How difficult is a chassis change?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
natas

natas

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,434
Location
Bahamas
I am starting to find rust on my chassis.
I recently found holes on both sides up front by the dumb irons.
A couple more here and there.
So its time to make a decision, start patching or start saving up for a new galvanised chassis?

Keep in mind that the chassis will have to be imported to The Bahamas. Freight and duty will more than double the original cost.
Then there is the issue of lack of experience. It would by myself and my friendly "bush" mechanic that would do the work. I have very little experience and this is the first Land Rover that my mechanic has ever worked on.

How trustworthy is patching if done by a good welder?
If I start patching, how much longer will the chassis last?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.
 
I had that scenario last year and decided to swap the whole chassis.

I did it 100% on my own only using lz and the land rover workshop manual. I'm a computer programmer so had absolutely no mechanical knowledge bar the occasional oil change!

The worst bit is lifting the body off, if you have something to do that and an angle grinder you will be fine!
 
You will also need a good supply of nuts and bolts as I am finding, and I am only doing minor repairs to the chassis. I have ended up cutting all the suspension ones to get them off as they have all been rusted solid or snapped.
 
How difficult?

Leave it out in the rain and everything will fall oft. Then it's just a case of putting everything on the new chassis. Don't worry about panels not lining up right or doing the job propper... LR never did. :pound:
 
what's the bahamas like for rust? if most cars last for donkeys, then i'd patch it. if it's like the uk and will rust to bits.. then i'd cost it up.

re the job.. not difficult, just time consuming
 
Just to give you an idea, i am 14 and have not swapped the chassis, but did a complete restoration on the chassis.

All you need is a crane, a looooot of patience, basic mechanical knowledge, a good memory, and here's a tip. Take pictures of wires as you unplug them, and get a Haynes land rover 90/110/defender manual.

CAM00529_zpsxwbsil7i.jpg
 
ProcrastinatorFraser said:
Just to give you an idea, i am 14 and have not swapped the chassis, but did a complete restoration on the chassis.

All you need is a crane, a looooot of patience, basic mechanical knowledge, a good memory, and here's a tip. Take pictures of wires as you unplug them, and get a Haynes land rover 90/110/defender manual.

CAM00529_zpsxwbsil7i.jpg
Click to expand...

Now where's the fun in that....:D:D Top job by the way, it's nice to see some of the youth of today know how to do something else other than sitting in front of some sort of screen so keep up the good work.

As said though it is pretty straight forward if you are just doing a straight swap.
A grinder,cutting disc's , hand tools, engine host , lots of swear words and dont forget the plasters or band aids.:D:D
 
Hi Natas, I just ordered a 300tdi chassis for my 90. Looks like 3-4 months before it makes it to Abaco.
The amount of work is not to be underestimated, and all the other bits and pieces that get changed while the swap is on is what would get you.
I dunno who in Nassau Id trust for welding, but you know CJs up here does great work.
 
mistericeman said:
Myself and 3 mates did a swap in a short weekend .....

Chassis was preprepped with axles/brake lines etc BUT we started about dinner time on a sat till 6 ish and then again about dinner on Sunday till we drove it out on the Sunday night about 8 ish

Only vaguely special tool was the two post lift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w1f_VePNis
Click to expand...

That's superb. The garage kitchen is a nice touch.....
 
strip and rebuild in its self not hard - my prior mechanical experiance was 10 years a bicycle mechanic..... mechanics are mechanics if you can use your hands i guess

strip and rebuild without refurbing bits while they are off ... very hard.

Ive been about 9 months but my landy was in a sorry state when i started.
 
If your happy with everything else and replace as little as possible then it is doable over several weekends if you have a mate or two helping out. Time is consumed by replacing/repairing/refurbing bits so if you keep that to a minimum then it shouldn't take too long and should be easy enough to do. Just as a tip if you do go down the straight swap route, buy a full set of bolts for the body to chassis connections so you can cut them off without worrying during strip down
 
that bolt kit will bolt your land rover back together how ever .....

must have been made by blind pew.

limited number of the bolts are the right length.

I bought the kit so i didnt have to #### about - where as i ended up double buying and going to YRM - spent a little more but the kit was comprehensive and more importantly it was CORRECT.

If all you want to do is an approximate chassis swap then fine but YRM stuff is far superior
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Trumar
New chassis paint or not
Replies
7
Views
613
boguing
boguing
L
Disco 1 How were the Chassis’s originally painted?
Replies
10
Views
694
grewth
G
S
Chassis change out
Replies
4
Views
267
Stu@69
S
S
Chassis swap
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
shaynecm
S
jimllshiftit
Galvanised Chassis VIN number questions.
Replies
8
Views
1K
miktdish
miktdish
Back
Top