Early 110 LT85 (ashcroft or LT77)

[billnus]

Hi team, have a curly one.

I recently purchased a project which is a 2-door 110 with a Nissan FD33 on the LT85 (originally a V8 truck). I'm not tied to the motor, so thinking through options.

The LT85 is a goner, my options are as follows:
- Get one from Ashcroft, mount it up, and carry on
- Swap out for an LT77 and find a different adapter for the Nissan motor
- Swap out the motor and box for a different setup.

My understanding is if I do decide to go to an LT77 (due to cost and availability); I'll need to modify the trans tunnel / etc. Has anyone done this? A major drama?

What would you do?

thanks in advance.

[Jock The Rock]

Import an Australian spec 4BD1 and LT95 out of a Perentie and bolt it in

Or go with an R380 over an LT77, they are a bit more simple and easier to get parts (in Australia anyway)

[Vern]

I would be looking at an r380 over an lt77, which isn't and upgrade from the lt85.
You can modify the bellhousing to fit the r380

[billnus]

I think the r380 will need mods to the trans tunnel, seatbox, and I've read chassis for some people. An option could be to get a disco with r380 / 300tdi and swap in. (Or 300tdi and auto possibly)

[Vern]

Never heard of the chassis needing modding! Trans tunnel may'be, but that would be more to do with the shifter i would assume. The r380 came in the defender so can't see it being to hard

[Dervish]

Is the adapter a ring between a standard LT85 bellhousing and engine block, a modified bellhousing on the front surface, a modified bellhousing on the rear surface, or an adapter between a Nissan bellhousing to the LT85?

That would determine my answer.

[billnus]

Never heard of the chassis needing modding! Trans tunnel may'be, but that would be more to do with the shifter i would assume. The r380 came in the defender so can't see it being to hard

I agree - not sure why someone did this, but I suppose different strokes...

r380 would be OK, but lt85 would be the easiest I suppose. Not sure if I really want to swap the box and motor

[billnus]

Is the adapter a ring between a standard LT85 bellhousing and engine block, a modified bellhousing on the front surface, a modified bellhousing on the rear surface, or an adapter between a Nissan bellhousing to the LT85?

That would determine my answer.

The first. Adapter between std lt85 and block

[Vern]

The first. Adapter between std lt85 and block
I'd just source the appropriate r380 then, suffix L is the better one.

[Jock The Rock]

I think the r380 will need mods to the trans tunnel, seatbox, and I've read chassis for some people. An option could be to get a disco with r380 / 300tdi and swap in. (Or 300tdi and auto possibly)

Gday

Reckon you should check that if you can. When I built my 110 the original car was a 4BD1 with an LT85/LT230. It had the fibreglass/plastic one piece transmission tunnel (1990). In the end when I put it back together I used a 300 Tdi firewall (R380), Td5 transmission tunnel, 300 Tdi floor and 300Tdi seatbox, but that was with an LT95 and it came up pretty smick. (Essentially the same transmission tunnel setup you would find in a Defender fitted with an R380)

I know the LT77 Australian spec 200 Tdi 110s do use a very different floor and transmission tunnel set up. They are a 3 piece pressed aluminium set up and a different seat box.

I don't have too many photos, but these may help give you an idea of spacing's. Some are with the LT95 some with the LT85, both were bolt in fits just with different Landrover transfer case mounts

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/06/545.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/06/546.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/06/547.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/06/548.jpg

[Dervish]

The first. Adapter between std lt85 and block


I'd just source the appropriate r380 then, suffix L is the better one.

In that case I agree, R380. Finding a V8 one with a Defender shift mechanism may be tough (unless you plan to get one from Ashcroft).

[DeeJay]

LT85 bell housings were pricey there for a while - I sold one for $450 as they could be modified - by some mob in Qld- to bolt straight up to a R380.

[Dervish]

LT85 bell housings were pricey there for a while - I sold one for $450 as they could be modified - by some mob in Qld- to bolt straight up to a R380.

Only 4BD1 to LT85 bellhousings, not V8 to LT85 as in this case. No point modifying a V8 one, as V8 to R380 bellhousings are easily found.