Thread: 300tdi into Series 2a

Originally Posted by dickyjoe

yeah i am thinking of using the defender box and transfer case. I would like to retain the series transfer case but i think it would be much easier just to use the complete gearbox / transfer case from the defender. I will most like convert the defender transfer case to selectable 2/4wd rather than constant 4x4. I am also going to fit complete range rover axles under the beast. I have a set of axles from a 1985 range rover which i will use.

That'll be a nice jigger with the wide axles too. Will you also fit the brake booster? Will a Rangie steering rod also connect to the steering relay?

As you know I was going to use the nissan motor but i have heard a few bad comments about the conversion. So I will stick to LR. The RR axles will be a good fit, you just need to watch the clearance issue between the drag link and leafs. Larger spring perches fix this (but drop the sprung height a little) but it is no huge problem.

Oh... I didn't realise that there were probs with the conversion. I thought it was a common one and the gearbox had an unreal set of low gears.

anyway... this may be a bad... but considering the grade of metal which LR uses, could you adjust the steering to clear the springs with some heat?

bit like an isuzu truck. Yeah thought about it but the RTA/vicroads people would get scared. I have seen an axle conversion using RR axles and was fine. You would hardly not even notice. I could fit army shackles. The engineer thinks I should go coils on the front.

True they dont like that type of stuff.

Coils would be excellent. The rear would be very straight forward too.

The series boxes are alot stronger than people give them credit for.I had a 2a with a 192 red motor that was worked quite hard and after I sold it ran into the new owner and it was still going after 5 years.I mate of mine had a 250 crossflow and another had a 265 hemi which is about 4.3ltr and it didn't break either.I wouldn't bother with a Tdi conversion but it isn't my money,we ran a lot of RR centres too,I drove a series 3 with them for 4 years but I do regret not ever having tried the higher geared transfer case that was around for awhile.With the cost of county's being so low I would convert one of them and keep the series as is. Pat

Hi all,

Well I am thinking I will keep my ear to the ground for a 300tdi. I will use the 4 speed box in the meantime until I can track down a defender 5 speed.

Pat I have thought about countys and defenders etc but all I want to do is drive my 1958 Series 2 SWB up the cape. The reason for the diesel is for something a little different and fun to drive.

There might be some other series owners who would be keen to join me in this trip. Not sure when i will do it but it wont be for sometime yet....

Rich

I have a 200tdi in a 88in S2a. Presume 300Tdi will go in if top stuffremoved from motor. I swapped bell housings (ie defender for S2A), late type S2A gearbox, series 3 clutch set up, removed RHS engine mount point from chasis and replaced with 21/4 l engine mount turned upside down, welded to 2 mm plate and welded in place of the bit removed from chasis. This arrangement mounts straight onto the 200tdi mount (ex- defender).
Used 200tdi radiator and inter cooller and air cleaner.
I fitted this to the vehicle for a Canning Stock route trip in 2004. So far so good. Rear axles are 24 spline ex QLD mated to ARB locker and 3.54 crown and pinion set up.
Front end is 6 cyl LWB 3" brake set up.

All this is fun but costs more than a 200 tdi defender!
Good luck
Nick