Ruari

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #1

I know it's been chatted about several times.
I'm breaking a Disco 1 for a TDI transplant. I was thinking of putting in power steering as the wife struggles when offroading (she won't drive on the road).
There's lots of chat about cutting the chassis etc to fit the disco box.
Has anybody done this, got pictures and able to give a wee bit of speil on what was involved?
Other option is to get the P38 box. There's good stuff out there on that conversion.

 

Dr_evil

Banned

• Feb 27, 2014

• #2

richards chassis do one with a provision for this, take a look on their site

someone on here has used one cant remember the name though but its a fairly recent buil thread

 

Aidso

New Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #3

I have one in mine granted it wasn't me that done it. The front crossmember has been replaced with a bit of 40x40 5mm box. The battery tray removed and the PAS relay mounted where the tray would have been. I can take some pics tomorrow for you.

 

Dr_evil

Banned

• Feb 27, 2014

• #4

Oooh just remembered I still need to test them headlights for you!

 

Ruari

Active Member

• Feb 27, 2014

• #5

Pictures will be appreciated.

 

Aidso

New Member

• Feb 28, 2014

• #6

 

Ruari

Active Member

• Feb 28, 2014

• #7

Thanks for the photos. Food for thought.
I now need to pile up all the bits I have and decided which way to go.

 

Aidso

New Member

• Feb 28, 2014

• #8

I'm hoping to get the pipes finished next week and try it out. Saying that even without the pump connected it's a lot lighter than the standard relay.

 

G

griffman

Active Member

• Mar 1, 2014

• #9

Stick with it - it transforms the car

we have just fitted it to a 77 series 3 (also fitted a whopping great 4.6 with edelbrock carb and a 4speed auto as well!).

you have to move the front crossmember so it is quite involved but well worth the effort if you get it right.

 

Aidso

New Member

• Mar 1, 2014

• #10

Griff where did you stick your reservoir?

 

G

griffman

Active Member

• Mar 1, 2014

• #11

Aidso said:

Griff where did you stick your reservoir?

Click to expand...

Will take some photos and put them up - will be going over to workshop on Tuesday - but in meantime we put it on the 'wrong' side if you see what I mean.

 

Aidso

New Member

• Mar 1, 2014

• #12

I'm hoping to place mine above the relay on the drivers side.

 

A

aaronledwidge

New Member

• Mar 3, 2014

• #13

I put a thread on here with a p38 conversion. I wouldn't bother with the disco box it's a hell of a lot more hassle. You would only use the box as a defender colum is an easier fix. Sell the disco box and buy a p38 one.

 

owl

Well-Known Member

• Mar 3, 2014

• #14

I have a P38 on mine, you can pick them up for very little as they never go wrong. I have worked at main dealers since before P38's cam out and I have never had to change a box, changed many Adwest and Gemma though.

 

Ruari

Active Member

• Oct 27, 2014

• #15

Its now complete.

Myrtle now has a disco 300tdi with a 5 speed lt77. So far so good. Great of road.
P38 steering box bolts to the outside of the chassis leg, and using the P38uj, connect to a defender steering column. The one with a bolted joint not the rubber joint. I was then able to cut it shorter at the join without effecting the splines. New mount bolts to the bulkhead, modify my wing and make an inner skin to keep it clean. New braided hoses made up and connect it to the disco pump with a reservoir. Extend the drag link.
What a difference.
Sorry for poor picture, this is it near completion

 

GrumpyGel

Well-Known Member

• Nov 2, 2014

• #16

I've read up on Series power steering before and seen the recommendations as in this thread to use a P38 steering box - Disco one won't fit without changes to chassis.

My '72 SIII started out in life as a 2.6 petrol and has its original chassis & bulkhead. I don't know if there are differences in chassis - so would this same recommendation about the power steering box apply to my 2.6 chassis?