110 options!...Advice needed.

**county1985** · 25th March 2016, 09:54 AM

So I have a 1994 110 that I paid $1000 for...good nick apart from 2 rust holes in the front of both floor pans that should be fairly easy to fix with some plate and a mig.... Apart from that no other rusty areas.
Last weekend, I grabbed a 1998 110 again for $1000 as it has a motor issue. The issue with it is that it overheated and now starts, but has a huge knock!! Both cars are 300tdi's. Neither have any under car fluid leaks. I bought the 1998 sight unseen mainly for parts.....But! The 1998 body is awesome...no rust, great interior... Roof rack, side steps, bullbar, snorkel!!
Both unregistered unfortunately....
The way I see it I have a few options and would just like some opinions

1. Use the 1998 as parts for what ever I need to get the 1994 registered then salvage what ever else I can & dump the rest.
2. Swap the running 1994 motor into the 1998.
3. Park the 1998 up the back and wait until I see a running disco or 110 with a 300tdi that someone is wrecking then swap engines. I am assuming here that the Disco 300tdi is a simple fit (?)
4. Swap the bodies over (my least preferred option...googled it and it looks hard!!!!)
5. Rebuild the 1998 engine. Sounds bloody expensive, so not keen on that idea! Judging by the noise, I would say it needs a complete rebuild, new rods, pistons, head etc....
I am leaning toward option 3.......
I am not the best mechanic, but I do have access to a mechanic mate who will help with an swap over for mates rates

Looking online, the 300tdi remove/replace doesnt look to difficult, so maybe option 2....!!!
My goal (at the moment anyway!) is to basically get one registered, while paying as little $$ as possible....I figured 2 Defenders for a $2000 total outlay so far was a good start ha ha

If the 1998 was a bucket of rusty bolts it would have made my choices so much easier!!!!!

**Disco-tastic** · 25th March 2016, 10:16 AM

Mate good find!

If it was me i would put the running motor into the 98 and get it on the road quickly, then fix up the 94 rust while i look for a spare motor, whether it be tdi, isuzu or v8.

That'd be the quickest way to get one on the road. The 300tdi's literally have 2 (or maybe 3 - i cant remember) wiring connectors. It's one of the simplest motor swaps. With the right tools, and engine crane and a mate you could do it in a day no worres.

I have no ideaon legal requirements of motor swapa in WA tho.

Have fun mate. I wish i was in a position to do something similar

Cheers

Dan

**county1985** · 25th March 2016, 10:23 AM

Thanks mate.
I see on-line that the swap seems "easy" enough.
In WA, the engine would just be inspected as usual as part of the registration process...As its a "factory" engine, it wouldnt need any special modification permits...I googled that earlier as the swap is up there in my options

Why did the 1998 have to be such a good body!! Its even had a lift kit installed!!
I just had another thought!...If it overheated enough to cause lots of damage, could it have buggered up the GB too??

**county1985** · 25th March 2016, 10:56 AM

The Rangie rims will have to go

!! talk about illegal!!

**landy** · 25th March 2016, 01:24 PM

Put the 300 in the 98my.
Keep the 94 for spares if you have the room or wait until you find a cheap motor and sell. You will almost certainly get your money back and a little more if you can wait a little.
Excellent find by the way. Why can't I have this kind of luck!

**county1985** · 25th March 2016, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by landy

Put the 300 in the 98my.
Keep the 94 for spares if you have the room or wait until you find a cheap motor and sell. You will almost certainly get your money back and a little more if you can wait a little.
Excellent find by the way. Why can't I have this kind of luck!

This seems to be the common thought

I have a knack of finding them up here (The Kimberley!) as something happens to them and everyone only knows how to fix Land cruisers ha ha.....
I had a bloke tell me that he has 3 running Series 3's in his community that I can come and get for free if I want them!!....Missus would kill me....so will wait until we get a house with a bigger block

(Of course I want them!!!)

**county1985** · 8th July 2016, 06:49 AM

Quick update

So after discussions with my "cash in hand" mechanic, we made the decision to get the 1994 done and registered as after we had a close look over them both, it was less work!
Did front rotors and new CV's last weekend.
This weekend is fixing the electrics

Had another great score!....Bumped into a bloke who was leaving town who had Defender parts to get rid of...ended up with 5 Wolf rims for $200!! And a new front seat that I just have to figured out how to fit into the County..

**Surrufus** · 8th July 2016, 09:00 AM

Some people have all the god damn luck!! haha

Where abouts in WA are you located? Maybe I'm just in the wrong place!!

**county1985** · 8th July 2016, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Surrufus

Some people have all the god damn luck!! haha

Where abouts in WA are you located? Maybe I'm just in the wrong place!!

Up in warm sunny Kununurra

**county1985** · 8th July 2016, 04:10 PM

Well that was reasonably painless

Put the new ignition switch in the 94, connected the wires back on...No start. Dicked around chasing wires for an hour or so until I decided to swap the relays over for one's out of the 98. Started first time

Idle is lumpy and I hardly have any acceleration....New fuel and air filters ordered. Not blowing any smoke.
A Very Good day

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110 options!...Advice needed.

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