mike.gamble · Mar 29, 2016

HI,

Although not an owner yet, I should hopefully be if things pan out in the next week or so.
I have my eye on a S3 Safari needing love which will hopefully come to fruition.

I'll apologise now to the purists but, it's my intention to 'modernise' is to make it 100% usable as a daily hack with a modern engine/drive-train/suspension.

Basically the plan is to get a 300tdi to scrounge all the mechanicals from and any other parts needed.
At the end, the ideal is to have a vehicle that looks completely standard but with a more modern-ish heart.

In an ideal world, it would be a 300tdi engine, auto box and the leaf springs gone. The auto box is only to have a lazy drive and if the consensus is that the autobox available is naff, I'll go manual.
With regards to the suspension, is it easy enough to remove the leaf springs and mount the coil suspension set-up. I must also mention that fabrication is not a problem, even if it needs to be bespoke, that is no issue but, are there any issues I should be aware of with a project like this and if possible, could someone direct me in the direction of relevant topics/threads, please?

Cheers,

Mike

John S · Mar 29, 2016

Doing that much conversion you'd be better buying an older 90 or 110 with a either a 2.5 or TDI engine. That way you've got the basics of a daily transport. Converting a venerable S3 especially the suspension etc isn't really worth it and basically wrecks the provenance and heritage of the original vehicle. Plenty of older Defenders out there.

mike.gamble · Mar 29, 2016

I have considered this. The idea is to retain all the mechanicals that have been removed and originally it was my intention to get a new galvanised chassis to build up from and even keep the old chassis but, it seemed pointless buying a new chassis only to cut it up and weld new sections to it.
A friend has a S1 pick up that has been in his family from new and that's provided the drive to get one.
I like the look of the earlier vehicles but, I couldn't afford to have it purely as a toy (I've already got too many) it would have to be able to do the daily drive in some degree of comfort, hence the quest for a more modern and civilised drivetrain and suspension.
I'm more than interested in any other thoughts/suggestions but basically I want the early looks and as far as I'm aware, I need a 88 or 109 chassis to do this on as the early panels wont fit onto a later vehicle due to size differences? If I'm wrong, let me know!

waldamar · Mar 29, 2016

Just buy a defender or discovery, and spare an original series. If it's the look you like get a defender and "retro" it a bit

mike.gamble · Mar 29, 2016

I thought I could only use a 88 or 109 chassis if wanted a series look as the later chassis were different lengths?

cooltide · Mar 29, 2016

I believe series 3 are appreciating and although I'm not a purist usually, I don't think we have enough of them left to consider butchery.

blue beasty · Mar 29, 2016

Put some decent seats in and good condition leafs or parabolics and it won't be any less usable as a daily.

It's a tin on wheels, coil sprung comfort is the least of your worries

mike.gamble · Mar 29, 2016

I've been reading up on the parabolic springs and it does seem that from reading a few things on the net, it does make a significant difference.
It's got to be able to sit comfortably at 60mph without feeling too much like a tin on wheels!!

waldamar · Mar 29, 2016

cooltide said:
I believe series 3 are appreciating and although I'm not a purist usually, I don't think we have enough of them left to consider butchery.

Careful Cooltide - you're in danger of joining us rivet counters...............................................

Turboman · Mar 29, 2016

mike.gamble said:
it would have to be able to do the daily drive in some degree of comfort, hence the quest for a more modern and civilised

Wouldnt consider anything based on a Defender, then!

Agree with all the above, why ruin a nice series. If you want a landy thats usable for commuting try a Disco, they are good for that.

mike.gamble · Mar 29, 2016

I have no real interest in anything modern, it's the old look I like

Turboman · Mar 29, 2016

mike.gamble said:
I have no real interest in anything modern, it's the old look I like

D1 isnt exactly modern, nor is a V8 Ninety, come to that!

I like old stuff too!

Just noticed your location! Commiserations on that, I can understand your judgement might be affected after a winter in Penzance!

waldamar · Mar 29, 2016

There are some on here who've done, or attempted to do, what you have in mind. But if I understand what you're after it's a classic series with a fairly high level of performance and comfort...........................
That's a hell of a lot of work - really........................ loads, and as you want to keep the "charm" and style of the series you're going to have to keep a LOT of the noise, discomfort, quirks etc. But above all the work, expense and effort needed will probably bring you down before it's finished.
If you've got the chance of a series my advice would be to buy it, get it running well and put an MOT on it and use it for the summer - then have an honest re-think as to whether you actually like it and if the conversion would be possible or worthwhile, if not then you've saved a series and no doubt made a profit.
One of the landy mags featured a series converted as you'd like - I'll see if I can dig it out. Good luck

blue beasty · Mar 29, 2016

The other issue is with all the brackets need to convert to coils which are safety critical components it's going to need inspection which will flag up non standard engine/transmission/axles/suspension and it'll fall foul of the points system and probably end up on a Q plate after a load of grief

Tbh decent door seals, sound proofing, an uprated heater and decent seats make far more difference to long distance use than coils or leafs

mike.gamble · Mar 31, 2016

You no longer have to worry about a leaf version being modified, I've just purchased a 110 station wagon so I have most of the items on my wish list as standard!

Turboman · Mar 31, 2016

mike.gamble said:
You no longer have to worry about a leaf version being modified, I've just purchased a 110 station wagon so I have most of the items on my wish list as standard!

Result!

Any Pics?

mike.gamble · Mar 31, 2016

Not yet. It's being delivered on Tuesday so I'll have a good look at it then but I think the chassis needs replacing along with the bulkhead but I'll see what can be salvaged

Turboman · Mar 31, 2016

mike.gamble said:
Not yet. It's being delivered on Tuesday so I'll have a good look at it then but I think the chassis needs replacing along with the bulkhead but I'll see what can be salvaged

Good, post some pics of the chassis, and we will tell you if it is saveable.

Is this a 110, or a Defender 110?

waldamar · Apr 1, 2016

Well done - leave it ratty and it'll have all the "features" and "charm" of a series! Each to their own of course............... I think my 110 is the coolest around - most other people feel it's a scrapper..............................................

mike.gamble · Apr 1, 2016

Turboman said:
Good, post some pics of the chassis, and we will tell you if it is saveable.
Is this a 110, or a Defender 110?

I'm still not 100% sure on my later models but it is an '87 genuine station wagon and was described as a 110 defender but as I said,I'm not sure what models are which with the later ones! Once she's here I'll start a thread for her.

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