How can I find out what I have here?

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Indy500
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My Cars: Citroen Relay High Cube Box Van 1996

How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Indy500 »

I've bought a 1996 ex RAF exhibition vehicle and as you would imagine, it has been re-registered once out of service and I am finding it extremely difficult to locate parts I need. Typing in the numberplate brings up no records at all on the major parts websites.

How can I find out what this van is properly? A lot of sites allow you to scroll down makes and models but I haven't got a clue! I need to know definitive engine, gearbox details, oil details etc. I need a speedo cable and an exhaust skin and a coolant bottle, various side lights, but most importantly, a clutch cable. I don't want to order things and then have to send them back. That kind of thing bakes my head :D

Problem 2
On the sticker inside the cab, it says
Citroen Relay model 1800
2.5TD
Axles 3
The VIN (I can post this if it helps)
3500kg
5100kg
1-1850kg
2-2120kg
Axle 2 1300
Axle 3 1300
A23623
70KW @3700RPM

But the van is 3800 kilos with absolutely nothing in it but air. I think it was downplated to allow more RAF recruits to drive it on a standard licence and I believe, when new, it simply MUST have been plated heavier. Even without a driver, it's overweight and certainly not legal. It sits on the drive like a big empty shed.

I want to know all about this vehicle as I am eventually going to travel in it extensively. How can I find out what it was weighted at originally? I can then approach the DVSA to put it back again.

The MOT also calls it a Chrysler Box Van 3 axle.

The whole thing is a mismatch of information and I am lost. And nearly cryin' with frustration.

Can anyone help? I need this empty shed on the road. Thank you.
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white exec
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My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by white exec »

Hello, and welcome to the forum.
An interesting acquisition!
If you can post the vehicle's VIN number (which will appear masked on the forum), we can access the build details from the original factory spec.
Should make interesting reading.
Chris
Indy500
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My Cars: Citroen Relay High Cube Box Van 1996

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Indy500 »

You absolute lighthouse in the dark!! :D

VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
CHASSIS 000CBU6SRAB3
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

You have a RELAY MEDIUM CHASSIS CAB TYPE 18 2.5 D (DJ5T) Manual gearbox 5 and the vehicle was actually built on 12 April 1995.

The Admin Team can provide you with the PSA part numbers for parts, but this will require a min £10 donation as PSA charge for this information now from March 2020. That will cover you for up to 2 years of parts info requests and any parts diagrams you need (where available). See below for details:
A response to your question by a forum admin will require detailed vehicle information that requires you to have made a current contribution to the Forum.
Donate

Further Information
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Indy500
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Indy500 »

That's brilliant! Thank you! Can I donate in a different way yo paypal? Had a VERY bad experience with them. Big grin!!
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It is our preferred method to be honest, as it's very quick and simple and automatically updates your profile status at the same time so the team can see you are a Donor. If you can do that via PP it would save a lot of hassle. If not, please let me know and I'll have to arrange for a colleague to look at alternatives for you which may take a while to sort. :wink:
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
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white exec
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Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by white exec »

This is the totality of factory spec info, very brief - maybe because a Utility Vehicle (Relay).
No further info under most of the headings.
Hope helpful, anyway.

Click to enlarge
RAF van spec.jpg
Chris
Indy500
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Indy500 »

Above and beyond guys! I will make a donation as it has lowered my stress levels somewhat. I just need to find it's original weight now. Perhaps it was 3500kg as it is 'a medium chassis'. I wonder how svtech have built this body heavier but it still has 3500kg on the sticker? I have some investigating to do. :D
The link to donate doesn't work now? Please post another so I can sort it out.
Thank you again, I am sure I will be back to ask dippy questions soon.
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Gibbo2286 »

It was supplied and plated as a "chassis cab" so that's where the weight came from, the bodywork added later accounts for the extra weight but doesn't change the original spec and legal requirements, it still has to comply with the maximum gross weight rules...……………………………..I think. :) the extra bodywork counts as 'load'
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by bobins »

I'd agree with what Gibbo says, but do check to see if there's a second, and more recent, VIN plate anywhere i.e. in the rear bodywork area, as this could supercede the original VIN plate if the vehicle was uprated in the conversion process. Looking at the maximum axle loads permitted, it looks like you've not got much leeway to add any sort of load if the vehicle does, indeed, weigh 3800kgs 'unladen'. I presume you've had it properaly weighed at a weighbridge ? Was it a 'whole vehicle' weighing, or an individual axle load weighing ?
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
Indy500
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 14
Joined: 20 Jun 2020, 21:29
Location: Walsall, West Midlands
My Cars: Citroen Relay High Cube Box Van 1996

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by Indy500 »

It has an svtech sticker on it, but no other plates or stickers. I am going to have to get it up-plated by DVSA. It clearly doesn't comply with the sticker. The VIN on the sticker matches the engine plate. It was weighed as a whole vehicle, not individual axles. Looks like I am going to have to upgrade the suspension and possibly the braking system. I will get there. :D Eventually. Thank you lads! Made this girlie very happy.
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by bobins »

If you make any contact with DVSA, I'd strongly suggest it's all done by email or letter and not by phone as you'll want a record of any (mis)information they supply.

It can be a bit of a minefield when trying to interpret and change VIN plate classifications, so don't start the process unless you've thoroughly researched it. It might be worth an email to SVTech to get them to confirm what is going on with your VIN plate and weights.

As an aside - have a read of this thread about one persons issues with 'wrong' weight classifications - it can shed light upon what you're up against........
http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/for ... ion/46425/
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
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white exec
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Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by white exec »

I'm sure others here know plating better than I do, but I'd guess that chassis cabs leave the factory suitably plated for what they are, and, if passed to a coachworks for addition of bodywork, then the vehicle would need additional plating to cover it. Might not apply to bulk builds (eg standard buses), but would to one-offs/specials.

Good advice to do everything with DVSA in writing.
Chris
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Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by bobins »

Yep, a chassis-cab can leave a factory with one VIN plate weight rating, then be upgraded at the vehicle converters (bigger/better brakes, axles and suspension) and have a second VIN plate added that overrides the 'factory' VIN plate.
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
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C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
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XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
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XM 2.0 SX Polar White
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GS 1220 Geranium Red
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x 5644

Re: How can I find out what I have here?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Indy500 wrote: 21 Jun 2020, 08:40
The link to donate doesn't work now? Please post another so I can sort it out.
It's working fine. Just scroll to the bottom centre of the page and press the donate button.

Once this is sorted I can provide you with the weights data.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
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