B

BEGINAGAIN

New Member
Hello,
New to the forum, plan(forming) is a series3, new galv chassis, coil sprung(?) and a tdi.
Is it possible or, a terrible idea. I love the series3 front face and it has a lot of memories for me- I’ve seen prices for recon tdi and they seem pretty high, but I have had different opinions about the gearbox being able to handle the power. I would imagine there could be issues getting lever positions to match up n the cab if we tried a defender combo?
The whole thing is a joint father /son project, probably over 2years or so depending on the speed of iron oxide.
I’m putting it out there to experts.
 
Sounds like you want a defender that looks like a series 3.......you won't get much sympathy for a build like that. It will cause you all sorts of legal and moral issues and the dvla won't like it.
Rebuild a series on leaf springs and put a tdi into it if you like it's a better way to go.
 
Rodeo Joe said:
Sounds like you want a defender that looks like a series 3.......you won't get much sympathy for a build like that. It will cause you all sorts of legal and moral issues and the dvla won't like it.
Rebuild a series on leaf springs and put a tdi into it if you like it's a better way to go.
Click to expand...


Thanks Rodeo Joe,
I just started with total dream scenario and worked backwards so appreciate the moral and practical guidance.
What is the standard or, accepted improvement on a series chassis for springs without creating Frankenlandrover? Parabolic?or just renovate and love the existing leafs?
Didn’t want to embark on the job without a clear plan ( has had experience of Mini Cooper restoration) as the money side of it still needs approval from the approver.
 
+1 on leafs galv chassis.
Chat to a chassis maker regarding the engine/gearbox your fitting they will make the adaptations to suit before galv.

most of your panels won’t fit onto a coil chassis then you would have to weld brackets,causing more work
Good luck with the build they are fun
 
BEGINAGAIN said:
Thanks Rodeo Joe,
I just started with total dream scenario and worked backwards so appreciate the moral and practical guidance.
What is the standard or, accepted improvement on a series chassis for springs without creating Frankenlandrover? Parabolic?or just renovate and love the existing leafs?
Didn’t want to embark on the job without a clear plan ( has had experience of Mini Cooper restoration) as the money side of it still needs approval from the approver.
Click to expand...
It depends what you want to get out of it ie. Will you start with a proper series 3 and adapt it to your needs or are you thinking of buying a chassis and building it up from there because that will give you sleepless nights trying to sort that out with VOSA, DVLA and anybody else that gets interested.
If it were me I'd get an old series 3 and strip it down and re-use as many original parts as possible.....that way you can put in a tdi or any other series or defender lump and still keep the original registration number and not have to mess about with Q plates and other related issues.
Do a search on the legalities of at all there's loads of info out there, try Glencoyn as well they're a good source.
 
Thanks so much for the replies,
Yeah I guess the idea was to find a complete vehicle with rotten chassis and swap everything over to a new chassis, renovating as we go.
I suppose I should consider the power plant more carefully so as to get the right lugs on the chassis in the first place rather than cutting and welding and breaking the Galv.
Are there complications other than maybe a bell housing mod in attaching tdi to series gearbox?
I know the hp is much different between 2.25d and a 200tdi but I thought the existing gearbox was pretty over spec’d. and could handle the extra 40odd hp?
 
When it comes to putting extra power/ torque through a series gearbox a lot depends on how it is then driven. Many a series had a V8 transplant which were fine if driven with respect. The main weak point tended to be the rear axle and perhaps that was not a bad thing as the axle is a lot easier to repair than the gearbox.
 
Try a series Land Rover with a TDI in first, they are a noisy beast. You could also go down the 200DI route (200TDI minus the turbo) still as noisy but less power (about 80bhp IIRC) and easier on the transmission and good (35) mpg. See here for more info:
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/200di.htm
Or get hold of a bombproof and cheap 2.5 n/a diesel out of an early 90/110 and fit that, 67 bhp quieter than a TDI and easier still on the transmission. I have a ex MOD 90 with its original 2.5 N/A engine in it and it pulls like a train and will happily sit at 65 on the motorway.
As for springs buy new standard springs and keep them well lubricated.
 
Too many changes and its a Q plate. Make sure you read up on allowed upgrades. You may get away with it until you run over that blind nun carrying a box of kittens and the insurance walk away.
 
Why exactly do you want a TDI engine? I get that they are more powerful and economical to run than an original 2.25 engine but once it's fitted you've lost the originality of the vehicle. Unless you are going to use it on fast roads such as motorways, the standard engine is fine. Mine is a 2.25 petrol lwb station wagon, and it surprises a few other drivers off the traffic lights. The petrol engines are smooth and quiet. Most series owners don't do big mileage so fuel consumption isn't that much of an issue.

Col
 
No point, a Series has its value (fun and finacial) because its a 50 year old leaf sprung (hence "leafer") vehicle that demands a lot of the driver. That demand is what "seprates the men from the boys" and makes it fun. If you want the comforts of a Defender then buy one, they are excellent vehicles and many Series owners also own "coilers" (90, 110 Def etc). But don't build yet another coil sprung Series, we are moving into a tighter regime around historic vehicles, points and MOT exemption and heavliy modified Series will become a problem. Every week coil sprung TDI Series are for sale on e-bay and most are unsold, their saleability (and therefore values) are falling because people are realising that they may become unsalable unless they are re-registered onto a Q plate. The decent sellers are now advertsing them as "special" or "hybrid" and you should be able to pick up a TDI / coil spruing Series / Defender "hybrid" for rather less than it would cost to build. But be aware that you may get stuck with it. Its interesting to see US car programmes where they now build "resto-mods, an old body on a new car - to make old car driving "accessible". Some are really nice, but the legal situation in the US is very different to here, in the UK these would all have to go on Q plates or at least never get "historic" and tax exempt status.
 
Buy a 300tdi discovery with rotten bodywork but good chassis, put a series cab on it. It then keeps the disco registration/identity. Oh and buy some ear defenders to offset the racket of a tdi in a series.

Or just get a series and use it for what it is.
 
Get a Series Three if you really must, but a Series Two looks better. Put an ACR 2.25 petrol engine in it and parabolic springs. Opinion is divided about parabolics, but there is no doubt that they give a softer ride than normal springs . Doing that means you will not annoy the DVLA and you get a vehicle that is nippy and more fun to drive .
 
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