A couple of days late, but the rear camper conversion is done as well now since last week! Let's call it prototype 2.0! It has a 1.2x2.0 m bed, space for two 60x40 cm Euroboxes for clothing and one for the kitchen stuff. The space of the spare wheel is now used for the tent mattresses, it also fits a 20 l jerry can and closes with a trap. The former tool space still holds the tool kit, and there was some space left for the tarp, bottle jack and miscellaneous things.

The cubby / bird box now holds the electrics for the second battery, the battery itself fits nicely in the engine bay and is connected via voltage sensitive relay to the main battery. Everything from radio to lights and fridge feeds of the second battery.

Only the bed needs some additional supports, now the whole force is on the collapsed rear seats.

Load-bearing stuff for the roof rack and headlining are next, along with additional wiring for rear speakers and plugs. The whole in the roof where a CB antenna used to be is now plugged with a maritime 12V connector in case I get roof tent, or to just plug in working lamps.

Technically, the carbs are the winter project, hopefully the aux circuit issues will be solved by replacing the fuse box. No rust, no urgent mechanical issues. Dirty but mostly original paint. So far, so good!

Another update after an extended weekend trip with the family:
1: I need window shades
2: The bed needs some reinforcement to stay stable
3: The ignition issue is not directly related to the carbs but to a faulty ignition relay
4: I killed the rear axle

Regarding 4, I'll tear the axle apart to see what broke. The rear prop shaft was rotating after the ugly clunk, so it has to be the diff or one of the stub axles. The latter would be cheaper, the former a good excuse to sell management a diff locker. After the rear prop shaft was removed, the vibration during deceleration was gone, also the gear box was much less noisy. And the rear end of the prop shaft seems to be worn out again, after just 4k km. Maybe the rear axle had some issues from day one. But we will see. Other than that, the car is working like a charm! Also for camping trips and the like.

Edit: While looking for the electronic ignition that was installed a while ago, I found the invoice for the lift: 4 cm in the back and 3 cm in the rear.

Do you have any pics showing the pinion angles on the rear diff/transfer flanges? Might be the lift that's killing the UJ's.

That refurbished seat is a thing of beauty.

Damage report:
- Both rear stub axles are scratched up to the point of needing replacement
- rear diff is totally shot

I'll start a new thread regarding options right away!

Ouch, deffo needs a 4 pin open or a locker/limited slip of some kind... Ashlocker is very reasonable

Paddocks had a used unit for 100 bucks in their webshop. Timing was to good to let that one pass.

Bennehboy said:

That refurbished seat is a thing of beauty

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They are, not that I did that myself! Took ages, but it was definitely worth it! Now, I am torn. Do I do the same thing to the rear seats or not? Up to now they are original, but worn. Already made the same mistake with the paint job, letting stuff repaint that I didn't need to. But it would look great, that's for sure!

Let your wallet decide

EDIT - but if the kids are going to be in there, maybe hold off for now...

My wallet likes the rear seats the way they are!

The carpets are in now. Also added some additional sound deadening for good measure, a total of four layers around the shift stick, one additional layer over the transmission tunnel and two layers in the rear foot well.

Successfully moved the transistor ignition and the ignition relay from the engine bay to the original radio slot. Had some good help from my son, the only cable colours that were used during all this mods are black and red... Ah and I found were she was leaking on the driver side. Immediately filled the whole thing with Sikaflex. And finally, the second battery was replaced by a 75 Ah one I had lying around, the old 55 Ah starter battery wasn't up to the task anymore.

Oh, and that's the reason why the budget became tight, besides the shot rear diff:

The rear diff got in today, maybe I need a new stub axle one day. it for now it seems to be fine.

When I picked by better, and more attractive, half from work with it today, she complained that the radio was too loud. What a funny thing to say, I thought I became deaf or the gearbox was lost along the way!

Ah, and the Goodridge Break Hoses arrived today. Will tackle that when I replace the front axle gaskets later this week.

And the new headlining is in as well!

dieseldog69 said:

Surprised you get through the TÚV test with that bull bar

Interesting snorkel you got there.

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Turned out the snorkel, or rather the filter, is an old Mann-filter used on Unimogs and Hanumags and the like. You can even get OEM spare parts for it from agriculture machine vendors.

Ok, so the vacuum issues will be solved when the the new hoses are there. Same goes for the axle breathers, front and back.

And I was so happy that, besides the carbs, everything was sorted... Seems the front axle is leaking on the breaks now, on the left side... So I have to do the break pads on the front axle as well when I do the gaskets and the oil change. Good opportunity to mount the braided steel brake hoses as well... Somehow, every time I think it's done something else crops out of the woods... It's kind of part of the fun I have to admit! Luckily, spare parts aren't that expensive so far!

Fuel system still not fixed due to weather and so, but the rain showed a nice water issue in the LH fron foot well. Like it is leaking in. Fun. Ah, and the exhaust has three small holes. Even more fun. But hey, she's running, not to badly even! She's fun offroad and ready to carry four and three kayaks plus camping stuff. So I'm happy!

So, time for a short update. As much for myself to keep notes somewhere. We took it, my kids and I that is, the better half went on post-lockdown vacation with her friends, to Normandy. Fuel consumption let me to put her up for sale, she was intended for longer trips to begin with.

