Disco 1 days are numbered - which dual cab ute?

If you are really hung up on coils in the rear, I have seen a coil conversion on a ranger as well as a coyote 5 ltr swap [emoji41].

How much do you love your D1? Is the body and interior in good condition? Enough to drop to serious coin on it to bring the driveline up to modern standards?

How about an LS3 and 6 speed auto? This is the conversion I’m toying with for my RRC. Depending on what you want done engine, box and engineering runs around $35K. Add the front and rear driveline and you’ll be in around $50K - same as a new Dual cab. Heaps better ride and brand new drive line.

Go the whole hog and double that for the rest of the vehicle to be bought up to better than new (now I’m dreaming) but I’m seriously considering the rest.

L76 and LS3 Engine Conversions3

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Originally Posted by 350RRC

I can remember a thread on the now defunct Outer Limits about twisted Nissan chassis years ago, dunno which model it was.

There are heaps of pics of Navaras with bent chassis if you goog it.

Some of the bent Triton chassis were fitted with aftermarket camper units that had the water tank well behind the rear axle. Pics of them on here somewhere.

There are also a few pics of 130 Defs on here with ambitious camper add ons that bent.

Cadrogans views are informative:

How to bend your ute: The truth about Mistubishi Triton chassis snapping — Auto Expert by John Cadogan - save thousands on your next new car!

RRC's would bend at the chassis wall if seriously flogged in the bush..... LRA used to sell reinforcing plates.

DL

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This is definitely a thing with dc utes of all brands.
I think the moral of the story is know the cars history if second hand. If it has towed anything significant anywhere off road then skip it. And..be clever with how you load them and never go over gvm.

Ive been looking too.

Coil conversion ($26k [emoji15]) on a 79 series will give you a nice ride, with a lazy tdv8, disc brake rear, but with part time 4WD. That makes it an expensive Ute.

But with all the current dual cab chassis after bar work, 4 people, fuel & a few accessories, your lucky to find 3-400kgs left for tow ball weight and gear.

For the price of a new dual cab a slightly used Discovery 4. Probably the best touring vehicle in the last 10 years

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Originally Posted by 3toes

For the price of a new dual cab a slightly used Discovery 4. Probably the best touring vehicle in the last 10 years

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If they were available new i would have bought one in a heartbeat.

Instead i had to go to anoher brand,as LR had nothing that suited what we needed,same as others in this post.

There are rumours the 70 series is getting an upgrade for MY 2022.
New buyers may get another cup holder....[tonguewink][biggrin]

A mate has a 79 dual cab,with ARB BP51,and it rides so well,its rediculous,but its pretty heavy as its fully modded.

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Originally Posted by rar110

Ive been looking too.

Coil conversion ($26k [emoji15]) on a 79 series will give you a nice ride, with a lazy tdv8, disc brake rear, but with part time 4WD.

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There are full-time 4WD conversions for the 79 series:

Gearless Centre Diff - Mining Land Cruiser :: Gearing Dynamics

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Originally Posted by scarry

If they were available new i would have bought one in a heartbeat.

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RE the D4, there are plenty of 2015/2016 models around with under 50,000 kms - pretty much new.

Find a defender 110 pickup and drive it down to LRA for an LS and 6L80 swap.

They reckon Terrain Tamer Parabolics with their new remote res shocks are even better & half the price