Thread: 1981 RRC 2 Door - options please

I have a 1981 RRC 2 door with a 3.5 V8 and updated ZF4HP22 gearbox and LT230 transfer case.
It’s a non-runner and missing the air filter assembly. Also I am not sure of the condition of the gearbox or transfer case. Rather than spending time and money to see if I can get it running I intend to swap in a 3.9

So some advice on the following options would be appreciated.

Option 1:
Buy a Discovery 1 and swap in the 3.9 complete with transfer case and gearbox or:

Option 2:
Buy a donor RRC 4 door. My thinking with going down the RRC donor route is that I can also use some of the other components like the tailgate, rear bumper, rear quarter top vinyl panels etc. I am making the assumption that the engine, gearbox and transfer case will be a direct fit.

Over to you guys!

I did this exact transplant into my 85 RRC carby and used a D1 3.9 and all the bits to go with it as the vehicle was being parted out. While not overly complicated you will need some wiring skills to graft the EFI harness into the engine bay and make it work but there’s plenty of info out there on the 14CUX wiring.

I did this because the 3.5 was completely worn out but if yours is in decent condition, personally I’d find the missing bits and keep it standard. The 3.5 is a better engine IMO and while the 3.9EFI does have more power it doesn’t make it that much faster off the line.