Thread: Series 3 Ute Body on D1 Chassis

Out of interest, what for?

I've got a County V8 rolling chassis that I may rebuild a Series onto also. The County chassis I think is a far easier way to get a coiler Series, but a lot also like the Disco 100" wheelbase.

There are probably a few around. IIRC Mick Marsh has a Series body on a Rangie chassis (very similar to D1)

Cooper also had a cheque book conversion done, years ago.
It's quite doable. Another project, Lionel?

Hello All,

I have been searching for 300TDI for my Series 3 long wheel base tray-back ute for about 8 years. The ute was originally fitted with a six cylinder 2.6 Litre Land Rover petrol motor. When I bought the ute it came with a Holden 202 that a previous owner had installed. This ute represents a large ... gigantic ... amount of unfinished business to me.

I also want something that I can throw stuff into the back of, like branches in the paddock, or being able to go to a landscape suppliers and get gravel. Without the need of hooking up a trailer. Something I could transfer my ute crane on to and go and pick up an engine with or other awkward load. My career was in local government Parks & Gardens - I drove utes all the time.... I like utes.

Yes - they did make Defender utes - however even old ones hold their value too well.

Today, I found a 300 tdi motor with only 230K on it. The trouble is that the motor came with a vehicle attached to it. After taking the vehicle for a drive - admittedly in a paddock - I am starting to think that it is too good to wreck the whole vehicle.

Then there is the putting a 300TDI into a leaf sprung, single circuit drum braked, no power steering chassis. As well as no air conditioning. It is hard not to think that this represents a string of minus points and it relates to taking a backward step.

I have some really good ute Series 3 cab bodies ...

I bought a number of items that can do sheet metal shaping work from Hare & Forbes...

I hope my skill-set matches my ambitions.

Kind regards
Lionel

What sort of budget are your considering ( rhetorical question) to modify and comply a Hybrid as compared to finding an old defender.


edit: there are still out there

IMG20200424144234.jpg

Originally Posted by pop058

What sort of budget are your considering ( rhetorical question) to modify and comply a Hybrid as compared to finding an old defender.


edit: there are still out there

IMG20200424144234.jpg

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the reply. Yes - I have been casting a weathered eye out in Defender Ute land. So far there have been some nibbles. However, to date I have been too slow; or they have been too far away distance wise - or combinations of both. Or they are simply too far gone to be viable propositions.

Have you checked your PMs of late?

Kind regards
Lionel

You could run Series 3 power brakes and parabolics. To get PAS you might be able to adapt another PAS box but the front Xmember might be in the way for an inboard steering box. , I've use Toyota but it was a whole different setup. AC I don't think you will get whichever way you go. Looking at all of the options, to do similar but with a V8 conversion, I ended up getting a County rolling chassis and a D1 donor vehicle which I'm hoping is a far easier and far more bolt up conversion. I think it will be a lot more realistic in terms of cost and completion for me at least. Out of interest, I did pick up an old Army AC unit I think it is. I'm not sure where its from and it looks like it sits between the front seats (correct me if needed) but something like that may be an AC option also,.

Hello Slunnie,

Thank you for your suggestion of how to modify the Series III.

The other option could be to just transplant the 300 tdi and accept the Series III ute and all its foibles.... or get a Defender ute.

I am in no hurry. I have registered vehicles that can be driven on the road and each has a towbar that can tow my box trailers with.

The word "need" is not associated with the process - nor the word "hurry". Hmmm nor, possibly the word "sanity" either.

Kind regards
Lionel