2006 Renault Magnum 480DXi

[carbuilder2002]

OK as a restorer od classic cars and builder of many replicas my dear friend and long time mentor finds himself terminally ill. Keeping his humour to the very end he left me his Magnum Tractor unit in his will with the stifulation that I try something out of my comfort zone and restore it to showroom condition.
Fortunatley he always was festidious and the truck is in amazing condition for its 911,000 miles.
So where am I? I moved my workshop to a space big enough to store it. Covid virus hit and cant get my Class C licence yet soby the time I get that this year will be nearlydone and it will be out of test.
Knowing nothing about Trucks somewhat at a loss even where to get it MOT'd let alone where to getparts other than from Renault or the Breaker yards and Ebay. Trying to find out where I stand regarding the tachograph as it will never be used to haul a trailer or goods.
The guy who delivered it to me gave me a ride round the localroads in it and well it's very high (I'm more a sports car driver).
Any one out there know where to start this journeyof restoring this thing?
Thanks in advance Jeff

[Darkslider]

Can't help with any of your questions but I'd love to see some pictures! I definitely think you should get your test done and see what McDonald's drive thrus you can fit through however

[carbuilder2002]

Well my friend was 5'6" tall and I'm even shorter at 5'4" so to me its like a f;ing block of flats.
Tell me how to post pictures and I will?
Aparently it has the more desirable office cab layout, meaning it has an additional side facing seat behind the driver with a removable table for doing paperwork or watching your dvd's on a laptop lol.

[Venisonpie]

The DVSA website will answer all your questions and a quick Google of HGV MOT stations should reveal something local, they're not 10 a penny and are not currently operating (resuming 29 June I think).

It would be wise to have it looked at before presenting for an MOT as they're very thorough. If you're required to use the tacho it will need calibrating every 2 years.

You used to be able to register a truck as a plg if not used for hire or reward but I believe that has changed.

[carbuilder2002]

Yep the mate who left it to me said it could have it's logbook changed to private use but I would still need a class C licence and the tacho is a very grey area so thinking of using ot anyway just to be sure. Had a hell of a job even finding someone to insure it as a non working truck as it's not old enough to be considered classic.
Oh one last stipulation was I was not to turn it into a bloody christmas tree (his words)

[Venisonpie]

carbuilder2002 said:

Yep the mate who left it to me said it could have it's logbook changed to private use but I would still need a class C licence and the tacho is a very grey area so thinking of using ot anyway just to be sure. Had a hell of a job even finding someone to insure it as a non working truck as it's not old enough to be considered classic.
Oh one last stipulation was I was not to turn it into a bloody christmas tree (his words)

His words were wise. Keep it stock and avoid customizing.

[croyde]

Had to look it up. What a great thing to have as a private transport, if that's allowed.

YouTube vid of interior.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sChSGSTXlk0

[carbuilder2002]

Well it's insured as private use, yes thats the beast except mine is white, 3 axle with mid lift and the video shows the latter instrument cluster mine has 2 big dials.
If anyone can tell me how to post jpg;s I can share some external pics

[croyde]

Hello Carbuilder

When you reply there should be some options above the box you write in.

Click upload an image and there will be a box asking you to find file on phone/computer. Click on your jpg and then the box should show the file name and option to upload.

I believe it won't handle large files.

Edited by croyde on Thursday 25th June 15:04

[carbuilder2002]

Thanks Croyde







As I said it's amazingly clean for the mileage only been used for hauling cars apparently so no where near the 44T max load limit.

[Venisonpie]

Looks very tidy.

[carbuilder2002]

As far as I can tell, body wise only damage seems to be to the offside skirt on the bottom corner and the nearside rear top mudguard.
Not really had a chance to have a good look around it as it arrived at my Unit during lock down so when things ease I will have to try and work out how everything works. Before then can anyone tell me what the red box is on the rear of the cab? I'm guessing a fire blanket or extinguisher, maybe a spill kit got no idea.
Obviously the chap that dropped it off was not able to give me a full rundown on the controls etc due to social distancing rules. Parked it up threw me the keys said the paperwork is in the cab then left. I got the paperwork out, locked it up set the alarm and not seen it since. Hoping it has some sort of owners handbook somewhere in one of the many lockers.
I know mexhanically it's all Volvo running gear but still Iam expecting any parts to be pretty expensive and not only because of the need to stand up to hard use but because they are invariably owned by companies who can offset spares to their tax returns.
So until I am safe to venture to my Unit again not much else I can share.
Jeff

[croyde]

Interesting that you said that you are allowed to drive a tractor unit on a C licence.

