Series II body on D1 Chassis

[joe.woods]

Hi Guys

Been searching around but have not found anything definite; what I would like to know is if I modify a D1 chassis to fit a Series body what legalities will I face and can I use the chassis number of the series - as the number is on the firewall to register it?

FYI My 1st landie was a 67 Series II - I have just bought a project SII and I have a rolled D1 that has not been written off with body damage only (not by me). My youngest son likes the look of the old landies but I want something a bit more modern for him but with the order look, I also think it would be a good project for us to do together...he is 15 yrs old. Thanks in advance...Joe

[Mick_Marsh]

There are plenty of threads on this subject. Most end up recommending watching the DVG "A 4x4 is born".
Usually a RRC chassis is used.
Most peoples experience seems to be the chassis VIN is used and yours would become a rebodied Discovery.
Mine is registered as a '81 Landrover even though it has a '81 RRC chassis.

Search a little deeper and you will find the multitude of threads.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/109725-100-inch-defender.html

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/147813-land-rover-series-3-100-a.html

[JDNSW]

Technically, as Mick says, plenty have done it.

Legally, provided that it is done properly, the major issue would be that the vehicle would have the identity of its chassis, i.e., a D1, and would be required to meet all the ADRs of the date of the chassis. The last 2a was in 1972, the first D1 in 1989; there were a lot of changes to ADRs in that period, and some of the ones that the 2a body would almost certainly fail to meet would be the requirement for a passenger friendly dash and interior, and pedestrian friendly door hinges etc. I don't know that it would be impossible, but this may suggest why most such conversions use an early RR chassis. You could do this and fit D1 mechanicals.

John

[chazza]

Seeing that you live in WA, your first port-of-call should be here Modify a vehicle (http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20500.asp)

Read everything including all of the links to DOTAR and then give the Engineering section a ring,

Cheers Charlie

[joe.woods]

Thanks Guys just ordered my DVD:)

If I was to buy a new chassis for the Series with coil suspension as an option where doe's the new chassis number come from; does it even get one? If modify the original chassis (which is in very good nick) to take the D1 drive train,will I still have the ADR issues? As you can probably gather I'm trying get around this with the least headaches...the work involved on the Landie is not an issue as I enjoy mechanical challenges...but not the paperwork type. I'm not interested in taking short cuts on the vehicle as my lad will ultimately be driving it, so I intend to build the safest vehicle I can, hence the D1 for disk brakes and such. Thanks again...Joe

[chazza]

If modify the original chassis (which is in very good nick) to take the D1 drive train,will I still have the ADR issues?

Ah! That is a slightly different kettle of fish. It is permissible to modify an existing vehicle in WA, but the ADR's on the vehicle will still apply and any upgrades you do, need to be engineered and approved by the Dept of Transport in advance.

Depending on the year of your car and whether it has a compliance plate, will determine what ADR's you have to meet. You can submit a proposal to modify to Transport and they will let you know in due course if they agree in principle; if they do, you have 2 years before permission expires.

Have a read of these as well http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Ja n_2011%20v3.pdf
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP10_Section_LO_ADRs_ICVs_1Jan2011_v2.pdf

Cheers Charlie

[Series3 GT]

It's a great project!! That's what I'm doing as you can see on my thread "Land Rover Series 3 100", My 100" is a 76' Series 3 and a 76' Rangie classic. Seeing as we both live in W.A we're going to face the same issues of registration. As has been posted look through my thread to get an idea of what involved and '4x4 is Born' is a good reference. I'm 15 and me and my dad are building it together as our first project car. The paperwork is the killer but isn't impossible. Good Luck!

[GaryFrank]

Howzit..

I'm busy with the exact same thing...a S2 88" on a Rangy chassis.

The only difference is I started with a 109 S2 pick-up and modified the load bin down to 88"
I am now busy chopping a 109" tropical roof down to fit the 88.

I have a thread on the SA 4x4 forum under the heading "Series / Rangy Hybrid" with lots of pic's

I'm also busy with a Lexus /Rangy thats been stretched to 109 that will eventually be covered with a S2 Caboose

The nice thing here in South Africa is that a vehicle only gets check once and thats when you transfer it onto your name. You are supposed to notify the traffic dept. if you make any changes but we tend to get away with it...

[Slunnie]

Have you considered finding a County/Defender chassis and still using the D1 for parts.

[GaryFrank]

Slunnie

I find the graphics of your "ute" very interesting.....did it come out as a tray-back or did you make it/

We didn't get them in SA so I had to make mine

[jakeslouw]

Howzit..

I'm busy with the exact same thing...a S2 88" on a Rangy chassis.

The only difference is I started with a 109 S2 pick-up and modified the load bin down to 88"
I am now busy chopping a 109" tropical roof down to fit the 88.

