Dongfeng KL

Climbed up the cabin of this Dongfeng truck and you’d see a basic yet ergonomic designed interior. The curved dashboard ensures that everything is within reach of the driver. The analog instrument cluster, steering wheel, switches and control knobs, and the gear shifter are all conveniently within arm’s reach. The center console has cubbies and acts as a barrier between the driver and the front-seat passenger. There is enough legroom, shoulder room, and headroom between the seats that the cabin doesn’t feel constricted at all. What is more, at the back is an added bench but with no legroom. The extra space can be used for personal cargo storage of the passengers but is designed to be sleeping space for when the other passenger needs to take a rest during long haul trips. There are even curtains to add some privacy. It also allows the front passengers to adjust their seats.

The Dongfeng KL exudes the same traditional truck design found in all Dongfeng heavy-duty trucks. There’s a wide windshield, front matte black radiator grille accented by a giant Dongfeng chrome badge with a narrow chrome strip. The grille is flanked by air vents. On the lower bumper is a couple of giant headlights and close to it are front fog lights. On the sides are built-in steps for easy climbing to the cabin. Giant exterior side mirrors and giant windows help the driver with rear visibility. This China-made heavy-duty hauler has a gross weight of 18,000 kg and a maximum payload of 6, 805 kg. The Dongfeng KL has a wheelbase of 3,500 mm + 1,350 mm and minimum ground clearance is 230 mm. Autokid Truck Solutions offers various truck bodies to go with it like the winged container van, dropside van, rivetless aluminum van, and even refrigerated van option so you can customize your truck according to your desired purpose.  

The transmission with short-stroke synchronizers allows for smooth and trouble-free gear shifting for minimal delay when transitioning between gears. The axle configuration at 4 x 2 with 2 tons 7 and 13 front and rear axle respectively provide the truck with torquier output and a wide ratio range. It is further enhanced by an integrated main reducer housing with lightweight, high strength, and good sealing. On the other hand, the high specification bearing ensures the reliability of transmission parts. While the patented lubricating pump technology for the middle axle, effectively prevent burn-out of bearing. 

The Dongfeng KL is fitted with a Cummins water-cooled, inline-six cylinders four-stroke turbocharged and inter-cooled, high-pressure common rail engine that delivers 385 hp of power at 1,900 rpm and 1800 Nm of torque at 1,100 – 1,500 rpm. The 11,000cc diesel engine is equipped with an electronically controlled injection system (EECU) and common rail direct injection technology. It is mated to a DT1420 transmission with 14 forward gears and two reverse gears, fitted with 123 mm x 156 mm bore and stroke and has a maximum speed of 105 kmph. The engine is Euro 4 emission standard compliant and registers a fuel economy at less than 190 grams per kWh.

When it comes to braking and safety, the Dongfeng KL is fitted with a minimal standard of safety features. The 3 pt. seatbelts for the two front passengers are the only active safety feature of the truck, there are no SRS airbags. But then again, this is a heavy-duty truck and not a family vehicle so some safety specs can be foregone for other features. Like the air suspension disc brake for stopping power. There is also the Beidou navigation satellite system that is compatible with GPS to help drivers plan and direct their routes.

The Dongfeng KL is built with economy in mind. It is a reliable and durable truck built for heavy-duty work. The flexibility it offers when it comes to its truck body is another plus as it can be used beyond the construction and dumping function to serve other hauling needs. As per usual, the only constraint would be the aftersales support and availability of genuine parts.