Hi All, i'm just about to start stripping down my 109 diesel for a rebuild, not having attempted anything like this before i was hoping for some advise from others.

What i'm looking to do is use the landy as a tow vehicle to launch my boat from beaches and marina's and have the following questions-

• Is the 2.25 deisel engine capable of pulling and launching over sand, my boat (inc trailer) weighs approx 1800kg and has a twin axle braked trailer.
• Will i need to update the drum brakes to discs as it will take a regular dunking in salt water
• Are there heavy duty leaf springs available for the rear of the landy to take the additional weight
• What are the largest alloys and tyres i can fit to the 109 without any modifications to the suspension and bodywork although i would like to fit some wheel arch spats which would need to cover over the wheels
• What other measures do i need to take into consideration on the build??

Thank you for reading and i look forward to your response(s)

Is the 2.25 deisel engine capable of pulling and launching over sand, my boat (inc trailer) weighs approx 1800kg and has a twin axle braked trailer.
Yes

Will i need to update the drum brakes to discs as it will take a regular dunking in salt water
No (although they don't like being dipped in sea water and you may want to get axle breather)

Are there heavy duty leaf springs available for the rear of the landy to take the additional weight
Yes see pads / crads (around £30 to £40 ea)

What are the largest alloys and tyres i can fit to the 109 without any modifications to the suspension and bodywork although i would like to fit some wheel arch spats which would need to cover over the wheels
Don't know by why would you want to ?

What other measures do i need to take into consideration on the build??
Oil seal and breathers and swimming plugs.
Landy don't like constant dipping in sea water with out being washed of and drained after.

Read up on swimming plugs , axle breathers and general wading.

Thanks for your help clivees, with regards to the larger wheels, would this not need to be done as i would have thought larger alloys and tyres would have less chance of sinking in soft mud?

you could always make an extension bar for your tow bar. my dad made one the length of his boat trailer so that he could submerge the trailer while the car (it were a lada reva at that time ) was still totally dry! it was juat a ball hitch on a 4-5meter length of square tubing with a coupling at the other end. dont supose it would be much use on a beach but it worked were on slipways!