| Volkswagen LT | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles |
| Production | Typ 28: April 1975 – July 1991 Typ 21: August 1991 – December 1995 Typ 2D: May 1996 – December 2005 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle (M) |
| Body style | Van (Cargo/Passenger),Pickup,Minibus,Crew cab,Chassis cab |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive orfour-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group/Daimler AG LT/T1N platform series |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Volkswagen Crafter |
TheVolkswagen LT is the largestlight commercialpanel van produced byVolkswagen (and subsequentlyVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles as of 1996) from 1975 to 2006, before being replaced by theCrafter. Two generations were produced.
| Volkswagen LT (1st generation) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | MAN G-Series Pegaso Ekus (Spain) Peterbilt Midranger (North America) |
| Production | April 1975 – December 1995 |
| Assembly | Germany: Hanover (Volkswagenwerk Hanover) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Volkswagen L80 Volkswagen Worker Volkswagen Delivery |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length | 4,795–6,560 mm (189–258 in) |
| Width | |
| Kerb weight | 2,699–5,600 kg (5,950–12,346 lb) |
Volkswagen introduced theVolkswagen Type 2 in 1950 and developedlight commercial vehicle versions for German and European markets. The name "Kombi" (the name under which the Type 2 was sold in Brazil) established itself as a concept term to describe an entirelight commercial vehicle segment. The automaker introduced the revisedVolkswagen Type 2 (T2) in 1967. Commercial customers were shipping heavier and larger-volumefreight. The Volkswagen Type 2 platform was also limited by its rear-mounted engine design. A total of 471,221 series 1 LTs were produced between 1975 and 1996.
The new design specifications for a larger transporter as an additional series ranged from 2.8 tonsgross vehicle weight to 3.5 tons. The layout was a conventionalrear drive with the engine located above the frontaxle, in a forward control or 'cab over' design.
The new Volkswagen van was launched in 1975 inBerlin. The name given to Volkswagen's large transporter was as functional as the entire vehicle: it was just calledLT, which is simply the abbreviation ofLasten-Transporter (that basically meansheavy load transporter orcargo transporter).[2]
The LT came in three gross vehicle weights, from 2.8 to 3.5 tons (LT 28,LT 31,LT 35), with twowheelbases, two roof options, and with bodywork options as apanel van, a compact, a platform vehicle, and achassis cab combination.
The design featured a high ratio of utility space to footprint due to its forward control design and overall width of 2.085 metres (6 ft 10.1 in). The compact LT panel van (with a little over four and a half metres in length) offered an interior load length of over three metres and a load area of around 5.5 square metres.
The LT was equipped with a front axle withindependent front wheel suspension. Later options, such as the heavyLT 40 toLT 55, had asolid front axle to achieve increased load-carrying capacity as is common for light trucks.
The firstfacelift in 1983 changed mostly the interior, at the same time as the engine cover was changed and the turbo-diesel and inline-6 petrol engines were introduced. A redesigned dashboard was added and various other small things were changed. The undercarriage had an additional third wheelbase as an option for platform-type vehicles, at up to 4.6 metres in length.
Two years later,Volkswagen again increased the gross vehicle weight, with the 5.6 tonLT 55. It was available with a single-tyre rear axle, allowing for more space between rear wheel wells inside the cargo floor. An LT withfour-wheel drive that could be enabled from within the cab was also available.
The nextfacelift in 1986 changed the roundheadlights to rectangular units, as well as other minor cosmetic retouches.
In Spring 1993, there was again a modest change in the look, with new grey-plastic elements introduced to the radiatorgrille and in the rear lighting section. The diesel engines were replaced with a more modern version of the same block. The DW (N/A diesel) was replaced by the ACT engine and the DV (turbo-diesel) engines were replaced by the intercooled ACL engine. Additionally, the engine cover was replaced with a new version, that had an opening in the front allowing to check the coolant without having to open the entire engine cover.
A touring camper in its various bodywork and fitting options was also produced. The vehicle's width allowed the possibility of beds arranged crosswise. VariousVolkswagen-endorsedWestfalia campervan models were available for the LT, including theSven Hedin, and a later model,Florida. The LT was also used byKarmann who produced over 3,000 Karmann LT Distance Wide coachbuilt motorhomes.
