Project 90

[D110V8D]

Ok this one has been on my mind for some time now and after the show on Sunday I was pushed over the edge and will just have to get a start on it.

The idea is basically to create a short wheelbase Defender soft top.

So in order to get the show on the road I need to ask a few questions first.

Options:

Buy a 90" chassis from uk.

Cut down a 110 chassis already in australia.

Cut and modify Range rover chassis also already in Aus.

If I buy a chassis from the UK can anyone tell me if there are difficulties registering it in Australia?

Cost? Any thoughts on which option is cheapest?

I like the idea of buying one in from UK as I'm hoping I wont have too much hassle engineering wise. Then it's just a matter of collecting all the other bits and pieces and assembling it.
I thought at the same time I can get a rear tub and soft top shipped with it.

So any thoughts would be appreciated.

I realise it's a long and expensive road but it's something I've wanted for years and I have the shed to do it in these days. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[abaddonxi]

What's the difference between a this and a 90?

8O

Cheers
Simon

[YRVGreen]

if your wanting to do that, a d90-hybrid-RR then u would be better off useing a s3 lwb chop it, and deck it out with defender gear,. as a one ten will have too many doors for a D90,.. and cost more for what is the same thing,... since your chucking it on RR running gear and rails, it dosnt really matter what pannels your putting on top, aslong as it looks like a 90 when your done, plus you can practicaly pick up a lwb s3 these days for a song, so it makes it easy to find one with a ratted out body but good pannels,

[D110V8D]

Ok I guess I need to elaborate a bit.

The way I see it I have the options I've listed above as far as the chassis is concerned. I belive the chassis will be the main obstacle for me.

The main problem I have is a total lack of welding skills which is why I was looking at just buying a chassis from the UK already made to the correct dimensions.

If I use a rangie chassis I will have to have it cut and modified by someone, which could turn out costing me more than an imported chassis. Correct or not? Anyone with experience but in right about now. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

A 110 chassis will give me similar issues but would be easier to cut as no outriggers etc will need to be put on, but it will cost more to purchase in the first place so I could end up with the same bill at the end of it.

The price of an imported chassis is listed at around 900 pounds. Of course there is shipping on top of that. But there is less stuffing around with it. I can then just start building it up with bits I can get easily over here.

That brings me to the bulkhead. Can anyone tell me if I was to use a series 3 bulkhead (firewall) wether or not a Defender/early 110 windscreen frame can be bolted straight on without mods? Or do I just buy a Defender/110 bulkhead to start with? I dont want the split windscreen of a series model.

The rest of the project as far as I can tell will be within my ability. I'm trying to avoid as much stuffing around as possible.

The cash for this project is not in a bulk amount either. It's more of a pay as I go type of arrangment so you can see why I'm not able to just go out and buy an already existing 90. I'm also useless at saving large amounts of money. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[spudboy]

The cost of importing is pretty high when you take the customs and GST and handling (you prob need to pay an agent to clear the items through customs) into account.

I tried importing a set of wolf rims from the UK which sold for GBP40 each, or roughly $95. By the time they were shipped and through customs the price hade gone to over $210 per rim.

In the end I just paid the $220 each from a local supplier and got them the next day.

[DaveS3]

Mick,

I have a few ideas up my sleave at the moment. I could get someone to weld the chassis up, might get him to do mine as well.

Are you sold on a 90? (actually about 92.~) Or 100inch?

He's already offered to help, but I might get him to line everything or atleast get a price to do it.

I just need the Front outriggers and the outriggers under the cab to be positioned welded.

Dave.

[LandyAndy]

No Welding skills?????
Its no where near as hard as you may think,its great fun,I list welding as one of my best hobbies,and Im self taught.
Look into doing a TAFE niteschool course,you will learn enough to give you the confidence to tackle the job.
All the best
Andrew

[Outlaw]

Yeah go a straight 100" RR chassis... more stable offroad than the 90" and better than a 110" https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[incisor]

trouble with welds is both good and bad welds can look identical on the outside and be at opposite ends of the world where it counts....

[PeterM]

Mick,

If you're set on a shorty then maybe you could look at an 88". There aren't as many SWB series Rovers around but they certainly are available. That would remove the need for major chassis surgery too. All you'd really need to worry about would be supports for locating arms and adjust the driveshaft lengths accordingly.

