110 County 3.5 V8/3.9 Diesel -chassis mounts the same?

[mark2]

Hi,
I was wondering if the chassis mounts are the same for the V8's as the 3.9 Isuzu. To put it another way, are the chassis identical? Have been thinking about a conversion from V8 but dont want to weld new mounts on the chassis as mine is galvanised.....

Would there be any major issues with the swap? My gearbox is a LT95. Is the wiring loom much different or the just the engine loom? Any ideas how much heavier the diesel would be over the V8? - I'm guessing about 80-100kg?

[wovenrovings]

Don't know about engine chassis mounts but the Isuzu wieghs in a 321kgs about. I think the V8 would be about 200kgs but some one else might have weighed one. The wiring loom is very similar the majority is the same except for the bits to do with starting and running the diesel. The diesel ignition switch has a glow plug position. However i guess that could be operated separately. Ask 110county has he has done this conversion on his vehicle.
Be aware the V8 is a much more refined engine (quieter) but i love the Isuzu.

[defenderbilby]

Where abouts are you Mark. I don't know about V8 mounts but if you are near me you are welcome to come over and measure the mounts on my chassis with the 4bd1 engine.
The distance from inside front cross member to engine mount bolt is 340mm.
David.

[JDNSW]

The other consideration is gearing - the Isuzu needs to have 0.996 high range in the transfer box - the V8 is lower geared than that. The five speed box is less robust than the four speed with the Isuzu engine, but they sold quite a few five speeds, so they can't be too bad, but you're still better off with the LT95.

John

[p38arover]

I'm pretty sure they are not. I saw KLR Automotive cut the old mounts off a Rangie and weld new mounts on for the 4BD1-T now installed.

Ron

[isuzu110]

My County was a V8 and is now an Isuzu (4BE1). Previous owner did the conversion and used Isuzu engine mounts but I don't believe the chassis mounts were moved. I maybe wrong.

I believe the V8 rubber engine mounts are too weak.

I have a 2" lift all round to give adequate clearance between the sump/filter and the front axle. The sump pan has a corner cut out of it for added clearance and I've dropped the drivers side bump stop 1" as well after I bottomed out on the cape and put a crease in the bottom of the oil filter from the axle housing hitting it.

If you want to stay with 7.5 R16 or 235/85R16 tyres, the 0.996 hi ratio transfer gearset is acceptable in the LT-95 for highway cruising. I've heard of guys who run 33" rubber using 1.113 instead.

The 4BE1 revs 300 rpm higher than the 4BD1. Have heard it described as "a sweeter engine" but each to their own. "Sweet" and "Isuzu Diesel" is a bit of an oxymoron IMHO.

[JDNSW]

My County was a V8 and is now an Isuzu (4BE1). Previous owner did the conversion and used Isuzu engine mounts but I don't believe the chassis mounts were moved. I maybe wrong.

I believe the V8 rubber engine mounts are too weak.

I have a 2" lift all round to give adequate clearance between the sump/filter and the front axle. The sump pan has a corner cut out of it for added clearance and I've dropped the drivers side bump stop 1" as well after I bottomed out on the cape and put a crease in the bottom of the oil filter from the axle housing hitting it.

If you want to stay with 7.5 R16 or 235/85R16 tyres, the 0.996 hi ratio transfer gearset is acceptable in the LT-95 for highway cruising. I've heard of guys who run 33" rubber using 1.113 instead.

The 4BE1 revs 300 rpm higher than the 4BD1. Have heard it described as "a sweeter engine" but each to their own. "Sweet" and "Isuzu Diesel" is a bit of an oxymoron IMHO.

Yours is a 4BE1, probably a bit different from the 4BD1, but I suspect the factory 4BD1 has a different sump to the ones used in other applications, and certainly the oil filter is (points up not down). Mine has the front spring stops raised about an inch or a little more - I think needed to stop the front diff hitting the sump/crankcase join. Also, the Isuzu engined County has different front springs to the V8.

John

[110county]

Hi Mark2

Did this conversion myself and the advice from others is correct. The engine mounts are very different, the V8 ones are like tissue paper compared to the isuzu ones, and are in a slightly different position. It is not a big deal to cut the V8 ones off and weld the isuzu ones on. Are you sourcing the engine from a truck or another landrover? If from a truck then you will need a few extra bits others have mentioned bell housing etc, oil filter, sump, air cleaner slight difference, radiator (have to swap outlets top for bottom), upgrade front springs, change transfer ratios, and probably other stuff I have forgotten. The wiring looms are the same and the engine loom will plug straight in theres a bit of stuffing around to power the glow plugs and the shut down cable puller thingy.
I would definitely source the engine from another landy (if you can) as all the bits you will need will be there, I did a swap from V8 to isuzu in my car then put the V8 into isuzu donor and sold it for the same price I bought it for took about 4 days for 2 guys working 12 hr days.
Good luck you wont regret it my isuzu has similar performance to the 3.5 V8 and returns better than 10L/100km city or highway, it is quite a bit noisier tho. Oh and DO NOT put straight thru 2.5" muffler and exhaust behind it gives it better performance but you will be seeing an ear specialist to be fitted for hearing aids (ask me how I know).
No problem if you're in Brissy and want a bo peep.

Luke

[mark2]

Thanks guys for the info and the offers of a look.
At this stage I'll probably put the idea on hold as I've just galvanised my chassis and dont want to be welding to it. At least I now know the chassis are different.......
There are a couple of companies in the UK who make bolt in kits to convert to Isuzu 2.8 turbo diesels as found in Rodeos, MU's and Jackeroos. They're a lot lighter and smaller than a 3.9 with similar power however are still expensive on the used market here in OZ.