The "G Series" light truck was a joint venture betweenVolkswagen andMAN AG, with gross vehicle weights of between six and ten tons. It was built from 1979 until 1993.
Volkswagen's Brazilian plant atResende has been constructing trucks with weights of between 7 and 35 tons. Even after the launch of the newVolkswagen Constellation in 2006,Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has continued to manufacture vehicles incorporating cabs based on the first generation of the LT, such as theWorker andDelivery trucks.
In the late eighties, German-built Volkswagen LT and MAN-VW G were sold in Spain asPegaso Ekus, while Brazilian-built units were marketed in the US asPeterbilt Midrangers.
A 4X4 version of the LT was also produced. Volkswagen had already prepared for this in 1983 with the cab facelift, which incorporated instrumentation lights for the front, centre, and rear differential locks.
Sülzer developed a 6-cylinder, primarily diesel-powered, 4x4 version of the long-wheelbase VW LT, of which 156 were built. These were either LT40 or LT45 (rated 4 or 4.5 tonne). Opposed to the normal LT40 & LT45, the 4x4s only had single wheels on the rear axle. The chassis is lifted, 26mm anti-roll bars are added to cope with body-roll and the axles are replaced. A propshaft driven, rod/shaft controlled transfer box was installed under the vehicle.
The transfer box was a New Process 208, which is propshaft-driven and cable-operated. The same transfer box can also be found inChevrolet Blazers andJeep Cherokees of around the same time. The first six of the Sülzer vehicles are supposed to have hadDana 70 axles. After that production was changed to use the Italian-built Clark-Hurth axles. All 4x4 LTs came as standard with rear and centre locking differentials, with optional front diff-lock also available (until it became standard fitment in 1991).
Due to the change of axles, the 4x4 LTs came with different wheels to the standard LTs. All 4x4 LTs have 6 stud tube type split-rims in 6.5J width. The standard tyre fitment on these wheels is 7.00x16 or 7.50x16.
In 1985 VW took over the production of the 4x4 LT and introduced the DW (2.4 inline-6 N/A diesel) and DV (2.4 inline-6 turbo-diesel) engines to the portfolio. They made another 1250 or so 4x4 LTs. The model portfolio covered only long-wheelbase vehicles. Tintop and hightop as LT40, pickup and double-cab as LT40 or LT45.[1]
In 1991 the naturally aspirated diesel engine was dropped from the 4x4 program as it did not have enough power for the 4x4 drivetrain, with most 4x4 LTs being either the 90 bhp 6-cyl petrol or the 102 bhp 6-cyl D24T. From 1993 on, VW introduced the D24TIC with 95 bhp, but more torque, for the LT (and LT 4x4). At the same time the transfer box was upgraded to the New Process 241.[3]
Steyr-Puch in Austria built theNoriker using VW LT underpinnings in competition with the Sülzer and VW LT 4x4s, but they only were produced in limited numbers.
De Vries also built three VW LT 4x4s on the same principle as Sülzer/VW, one of which was used in the Dakar Rally in 1983.[4]
Out of 5 million Mk1 VW LTs built, only 1,250 featured four-wheel drive.
The Volkswagen "Typ codes" for the first generation LT were:
The last first-generation LT was produced in 1996, which corresponds to a British 'P' registration plate. In 21 years, just under 500,000 vehicles were assembled.
The petrol engine was a modifiedAudi 100VW EA831 2.0 L inline four-cylinder. In 1976Volkswagen wanted to make a sports coupe and hadPorsche design one for them using parts from the VW/Audi group bin with front engine and rear-wheel drive. They did not go with the design as the rest of the range was switching to front-wheel drive i.e. Golf/Polo/Jetta so VW came up with another design (the Scirocco). Porsche then decided to build it anyway in a collaboration with VW culminating in the Porsche 924 running with anVW EA831Audi 2 L engine withBosch K-Jetronic injection which is the same basic engine that was in the 2 L petrol LT at the time albeit with a carburetor and a vastly uprated Porsche designed cylinder head. It was rated at 55 kilowatts (75 PS; 74 bhp) and achieved higher torque at lower engine RPMs.
An inline four-cylinder diesel engine byPerkins was available. The 48 kilowatts (65 PS; 64 bhp) 2.7 L diesel was included in the LT range from 1976 onwards.
