S2 ute body on RRC chassis... doable?

[Mercguy]

Contemplating the idea of a Series landy ute body on an RRC chassis.

Anyone here done one before, and if so, any gotchas? just curious if it's doable or 'don't bother-able'

cheers,

[Mick_Marsh]

Yep. Doable.

I have a S3 Stage 1 cab on a RRC chassis.

If you want to keep the V8 and LT95, You'd have to move the grill forward and enlarge the transmission tunnel.

[Homestar]

Doable with the right Rangie if you have the time and dollars. I believe you'll need to start with a pre '85 RRC.

[Mercguy]

Doable with the right Rangie if you have the time and dollars. I believe you'll need to start with a pre '85 RRC.

Bugger. my rrc is 91.

If it's just relocating a body mount etc, not really concerned. But if there is a significant difference, then I will need to learn.

I'm giving this thought as a body has come up nearby, and while it's not great, it would be significantly quicker to clean up and respray than to do the rust repairs on RRC cowl and find replacement doors.

obviously won't be cheaper, but I do like series landies, and I like coil springs and disc brakes.

[JDNSW]

The key criterion is, if you want to it on the road, it has to meet the ADRs of the date of the chassis. Which means, to use a S2a body (no padded dash, protruding hinges) early seventies. If you use a S3 body, mid eighties.

[Mick_Marsh]

There is a fellow who put a S2a cab on a Defender chassis.
141588
141589
141590

[Homestar]

Bugger. my rrc is 91.

If it's just relocating a body mount etc, not really concerned. But if there is a significant difference, then I will need to learn.


As John said, it's about ADR's so you wouldn't get a 91 through with the older body on it. I was thinking series 3 when I said mid 80's but as John points out, you could do a Series 2a with an early 70's Rangie.

[Mercguy]

I've had two detailed but brief conversations with local VSCCS certifying engineers here and the consensus is that it is absolutely possible to certify.

The caveats are in relation to the ADR's being met for the 91 chassis. It may be as simple as checking the vehicle occupant movement swing-arcs and modifying the seat belt mounting points, possible seat relocation, and some external signal lamp requirements along with removing the external series 2 lug type door hinges, and using defender ones.

So overall the modifications do not appear to be insurmountable at this stage, but futher details of the specific ADR's and some interior measurements need to be taken.

I'm all for maintaining the safety level of the later vehicle, but some of the vehicle-specific contextual data needs to be clarified first on each body to ascertain if it's viable ($$$$).

Some further research regarding specific ADR details is required and while it doesn't appear to be as difficult as some may think - the key is the ADR requirements are applied to both vehicles in different editions, so the later ADR's as implemented on the 91 as well as any superceeded but non-compliant AVSR's need to be met.

Ultimately the task doesn't sound ridiculous, but it was mentioned anecdotally by both engineers, that NSW rms are particularly adept at finding excuses to not certify - even on highly documented ICV builds.

[ian4002000]

I saw an old series of shows on Foxtell a few weeks ago, were the bloke put a late 90 body onto a RRC chassic. The biggest problem he started with was the RRC has a 100 inch wheel base. So he made the rear body longer to suit.
He did a lot of other modifications to get the v8 to fit but it looked good when finished.

Just depends on how keen you are ?

It is probably easier to import a coiler 90 from England but it depends what you really want.

Ian
Bittern

[Mercguy]

So it's coming down to economics.

After further detailed investigation, the main issue is not mechanical, but rather the chasm of differences between S2 and 91 RRC ADR's.
and mostly the 'interior'.

So the big gripe - i.e. wishing to keep the simplicity of the S2 ute and interior etc in tact, is basically completely moot.

The measurements for swinging arc are what creates the issue. To effectively remove all of it from the equation means modifying the cab rear bulkhead, shifting it rearward, which then means modifying the top etc etc, plus still installing the collapsible column, the later 110 dash and a few other things.

So by my calculation, it would be cheaper to offload the RRC and purchase a 110/perentie and then perform the 'comfort pack' upgrade.

