Thread: Duramax Powered Defender

Gday Gaz, it would be great if you can keep us updated mate, i was going to do nearly the same thing for our retirement vehicle to tow a 5th wheeler around the country, so it will be very interesting to see how the drive train goes and what modes you end up making.

Thanks for the info so far

revor wrote

Hey Gaz

Yeah you've got a bit of beef to deal with. I keep thinking about it. The 9" Dave is building is a nice solution but I expect expensive (only cause I'm a Cheap Bastard!) the 35 spline Sally will be plenty strong but what to do with the front?
The CV's in a current production GM 3500 are not as strong as longfield 30 spline cv's but the diff (80 series) is likely not up to the task. Building a front Sally with 30 spline bits inside is likely the easiest drop in but the housings are rare as hens teeth (at least over here) Do Perentie's use the front Salisbury? Another thought would be to build your own, weld on the flanges and bolt on the swivels add brackets and you done! Just that easy Except that I'm thinking you guys don't have dana 60's laying around for $50.

I'm probably going to leave my 110 a 300 but an 80 series and at least 30 spline axles in the Sally, but I do have a project coming up where I'm building a challenge RRC with a rather potent 427 Ford cobra jet so I'll be thinking about the front axle. Probably a Rover 9" (low pinion) will foot the bill with both front steering and teh ability for high steer.

I'm ready........... - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

Have been reading about the 9 inch build up and sounds good. The RRC sounds like it will be a rocket! Yeah, might have a look at a Dana 60 front, but will wait till i have it on the road for some time to make sure the gearing is okay.

Cheers Gaz

Slunnie Wrote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaz69
Bought myself a HF TIG just need some practice with the alloy welding.

Is it also AC current? You need AC for aluminium.

The HF is really cool when you start arcing everywhere!

Yeah i bought a Miller, and have tried it on some scrap alloy to make a cover for the alloy extension housing on the Allison. Cr#p welding but it didn't leak oil!

350RRC Wrote :

Quote:
Originally Posted by Owen
How much for the gearbox or the engine/gearbox ? I have an 81 rangie that i might make a project car if i can sell the wife to pay for it....

Post wife photos for offer. Have spare box (LT 95) and chassis to offset price.

DL

I think i will leave this one alone!!! I seriuoslly doubt that you would fit this driveline combination in a 100 inch wheelbase. A 110 may even be a struggle? Will have a decent look one day. Price varies a bit depending on model, but reasonable priced in the states, just our exchange rates sucks at the moment.

MarknDeb wrote

Gday Gaz, it would be great if you can keep us updated mate, i was going to do nearly the same thing for our retirement vehicle to tow a 5th wheeler around the country, so it will be very interesting to see how the drive train goes and what modes you end up making.

Thanks for the info so far

No worries, i dont have a shed at the moment so not much is going to be done until i build one so will be a bit quiet for the next few weeks.

Cheers Gaz

Bump.

Hows this beast going?

stuee wrote

Bump.

Hows this beast going?

Bloody slow! Work has been flat out so hardly geeting time off!Still waiting on council approval for a shed so ute is sitting on pavers. All i have done is mount up my front mudguards for the body lift and gutted the dashboard completely. I am getting some spudshafts made at the moment and will make up the exhaust when i get my engine hoist to lift motor out when i go back to Victoria to pick it up. Will post some info and photos when i have something worthy! Shifting interstate has put me 6 months behind!

Cheers Gaz

There is another option for the front diff, but it is a bit of a bitsa mongrel, like the rest of the car.

Rear salisbury center/casting, Disco 2 axle tubes/hubs redrilled to suit the defender, then ashcroft 24 spline axles and their massive cv joints. This is the strongest combo short of a dana 60. Also has the advantage of the same cw/p in front and rear.

Nice build and choice of engine by the way. Are you going to run a 2 piece front tailshaft with center bearing?

Andy

andrew e wrote

There is another option for the front diff, but it is a bit of a bitsa mongrel, like the rest of the car.

Rear salisbury center/casting, Disco 2 axle tubes/hubs redrilled to suit the defender, then ashcroft 24 spline axles and their massive cv joints. This is the strongest combo short of a dana 60. Also has the advantage of the same cw/p in front and rear.

Nice build and choice of engine by the way. Are you going to run a 2 piece front tailshaft with center bearing?

Andy

Had not heard of this option before!!! I just managed to get a front Salisbury too, so would be interested to see how strength would compare between the two set ups! I want to bolt up the front diff to see if i need a 2 piece front yet. I dont need to with the banjo front but not quite sure with the salisbury. Going to be pretty tight around the front drive shaft with exhaust down pipe, sump clearance and allison auto. Need this bloody diff to get hear so i can get cracking on the exhaust.
Yeah, i think the Duramax and Allison will be a nice combo together and will be interesting too see how the thing drives. Better pull my finger out.

Thanks Gaz

Originally Posted by Gaz69

andrew e wrote Had not heard of this option before!!! I just managed to get a front Salisbury too, so would be interested to see how strength would compare between the two set ups! I want to bolt up the front diff to see if i need a 2 piece front yet. I dont need to with the banjo front but not quite sure with the salisbury. Going to be pretty tight around the front drive shaft with exhaust down pipe, sump clearance and allison auto. Need this bloody diff to get hear so i can get cracking on the exhaust.
Yeah, i think the Duramax and Allison will be a nice combo together and will be interesting too see how the thing drives. Better pull my finger out.

Thanks Gaz

Where did you get the front sals from? If I;m gonna run 1 grader blade, might aswell make it 2