The Perkins engine was replaced in 1978 with a six-cylinder variant of theVolkswagen Golf diesel. The original 1.6 L four-cylinder engine became theD24 2.4 L six-cylinder, delivering 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp). This engine was also used in a number ofVolvo passenger cars.
In December 1982, an upgrade to the LT was introduced. The six-cylinder diesel was available as aturbodiesel, theVolkswagen D24T engine, producing 75 kW (102 PS; 101 bhp) and 195 N⋅m (144 lbf⋅ft) of torque. In addition, the six-cylinder engine was now also available as a 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) petrol engine. All engines were now mounted with a clear offset alignment that allowed for a flatter engine compartment, which was shifted further to the rear for more space for a third seat in thecab.
In 1992, an overhauled turbo-diesel engine withcharge air cooler and 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) was introduced – theVolkswagen D24TIC engine.
Early DV/ACL engine valves are mechanically shimmed; later versions were hydraulically auto-adjusted. The ACL had bigger injectors and the addition of the intercooler. The main block and bottom end remained identical. The head/valve adjusters/injectors/intake manifold and the turbo had variants plus a different sump for the oil to be pumped to the turbo.
| Petrol[citation needed] | |||||||
| Model | Cylinders | Size | Injection Type | Power | Torque | Engine Code / Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | I4 | 1,984 cc | carbureted | 52 kW (71 PS; 70 bhp) @ 4,300 rpm | 132 N⋅m (97 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,400 | CL: 05/76-11/82 | |
| 2.0 | I4 | 1,984 cc | carbureted | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) @ 4,300 rpm | 152 N⋅m (112 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,400 | CH: 04/75-11/82 | |
| 2.4 | I6 | 2,383 cc | carbureted | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) | – | DL: 08/82-07/92 | |
| 2.4 | I6 | 2,383 cc | fuel-injected | 69 kW (94 PS; 93 bhp) | – | 1E: 08/88-12/95 | |
| Diesel[citation needed] | |||||||
| Model | Cylinders | Size | Injection Type | Power | Torque | Engine Code / Years | |
| 2.7Perkins | I4 | 2,702 cc | indirect | 48 kW (65 PS; 64 bhp) | – | CG: 01/76-11/82 | |
| 2.4D24 | I6 | 2,383 cc | indirect | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm | 155 N⋅m (114 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,800 rpm | CP: 08/78-11/82, DW: 12/82-07/92 | |
| 2.4D24[5] | I6 | 2,383 cc | indirect | 51 kW (69 PS; 68 bhp) @ 3,400 rpm | 145 N⋅m (107 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,600–1,800 rpm | 1S: 08/88-07/92, ACT: 08/92-12/95 | |
| 2.4D24T | I6 | 2,383 cc | indirect, turbo-charged | 68 kW (92 PS; 91 bhp) | – | 1G: 08/88-07/92 | |
| 2.4D24T | I6 | 2,383 cc | indirect, turbo-charged | 75 kW (102 PS; 101 bhp) | 195 N⋅m (144 lbf⋅ft) | DV: 12/82-07/92 | |
| 2.4D24TIC | I6 | 2,383 cc | indirect, turbo-charged, intercooled | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm | 220 N⋅m (162 lbf⋅ft) | ACL: 08/91-12/95 | |
Turbodiesel axles are reinforced, have the transition to thecardan shaft further ahead, or a shorter shaft.Axles for single tires cannot be installed in vehicles with twin tires and vice versa.LT 1 4x4 axles are completely different and cannot be replaced by other LT axles.