My kids convinced me otherwise. Which poses a challenge now. How to make her economical enough. The initial idea of a TDi swap was ruled out, too expensive and not really original anymore. Turner Eng was really helpful, so one of these days (sooner if the new job works out), it will be an engine refreshment. Rebuild LT95s are impossible to come by, so at most that will a replacement of bearings or so (which are expensive but available). I am also chasing a Fairey Overdrive, albeit expensive it should help fuel consumption and increases vehicle value (not that I would sell now...). If anyone has one lying around, I would take it right away!

Also on the list is a new diff. The rear diff was already one tooth short when I broke it, and the vibration from the front hints at a similar problem. Most likely a Truetrac for the back, the replacement from the will go in the front. And I just realized that the fan is always turning. That will be replaced with am electrical one.

Until funds are available, the bullbar, towing gear, brake air tank, snorkel and roof rack will go. And for longer trips, I will fit AT tires, the Falken MTs are NOT needed for that. And I can always throw them on for pay and play days. If anyone jas some surplus disco one steel wheels, I am two rims short, I'll take them as well!

Now that's the plan. And since she's definitely a keeper now, she will get a new paint job (sahara dust body with tangier orange roof and some highlights, I failed to sell my family on tusacn 50tj anniversary blue). And while she is stripped, I will sand blast and repaint suspension and steering parts. Oh, she will also get a sports exhaust and the missing carpets. After that, she should be quite nice I guess. Hopefully a distant acquittance will help me out with workshop space and a helping hand. Otherwise I risks becoming expensive...

Today she lost weight! Bullbar, rear tow ball and roof rack went of. Curious how fuel consumption will be, maybe tomorrow. I am faced with small problem so. Everyone in my family considers her ugly now... At they do have a point. Before, she looked like that slightly beat up, rugged expedition offroad vehicle. Now all the dents and scratches and imperfections just look imperfect.

Since I will have a problem with the cam change, either I have to do it myself or resort to JLR, I will postpone that for now. What will have to be done so, at least for now, is:

- get a new set of carpets
- get police spec rear springs, those ultra HD ones are to tow 6.5 tons and are way to stiff
- get a Fairey Overdrive to make long distance travel more feasible
- retune the carbs to be on the meager side if things
- Refurbish the bullbar (it was quite rusty were I cut it of) and remount it (if your daughter tells you her preferred car is ugly now you HAVE to do something)
- Optics: As said, she looks beat up, which doesn't go well with her current looks. So that means the paint job I postponed for at least two years now. While at it, I will also replace the right front inner wing, the replacement part isn't completely within tolerance and it shows without the bullbar. Driving gear is well in order, with the potential exception of the front diff. I am not sure about that, but if the new job comes through I will throw in a Truetrac for the rear and replace the front diff woth the "new" rear one. And a new exhaust, the current one has a couple of small holes and bent rear (due to an almost roll over). Except for the painting part, I can do all of it myself. Hell, while I'm at it I might as well remove the transmission tunnel and throw some additional isolation on the underside of it.

Oh, and I'll also have to weld all the small holes in the bonnet, the lower tail gate and the roof shut. And remove all the dents and scratches after sand blasting. The mechanical stuff is more important so.

Oh, and I finally sorted the electrics, everything is working bow as it should! And I found the original cubby box I forgot about, the leather covering isn't even that bad, no where near new so. I'm thinking about a building a copy of it to fit the radio and fuses for the second battery, and have it covered in the same beige artificial leather used at the front seats. I have to occupy myself, it seems!

I guess it is time for a new update. Good news is I don't need to fix the holes in the hood, bad news is that the hood flew open on the highway and needed a replacement. When I picked up thr new hood, and some other bits and pieces, I also got some compliments from the Land Rover club I bought the parts from kn the overall state of the car. Also, the engine seems to be running well (without any comparison, I thought I would need a new cam soon). So that's good news! An Overdrive unit is now sitting at my collegues place in the UK waiting to be shipped over to Germany. And since I don't really care about the optics (for now), all that remains is the fitting of a Detroit Truetrac on the rear axle and moving the "new" open diff to the front axle. That and some new carpets for the interior, the home cut stuff is, while covering the sound deadening pretty well, othet wise rather ugly.

That's it for the necessary repairs. So upgrades are back on the table, obviously. Overall plan is to:

- get new heads from V8 dev as soon as I have to work on the engine
- get a new cam (Kent H180/200 seems reasonable)
- keep the option open to increase engine displacement to 4.2l at a later stage (or 3.9, whatever is the max that might would reasonably well Stromberg carbs, I finally understood those and don't want to go EFI yet)
- get a stainless steel sport exhaust
- improve the brakes to account for any future performance increase

So, regarding brakes, would the vented disk calipers from the 1985+ RRC fit directly to the 1982? ABS and all that not being there? I do have the braided brake lines lying around already.

While investigating, I found that the forst Paris Dakar RRCs had 4.2 L engines, vented brakes, improved cylinder heads and cams. So idea is something similar at some point, except with keeping the carbs.

That's what she looks like with the new hood: