Thread: Modifying a Perentie...

As far ad i know, tank capacity is 65 litres on your standard perentie. As for your part time 4x4 if say you would need a free wheeling hub kit to give you part time 4x4. I don't own a perentie but ive driven a couple and the steering is already quite heavy with the standard tyres. I think you would have issues if you fit 35 inch tyres not just with steering but also with power. Its only 4 gears and although it works well as it is, i think you would be sorry for fitting those big tyres.

Steering is heavy on the 4x4 but power steering is an easy fit. The 6x6 has power steering from the factory. The rest of your plan sounds all doable - but the towing capacity of the vehicle isn't what you'd expect and certainly can't legally tow a car trailer as it sits. You'll need to chat to an Engineer about that as the Military towing spec on these vehicles is very low.

The constant 4 wheel drive won't effect your fuel economy at all - the Isuzu engine is quite good on fuel anyway. You'll also loose the advantages of having full time 4 wheel drive - why would you want it to handle in the dirt like a Hilux? . I've never heard of a kit to do a part time conversion on the LT95 anyway, but I could be wrong.

All the best, it will be a great vehicle.

Body: Parts from a 110 or Defender or even Series 3 pretty much bolt on. Seat movement should not be affected, unlike the swb Landrovers. Perhaps find someone with a cab Defender to try your fit. Tray mount will need modification. Engineering will probably be required for this and can also almost certainly increase towing limit to the civilian load. Will also be required for 35" tyres I believe as it is more than 50mm increase. (And why would you want this for your use - other things apart it will give issues with the spare)

Airconditionsing. Certainly can be done, but probably a custom job.

Constant four wheel drive. All Landrovers have been constant four wheel drive for over thirty years and still give better fuel economy than their competitors, so there is little reason to change this - the cost will be more than the fuel you will save over the vehicle's lifetime, so why would you do it? The difference in fuel consumption between full time four wheel drive and two wheel drive would be almost negligible.

Fuel capacity. Custom tank under the tray.

Steering - power steering kits are readily available and probably the most common modification by perentie owners.

Hope this helps.

John

Originally Posted by Dauntless

And now what I'd want to change:
The body: A dropside tray is a must. Is it just a matter of cutting the Perentie body and fitting a Defender ute cab back and roof? Would this still allow the seat to travel all the way back? I'm 6'3 so this is important. I'm assuming a tray built for a Defender 110 ute won't line up with the chassis rails?

Have a look at this one:

Perentie trayback expressions of interest

Rather than cutting the tub like that one, I would recommend finding a proper tray back single cab rear wall and selling the Perentie tub complete.

The cab roof will cut a 20-50mm off the seat travel, depending on how tilted you like the seat back to be.

A Defender/110 tray should work, depending on how it mounts.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

Air conditioning: I intend to take this to QLD and northern NSW in summer and sit in traffic, so I'll need A/C. Has anyone done this? Am I right in thinking a combination of Isuzu truck and Defender parts with maybe some custom hoses could make this happen?

I have A/C on one of mine. No need for truck stuff. There are two options, find a County 4bd1 A/C bracket - which is almost impossible - or speak to KLR Automotive who fabricate a bracket to fit a generic Sanden unit. From there you could either find an under dash A/C unit from a Defender or go with a generic hot rod unit between/behind the seats.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

Constant 4WD: I'd be doing a lot of miles in this thing, so fuel economy and reliability are important. Is there a part time conversion kit available for the LT95?

As others have mentioned, don't bother.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

Fuel capacity: I've read it's 80L? That isn't adequate for my needs. Given their unique chassis, is a larger tank available, or would I have to get a custom aux tank under the tray?

Whatever you need, you'll need to have made.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

And finally a few questions.
Steering: How heavy is it? I'm used to a diesel Hilux on 33s with a steel bar and winch without P/S, but I wouldn't want any worse than that. Would a Perentie with winch on 35s be bearable around town and frequently parallel parking?

Power steering is available, again through KLR Automotive. If you want to be reversing with trailers and heading off road with 35s, I would say it would be almost a necessity.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

It looks like the AC compressor would mount on the exhaust side, would OEM and common aftermarket turbos clear this?

Here's a photo of my engine bay; the A/C compressor is tucked away under the alternator - plenty of room.

Originally Posted by Dauntless

I've read that parts like springs, shocks and diff locks are commonly available, is that correct? Would I need 4" lift springs to gain a 2" lift?

Yes, everything is commonly available. Perenties are already lifted 2", so be absolutely certain you want so much lift before you go down that road. Land Rovers aren't like the rest, they don't need to be miles off the ground to perform off road.

Originally Posted by Dervish

...
Land Rovers aren't like the rest, they don't need to be miles off the ground to perform off road.

Or to fit big tires. From what I have read, 35's seem to fit on stock Defenders with 2" lift and the correct offset rims and maybe steering lock adjustment.

The body: A dropside tray is a must. Is it just a matter of cutting the Perentie body and fitting a Defender ute cab back and roof? Would this still allow the seat to travel all the way back? I'm 6'3 so this is important. I'm assuming a tray built for a Defender 110 ute won't line up with the chassis rails?
You won't need to cut the body, just unbolt and drill out rivets.
a tray off a 130/110 won't bolt straight on due to the rear chassis, but it would not be too hard to mod.

Air conditioning: I intend to take this to QLD and northern NSW in summer and sit in traffic, so I'll need A/C. Has anyone done this? Am I right in thinking a combination of Isuzu truck and Defender parts with maybe some custom hoses could make this happen?
Yup. air con can be fitted


Constant 4WD: I'd be doing a lot of miles in this thing, so fuel economy and reliability are important. Is there a part time conversion kit available for the LT95?

Constant 4WD does not effect fuel economy worth a damn, especially with the 4BD1, leave it.
plus, the Perentie is quite nose heavy and understears like a pig in adverse conditions, you want that 4WD!


Fuel capacity: I've read it's 80L? That isn't adequate for my needs. Given their unique chassis, is a larger tank available, or would I have to get a custom aux tank under the tray?

Fuel capacity is 65L on a standard Perentie. you can fairly easily get another tank fabbed up for under the tray.


And finally a few questions.
Steering: How heavy is it? I'm used to a diesel Hilux on 33s with a steel bar and winch without P/S, but I wouldn't want any worse than that. Would a Perentie with winch on 35s be bearable around town and frequently parallel parking?

The steering is not that bad IMHO. a couple of qualifiers though.
This is on AT, not mudders, and not super wide tyres. I have Hankook Dynapro RF10 ATMs on mine (235/85/r16 - same diameter, 40mm wider) and have no problem with the steering: That is after I replaced the pitman arm and tie rod ends. If you have dry, flogged out ball joints, you're going to have a bad time.
In terms of parking, I find the lack of visibility is more of a problem than the steering - reverse camera and blind spot mirrors are a must.

That said, a full brand new p/s it can be purchased for and installed for $2500. you can go much cheaper using second hand parts.


do you need 35's? In fact, you'd have to double check, but I'm pretty sure that size is not legal in QLD. The standard size for the Perentie is 7.5R16 which is a 31" tyre. [found info here in the minor modifications pdf download]
as follows:
The following information provides some general guidance about raising a vehicle's height
A vehicle lift up to and including 75mm combining both suspension lift and tyre diameter increase (maximum suspension lift 50mm, maximum tyre diameter increase 50mm) is acceptable under self-certification.
A vehicle lift between 76mm and 125mm (inclusive) combining a suspension lift, a tyre diameter increase and a body lift (maximum suspension lift 50mm, maximum tyre diameter increase 50mm, maximum body lift 50mm) requires certification and testing by the department's Approved Person.
Please Note: The above mentioned maximum tyre diameter tyre increase is for 4WD off-road vehicles. A passenger car or passenger car derivatives must not increase their tyre diameter by more than 15mm.
For further information please refer to the LS section of the Queensland Code of Practice ? Vehicle Modifications

As the Perentie is already lifted 2" fitting any more than 32" tyres will require certification (if I understand that correctly)

A higher suspension lift will require double carden driveshafts (pricey, very pricey)


It looks like the AC compressor would mount on the exhaust side, would OEM and common aftermarket turbos clear this?
Other member has answered better than me, but yes, you can fit air con.

I've read that parts like springs, shocks and diff locks are commonly available, is that correct? Would I need 4" lift springs to gain a 2" lift?

springs/shocks/diff locks are all common, easily obtainable parts.
The Perentie is already lifted 2". Going higher will require a lot of expensive work. There are a few threads on the net about it, but the basics are you need to change to double carden driveshafts, cranked drag links and other aftermarket suspension components to keep the geometry correct.
done properly, a 4" lift is not going to leave you much change out of $10k
once it's fitted and certified.



Honestly, I think you'd be better buying a 130 tray back rather than a Perentie and modding it. It would certainly be lighter on your wallet!

Originally Posted by Chris078

...As the Perentie is already lifted 2" fitting any more than 32" tyres will require certification (if I understand that correctly)....

Personally I cant see why anyone would want to lift a perentie at all or fit significantly larger tyres BUT A perentie is not lifted 2" already - It may be higher that a civilian 110 of the same era but it came from the factory as it is. Therefore going on what you quoted for Queensland you could lift it if you wanted and stay within the minor modification guideline (not requiring certification) by Maximum +50mm suspension and +50mm Diameter Tyre size (giving +25mm lift) = Total +75mm lift

Originally Posted by rathgar

Personally I cant see why anyone would want to lift a perentie at all or fit significantly larger tyres BUT A perentie is not lifted 2" already - It may be higher that a civilian 110 of the same era but it came from the factory as it is. Therefore going on what you quoted for Queensland you could lift it if you wanted and stay within the minor modification guideline (not requiring certification) by Maximum +50mm suspension and +50mm Diameter Tyre size (giving +25mm lift) = Total +75mm lift

That's semantics. That the army ordered them with a 50mm lift from the factory, does not make that a 'factory standard'. but, if someone wanted to take a punt with the Transport department or their insurance company rejecting a claim, that's their choice.

That also does not change the fact that to lift it any higher is going to require a huge financial investment. You have to replace every single suspension component with either custom or after market parts (drag links etc) along with new adjustable panard rod and new driveshafts. Easily 10 grand there alone.
add in power steering (2500) Turbo 3500, air con 2500, cab, tray etc and you're up to $20-25k in mods.

Additional thoughts for people better at math than me: just how badly would 33-35" tyres affect the gearing? Might be nice on the highway, but I suspect doing a hill start (especially loaded or towing) would become very difficult.