Thread: Swap a Manual TDV6 S D3 to an Auto TDV6 HSE D3 same year model?

Originally Posted by Tins

Pretty smart idea. Two hoists would be even better, but it couldn't be too hard to come up with some sort of dolly arrangement to move the bodies around.

Could literally knock something up from Bunnings. Pull together some 2x4 with some casters/wheels. Triangulate it a little for strength. Drop the body onto it.

Oh to own a hoist.

Lower it into a car or boat trailer?? Bit of packing

Originally Posted by Denzo

I am at this point with my 2 off D2, s. I love them both, but i am going to sacrifice one of them. The pre facelift manual kit is going into the later auto 2003. I am sick of the Zp4 box even though it works ok. I realise the D3 box is different, but i am mainly country based, and still like cog swapping. My manual D2 with ATB centre diff is more versatile even in city traffic.

I am still missing the sweet memories from my previous TD5 2003 Manual, it was nothing but full of enjoyment and love.

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

If you could get access to a 2 post hoist, swap the bodies over.

Seems a good choice and better, but I never strip a car like this way. How hard it would be? And will all Airconditioner system comes together on the body or I still have to move them manually?

I can ask my partner to give 2 hoist in few weeks no problem

Swapping bodies won’t be too challenging, the bigger issue will be to work out what the wiring harness differences are between the two, and also making sure you can transfer the clutch pedal.

I would be wanting to get the wiring diagrams for both and then study in detail to see what is different, and comparing with what is installed.

If swapping bodies, you would most likely also swap the ECU and possibly the TCCM over as well. When you swap the ECU over, you also swap the VIN details over. You would also swap over any sections of the wiring harness that may be different. Same approach to transplanting a TDV8 from a RRS into a D3/D4.

All the wiring and aircon bits which are in the body stay with the body, but you would need to look at where the a/c piping runs to make sure it stays with the body as well, and not the chassis.

If you have the time and space, and patience, I would be lifting the bodies and with both separated, you can easily see what is different.

Worse case is whilst the bodies are off, if you abandon the idea of a body swap, it will make it easier to do the transmission change over as your fall back plan would be to move the manual across to the HSE. Of course whilst you have the body off, you also do a bunch of other preventative maintenance.

It will be a fun project.

Originally Posted by Tins

Having done a few "trim swaps" on far simpler cars I'm with Brad. I'd need a bloody good reason to attempt a trim swap on a RRS.

I still haven't ruled out the trim swap option at the moment, considering some of many unknown things from the works that might make the HSE body not fully happy on the S chassis.

Im assuming HSE is air suspension and the S model is coil ?
I know this change is possible as they sell kits to go air back to coil but this is another job you will need to do if doing a body swap.. i have no idea whats involved but you will need to do some extra stuff if you are going to get the air working on the S body if you do a chassis swap.

Bulletman

Originally Posted by Bulletman

Im assuming HSE is air suspension and the S model is coil ?
I know this change is possible as they sell kits to go air back to coil but this is another job you will need to do if doing a body swap.. i have no idea whats involved but you will need to do some extra stuff if you are going to get the air working on the S body if you do a chassis swap.

Bulletman

Nope, my S manual has 5 seats only but with factory air suspension.
I am worried more about if the airconditioner system should be the same on the body or not. Wiring for dashboard and different sensors if HSE is far different from manual S because this HSE has top options in 2005 with Adaptive cornering headlights, 3 x sunroofs, and Premium 3 rows speakers.