So I'm not convinced it's financially feasible, given the philosophy was to obtain a series 2 109 ute and perform the bodywork on it, then do the drivetrain swap.

Still going to have some more discussions with the VSCCS engineers, and work out what the definitive stumbling blocks will be.

I have also thought about going another way and chopping the RRC, but there's nothign wrong with the RRC's rear other than the upper tailgate corner rust.... easily fixable with some time (which I don't have right now).

Working on it!

[Mick_Marsh]

So it's coming down to economics.

After further detailed investigation, the main issue is not mechanical, but rather the chasm of differences between S2 and 91 RRC ADR's.
and mostly the 'interior'.

So the big gripe - i.e. wishing to keep the simplicity of the S2 ute and interior etc in tact, is basically completely moot.

The measurements for swinging arc are what creates the issue. To effectively remove all of it from the equation means modifying the cab rear bulkhead, shifting it rearward, which then means modifying the top etc etc, plus still installing the collapsible column, the later 110 dash and a few other things.

So by my calculation, it would be cheaper to offload the RRC and purchase a 110/perentie and then perform the 'comfort pack' upgrade.

So I'm not convinced it's financially feasible, given the philosophy was to obtain a series 2 109 ute and perform the bodywork on it, then do the drivetrain swap.

Still going to have some more discussions with the VSCCS engineers, and work out what the definitive stumbling blocks will be.

I have also thought about going another way and chopping the RRC, but there's nothign wrong with the RRC's rear other than the upper tailgate corner rust.... easily fixable with some time (which I don't have right now).

Working on it!
There is another option.
Buy one already engineered and use that as a base for your project. They do come up for sale from time to time.

[Mercguy]

Mick,

I had thought about the idea of just offloading the RRC and looking for a series / perentie as a complete substitute.

The main issue I have discounted this at the moment is not wanting 'another' registered vehicle.

I had an opportunity to get this completed before July 11, but that has now slipped, due to the additional complexity of the in-cab re-engineering. It's not overly difficult, it's just time consuming and 'costly' (not that the actual overall cost is a deterrent)

So the RRC rego will be paid for another 12 months, while I either look for a 110/perentie/defender/county or something else that suits my needs (W460 perhaps) and then offload the RRC, if I cannot find a better way to do it.

I honestly don't want someone elses 'project' as each time I have purchased someone elses 'project' I would have been better off starting from scratch.

Here's a funny anecdote though...

re-engineering a leaf sprung chassis for coils is easier than swapping an almost identical standard coil sprung chassis, with improved braking...

[DoubleChevron]

Mick,

I had thought about the idea of just offloading the RRC and looking for a series / perentie as a complete substitute.

The main issue I have discounted this at the moment is not wanting 'another' registered vehicle.

I had an opportunity to get this completed before July 11, but that has now slipped, due to the additional complexity of the in-cab re-engineering. It's not overly difficult, it's just time consuming and 'costly' (not that the actual overall cost is a deterrent)

So the RRC rego will be paid for another 12 months, while I either look for a 110/perentie/defender/county or something else that suits my needs (W460 perhaps) and then offload the RRC, if I cannot find a better way to do it.

I honestly don't want someone elses 'project' as each time I have purchased someone elses 'project' I would have been better off starting from scratch.

Here's a funny anecdote though...

re-engineering a leaf sprung chassis for coils is easier than swapping an almost identical standard coil sprung chassis, with improved braking...

I don't really see the problem. If you want to use your chassis .... just use it .... Its from a 1975 range rover from what I can tell once the body is removed ..........................[bigwhistle] I'm sure we have someone here that will donate you a pair of body tags from an early wreck ..... :D

seeya,
shane L.

[Mercguy]

hahaha...:whistling:
Shane, sometimes I forget the simplicity of Landrovers.:twobeers:
If it can :burnrubber:after the om606,
then you know :wasntme:

[Mercguy]

bit of a self-hijack on this thread...

It was suggested to me by way of Lockee that I should perhaps ute-chop the RRC.

Except that means I will still need front doors, floors and a cowl/firewall.

I do like the idea of a styleside RRC ute though.