| Axle Ratio | M code (until 1990) | PR code (from 1991) | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quicker | ||||
| 53: 14 | = 3.79 | 396 | 0ZH | |
| 53: 13 | = 4.08 | 355 | 0ZG | |
| 53: 13 | = 4.08 | 452 | ? | Single tires |
| 41: 10 | = 4.10 | 267 | 0ZF | |
| 40: 9 | = 4.44 | 378 | 0ZE | |
| 39: 8 | = 4.88 | 379 | 0ZD | |
| 43: 8 | = 5.38 | 092 | 0ZC | |
| 41: 7 | = 5.86 | 375 | 0ZB | |
| 45: 7 | = 6.43 | 382 | 0ZA | |
| Slower |
A full list of code letter explanations is available on the German VW LT wiki.[6]
| Volkswagen LT (2nd generation) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles |
| Production | May 1996 – July 2006 |
| Assembly | Germany:Hanover |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Force Traveller T1N Mercedes-Benz Sprinter |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,000–4,025 mm (118.1–158.5 in) |
| Length | 4,835–6,803 mm (190.4–267.8 in) |
| Width | 1,922–2,151 mm (75.7–84.7 in) |
| Height | 2,160–2,600 mm (85.0–102.4 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Volkswagen Crafter |
In 1996, the joint venture of Volkswagen andDaimler'sMercedes-Benz Commercial introduced the second generation LT. The Volkswagen version shared the body shell with the newMercedes-Benz Sprinter. However, the engine and transmission wereVolkswagen Group sourced. This deal would continue in theVolkswagen Crafter, a successor to the LT.
The new design incorporated anengine mounted longitudinally beneath a short hood and withrear-wheel drive. The LT adopted what had become the standard style of construction for bigger transporters. It also included economicaldirect-injectiondiesel engines, easy access to the driver cab behind the frontaxle, and a wide space between the driver and passenger seat.
The range now went from 2.6 to 4.6 tonsgross vehicle weight, and the enclosed options of thepanel van and compact were available in threewheelbase options. Platform vehicles, crew cabs, and numerous undercarriage options completed the range. A specialarticulated version of the second generation LT, theXLT was available through special order.
The Volkswagen "Typ codes" for the second generation LT are:
Engines included a naturally aspirated engine, as well as threeTurbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines. These were theinline-five-cylinder TDI used in theVolkswagen Eurovan (Type 2 T4). The performance range for the LT initially went from 61 to 96 kW (83 to 131 PS; 82 to 129 bhp). In January 2002, aninline-four-cylinder 2.8 L engine made byMWM International Motores increased power output to 116 kilowatts (158 PS; 156 bhp), and the maximumtorque to 331 N⋅m (244 lbf⋅ft).
The 2.8 L engine specifications:
The 2.5 L:
| Petrol[citation needed] | |||||||
| Model | Cylinders | Size | Valves | Power | Torque | Engine Code / Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 | I4 | 2,295 cc | 16v | 105 kW (143 PS; 141 bhp) @ 5,000 rpm | 210 N⋅m (155 lbf⋅ft) @ 4,000 | AGL: 05/96-11/01 | |
| Diesel[citation needed] | |||||||
| Model | Cylinders | Size | Valves | Power | Torque | Engine Code / Years | |
| 2.5 SDI | I5 | 2,461 cc | 10v | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) @ 3,800 rpm | 160 N⋅m (118 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,000–2,400 rpm | AGX: 05/96-04/01 | |
| 2.5 TDI | 10v | 61 kW (83 PS; 82 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 200 N⋅m (148 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,500–2,500 rpm | BBE: 05/01-07/06 | |||
| 2.5 TDI | 10v | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 220 N⋅m (162 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,800 rpm | APA: 05/99-04/01 | |||
| 2.5 TDI | 10v | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,200–2,500 rpm | BBF: 05/01-07/06 | |||
| 2.5 TDI | 10v | 75 kW (102 PS; 101 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 250 N⋅m (184 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,900–2,300 rpm | AHD: 05/96-05/99 | |||
| 2.5 TDI | 10v | 80 kW (110 PS; 110 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,900–2,500 rpm | ANJ/AVR: 06/99-07/06 | |||
| 2.8 TDI | I4 | 2,799 cc | 12v | 92 kW (125 PS; 123 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 280 N⋅m (207 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,300 rpm | AGK: 07/97-12/98 | |
| 2.8 TDI | 12v | 96 kW (131 PS; 129 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft) @ 2,000–2,500 rpm | ATA: 01/99-01/02 | |||
| 2.8 TDICR | 12v | 116 kW (158 PS; 156 bhp) @ 3,500 rpm | 331 N⋅m (244 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,800 rpm | AUH/BCQ: 02/02-07/06 | |||
Production ended in September 2006, with about 350,000 LT models produced over nine years. Plans for the third generation of the 'large transporter' from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles were canceled and later that year, theVolkswagen Crafter was launched.