A series bulkhead should be able to accept a Defender windscreen with next to no mods too.

[Larns]

110V8
As far as welding goes, you can't just get anyone to weld a chassis. You have to find someone that is Cert 3 1554 Aust, Standards qualified, otherwise no engineer will sign off on it. Belive me I know alllllll about it!

If you contact Tony at British 4WD imports on 03-97299943, he has 90" chassis already imported and cost around $3500. He can also supply you with the rear tub at the same time as they are a special length (ie. not the same length as a series tub).
I have a s11a firewall bolted to my D90 chassis, and it was a lot of stuffing around to get all the 110 bits to bolt up(an I mean ALOT). But I wanted the steel dash and was willing to do the stuffing around.
One tip though, never never buy an engine an running gear over the phone like I did. Cost me thousands to fix the ****ed parts he supplied me with.
As for the registration, ifyou go ahead with the project, drop me a line an I'll amuse and enlighten you on the subject.
And yes you can bolt a D110 windscreen up to a series firewall, just need to drill a couple of holes https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Cheers Larns

[cal415]

Gday,
Ive been looking at similar options myself, your best best, and most cost friendly way is to buy a shorty SIII and a rangie rolling chassis, cut the suspension mounts etc off the rangie chassis and weld them onto the SIII chassis, put all the running gear from the rangie over to the SIII and you have almost got yourself a d90.... finding the defender body parts i.e doors, firewall, windscreen frame and a roof to chop down is the hard part... lukily i have most of that sorted for mine now.

As for chassis shortening etc i was concidering this option, my brother can do all the welding etc for my but i have decided to stick with a 100in https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Slunnie]

Cal415, its really not as easy as that, but in my opinion starting with a SWB 88" and bringing it out to 90" using RRC parts is not a bad method at all. I brought a 88" out to 100" by using a RRC A-frame, custom lower links etc. and nothing matches up.

Tip though - to do this, you will really need to weld. I wouldn't pay $3500 to import a 90" chassis. I would buy a MIG and do a TAFE course on using it. Welding isn't that difficult using MIG once you've got it sussed out.

[cal415]

Originally posted by Slunnie
Cal415, its really not as easy as that, but in my opinion starting with a SWB 88" and bringing it out to 90" using RRC parts is not a bad method at all.

Yes, not as simple as just slapping the bits on the SIII chassis but can be done without to much trouble, There is one getting around newcastle that has been done like that, still SIII looks though, it sits pretty high running stock RR springs, 35in tyres and a p76 4.4 v8 - its a monster!! he was showing it off to a few of us one day, pretty cool seeing a landy chirping into 2nd gear!!!

[LRHybrid100]

ahh the Defender bug!!!

Just be aware that if you import a chassis that here in Aus it will be registered as a brand new vehicle - will need to pass the latest ADRs etc.

This might be a problem then with which egine (pollution levels etc) you use and also the modifications you can legally make later down the track.

Nice project though https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

LRH

[LRHybrid100]

and just to wet your whistle:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/02/45.jpg

LRH

[D110V8D]

Gday LRH

I was wondering when you would show up! https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Alright I'm getting some good info here. I'm going to make some calls today and tomorrow regarding getting a chassis (a 110 then cut it down) and tub already in the country. I'm not interested in meeting current ADR's.

I really want to do a 90. I've already got the pig and she's a 100".

Thanks guys.

I'll update as I go. 8)

[LRHybrid100]

Originally posted by D110V8D

I really want to do a 90. I've already got the pig and she's a 100".

Thanks guys.

I'll update as I go. 8)

Why not just buy a D90 then?

LRH

[D110V8D]

Refer to bottom of my second post on this thread. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ :oops:

[LRHybrid100]

hmmm - Novation Leasing may be your answer!!!

LRH

[D110V8D]

Nah I'm bailing this dump. The 110 will be going to market soon as it's leased through the company. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Hence the building of the 90. 8)

I'm off to look at a chassis this evening.

[D110V8D]

Nah I'm bailing this dump. The 110 will be going to market soon as it's leased through the company. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Hence the building of the 90. 8)

I'm off to look at a chassis this evening.

[Ace]

So a SWB series isnt an option then Mick. Chassis is a good length, all you need to do then is modify a few things like suspension to fit the coil springs and the drive train if you want a v8 or a diesel in it. matt