road would be realistic?  Maybe 75?  I suppose an overdrive gearbox could be fitted, but i'm not sure spinning everything faster after the main gearbox, would be a good idea.  We found universal joints to be the weakest/highest wearing link in the drive train.  Our truck was carrying probably close on 5 tonnes when full of water though, and so maybe an unloaded truck on the open road might do 80 km/h?

Probably not much help to you, sorry.

Brett.

I think she would be singing along nicely at 80kmh. That speed is not too bad and really causes little inconvenience to other road users. You can get them wound up down hills or with a tail wind but probably not conducive to long life.

I doubt very much there is any cost effective way to increase cruising speed. If the purpose was .a 4x4 truck and not a military collector there are plenty of cheap, faster and more comfortable old ISUZU or Mitsubishi 4x4 out there.

I do love those Inters but as a collector truck that are very nice to drive for their era and manufactured original purpose.

Just a thought that if you were tempted to upgrade to a MK5 6x6, which seem to be more commonly available on the market, that appears to be the same truck just with an extra axle.  You would be stepping out of quite a nimble easy to drive 4x4 to a ponderous plodder. An extra carby really does not compensate for an extra axle and another 2 tons.

Lack of power is the main problem .....Id be inclined to say they could do close to 100kph on a slight downhill ..........I bought ,sold and used quite a few of them ,and put a Perkins in quite a few .......they definitely go better with a Perkins ,even though the HP is claimed as the same ............All the old timers tell stories of going 70 mph in a Ford blitz ,and its quite true,I ve done it .......but slightest upslope or headwind and youre down to 40 mph.

The tailshaft unis in the 4x4s definitely run at excessive angles ,but seem to get away with it by using light weight shafts........the 6x6 has much better angle to the rear ,but negatives it with crap diff drives ......very fragile.............they could have made a decent truck from the 6x6 with a commercial Rockwell bogie ,and dumping the IH diff centres for Rockwell at the front........all the old IHC diffs are weak and poorly designed.

Thanks for the input fellows. It is just that the mate worries about holding up the traffic when he goes out on the highway. I do try and convince him that what happens behind is none of his business. Some would say that's a bit selfish, but it's beyond his control.

Get it out and enjoy it. Thanks again,
Steve.

being slow isnt a problem......being slow and blowing smoke sure is .....it will get you a smoke notice when someone rats you out ............thats what put my Inter off the road.............I reckon the same a/h ratted me three times ,all the reports from the same area