Dear group,
I work at a small Airfield where we use a 1978 Range Rover Carmichael
Commando fire engine to provide cat 1 and 2 fire cover.
The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) insist that if a vehicle has 6
wheels then all of them are driven, so our truck had a 6x6 conversion
some years ago.
Guess what, it's started getting noisy, and the noise is coming from
the special rear (middle!) axle with 'drive through' .
We have now hired a standby vehicle, so have a little time to try and
source parts for ours.
I have tried Withams, Firefly, and others without success.
Most people can offer alternative vehicles, but none of them have all
the functions which ours has (roof-mounted spray nozzle called a
monitor), 6 wheel drive, and extra-large water/foam tanks.
What I really need is a replacement axle, with the 6 wheel drive
facility.
Our old axle looks like two diffs bolted to axle opposite each other,
but I am told that the insides are much more complicated than this. (To
provide drive to rear axle in the correct direction!)
I have discovered that some 6x6 conversions were 6x4 of 6x6 selectable,
so the rearmost axle was just trailing unless required to provide
traction. This would be superb for us.
Maybe someone out there is breaking one of these vehicles, or can help
with locating the required parts.
Whilst we may end up buying a new-build fire Engine, we would still
like to repair this one and keep it as backup.
We have been quoted £5000 for a new axle with selectable 6 wheel
drive, but we have seen complete vehicles for this price!
Perhaps you have a Commando or TACRII vehicle with roof-mounted nozzle
(monitor), and pump for running sidelines for sale??
Please do contact me if you can help!

Joe Landy
(Running a Series 2a with 2.5 Turbo Diesel conversion and defender
grille!) Previous 1956 series 1 owner, and 1979 Range Rover 2 door
owner.
E-mail joelandyman <at> postmaster.co.uk or phone/txt 07887 694427

P.S What a superb vehicle the Carmichael fire engine is. Still manages
80MPH despite it's age, but handles like a sick pig on corners! I'm
told that many an RAF driver rolled them. Water tank is mounted very
high up. 'Nuff respect to those who run them as classic 6x4s (or
whatever!).

joelandyman@postmaster.co.uk wrote:

> Dear group,
> I work at a small Airfield where we use a 1978 Range Rover Carmichael
> Commando fire engine to provide cat 1 and 2 fire cover.
> The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) insist that if a vehicle has 6
> wheels then all of them are driven, so our truck had a 6x6 conversion
> some years ago.
> Guess what, it's started getting noisy, and the noise is coming from
> the special rear (middle!) axle with 'drive through' .
> We have now hired a standby vehicle, so have a little time to try and
> source parts for ours.
> I have tried Withams, Firefly, and others without success.
> Most people can offer alternative vehicles, but none of them have all
> the functions which ours has (roof-mounted spray nozzle called a
> monitor), 6 wheel drive, and extra-large water/foam tanks.
> What I really need is a replacement axle, with the 6 wheel drive
> facility.
> Our old axle looks like two diffs bolted to axle opposite each other,
> but I am told that the insides are much more complicated than this. (To
> provide drive to rear axle in the correct direction!)
> I have discovered that some 6x6 conversions were 6x4 of 6x6 selectable,
> so the rearmost axle was just trailing unless required to provide
> traction. This would be superb for us.
> Maybe someone out there is breaking one of these vehicles, or can help
> with locating the required parts.
> Whilst we may end up buying a new-build fire Engine, we would still
> like to repair this one and keep it as backup.
> We have been quoted £5000 for a new axle with selectable 6 wheel
> drive, but we have seen complete vehicles for this price!
> Perhaps you have a Commando or TACRII vehicle with roof-mounted nozzle
> (monitor), and pump for running sidelines for sale??
> Please do contact me if you can help!
>
> Joe Landy
> (Running a Series 2a with 2.5 Turbo Diesel conversion and defender
> grille!) Previous 1956 series 1 owner, and 1979 Range Rover 2 door
> owner.
> E-mail joelandyman <at> postmaster.co.uk or phone/txt 07887 694427
>
> P.S What a superb vehicle the Carmichael fire engine is. Still manages
> 80MPH despite it's age, but handles like a sick pig on corners! I'm
> told that many an RAF driver rolled them. Water tank is mounted very
> high up. 'Nuff respect to those who run them as classic 6x4s (or
> whatever!).

There is a high chance that if the problem is just that the axle is noisy,
all it needs is new bearings, which are almost certainly standard type.
Have you talked to a specialist gearbox/rear axle workshop about
overhauling it? Even apart from the bearings, there are good odds that all
the gears and other wearing bits are off the shelf parts.
JD