Series body with Disco chassis

[antond]

Any members have some experience with this kind of custom conversion? Interested in series 2-style cab/ute conversion using probably a Disco 1 chassis...

[JDNSW]

In the UK you will find plenty of experience with this sort of thing, but for on-road use in Australia, the vehicle is identified by the chassis - and is required to meet all ADRs current when the chassis was built.

This means 1990 for the earliest D1, and for that year it is a bit doubtful whether even the last of the S3 bodies could meet the requirements. Using an early RR chassis, which is pretty interchangeable with D1 parts would be the way to go, but there are probably not too many of them about that are not badly rusted.

John

[130man]

HI Antond, I know of a Series Three Station Wagon body grafted onto an early Range Rover chassis which , I recall, he galvanised. The owner accounted for the difference in wheelbases by shortening the rear doors of the Wagon. It is a very neat piece of work and solves the problem raised by JD. I imagine the ute cab/ ute tray would be even easier to fit. I think the chassis outriggers needed to be repositioned for the wagon body. The wagon conversion rides nicely and disappears up the road at an impressive rate of knots for a "Series Three". Go for it, always remembering that it will take longer than you think. Cheers, 130man.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Do a search for the video "A 4WD is Born" they do a 100" RRc Defender hybrid.

[pop058]

Don't forget your new toy will have to comply with all the ADRs that relate to the year of the CHASSIS.

A 1990 Series 2 with need a padded dash, a collapsable steering column, intrusion bars in the doors, burst proof door locks to mention just a few. This is not a new idea and a few on the forum have done similar things. IIRC, one of the methods was to fit coils and D1 running gear to a Series chassis.

I am sure some experience will be along shortly. I wish you the best of luck because it is something I would love to do as well (god knows I have enough Discos and Series to make a few of them :D ).

[antond]

Thanks for all your replies. I will do some research on the ADR specs, but there must be a way to get all these great and inexpensive chassis back on the road with something that is classic in look but with the drivability and off road ability of something modern. Besides I sold the D2 to give way to garden variety family transport, but need another LR project...

[loanrangie]

As John mentioned, try to get a similar era rangie chassis and go from there.
I am yet to see a badly rusted rangie chassis, maybe on the coast but at least in Vic i have never seen any more than surface rust.

[rovercare]

Just build it and stamp the series chassis number into it already:D

[Debacle]

If you want a 1981 RRC chassis, I've got one. Been sandblasted and two coats of two pack epoxy. Has some rust damage to the fuel tank bracket on the rear cross member that should be easily fixed by someone with some welding skills.

Come and take it away, it's just getting in the road here.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If you want a 1981 RRC chassis, I've got one. Been sandblasted and two coats of two pack epoxy. Has some rust damage to the fuel tank bracket on the rear cross member that should be easily fixed by someone with some welding skills.

Come and take it away, it's just getting in the road here.A Series IIa body likely won't pass 1981 ADR.

[Debacle]

A Series IIa body likely won't pass 1981 ADR.

Sorry, I was thinking it was just about a Series body in general. A Series 3 would be different though, they made them in 1981 didn't they ? They aren't that different apart from grille and headlight placement and dash are they ?

[Homestar]

Most bases are covered already, and on that - try and get a chassis and body that are the same year - a series 3 body on an early RRC chassis will work. Run it all past your engineer before you begin and you should end up with something legal.:)

Not many Hybrids being built these days, but I do love them. Go for it.:)

[rovercare]

Most bases are covered already, and on that - try and get a chassis and body that are the same year - a series 3 body on an early RRC chassis will work. Run it all past your engineer before you begin and you should end up with something legal.:)

Not many Hybrids being built these days, but I do love them. Go for it.:)

Meh legal smegal, just restamp, all problems solved

[Debacle]

Meh legal smegal, just restamp, all problems solved

There's a certain amount of truth to that. If you just go to a suburban DOT branch, all they want to do is make sure that all the paperwork is correct and numbers are okay in the computer system.
When I got my Disco registered, which had been bought by me unregistered and had a lot of work done I didn't even drive it there, just turned up in my little Suzuki with all the paperwork and walked out with a set of plates.

Don't try this at Pineapple St though.

And don't have a major accident, it could get a bit involved once they investigate things a bit

[Rick1970]

Meh legal smegal, just restamp, all problems solved


Old work mates dad had a morrie van with several different engines installed over time...morrie, corolla, datto,......all had the same engine number and he was never quizzed about it.

[Homestar]

Meh legal smegal, just restamp, all problems solved

Until you're involved in a serious accident....

[rovercare]

Until you're involved in a serious accident....

A range rover years ago I did a bit or work on was in an accident which killed a mate, near 10 years ago now, the car was stored at my old boys place afterwards and the accident investigators came to check it out, 2" body lift, remounted brake line brackets, 2" suspension, the usual stuff...again, there words were negligence, so been there before

Its a furphy about insurance and you will be jailed for things like this, our legal system is far more protective than people make out, it needs to be proven as cause, or due negligence to become liable....unless of course you do a terrible job and it IS your fault

[Scouse]

Until you're involved in a serious accident....A car, which may or not have been mine, was involved in a serious accident.
Over the years prior to the accident, it went from a cream 1957 4 door Morris Minor to a black 1950 2 door MM (and several models in between).


It was inspected by the insurance company & they didn't notice anything wrong.

[tron6000]

Hey mate,

If you go ahead with it, keep us posted. I was seriously thinking about doing this, got the RRC parts sorted just needed the series ute.

Good Luck!

[Seriestwo]

I looked into this and in QLD if you want a coil sprung early series Landy, then the best way is to either get coil spring hangers welded on the chassis, this is easier said then done as it will cost a fair bit and will need to be engineered, or you can spend the money and get a chassis made in the UK and sent out that is already setup to have coil springs and setup to the engine and gearbox you are putting in the vehicle. This is also quite expensive and it will also have to be engineered and a surrogate vin stamped (or you can re-stamp the old number if your game). If I remember correctly it was only about $1800 more to have the new gal chassis delivered and engineered as apposed to having the old chassis modified.

I stopped looking into it as I found a good chassis and decided to keep it leaf sprung.

[antond]

Interesting. I take it that a UK sourced chassis would be 88 or 109"? I had the mid wb 100" in mind... Again because I just want to be different.

[isuzurover]

Lots of talk on here and no real info.

Several series body on rrc/disco chassis have been built and engineered. How strict the engineering was I don't know, however I was told by one of the owners that his S1 body on disco chassis went through as an ICV. The vehicle was later re-registered in tassie when the owner moved.

Given that defenders are currently available new I cannot see it being very hard to get a series body on coil chassis vehicle through as long as you have modern seats, seat belts and some extra padding in places (e.g. dash)...

[seriesLR]

Lots of talk on here and no real info.

Several series body on rrc/disco chassis have been built and engineered. How strict the engineering was I don't know, however I was told by one of the owners that his S1 body on disco chassis went through as an ICV. The vehicle was later re-registered in tassie when the owner moved.

Given that defenders are currently available new I cannot see it being very hard to get a series body on coil chassis vehicle through as long as you have modern seats, seat belts and some extra padding in places (e.g. dash)...



Just put a disco through rego inspection the other day they didn't even look at it. I just paid my monies and they gave me the plates.......


It's getting easier to get rego in Vic it seems.

[mark2]

deleted

[blitz]

A way around the ADR issues would be to fit a county firewall, doors and lower cab of the same age but fit old front, windscreen, turret etc

Blitz