DAF » YA 314 / YA 324

During the period of the Marshall Plan some $13 billion in economic aid and technical assistance was given to help the recovery of Western European countries. The Dutch government was quick to seize on the opportunity by acquiring sufficient funding for a large order of military 4x4 and 6x4 trucks from DAF in 1952.

One of these vehicles was the DAF YA 314 4x4 truck, which had a payload of 3000 kg. Developed during the early 1950s, the truck was eventually put into production in 1953 and was manufactured right up to 1965. It was built with a basic steel forward control cab with a canvas roof that could be rolled backwards, whilst the windscreen could be folded forward on to the radiator if required. It also had removable doors.

The designation YA 314 means: Y — military vehicle, A — general purpose, 3 — payload in tonnes, 1 — series, 4 — number of wheels. The first series trucks DAF YA 314 were produced since 1953 to 1960, then were replaced by the second series DAF YA 324. The updated model got a reinforced chassis, heavy-duty rear suspension, DAF axles instead of Timken.

The range included also YK 314 tipper and YF 324 tanker. The engine is a 6-cylinder Hercules JXC rated at 102 hp and 285 Nm. Gearbox is 4-speed manual. Overall dimensions — 6090x2425x2785 mm. Curb weight — 4800 kg (DAF YA 314) and 5500 kg (DAF YA 324). Total mass — 7800 kg (DAF YA 314) and 8500 kg (DAF YA 324). Top speed — 76 kph. Range — 630 km. The YA 314 and YA 324 were replaced by the DAF YA 4440 in the 80s.