This may never come to fruition, but I am thinking a nice Series III 110 with a modern VW TDI engine mated to a 5 speed and an "American" transfer case. (4 Low, 4 High, Neutral, 2 High) Axles and such are still under consideration. I think the main driver of the project would be what transmission would mate to both a TDI and a transfer case.
Series Rovers were never all that fast, and looks are subjective, but I think the modern engine/drivetrain with vintage looks is a sure fire winner..
Any thoughts?
Brian
MegaDork
1/4/17 3:23 p.m.
Do it. Then again I want to take a 4cyl TJ and chop the frame down to fit a CJ2 or 3 body.
hhaase
Reader
1/4/17 4:28 p.m.
Honestly, I'd just stick with the Rover transmission and transfer case. The R380/LT230 is a good combo, and a damn strong transfer case. Takes care of all the issues the LT77 had such as the oddball shift pattern and output shaft wear. Once you get used to full time 4wd, you don't worry about having a 2wd option anymore.
-Hans
But how he gonna do donuts then 
My inclination would be to look for Jeep parts. The AX15 or nv3500 should have an adapter to the tdi I would think and an NP231 is cheap, available, and upgradeable.
Ransom
PowerDork
1/4/17 7:05 p.m.
I'm pretty sure every thought I've ever had about Land Rovers has been bad.
hhaase
Reader
1/4/17 7:15 p.m.
Furious_E wrote:
But how he gonna do donuts then
My inclination would be to look for Jeep parts. The AX15 or nv3500 should have an adapter to the tdi I would think and an NP231 is cheap, available, and upgradeable.
Problem is the centering on the differentials. LR has both axles offset to the right. Most of your Jeep stuff has the rear differential in the center and front axle on the left.
Series Rovers have received just about every engine imaginable over the years. I've seen a rotary one. VW TDI has, of course, been done by a friend of mine. Stock trans and transfer.
If you are googling, be aware that Rover also has a selection of TDi engines which are very common for those who want a diesel Series with a turbocharger because it, unsurprisingly, bolts right in. That's how I'd do it.
Actually, I've been flirting with the idea of sliding a complete 3.4 Tacoma drivetrain under mine.
I agree that if you want to do diesel, I'd do Rover. Plus you'll get a much better return on investment.
hhaase wrote:
Honestly, I'd just stick with the Rover transmission and transfer case. The R380/LT230 is a good combo, and a damn strong transfer case. Takes care of all the issues the LT77 had such as the oddball shift pattern and output shaft wear. Once you get used to full time 4wd, you don't worry about having a 2wd option anymore.
-Hans
I have full time 4WD in my disco, I would love to disconnect the front axle in the dry on my normal back and forth to work commute.
hhaase wrote:
Furious_E wrote:
But how he gonna do donuts then
My inclination would be to look for Jeep parts. The AX15 or nv3500 should have an adapter to the tdi I would think and an NP231 is cheap, available, and upgradeable.
Problem is the centering on the differentials. LR has both axles offset to the right. Most of your Jeep stuff has the rear differential in the center and front axle on the left.
Ahh, good point, forgot about that.
Have you ever actually driven a Series LR?
Some people like them, some people hate them.
I'm in the "hate" camp. It's like a Jeep Wrangler, but worse.
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
Mister Fister wrote:
Have you ever actually driven a Series LR?
Some people like them, some people hate them.
I'm in the "hate" camp. It's like a Jeep Wrangler, but worse.
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
I have and I like them. I drive around in a coil sprung Disco, so the ride is not all that different (disco is heavier)
Mister Fister wrote:
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
the only argument i would have for that is the Toyota FJ80 Landcruiser's, they ride super smooth
By the time the Range Rover showed up, the Series trucks were basically 22 years old. Even the Series II was into its second decade. So yeah, there's quite a difference.
Series trucks don't make any sense and aren't any fun until you drive them offroad. Then they feel right at home. They're basically offroad tractors, and pretty good at it.
On my SIII I ditched the oil bath air cleaner for a K&N and suddenly I could do 70 MPH on the highway. I also swapped in RR diffs. I have a Fairey too and the combo (despite having my original 2 1/4L) is enough to cruise along nicely. My only beef now is that I wish it was a 109. I re-framed mine and replaced the swivel balls, bushings, springs, and ball joints. It's actually pretty civilized now.
If I was going to swap axles, gearboxes, TCs, and an engine, I think I'd just buy a Ford Ranger or something and drop the Rover body on it. I'd drive a stock truck in good order first though before I started planning to swap a bunch of stuff. That said, I do have a 5.0 Ford and a gearbox adapter for mine.
edizzle89 wrote:
Mister Fister wrote:
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
the only argument i would have for that is the Toyota FJ80 Landcruiser's, they ride super smooth
Pricing also reflects this.
Mister Fister wrote:
edizzle89 wrote:
Mister Fister wrote:
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
the only argument i would have for that is the Toyota FJ80 Landcruiser's, they ride super smooth
Pricing also reflects this.
They're not hard to find under $5-6k around here, but even at $10-15k I think you might still come out ahead of the RR in the long run .
They are pretty remarkable to drive, though. Even the poorly maintained 220+k mile example I test drove.
Mister Fister wrote:
edizzle89 wrote:
Mister Fister wrote:
Give me a nice Range Rover any day. The only body-on-frame truck with two solid axles that rides like a dream.
the only argument i would have for that is the Toyota FJ80 Landcruiser's, they ride super smooth
Pricing also reflects this.
i dunno, if you keep an eye out and are patient then you can find decent ones in the 3-5k range, there are some poeple who still think they are just your run-of-the-mill SUV so they dont sell them with the 'offroader tax'. I traded my 98 audi a4 1.8t for a cherry 92 FJ80. I had paid 3k for the audi 2 years before that if that helps put a value on it
