Stage One
You might like to look at our build as Frantic points out at
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gclro-memb...got-sting.html
And earlier build up at
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gclro-memb...w-project.html
We went this route because:
(1) Love the series/stage one look in particular
(2) 90's are ridiculous prices here
(3) Could not buy a decent Defender cab/firewall for reasonable price
(4) All the comp guys say 100" is the optimal chassis - and yes we have seen 90" ones stand up on end and then roll when 100 and 110 don't
(5) Lots of rangie/discos around fairly cheap for replacement running gear parts and we know Rangie/Disco chassis and running gear set up as have a few in the family
(6) Early rangie chassis from late 70's means that have advantage of coils and A frame suspension BUT for registration (due to chassis build date determining the applicable ADRs) less demanding requirements to be street legal yet late model (90's) running gear bolts straight in (this is a huge plus)
(7) We like modern functionality in terms of LT230 transfer case, ZF Auto, later V8 engine options (ie 3.9 or other - we just happened to have access to a blown 3.5) and huge range of after market parts (suspension, brakes, etc). Some of this stuff makes for a really capable off road vehicle - e.g. we will be running a disc hand brake (X-brake from x-eng) and X arms and springs - latest gear but in a 70's chassis and 80's body.
(8) We can also make the cab the size we want - so it will be about 300-400 mm deeper in the cab than normal which allows behind seat storage and decent seat location/movement (see mock up for side profile below - this is using an old cut tub - we are going to remake this using a clean tub and roof we have)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...010/08/652.jpg
Now some negatives:
Taken a fair amount of time - even if we ran rover diffs (we have GQ Nissan as this is for comp and on road use) still a lot of work to strip back, repair/paint and integrate the parts. We figured if are putting in the work might as well prep everything so it will last for a while.
All the best with what ever you decide. the alternative is convert what you have to run coils and upgrade to disc brakes using axles from a disco or a defender. That would still be a pretty nice 109 then.
SKiboy