conversion of 88" series II to non-landrover chassis

[dulinm]

Hello, I'm editing my original text that was asking advice on possibly creating a bastard-child out of my 71 Series II (88" wheel base) by putting the body on another frame, with a different engine/drivetrane. Most of the advice steered me away from this plan and suggested I inspect the frame because if it's good...cheaper to put in a different engine, etc. The best "DON'T DO IT" said that my proposed "hybrid bastard scheme would become a constant engineering/wrenching/ass -scratching/more wrenching/wishing"........so..........got to go back to plan A. Thanks for the 20 replies and good advice, Mark

[scott]

i'd think putting some other motor & drive line would be easier/cheaper than a body swap

[Leslie]

My suggestions would be:

A) engine swap to something else, keeping the chassis (or is the chassis in bad shape?). There are other engine conversions out there. Merecedes diesels, Isuzu diesels, GM engines, etc.


B) if the chassis is in bad shape and in need of replacement, you could use a Range Rover Classic or a Discovery, shorten the wheelbase down (or, keep the wheelbase and stretch the tub), add outriggers for the bulkhead, tub, etc., put the rear crossmember onto the coiler chassis..... that way, you've gained the V8, coil suspension and disc brakes, but you'd have a typical Rover hybrid (check the Hybrid board here on the RN boards).

[Eric W S]

Have you done the math yet? Is it really going to be cheaper to buy a rolling chassis AND pay to have someone swap it for you?

I would say get online and find a good used engine and leave well enough alone.

[Woodslug]

You will be cutting way back on your resale value doing this. I have seen several bastardized Rovers for sale and nobody wants them.

Ted

[I Leak Oil]

Replacing the diesel will be far less expensive than doing what you're proposing. Why do you think your mechanic is willing to take on such a project? Probably becuase it's a cash cow for him.
If you want to keep the truck I'd recommend finding another 2.25 diesel or a 2.25 gasser can be had for short money.
To answer your question though, I don't know of any other vehicle that is a good or inexpensive fit.
Jason T.

[daveb]

Hello, I'm not mechanically inclined

Hi

If you are not mechanically inclined, do not modify from stock. End of story.

ok you can install upgrades using other LR parts like dual circuit brakes or a petrol engine. etc etc but the kind of hybrid bastard scheme you are talking about will become a constant engineering/wrenching/ass-scratching/more wrenching/wishing-you-were-more-mechanically-inclined kind of experience.

Don't do it.

[Terrys]

Mechanically inclined or not, you're out of your mind if you think any sort of chassis/hybrid swap is a good idea. You will forever have a morphed truck that no one else will want. There are plenty of 2.25 petrol engines out there that will simply bolt right in with NO modifiction. You can buy a new one from Rovers north for way less than any sort of butcher chassis swap.

[leafsprung]

Many people automatically assume that every swap is a "butcher job" This is not true but there are SO MANY bad ones out there it gives the good ones a bad name. How talented is your mechanic? Has he done this sort of custom work before? My guess is that he has not. Doing it nicely will cost more than the engine work. Scratch building a chassis or making a new drivetrain and suspension fit the existing frame are much better routes to a clean result.

[Donnie]

i'd think putting some other motor & drive line would be easier/cheaper than a body swap

I guess it would depend on if your frame is GOOD, or not I have a 109 that I am going to put on something...It is a 109 LHD, with an 88 top.. It has a little bed in the rear, you could probably haul a refrigerator standing up in the bed....The engine has beeb converted to a 304 ford, wirh stock rover gear boxes...This was a fun truch to drive when it had a frame,,, I guess we need to get out the tape measure..........Donnie

[Donnie]

Bastard Truck

I can do the work myself, it is typing that I seem to be at a loss for tonite...I had no plans of being a secretary when I grew up...1 finger Donnie

[Jeff Aronson]

You don't identify where you are located, but I find it hard to believe that a mechanic, charging a reasonable rate, would fiind it more cost efficient to modify an existing chassis/drivetrain and swap out a bulkhead and body, and rig up brakes, wiring, fuel delivery, suspension, for less money that it would cost you to purchase a new and/or used frame and used Land Rover components.

Help us help you; first, where are you located?

Jeff

[Terrys]

Nowhere did the guy say he had a bad frame, just a bad engine. I have never seen a good Land Rover body transplant to some other truck frame so, Ike, maybe you could show me what it looks like, since you seem to be singling me out by paraphrasing me. But then, I've only been playing with them for 37 years so what do I know.

[leafsprung]

Im sure if you haven't seen it, it doesn't exist.



This one is just a home built someone sent me pictures of. I think it has a mini-truck chassis and running gear. Im guessing it has some "non professional" touches, but it looks like a worthy vehicle that would serve its owner well. Its not any different than every series truck on a RR chassis build out there. Im sure you've seen those (if you havent check out "A 4x4 is born"). There is a semi local rover owner currently doing a scratch built chassis with toyota running gear. He is a nice guy and a pretty talented fabricator. Im confident his build will turn out nicely You can follow his build at:

http://seriesiiirover.blogspot.com/

There are also dozens more great trucks running scratch built chassis with non land rover drivetrains or heavily modified rover chassis with various drivetrains.

Here are a few:







If you want more pictures of drivetrain conversions, feel free to drop me a PM, I have piles. Dont get me wrong, I dont think this guy should tackle this project, its clear he (and his mechanic more than likely) have no idea what they are in for. But its been done successfully to a reasonable standard many many times.

“The only things worth learning are the things you learn after you know it all.” - Harry Truman

[scott]

leaf,

glad you posted this. i'm of the thought that the best way to improve a heep or a yoda is to make 'em look like a rov. i like running my mostly original series. got nothing against those that build hybrids. and for those who warn that they have no resale or that you just end up with a money pit and waist a retorable rov, well i say so what. for every one of these projects that fail my 88 beomes one more truck rarer.

so to anyone doing this i say do what you want. i pesonally (cuz i'm cheap) would just build another 2.25 and keep it simple. but if i owned a yoda pick-up or 4runner that ran but the body trashed and a 109 w/a rotted frame and a cracked 2.25, i'd move the aluminum to the yoda