Sounds like a fair one mate, id rather stick with te 300 i possible, so you recon i could order a 300 chassis and use a disco 300tdi and a defednder r380 gearbox without having to do any mods?

yes I believe so just a straight swap, but those in the know will be along. If you PM james martin he cans set you straight
 
Shall do mate just to make sure! If not, those fabricated mounts on ebay look pretty good

That's the way ill be going. As I have also got an LT77 with a 300 engine, Also worth considering, But what bulkhead tunnel and seat box have you got? I thought the r380 gearbox didn't fit In the LT77 tunnel
 
abcdedd, if you weren't such a long way from Richards factory I would suggest going to visit them. But they do attend various LR shows, along with Paul who works next door to them and does customer chassis swaps (he did mine). Perhaps ring them and find out which shows they will be at, then go and speak to them.

Why not factor in a galv bulkhead as well? I bought mine from Ashtree and had them spray it to my colour.
 
abcdedd, if you weren't such a long way from Richards factory I would suggest going to visit them. But they do attend various LR shows, along with Paul who works next door to them and does customer chassis swaps (he did mine). Perhaps ring them and find out which shows they will be at, then go and speak to them.

Why not factor in a galv bulkhead as well? I bought mine from Ashtree and had them spray it to my colour.


How long was the waiting list when you bought your chassis? Iv decided today that I'm going to get one.
 
Not sure there was a waiting list for the chassis, but I did have to wait about 4 weeks for Paul to come free to do the swap, which he did in just over a week. But that gave me time to buy replacement parts such as suspension springs/dampers, fuel tank etc.

Richards also make galv body cross members for the chassis. Worth having fitted whilst the body is off.
 
Last edited:
I more note if you send richards your info on the V5 I think thats what you call it they will stamp the chassis ID for you before it is dipped. other wise when you have it stamped the galvanized could pop of and have a rust spot
 
Not sure there was a waiting list for the chassis, but I did have to wait about 4 weeks for Paul to come free to do the swap, which he did in just over a week. But that gave me time to buy replacement parts such as suspension springs/dampers, fuel tank etc.

Richards also make galv body cross members for the chassis. Worth having fitted whilst the body is off.


Ah fair enough, Thought id read some were that there was a wait for Richards chassis :eek:, Ah well will ring them Monday and find out.
 
Ah fair enough, Thought id read some were that there was a wait for Richards chassis :eek:, Ah well will ring them Monday and find out.

Only a call can clear that up. Would depend on work load and back log. If they are slow you could get it fast and if busy could take longer:D
 
300 tdi def have the engine and boxes aligned as they are in a disco in relation to front axle ,meaning disco front prop fits a 300 def and engines are the same mount wise as well as all other parts,its only engine mounts that change as holes for lt77 box are used to take crossmember for the r38,which sits box 2 inches further forward meaning tunnel and seat box need altering as t/box hi/lo housing would foul, i have done several swaps were whole body including wings was lifted off/refitted as a whole
 
Cheers for all the advice guys, james- thanks for your input, i think i understand everything now, by the sounds of it as everything is already as a 300 to lt77 driveline at the moment i will keep it that way and therefore just use the mounts from ebay? Using a 200 chassis.. Therefore i wont have to modify anything else.. Does that sound right? Cheers again folks!
 
Also, just to note i will be lifting the whole body off tub, wings ect as a single piece as i have access to a telehandler..
 
Only a call can clear that up. Would depend on work load and back log. If they are slow you could get it fast and if busy could take longer:D

I was visiting Richards the other week and they had stacks of lovely shiny galv chassis all over the place. Not sure if they are made to order though?
 
Boris was saying that the 300 engine wouldnt line up with the gearbox mounts o the lt77?

Sorry reading back I didn't explain it very well.

Option 1, buy a standard 200tdi chassis and a 200tdi engine, bolt to your current gearbox and off you go.

Option 2, buy standard 300tdi chassis with r380 gearbox crossmember, 300tdi engine and r380, you may need a few other parts but this will effectively create a factory 300tdi spec 90.

Option 3, have 2 sets of engine mounts fitted on the chassis, one set in the correct place for a 300tdi/r380 and a second set further back for your 300tdi to bolt to an lt77. That way you use the second set for now, then when you can afford to change to an r380, you just whip out the gearbox, move the engine onto the forward set of mounts and fit the r380.

Option 4, buy standard 200tdi chassis, then use those fancy engine mounts and fit a 300tdi/lt77. I've got the measurements to make one of those conversion mounts somewhere, I think they originated from a bloke on the lro forum and there is a write up to go with it should you choose to make your own. Let me know if you want me to dig them out :)

Hope that helps,

Harry
 
Last edited:
I just came on here to make a nice summery of what my options are and youve done it for me mate, much appreciated! haha I recon i am going to go down the route of buying the mounts that bolt on, seems like a good solution to me, and dont mind paying the money to get good quality mounts made all painted up..

Ive just found this website (i believe they maybe the people that make the bolt mounts on ebay): 300 TDI Anyone ever used these guys? any experience worth nothing?
 
But harry if you wouldnt mind sending me the mount dimentions i could look into making some...

200, 300 ?? - Defender Forum - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

Somewhere in this thread it contains the measurements to make the bolt on bracket and shows lots of pictures too, it's a very clever way to fit a 300tdi onto 200tdi engine mounts and using the lt77 without any welding - ideal for your new galv chassis.

If you decide to go the other route and get a chassis with 2 sets of 300tdi mounts, to suit both lt77 and r380 positions then let me know and I can have a crawl under mine with a tape measure ;)

I've not used Steve Parkers but a couple of mates have for 200tdi conversions. They've not had any problems with the parts but they come at a price. I made all the bits for my 300 conversion, it took a bit longer but cost much less :D

Harry
 
I'm looking into this conversion. Can you use a 300tdi down pipe with the 200tdi chassis? I'm not wanting to use an r380 gearbox? Which loom do I use? I have a disco 300tdi loom and the loom from my 19j engine.
 

Similar threads