I have a thread on the SA 4x4 forum under the heading "Series / Rangy Hybrid" with lots of pic's

I'm also busy with a Lexus /Rangy thats been stretched to 109 that will eventually be covered with a S2 Caboose

The nice thing here in South Africa is that a vehicle only gets check once and thats when you transfer it onto your name. You are supposed to notify the traffic dept. if you make any changes but we tend to get away with it...

Post the thread URL please?

[Slunnie]

Slunnie

I find the graphics of your "ute" very interesting.....did it come out as a tray-back or did you make it/

We didn't get them in SA so I had to make mine

Hi GaryFrank,

Both utes came from LR with trays as far as I know - although I may be corrected. Trayback utes dont seem to be too uncommon in Australia.

[Series3 GT]

Hi GaryFrank,

Both utes came from LR with trays as far as I know - although I may be corrected. Trayback utes dont seem to be too uncommon in Australia.
Well I've got a tray back and seen many of them around but I don't think there's as many as tub series landys. The tray back is much easier to build as far as 100"s go but the tub looks pretty cool as well.

[UncleHo]

Tray back 110's and 130's are not uncommon here in Qld,and they are/were also used by Govt. depts (Railways) in a few states, and to mount either a wood or metal tray would only require fabricating the mounting brackets in the rear chassis,but you could always use the existing body mounts and use hardwood cross mounts,like on trucks.

cheers

Slunnie's rear ute sides look like cut down 110 sides.

[Mick_Marsh]

Got to say, a tray is really easy.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/267.jpg

What impresses me is those that build a tub.

[JDNSW]

Hi GaryFrank,

Both utes came from LR with trays as far as I know - although I may be corrected. Trayback utes dont seem to be too uncommon in Australia.

The working 4x4 in Australia started changing from tubs to traybacks about 1960. My first lwb Landrover, a 1961 109, bought in 1965, had a tray, as did all the company vehicles (Landcruisers) bought that year. That one was supplied by Landrover as a cab/chassis, with the dealer supplying the tray, but by about 1970 Rover Australia was making them. I suspect relatively few Australian 109 utes had tubs after 1970 - most of the ones with tubs were sold as soft tops or full length hardtops, regardless of what they are today.

Not sure why the change in preference, but I have a theory that it was when Australian rural suppliers started using forklifts and farmers started buying supplies by the pallet load. Once you start using a forklift, the tray is a lot more useful.

John

[Slunnie]

Tray back 110's and 130's are not uncommon here in Qld,and they are/were also used by Govt. depts (Railways) in a few states, and to mount either a wood or metal tray would only require fabricating the mounting brackets in the rear chassis,but you could always use the existing body mounts and use hardwood cross mounts,like on trucks.

cheers

Slunnie's rear ute sides look like cut down 110 sides.

Mine are both full aluminium trays sitting on a cab chassis.

The cream one is a 1972 ex wheat board in Vic I think it is and I'm not sure of who the blue ones original owner was but its a 1960

[joe.woods]

62611

Well the old girl has arrived, and joined the pack, work starts next month as I have a 3 week break, will upload pics as we go...Thanks for everyones comments...Cheers Joe:D

[GaryFrank]

Got my chassis back today...looking good after a steam clean and respray now to start rebuilding .....This is a 109 S2 cut down to an 88 on a chopped rangy chassis

Dunno if this is right but it should take you to the thread: http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php't=150873

[gavinwibrow]

62611

Well the old girl has arrived, and joined the pack, work starts next month as I have a 3 week break, will upload pics as we go...Thanks for everyones comments...Cheers Joe:D
Looks like your front yard is going into competion with Dave D!!

[joe.woods]

Looks like your front yard is going into competion with Dave D!!

Hi Gavin, I think I'm winning there are nine Landies out in the yard at the moment:o, the tools come out this week 3 weeks off work going to hit the project hard, should be lots of fun, pop up for a coffee...... bring your overalls:D....Joe

[Series3 GT]

I've gotta get stuck into my 100" soon, get ready for an awesome project cause it's great to see the bulkhead from a series sitting on a Rangie chassis and you get to see what its going to look like and when you get the rest of the body on you will be amazed how cool it'll look.

[JPC]

Hi All

Just something to think of b4 you start regarding the electrics.
I built a SWB Series body onto a shortened RRC chassis and unlike most of these builds, I removed the wiring carefully from the RRC, also the instruments and steering column, then re-used them on the new build. The result is that my "coiler series" have most of the electrical features that the RRC had such as reverse lights, emergency flashers, multiple stage wipers, interior lights that switch off 20 secs after you close the doors, amazing dual stage power assisted brakes, cute small steering wheel, etc.
Can do pics if you're interested.
If I have to do it again, which I would like to, then the only differences would be to keep the chassis 100" (rear fuel tank setup was a real pain) and maybe widen the bodywork by 150mm.

Good luck with your build.