Thread: Body swap versus engine swap

So readers, if you have been following my sad tale it looks like my Disco (300Tdi)does have pretty terminal cancer.
But solid low kilometre running gear and good interior has me pondering a body swap.

It is a 98 disco and I've found a 96 (300Tdi) with a supposedly solid body but a dud engine. I will have access to a two post hoist. So I'm thinking should I put the 96 body on the good chassis and running gear or should I swap the running gear into the good body.

Leaving VIN issue aside what pro and cons are there for each method? Anyone who has done a body swap is it worth the hassle etc.

Cheers
Bruce

Originally Posted by Fattima

Leaving VIN issue aside what pro and cons are there for each method? Anyone who has done a body swap is it worth the hassle etc.CheersBruce

Haven't done body swaps, but have done bodies off/on again and engine/gearbox out/in - bit of a pain either way, but probably would go for engine/transmission swap.

If one vehicle has ABS and airbags (and associated crush cans) and the other doesn't, then my own preference would be to build a vehicle avoiding those items - no guarantee the bags would work, and ABS can be difficult to maintain - plus without them you have more freedom/less cost when mounting winches, taller tyres etc.

If both are auto then try and keep the original engine mated, as I understand there are differences in how far into the bell housing the torque converters sit across the model years - check Ashcrofts website, but stay stay away from their other goodies until the pound crashes, which shouldn't be too long...or am i being too optimistic?