hj308's HZ Sandman Build

[hj308]

Have maybe come across a HZ sandy would appreciate feedback only have limited info at this stage awaiting chasis number, and is now running 308 instead of 253. Body 398456-A . Trim 1933- 63V. Paint 568-30524. Model HZ8WN70. L32 M20, GVW 1950. Seating 2. Full hoodling, dash, console s/wheel etc. Dnt have small tag or chasis number at this stage although he says chasis is original. Nil tyre placard in glovebox.

[HK1837]

As per PM, it is an XU4 Kingswood. Not a Sandman.

[Kiwivan]

What does the XU4 mean??As we have as I suspect a Kingswood van on it's way down to us.

Cheers Kiwivan

[hj308]

Thanks , what are the standouts that tell you it is a Xu4, I am guessing this is a optioned up Kingswood or something the dealers arranged.

[stickthis]

XU4 is basically a stock any optioned up Belmont, Holden or Kingswood Pano or Ute. 76 build year HJ to WB's.

They have been derated. So the GVW or GVM is lower. This is because they have had sedan tyres fitted to them to handle better. They simply could not handle as much weight as the standard commercial tyres. The XU4 option was part of the XX7 Sandman package.

XU4's are rare. But not highly collectible.

The XU4 package did not come with anything else like the GTS goodies. It was simply for the tyre only.


Like Byron said. Its a HZ XU4. Reason we can tell this is because it has the reduced GVM/GVW. Making it either a XX7 Sandman or a XU4. The model number has the letter "N" in it which stands for Kingswood. As there where no Kingswood sandman in HZ this can only make it a HZ XU4.

Hope that helps.

[HK1837]

No. XU4 is just a code for a late HJ-HZ ute or van with passenger vehicle tyres hence the lowered GVW of 1950kg. No other differences whatsoever. Just think of the difference between an XU3 and XX7 from late HJ onwards - answer: the tyres. And that is the difference between a normal ute/van and an XU4.

[wbute]

I have a query on XU4's. It would make a lot more sense if they had the lighter spring pack more so than the sedan tyres only. I would have thought if you had to upate the load carrying capacity from an XU4 they would have said you also had to fit the 6 leaf springs. Just a thought.Not much point having heavy duty tyres if the thing is dragging its arse on the ground with nice straight side sidewalls on the tyres.

[HK1837]

There was no uprate from XU4. Only a downgrade from normal. Springs are the same. Reduction in GVW is wholly because of the tyres. Exactly the same today, where you have to fit load rated tyres to load carrying vehicles.

[stickthis]

Mate im keen to know if your van has a tyre placard on it?

[wbute]

Yeah I know you wouldnt have been able to option up from xu4. just curious about if the springs came into the mix with load ratings.