INTRODUCTION
PRELIMINAR STUDIES AND CONSIDERATIONS
MAINTENANCE AND DAMAGE PREVENTION
WORK ON BASIC VEHICLE
MOUNTING AND CONSTRUCTION
POWER TAKE-OFF
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
APPENDIX
V1.0, February 2015
Body Builder Manual Part II, Specific Book LCV
165
5.4.3
Van bodies
This type of body is considered to be rigid to torsion under normal conditions.
Fig. 5-121 SPBGC53_018 Van body
General considerations
Before starting conversion work on the vehicle, it is recommended that the basic
vehicle should be weighed and measured, and a detailed planning of the work to
developed should be carried out. In this way it is possible to properly determine the
dimensions, weights and main features of the upper body to be installed.
The proper height of the centre of gravity must be achieved, to ensure maximum
stability, as well as to comply with the distribution of weight according to the regu
-
lations in force and to the guidelines contained in this manual.
See chapter 2.3 "Technical limit values".
Subframe features
In this type of body the use of open sections, e.g. U or Z, is recommended in the
construction of the subframe. In this way, uniform load distribution can be achieved.
A section size (Wx) and a material for the subframe members must be chosen ac
-
cording to the feature of the new vehicle, its performance and the load to be sup
-
ported.
See chapter 5.2.2 "Subframe permissible material".
See chapter 5.2.3 "Subframe: permissible sections".
Being a rigid structure, it can be regarded as a self-supporting body. The structure
of the body could be used to replace the subframe. The feasibility of this method
must be studied in each single case.
See chapter 5.3.5 "Self-supporting structures".