Thread: Offroad Racing a Defender - Ideas please!

Originally Posted by Treads

...

Back wall of cab removed for extra race seat length and rollcage?

If you do that you will be always sucking huge amounts of dust into the cab.

You want a minimum of 109/110" wheelbase.
Have a search for discokid's race 110.

Class 8, small block Chev engine, LT95 4 spd, 110 hardtop with ute cab, detroit rear and open front (Upgraded centre though) and GOOD axles/cv's.

Biggest rule, KEEP IT LIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Suspension doesen't have to be ridiculously complicated etc, twin shocks at all corners, don't run much of a lift just need heaps of dampening especially rebound control. Hydraulic bumpstops will help any untoward damage.

Don't get caught up with mega buck injection etc etc, a decent carb fed 350HO crate engine will give you reliable and simple 350HP (290KW) and not destroy the drivetrain and the wallet.

LT95 is plentiful for spares, but start with a taper roller TC version and you won't be fitting intermediate shaft thrusts every meeting. There is also quite a few high ratios available and easily changed over.

Autos are a good idea, but keeping the TH400 cool would be a mission, the TF727 would be a better prospect because they are already available connected to a LT230 t/f case, and all that would be required is an adapter kit chev to RRC, and some creative crank/spigot adaption as the TF727 in the RRC already utilises an adaptor plate..

Anyway, have a great time with it, this is a vehicle I have thought about for many years but will never get to build.

Ring me if you would like any more advice, I'll PM my number.

JC

just remeber suspenion isnt just about the shocks....but also the links and their geometry. You will be at a disadvantage running in 2wd class with a solid front axle competing against IFS cars......

good luck fitting a cams approved cage inside a defender truck cab....pics please.

cheers,
Serg

Originally Posted by isuzurover

If you do that you will be always sucking huge amounts of dust into the cab.

There's no other windows anyway

Originally Posted by uninformed

just remeber suspenion isnt just about the shocks....but also the links and their geometry. You will be at a disadvantage running in 2wd class with a solid front axle competing against IFS cars......

good luck fitting a cams approved cage inside a defender truck cab....pics please.

cheers,
Serg

X2, all ones I have seen are exo.

JC

Justin,

For giggles, what would it cost for you to build this spec, drive away?

Originally Posted by justinc

Class 8, small block Chev engine, LT95 4 spd, 110 hardtop with ute cab, detroit rear and open front (Upgraded centre though) and GOOD axles/cv's.

Biggest rule, KEEP IT LIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Suspension doesen't have to be ridiculously complicated etc, twin shocks at all corners, don't run much of a lift just need heaps of dampening especially rebound control. Hydraulic bumpstops will help any untoward damage.

Don't get caught up with mega buck injection etc etc, a decent carb fed 350HO crate engine will give you reliable and simple 350HP (290KW) and not destroy the drivetrain and the wallet.

LT95 is plentiful for spares, but start with a taper roller TC version and you won't be fitting intermediate shaft thrusts every meeting. There is also quite a few high ratios available and easily changed over.

Autos are a good idea, but keeping the TH400 cool would be a mission, the TF727 would be a better prospect because they are already available connected to a LT230 t/f case, and all that would be required is an adapter kit chev to RRC, and some creative crank/spigot adaption as the TF727 in the RRC already utilises an adaptor plate..

Anyway, have a great time with it, this is a vehicle I have thought about for many years but will never get to build.

Ring me if you would like any more advice, I'll PM my number.

JC

One of my mates raced a LR back in the day in the UK comp safari scene. I codrove for him occasionally.

His started life as a 110 hicap with a 3.5

It finished as 100" truck cab, external cage, lt95, engine back about 12inches, and a very very serious 4.8l John Eales v8. This was back in the 90's

It was awesome, and on the fast open stages was reasonably competitive, but in the rough and tighter stuff it wasn't that quick especially against stuff like the simmonite sisters simmbughinis and the like.

It was also very hard on parts. I remember it smashing both swivel housings at one event meaning replacements needed to be collected that evening.

Was awesome fun however!

Originally Posted by justinc

X2, all ones I have seen are exo.

JC

Yeah, after looking at Discokid's photos I'm thinking the same....