confusion about 4x4 LTs

can someone explain to me what the VW designations are to indicate a 4x4 version of one of the LTs?

when i first found out that the LT was available in a 4x4 version, the pics i saw were all of LT45s, so i assumed that was the 4x4 model of the LT.  then, a couple of days ago, i saw pics of an LT40 4x4 and also an LT45 which was only 2 wheel drive.  i've also come across german websites, which seem to be referring to the 4x4 versions of the LT as 'sülzer'  [also seen anglicised as 'suelzer'].

so now i'm really confused.  if it isnae based on the model number,  then how do VW indicate which LTs are four wheel drive and which aren't?... and what the feck does 'sülzer' mean?

cheers.  i'd seen that LT 4x4 site before. it  always comes top of the results  when you search for info about them, even tho' it looks like it hasnae been updated in twenty years.  on this page they've got some scans of info about LT 4x4s - one of which seems to be an official VW brochure, which suggests they were made by VW themselves.  my german is almost non-existent, so i could be missing sommit, but the brochure has VW badges on it and i can see no mention in it of any other company which might be doing them as conversions.

actually, i've just had another look at that brochure and on the fourth page, it lists a load of different 4x4 models. they all seem to be LT40s or LT45s, so maybe that '4' in the name was the designation for 4x4.  still disnae explain why i saw an LT40 advertised somewhere a week or two ago which was a non 4x4... unless it was but the seller just hadnae bothered to mention the fact that it was four wheel drive.

tomschute wrote: ...I'm gonna go with that and some of this...

yay - military green should look cool. 

hefty price tho' - when you factor in the postage.  unless you can find someone local who sells it.

i think my van just had some really crappy paint on the fibreglass roof that didnae take to the hammerite at all.   i always hammerite my motors for that authentic mad max look and i've never had it peel off like that before. it usually just fades a bit over the years.

The 4X4 Lt was produced by 2 companeys. The first being schultze from about 1979 to 1989.

ta for the info.

russel at syncronutz wrote: ...the LT 40 is a 4 ton and the 45 is a 4.5ton...

does that mean they're not driveable on a standard car licence then?   i thought the limit was 3,5 tonnes.

"If the van is a camper and registered as so then it is a grey area as to using a 3.5ton licence."

Not grey at all - plain illegal. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law .... unfortunatally.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_10037875

I'd imagine replaiting would be a piece of piss mind as the LT is relatively light.


Edited by tomschute - 22 Feb 09 at 21:29

tomschute wrote: "If the van is a camper and registered as so then it is a grey area as to using a 3.5ton licence." Not grey at all - plain illegal. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law .... unfortunatally. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_10037875 I'd imagine replaiting would be a piece of piss mind as the LT is relatively light.

Suelzer LT 4x4's are a very rare beast, very low numbers were produced, approx 30 are known to have survived. The vast majority of them are non turbo diesels with only 3 known (so i'm led to believe by the german owners club) are petrol 2.4 6cylinder's. One of which i own with an incredible 13,000km's from new.

Although when you drive one of these things you'll realise why, no power steering and a Max speed of 50mph, 60 if your very lucky or very foolish coupled with poor fuel economy and a lack of power.

I am also led to believe that mine is one of the very last produced, manufactured in 1984.

VW did infact make the LT body/engine etc and then Suelzer who were based in Augsburg (south germany near Munich) fitted the 4x4 systems.

Mine also has been converted from new into an ambulance, stationed North of Hamburg where most Suelzers seem to have been stationed for use with the Katastrophenschutz.

Why have i bought one?? Good question.... cos i love em!

Russell, will have to meet up sometime soon. I really need to get my finger out and register these two beauties so that the fun can really begin!

I think your knowledge of 4x4 systems will come in handy!

MaRk*....

I think as usual there's a lot of misinformation flying about regarding "motor home" eligability.

When I enquired about re classing mine as a camper the DVLA turned there nose up at the fact that I had converted it. They requested reciepts, evidence from professional conversion companies and stated "just cos it's got a sink and bed in it don't make it a camper". Seemed like snobery to me. Not sure there stance now but that was only a couple of years ago.

End of the day I couldn't see the benefits of reclassification - other than it might be more legal regarding insurance etc...

What you can drive is based on Gross Vehicle Weight and your license class, full stop. Dosn't matter what it's classed as.