This Bedford Files page is dedicated to the Bedford M type, 4 x 4, 4 tonne cargo truck, 

which in military use became the 

Truck, Cargo, 4 Tonne, 4 x 4, Bedford MK and Bedford MJ.

The MK has a 5.4 litre 6 cylinder 330 cu in Multi-Fuel engine.

The MJ has a 5.4 litre 6 cylinder Diesel engine. Some later MJs were supplied with the 8.2 litre diesel engine and 5 speed gearbox. These are identified by an SVO chassis number.

The MF has a 4.9 litre 6 cylinder 300 cu in Petrol engine.

Introduced by the Army in May of 1970, which was then followed by the "Civilian" M Types (two different wheelbases) in Sept 1970. Interestingly, during the Military trials period from 1962, it was referred to as "Bedford RK" (R-type, RL mark 2 based on the K of TK) but this was dropped in favour of ‘M-type.

The typical full model chassis identification for the 1970 Multi-Fuel Military version were

MKP2BMO or MKP2WMO.

The full model identification for the 1970 UK Military version was  MKP2BMO or MKP2WMO (with winch), and later the MJP2BMO or MJP2WMO.

   All have single speed rear axles

1)   First digit - Vehicle configuration

       M = Military 4x4 Type

2)   Second digit - Engine type

             F = Bedford 300 Cubic inch 6 Cylinder Petrol 4.9 Litre 113 bhp

             K = Bedford 330 Cubic inch 6 Cylinder Normally Aspirated Multifuel 5.4 Litre at 98 bhp

             J = Bedford 330 Cubic inch 6 Cylinder Turbo-charged Diesel 5.4 Litre at 135 bhp

3)   Third digit - Base Vehicle Designed Plated GVW

             P = Single rear wheel at 9200 kg.

             R = Dual rear wheels at 11200 kg.

4)   Fourth digit - Wheelbase

             1 = is the short civilian option at 138 ins

             2 = the long-wheelbase version at 156 ins

5)   Fifth digit - Cab type

             B = means has the standard Bedford 4 speed box

            W = means With Winch

6)   Sixth digit - Cab Type

             CO = means has the Civilian Cab with no cupola.

             MO = means that it had the Military Cab.

When the Bedford 500 (6 Cylinder Normally Aspirated Diesel 8.2 Litre at 127 bhp) Engine was offered later on, together with a 5 speed box - it retained the original model identification but had an SVO number applied.

Typical British Military 4 tonne M Type chassis is  

    MKP2BMO = 4x4 with 5.4 Ltr Multifuel engine at 9000 GVW, with 4 speed box and cupola. 

    MJP2BMO = 4x4 5.4 Ltr Turbo-charged Diesel engine at 9000 GVW, with 4 speed box and cupola.

Bedford records show 11,681 MK's being built, mainly in 1970 to 1972 but fulfilling some orders through into 1981. Many of these were later repowered with the standard 330 Diesel (or 'J' Engine). 

Records also show 34,319 MJ's built (with a few to special orders, having the 500 Engine and five speed box fitted). 

There are records of 2,000 being built by AWD (but badged Bedford) between 1987 and 1992. 

I'm looking into how many were built by Marshall of Cambridge between 1992 and 1997.

As a footnote, Bedford built 73,135 RLs between 1952 and 1969, and 52,247 QLs between 1941 and 1945.

Files can be viewed by clicking on the image, or by clicking on the adjacent text.

These files are the Original Bedford Service Training files for the M type, produced by Vauxhall Motors Ltd.

 Civilian MJ type vehicles, with diesel and turbo diesel engines

The Bedford MK is a Multi Fuel engine, which means it can run on other fuels as well as diesel if the need arises.

The Bedford MJ is fitted with a Turbo diesel engine

Understanding the AESP File system numbering

If the example Publication code is 2320-H-100-821

Of the Letter

H identifies the manufacturer group, H here including Bedford and DAF.

Of the three digits after the letter

100 refers to the Bedford MJ 4x4 9 ton with 5.4 litre diesel

101 refers to the Bedford TK S Series

102 refers to the Bedford MJ 4x4 11.2 ton 5.4 litre diesel with dual rear wheels – Designation is Chassis & cab MJR2BCO

103 refers to the Bedford MJ 4x4 11.2 ton 5.4 litre diesel with dual rear wheels – Designation is Truck helicopter support MJR 2OCO

104 refers to the Leyland DAF 4x4

Of the last three digits refer to the category and sub category.

Of the example 821,

The first digit 8 is the left hand column – so in this example it is Modifications

The second digit 2 is of the second column from the left – and here is General Instructions

2320-H-100-71X Illustrated Parts Catalogue 

2320-H-100-75X Complete Equipment Schedule

Oil Mineral Detergent  (OMD)
OMD 75, 80 and 90 is SAE 10W-30 engine oil

Oil Extreme Pressure (OEP)
OEP 220 is SAE 80W-90 Extreme Pressure gear oil.

A rather nice article by Peter Davies on the M type can be found here

https://heritagemachines.com/commercials/bedford-m-type-profile/

Click here to visit a playlist of videos about the Bedford M type

Click here to see a playlist of a couple creating a home on a Bedford M type

All Wheel Drive (AWD) bought the Bedford truck concern from General Motors, and had an agreement to use the Bedford name.

The UK Ministry Of Defence submitted an ordered for M types with the Bedford 330 turbo engine. These are the only AWD Bedfords that had a Bedford engine. All other AWD Bedfords had Perkins engines.

Marshall of Cambridge, who had made many bodies for Bedford trucks for decades, took on the Bedford truck concern after AWD called in the receivers. Marshalls had TL cabs made by Motor Panels of Coventry. 

A number of Bedford M types had new Marshall TL cabs fitted. Still researching this.

There are many films and documents held by Imperial War Museum, which have not yet been digitised, or marked for digitising. They include;

Unprocessed film of the Bedford 4 ton under trials by Fighting Vehicle Research and Development Establishment
https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/25918

This webpage is in support of the Facebook group Bedford MK and MJ 4t 4x4 Military Truck Group  www.facebook.com/groups/230538804424234
It is a growing community of support and sharing