Is this the licence that I have automatically due to my age.

I drove big farm tractors as a 20 year old working abroad and returned to the UK working as a driver, including 7.5 ton little trucks as well as the odd 10 tonner when the hire company slipped up.

Off to look at eBay

[carbuilder2002]

As I understand it a tractor unit not being used to pull any kind of trailer is considered to be a ridgid axle lorry and as it's over 7.5T then I need to do my Class C heavy goods though I think these days it;s called LGV used to be called a class 2 licence when I first passed my test in 1974.
Looked into getting it de rated to 7.5T so I could drive iton grandad rights but seems thats impossible without removing the mid axle and god knows what else?
Jeff

[croyde]

Cheers Jeff

[Venisonpie]

carbuilder2002 said:

As far as I can tell, body wise only damage seems to be to the offside skirt on the bottom corner and the nearside rear top mudguard.
Not really had a chance to have a good look around it as it arrived at my Unit during lock down so when things ease I will have to try and work out how everything works. Before then can anyone tell me what the red box is on the rear of the cab? I'm guessing a fire blanket or extinguisher, maybe a spill kit got no idea.
Obviously the chap that dropped it off was not able to give me a full rundown on the controls etc due to social distancing rules. Parked it up threw me the keys said the paperwork is in the cab then left. I got the paperwork out, locked it up set the alarm and not seen it since. Hoping it has some sort of owners handbook somewhere in one of the many lockers.
I know mexhanically it's all Volvo running gear but still Iam expecting any parts to be pretty expensive and not only because of the need to stand up to hard use but because they are invariably owned by companies who can offset spares to their tax returns.
So until I am safe to venture to my Unit again not much else I can share.
Jeff

The red box does look like a fire extinguisher - never seen one put there before but obviously a reason why it worked. Parts can be sourced via factors, it just takes some googling around. They're not that complicated particularly at that age so if you don't mind spannering it could be an entertaining project.

[carbuilder2002]

Well I'm used to building cars and just done a rebuild on a V10 4 cam engine for the car currently under construction so getting my hands dirty is not an issue what may be is the size of things, going to need something like a 4 or 5 ton jack for starters and pair of heavy duty axle stands and my car battery charger will not be up to it either as been told the tachograph can run the batteries down if it's not being used daily.
Jeff

[Venisonpie]

Yeah you'll need the right kit but should be plenty of second hand stuff about. Electrics will be 24v so any charger will need to specced accordingly.
Put an isolator on the batteries to preserve them and try not to let it stand for too long or the brakes can seize.

[grumpy52]

Don't worry about the tachometer, for private use you don't need one .
In normal work use you would need an operator's licence as well as an LGV licence, periodic safety checks and keep drivers and service records , for private use you will only need the LGV licence and an MOT . Get it changed to private use for taxation and not.
Look for a local commercial vehicle factors for service components .
Learn how to drain the air systems as they do fill with water and need cycling ,some drain air when not in use . Lack of air will lock the brakes on and remove all assistance from the clutch gear change .
I think the Renault had suspension on the cabin and also the drivers seat and needed to be set properly otherwise you end up sea sick !
The Renault of this type has quite a fan base .
Good luck .

[carbuilder2002]

Thanks for all this advice guys, I plan driving it up and down the yard once a week both to keep batteries charged and also everything moving. Was not aware of the air system needing draining but am sure the guys who worked for my friend wouldno doubt be able to advise how to do that. Currently trying to get it changed to non comercial use so can tax it as Private and only need an MOT. Yes I know about the cab damping and suspension issues, been reading quite a lot about these beasts seems that they are like Marmite you love em or hate em. As one who tends to go for the unusual it suits me, ok getting in and out is a matter of practice as you have to sort of side step onto the door step, wonder how that goes when it's covered in ice or snow lol?