Defender 110 to 90

[shamirj]

hi - how hard is it for someone to chop a standard 110 defender to convert into a swb 90. Is it fairly easy if you retain all the same running gear out of a 110 diesel engine. And how would you go about rego for a shortened 110 in NSW converted to a 90. Would you need a engineers certificate? Other then chopping inches in the middle of the 110 chassis down to 92inches for a LR90 what else is involved, brake lines, tailshaft etc. And how would you go about welding the two chassis halves together - would it need another smaller chassis tube/box to slide in and weld the seam or bolt the two halves together. thx

[Scouse]

It has been done. Bruce/John Davis at Annangrove did it for a customer before the 90 was released here.

Any major chassis mod would require an engineers certificate. You would best discuss with an engineer on how to cut/join the chassis otherwise he may not like how you've done it.

[Sleepy]

Could be done - helluva big job though. Mechanicals from 90 could be used (eg tailshaft).
Why not go for 100" and just make a hybrid out of a Classic Rangie? This conversion would be far easier.

[isuzurover]

Could be done - helluva big job though. Mechanicals from 90 could be used (eg tailshaft).
Why not go for 100" and just make a hybrid out of a Classic Rangie? This conversion would be far easier.

No way converting a rangie/disco is easier. You need to remove ALL the existing outriggers and body mounts and weld on all the defender ones.

Whereas to convert a 110 to a 90, almost all the mounts you need are already there.

Also, the rear upper panels are the same on a 90 and 110. So you just need to remove the rear doors and modify the pillars, tub and roof.

Would need to be engineered, but would be an easier engineering job than if you started with a disco or RR chassis.

[Sleepy]

fair enough.

maybe i watch "4x4 is born" too often

[JDNSW]

..........

Also, the rear upper panels are the same on a 90 and 110. So you just need to remove the rear doors and modify the pillars, tub and roof.
........

Are you sure of that? Certainly it was the case on the 88/109, but my understanding is that the rear body on the 90 is about 100mm longer than the 88, whereas I know for sure that the 110 and 109 have the same dimensions (although the axles are further back as well as being an inch further apart).

John

[isuzurover]

Are you sure of that? Certainly it was the case on the 88/109, but my understanding is that the rear body on the 90 is about 100mm longer than the 88, whereas I know for sure that the 110 and 109 have the same dimensions (although the axles are further back as well as being an inch further apart).

John

Not 100%, but can measure a mate's 90 tomorrow night and check.

[dobbo]

Tub the 110, still need engineering but may be a tad easier. Alternatively just buy a 90, they are around, by the time you've gone through the very expensive excercise of modding 110 it may be cheaper to just buy a factory one.

[TeZZaP]

I actually purchased (kinda long story) a 90 that had been created from a damaged 130, it was all pucker and registered in Vic (including engineers cert etc.), but NSW RTA refused rego, I never really understood why, and since NSW RTA refused to put anything in writing it was pretty hard to fight them; they just 'tweaked' their story everytime I tried to pin them down... anyway, the mechanic that did the rebuild had used a brand new 90 chassis, not sure how much they cost, but maybe that's an easier way of converting a 110 into a 90?

TeZZa

[shamirj]

Thx for that - tell me what happended to the 90 then if you cant rego it in NSW. is it unreg. wanna sell it cheaply. thx

[TeZZaP]

The guy I bought it from took it back and gave me my money back... I ended up buying a nice shiny new 90 when Aus Landrover started importing them officially! I'm on the hunt now for a Series II or III SWB myself as a reno project...