Hybrid advice

[decnet]

I would really like to build a hybrid (RR chassis, defender / series body, etc) wondering if anyone has any advice. I'm thinking of a jap motor maybe isuzu and a GBox to fit it.

Dont really want to spend $50k on a D90. ;-)

Id love to talk to others who have tried / succeded.

Cheers,
Dec

[Phoenix]

There are a couple here who are in the process of building hybrids, and i'm sure that they will find you.

Not too many with finished hybrids have found their way here yet though.

[wizzid]

hi decnet,
I tried to regester in NSW a modified 97, D130 that had been made into a D90 . It was fitted with a new D90 chassis,rear tub,roof & tank.
The 90 was engineered & had FULL VIC REGO.
Prior to purchase I had verbal ok from an RTA technical advisor, also
the Vin nos checked out ok.
I purchased the 90 had it re engineered inspected etc took it for rego.
RTA said NO WAY it didnt comply.
After 9 months & 4 letters to the RTAs CEO, 2 meetings with their
senior engineer the answer was still NO WAY!
They classified it as a Re shelled vehicle.
Luckly I purchased it subject to getting NSW rego.
If you decide to go ahead get your engineer to get written confirmation from your relevent roads authority regarding your project.
Even though I did everything correctly they kept changing the rules & the
playing field. Some of the people I had dealings were just f..n bastards.
Be aware & good luck!
Cheers Pat.

[decnet]

Thanks for that info. It is just what I need to know before starting out.

There is a good chance that I will be registering it in the ACT so I will contact them for as much info as I can.

keep it comming :-)

[LandyAndy]

Hi Decnet
Yes it is a nightmare dealing with rego authorities.
When I was planning to build The Toy,the WA Transport told me I could lift the body as much as I wanted as lon as it was safe,I told them I wanted to go 4 inches thes said as it was a series landy it wouldnt be a problem as it is such a rigid chassis.The say they have big problems with lifted tojo Surfs falling on their sides in roundabouts.They said an engineers certificat was needed.In regaurds to the ford V8 they said as long as the motor is ex the same age ford with the factory emmisions equipment no problem.I asked about LPG only and they said it still needed the emmissions gear.
18 months later I take The Toy to an engineer to look at the motor/gearbox/chassis bodylift mods.He was very impressed with my work but had some bad news.As the bodylift is over 2 inches I will need to do a lanechange test.There is a heap of problems and expense involved in this,and he tells me there is no way a brandnew 4WD station wagon can pass the same test.I will be going to my chassis with a grinder and going for a 2 inch lift.The good news,no emmission gear is required for a LPG only motor.
My advice:- FIRST go to your rego authority with every detail of your planned conversion and ask them for their list of prefered engineers.THEN take the same details to an engineer from their list and discuss the project.The engineer will charge for his time but it will be money well spent.
Goodluck
Keep us all informed.
Andrew

[strange_rover]

Gday Dec,
I am also building a Hybrid (RR chassis, Series 2 front cab and D130 rear tub), As Andrew said you would be far better off talking to your local authority first and explain to them what you intend to do. As mine is running all RR running gear, brakes, steering etc... and I am basically only changing the body parts, the guys here in WA said they couldn't see any problems with it getting passed, without an engineers certificate. If I start modifying the chassis, engine and suspension etc.. too much then an engineer will need to pass it first for me.
Mine is going very slow at the moment but it will get there eventually.
Hope yours goes well.
Shano style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Larns]

Decnet
I'm glad it sounds as though I'm not alone, I'm looking at putting my S11a bulkhead onto a D90 chassis and new Defender panels to boot.
I'm going the Izusu option an am having a complince issue with the local MVR (our version of the RTA). I havn't taken the plunge yet on the motor so I'll just stand back a little and wait for the decision to settle before I fork out the money.
Good luck
Cheers Larns

[LRHybrid100]

Originally posted by Larns
Decnet
I'm glad it sounds as though I'm not alone, I'm looking at putting my S11a bulkhead onto a D90 chassis and new Defender panels to boot.
I'm going the Izusu option an am having a complince issue with the local MVR (our version of the RTA). I havn't taken the plunge yet on the motor so I'll just stand back a little and wait for the decision to settle before I fork out the money.
Good luck
Cheers Larns

Hey Larns, are you buying that D90 chassis in Sydney?

LRH.

[LRHybrid100]

Currently building a D100 using:

1984 Range Rover 100" Chassis
1994 V8 3.9 EFI with ZF 4 speed Auto gearbox and BW Transfer box
1997 Land Rover 110 firewall
1985 Land Rover 110 guards / bonnet / screen / seat box etc
1999 D110 axels
1995 D110 2 door rear tub

See website for pix - http://www.users.on.net/LRHybrid100/


with the inspiration being a vehicle in the UK:


http://www.aulro.com/albums/LRHybrid100-Toys/4_G.sized.jpg

[Larns]

Mark
Yea, more than likely. I had a trusted mechanic friend in sydney check it out and he gave it the thumbs up. The only problems I'm having is 1. the number saga, awaiting on the Moter registory's decision bofore I buy it.
2. transport, most places are gonna charge $1500 to ship it, an I just ain't got enough for the chassis and postage. I think someone is gonna have to reduce their price for me to go ahead.

I'm impressed with your 100, it definatly looks the part!. Do you have many spares left over?.
I'm dying up here with the lack of part's

Cheers Larns

[Hellspawn]

I too just want to add a 3 minute version of woe tale when dealing with the RTA.
This thing of mine "Hellspawn", a series three converted to 186 from four cylinder, was modified back in the early 80's when engineer's reports weren't much hack. The engineer did all the work and an RTA inspector would actually approve the modification. Where as nowadays it's the engineer who gives the nod and the RTA make things more difficult for an engineer to approve modified vehicles.
Now this is how thick the RTA is. When mine was modified it was approved to 186. Then that motor wore out so an exchange of same capacity was put in (179 rebored out to 186) and id number changed. That motor snapped no. 5 conrod not long after I bought the vehicle of the owner who modified it all those years back. I replaced the 179 block with a similar 186 to the original.
When I went to change the record with the RTA, they would not recognise that the vehicle had been bought back to it's original approval configuration, ie a 186 engine and bantered about the scrub I have increased the performance of the vehicle going on engine numbers alone. Hello ! So I got the original approval certificate out of them and showed that plus my rego plus the old block. They still claimed performance enhanced and wanted an engineers certificate before they would 'adjust the records'.
I spoke to an engineer (showing the same things I did the RTA) who politely agreed with them so as to get my money and informed me that the engineers certificate lasts only 10yrs so as to prepare me for this idiocy again or keep himself in business.
Loop hole ! I got a safety certificate, registered as was previously and still trot around in a vehicle that has the performance in the RTA's view of a 350 chev in a moke. Every year I produce that original approval certifiacte and no questions are asked regarding numbers. Why ? Saftey certificates don't worry about engine numbers.
What I would suggest to everyone, the RTA won't put anything in writing and most don't have a clue how many cylinders their own car engine has but will gladly dictate what hoops you should leap through, engineers only want your money so get you projects registered as a bland conversion, stock motor, stock frame. Once registered do whatever you like and don't make yourself obvious.