International Harvester XF4 D2 'Delta 2'

[Tommy]

Hello All

Just a quick note to let members know that I have acquired XF4 D2 179-561 and that it is now in safe hands. This vehicle will be picked up and placed undercover (out of the weather) in the next week or so.

D2 is in remarkably straight condition with no body, chassis or drive line damage. Body and tray are all aluminium so no rust to speak of. A more thorough inspection will determine what parts are missing and what is required to get it 'back on the road'. Side mounted fuel and storage boxes are sitting next to vehicle and will need to be reinstalled. Strangely, the shelf like storage unit to the left in photo #5 is off the Ford XF4 and not the Inter XF4. Hoops for tray canvas and two spare rims are sitting in the tray as well. Sale included Workshop and Parts manuals.

Interestingly, the XF4 D3 that is on display in the Bandiana Army Museum wears the ARN plate 179-561. REMLR records show that D3 is infact 179-562. Not sure how to clarify this anomaly. Can anyone help?

[Mike C]

I might be able to assist. Give me some time to check the records I have.

Is that the ex-Bob D (decd)  XF4?

Well worth getting hold of: a really unusual item.

Mike

[Tommy]

Hello Mike

Yes, ex Bob D. Any help would be appreciated.

Do you know who owns D1 and D4. REMLR records state that they are both 'in civilian hands', Victoria. Same owner. Would like to contact this person for info on XF4s.

[AGAS 5]

Nice pick up Stuart - well done !

It's not often that these rare and unusual vehicles come up for sale.  Is the restoration a long term prospect ?

Thanks for the pics

Pete

[fc101]

Pete - I thought you were glamping this weekend - the cold got to you?

Garry

[Tommy]

Nice pick up Stuart - well done !

It's not often that these rare and unusual vehicles come up for sale.  Is the restoration a long term prospect ?

Thanks for the pics

Pete

Hello Pete

From what I can see (and know), the D2 is missing the following -

Winch
Radiator
Exhaust
One front diff axle
Both front and rear driveshafts

Apart from that, there appears to be little else missing.

I have no idea as to the motor and gearbox condition. Hoping both are OK. If so, I am hoping to get D2 up and running so that it can be licensed. Would be fascinating to see how she goes on and off the road. The initial army trials of 1971/2 showed that the XF4 had a superior off road performance over the Land Rover.

[AGAS 5]

I wonder how many of those part are common to other models, or if they're bespoke to the prototype ?

Cheers.

[Tommy]

I wonder how many of those part are common to other models, or if they're bespoke to the prototype ?

Cheers.

Pete

As far as I can tell, the only mechanical part that is unique to this vehicle is the transfer case. Specially built by Sonnerdale Richardson David Brown Ltd to incorporate the low range gearing and the two power take offs (one for winch and one for powering the trailer) required by the army. Everything else is 'off the shelf'. Both the Ford and the IH versions of the XF4 shared a few common mechanical parts.

[THE BOOGER]

So would scout parts fit not common here but there are a few around and still plenty of parts from the US

[Tommy]

So would scout parts fit not common here but there are a few around and still plenty of parts from the US

Geoff

The IH 304 V8 is straight out of the Scout. The T18 gearbox was also used in the Scout. Apart from that, the rest of the mechanicals would be a heavier spec than Scouts.

[Tommy]

I now have a copy of an official film shot during the XF4 trials. It is a copy taken from VHS tape and is not the best of quality. It depicts the XF4s during the initial testing at Monegeeta right through to the tropical trials in FNQ. I have taken some screenshots from this film.

All images show International Harvester D2 in action.

High speed water testing.

 

On the way through NSW to the tropical testing. Convoy is - S2A LWB Land Rover, IH D2, Ford G2 with trailer and a D Series Ford truck.

 

 

Far North Queensland.

Scrub Bashing.

 

High Speed Beach Run.



Creek Crossing and Jungle Track.

 

Slippery Mud Track. 

 

Towing Trials - 105mm Pak Howitzer.

[Tommy]

Picked up a Workshop Manual the other day. Comprises mechanical and electrical information. No body or accessories info.

[2short]

For such a rare vehicle that is very cool to have it on film.

[Tommy]

For such a rare vehicle that is very cool to have it on film.

You're not wrong there 2short. I will be uploading the film onto Youtube as soon as I can.

What struck me about the film was the way in which the army tested these vehicles. Full on. All XF4s had locking front and rear diffs and it shows. They were almost unstoppable in all conditions. There are shots of the XF4s at full pace along dusty, muddy, beach and bitumen roads/tracks. The scrub bashing scenes were a sight to behold. It's a wonder that they survived the testing in one piece.

D2 (International Harvester) and G2 (Ford) are the two XF4s used in the tropical tests. Probably the two best known XF4s out of the eight.

[Tommy]

Update...

Spent this afternoon readying the XF4 for transport to it's new home. A good mate of mine, REMLR member 'DODGE', helped out with the towing duties from the backyard to the house front. A tilt tray truck will be picking the XF4 up tomorrow morning.

I removed what was left of the cab canvas roof. Although looking rather tattered, it is complete apart from the top flat section. It will make a great pattern for the reproduction of a new one.

Whilst checking over the vehicle, we found an under floor storage compartment behind the two piece swing down tailgate. The compartment was full of the missing driveshafts, axles, the remainder of the tray hoop sections and other parts. This was a pleasant surprise and will go a long way towards completing the truck.

One other interesting thing I did find this afternoon was that the drivers door has been replaced using the door from XF4 'D4'. If the door is viewed from a certain angle, the number '4' can be seen directly behind the '2'. I will try and get a photo and post it up.



As you can see, the XF4 is not a small truck.



'Under tray floor' storage compartment.