When I look at pics of others, I seem to notice they are mostly cleaved from 2-door rangies. I suspect that has something to do with rust in the rear floor? Fortunately I have none.

It does make me think about some cool stuff though. Still, I think the series 3 body swap is probably the cheapest option...

[bee utey]

When I look at pics of others, I seem to notice they are mostly cleaved from 2-door rangies. I suspect that has something to do with rust in the rear floor? Fortunately I have none.


Nothing to do with floor rust and everything to do with ease of fabrication. Two door "B" pillars are far enough back so you don't have to add a cab section using cut down rear doors and such. Just plate off the cab after the "B" pillar and you're done. Seat belts in seats too, no need to engineer the door pillars. Oh and of course the fact that there used to be loads of cheap two doors may have had something to do with it too.

[goingbush]

With a LandRover anything is possible.
I put a Series body on a RangeRover chassis about 1986 & cut 10" out to make it look like a 90.
I think I managed that before it became an obsession in Pommy land ,

check out the youtube series "A 4x4 is born"


https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31723249_1679381678810282_4851267381621686272_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeHF2xBNPCohzjgtDVqhaJI1R8-OUhVmDBfJBnQ8TzEUnIF-ySE4xlYfxs9UNKQd0kKirDkF0cJhL2zdpw9dD5vJYOfSX9Qsyx n6ZXTkQAFiQA&oh=e69408012499cc9b964867a1be3540ea&oe=5BA19F70

[DeeJay]

There is ( or was) a SWB Series 3 on a Rangie Chassis in the Vic Land Rovers Club for many years, from memory it was a relatively simple graft with shortened chassis & a series rear end grafted on.
Here is the link from the above post.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVqpig9g5wA&list=PLFOqYvjMF0X7iTmDlsngR68i_S9FxS_ex)

David

[goingbush]

There is ( or was) a SWB Series 3 on a Rangie Chassis in the Vic Land Rovers Club for many years, from memory it was a relatively simple graft with shortened chassis & a series rear end grafted on.
Here is the link from the above post.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVqpig9g5wA&list=PLFOqYvjMF0X7iTmDlsngR68i_S9FxS_ex)

David

That would have been me, I put 110 rear capping on it to make it look less Series like. Well it was 30 something years ago .

Peter Turner also made one after seeing how easy it was .



http://www.goingbush.com/landy/90-10.jpg

http://www.goingbush.com/landy/90-11.jpg


https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31786552_1679381468810303_7466038656768147456_n.jp g?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeG189EBYKL50kf65viPBZgFbyMj722R8TyCdfgZO tyXSxFIOJNr2Lj-y9Kh2ppM6O_3YYuBzgcy4xZt32iNhxopsaJpZf-EEnFZ0m8_GIV87A&oh=51127ef6e9530f1c03bf2ff7311c1873&oe=5BDC72DA

[goingbush]

Article from LRO back in the day .
Can't believe an Isuzu County was $47K in 1989 . Must all be true because I wrote it [bigwhistle]

https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32703607_1693095324105584_5623411740193587200_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=57306933c208135284f080a0c9cfaed6&oe=5BD632F0

[goingbush]

Theres a bloke in QLD doing an engineered build at the moment, Bloody clever too , An 88 body behind a truck cab fits the 100" chassis perfectly.

https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36852324_10214060914691608_2299573701286297600_n.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=fe9c50768e35f283d8356e7903a80ca4&oe=5BDF23AC

[DeeJay]

[QUOTE=goingbush;2823884]That would have been me, I put 110 rear capping on it to make it look less Series like. Well it was 30 something years ago .

Peter Turner also made one after seeing how easy it was .




And another.. Screenshot of trip we did about a dozen years ago.

David

[goingbush]

[QUOTE=goingbush;2823884]



And another.. Screenshot of trip we did about a dozen years ago.

David

Ah , yes I heard about Colin Orchard's build, but I left the club before he did that. Another beastly vehicle from all accounts.

[fitzy]

Colin’s vehicle is a series chassis with coil suspension brackets