I'm a Landrover novice and I've got a 1999 Discovery TD5. The engine, gearbox, transmission and general running gear are all good. I converted the air suspension to springs recently and discovered quite a lot of rust on the rear half of the chassis. I've welded it all up but the chassis isn't great. There are various leaks, some body corrosion all in the worst possible places and its a Landmark model with a host of extraneous electrical gimmickry which throws up new problems on a near daily basis, the interior trim is slowly disassembling itself and the ACE components above the rear axle are in a very sorry state and look like they will be the next source of trouble.
And it doesn't entirely suit my purposes. A defender would be better for me. I could sell the Disco but I'd only get £2500 - £2800 for it so I'd be left with a Defender in a similar condition. So I'm thinking of planning a longer term solution.
How feasible is it to Defenderise my Disco by buying a rough 110 or even a seriesIII donor (chassis and mechanical condition unimportant but good body and controls), buy a galvanised chassis and bulkhead and transfer the good engine, gearbox, transmission and running gear from my Discovery and fit the donor Defender body and controls with a simplified utilitarian interior.
I want a light, simple, rugged and reliable workhorse that I can keep long term with few problems. I'd keep electrical extras to an absolute minimum, rewire the lot and fit a simple plain stainless plate dashboard.
I'd effectively have a new Landrover, minus the fripperies. Is it a goer, economically or technically?
And it doesn't entirely suit my purposes. A defender would be better for me. I could sell the Disco but I'd only get £2500 - £2800 for it so I'd be left with a Defender in a similar condition. So I'm thinking of planning a longer term solution.
How feasible is it to Defenderise my Disco by buying a rough 110 or even a seriesIII donor (chassis and mechanical condition unimportant but good body and controls), buy a galvanised chassis and bulkhead and transfer the good engine, gearbox, transmission and running gear from my Discovery and fit the donor Defender body and controls with a simplified utilitarian interior.
I want a light, simple, rugged and reliable workhorse that I can keep long term with few problems. I'd keep electrical extras to an absolute minimum, rewire the lot and fit a simple plain stainless plate dashboard.
I'd effectively have a new Landrover, minus the fripperies. Is it a goer, economically or technically?