DAF F218/F220 series

Data

Manufacturer: DAF Trucks Eindhoven, Netherlands
Years: 1970 - 1995
Predecessor: A-series
Successor: 65/75/85
Class: Heavy Truck
Engine: 5.8 L DD575 diesel I6

6.2 L 620/NS/NT diesel I6

8.25 L DHx 825 diesel I6

History

The DAF F218 and later F220 is the name of a modular cab used on a series of medium-duty trucks produced by the Dutch manufacturer DAF from early 1970 until the mid-1990s. The names reflect the cab width in centimetres, at 218 and 220 cm (85.8 and 86.6 in) respectively. DAF's first tilting cab design, all in steel, it also benefitted from a new 8.25 L (503 cu in) diesel inline-six. After a thorough facelift with a new front clip in the style of the larger F241 series, the cab was renamed the F220 in 1976. The range was originally sold as the F1600 or F2000, with the new model F220 marketed as the F2300. Gradually, a number of other iterations appeared, with the range eventually stretching from the 1700 to the intercooled 2700 ATi.

F218

Introduced in early 1970, the DAF F1600 and F2000 were all-new and tilted for ease of access. The cab used standard pressings and was designed so as to easily allow for a large number of variations to be developed. Both rigids and tractors were offered from the get go. The new 8.25 liter cross-flow six-cylinder diesel was offered in naturally aspirated (DH825) or turbocharged (DHB825) forms, with either 163 or 218 PS (120 or 160 kW) SAE. In 1972, the heavier-duty (32 tons GVW) F2200 appeared, with three versions of the 825 engine with power ranging from 180 to 230 PS (132 to 169 kW). The more powerful models showed the strongest sales.

F198

The narrower yet, at 198 cm (78.0 in), F198 cab arrived in 1972. It was available as the F1200 or the F1400 and was meant for light duty work. This version was short-lived, being replaced in 1975 by DAF's new 500-1300 range which used the all new Club of Four cab, built by Magirus in Ulm, Germany. The F1200 has a 4770 cc inline-six engine with 74 kW (100 PS). The larger F1400 receives the 5760 cc DD575 diesel motor with 110 PS (81 kW) DIN at 2400 rpm. The range seems to have been produced for another few years in small numbers, until around 1978 (when the heavier F1300 and F1500 Club of Four models were introduced).

F220

In 1976, at the Earl's Court Commercial Motor Show, the F2300 appeared. This model had been developed due to pressure from the British sales network, and DAF, seeing a sales potential in Europe as well, was happy to oblige.^[9] The facelifted 2300 received an all new front appearance, looking like a smaller version of the DAF 2800 (which is exactly what it was). The 2300 was available with two, three, or four axles. The new cab design was called the F220. It replaced the F2200, and soon thereafter a series of smaller variations appeared, replacing the old F218 cabs entirely. Either a short or a sleeper design were available. The heavier 2100 and up models have twin round headlights mounted down low, while the lighter F1600 and 1800 have single rectangular headlamps mounted in the bumper.

A choice of six-, nine-, or twelve-speed manual trnsmissions were on offer for the 2300, while the smaller 2100 received six-speed transmissions with or without synchronization. Engine options were 155 or 169 kW (211 or 230 PS) for the 2300 (with an intercooler for the more powerful model) and 116.5 or 150 kW (158 or 204 PS) for the 2100, depending on whether the 825 was normally aspirated or turbocharged. The 2300's cabin was mounted 40 mm higher than on the old 2200 (F218) to allow room for the intercooler plumbing, requiring extra grab handles on the door pillar. The 2300 was a considerable success in the United Kingdom, where it outsold bigger brother 2800 and made DAF a name to be reckoned with. In the early months of 1982, the DAF F2500 arrived. A fettled version of the intercooled 2300 engine provided 250 PS (184 kW) at 2400 rpm and 915 N⋅m (675 lb⋅ft). The power delivery was somewhat peaky, meaning that multiple gears were a necessity. Standard fitment was the six-speed S.6-90 transmission with a splitter for twelve total gears, and a sixteen-speed "Ecosplit" ZF 16S112 was an available option. As with the 2300, the 2500 was available with a short or a sleeper cab, two to four axles, as tractors or as rigid trucks. The more powerful engine made it more fuel efficient than the 2300 as well as quicker and easier to drive.