s2 88 questions

[GG]

hey all, im doing a 289cc and toploader coversion. been researching a long time now but still a bit confused as theres lots of conflicting opinions. I want decent braking. I want between 33-36 x 11 wheels. I will be using this rig for short highway trips (one hour) and mostly hilly,muddy,rocky terrain, nz has lots of hills lol. i want to do this build once and not have to replace broken componants. a few questions i need help with.
1. I want discs on the front, what would be easier/best, p38 diffs front and rear, p38 front standard rear?. Cruiser diffs?
2. best brake boaster for this type setup?. read s3 is good, also read early commadore is good.
3. best gearing for componants and environment?. lower diff gears or changing transfer case gears?
4. suspension, 2 or 3 leaf? ive read conflicting opinions on spring over diff, personally doesnt look right to me, strengh wise. will there be enough space for everything using this tyre size without lift. cutting gaurdes is not a problem.
Appreciate any input and understand this has been asked many times, just seeing stars with 100 open links, need the info in one place.

[debruiser]

I can't help you on most of that stuff BUT.

I have 255/85r16's (33's) on my S3 88", with deep dish HD LR rims. I've had to put blocks under the bump stops on the rear to stop the tyres chewing a hole in the tub. I went with 40 or 50mm RHS spacers... can't remember which. You'll also have to turn the lock back a little on the front or you'll scrub heaps on full lock. I also run 1 ton shackles.

I'm currently working on building up disco axles to 4.75:1 with lockers to get disc brakes all round. I have no idea if they will be strong enough behind my 200tdi, R380/LT230 combo, but I'm assuming they will be ok because it's pretty much what they would have been subjected to from factory. I have 24 spline shafts. this combo gives me somewhere near 58:1 in first low, and it also cruises pretty good on the highway.

Brake booster... my plan is to try the Late series 3 booster (V8) that I have on there now and go from there.

[GG]

Cheers mate, want skinny wheels if I can. Was reading about the one ton shackles yesterday, what I read indicated they'd give a inch or more lift?. The disco diffs take a bit of work to go into a series don't they?. I havnt checked the availability of s3 v8 booster here yet, not a major amount of Landy parts here, just need to hunt around!. Thanks for the help.mate.

[Homestar]

If you don't want to faff about changing the whole diff assemblies - which will cause you other issues - increased track, engineering, etc you can buy an off the shelf disk brake conversion for these from several manufacturers.

The one I have is a fully engineered solution including dual diaphragm booster, master cylinder and new wheel cylinders for the back to give you the correct brake bias. It all bolts straight on and gives the vehicle modern car like braking - I've yet to fit mine, but I've driven the guys who developed this kit - and bought the kit straight away.mmby far the best barking series I've driven. Pulls up straight, light pedal, everything a series braking system isn't!

He's on this forum - Cookie is his name but he doesn't get on here much. If you're interested, I can have him touch base with you.

[debruiser]

The one tonn shackles were on it when I got it.... but yea would work out to about an inch.

Agreed, just putting a disc brake kit on the ol' girl is heaps easier than a disco axle swap! BUT, I was looking for the extra track as well.

Was talking to a guy who just bought a Haystee kit, they seem well made and he liked what he got. It doesn't matter much which way you go, your going to have to trade a fair few fun tickets before your done.

[GG]

Thanks Homestar, have been looking at the disc conversion too, wasnt sure if the standard diffs would cope?. i've read mixed reports on it. Thanks for the recomendation, ill look him up when the time comes . Thanks Debruiser. Been reading expeditionlandrover a lot, insain amount of info on there .

[Homestar]

The rover diffs, while not hugely strong, coped easily with standard 3.5 V8 on them, so I can't see why they wouldn't be ok with a fairly standard 289? I could be wrong though.

[GG]

Thanks mate.

[mick88]

Are you talking a Ford 289 V8 and is the top loader coupled to a Land Rover transfer case? If so where did you get the adaptor for it and can we see some pics please?


Cheers, Mick.

[GG]

Yeah Mick, 289/toploader to s transfer case. No pics sorry as i'm researching still. Expeditionlandrover talks of adapters from the states, would be exy!, i always thought marks adapters in aus did them but dont see it on his site anymore?. i have a good friend that has a machine shop and said he might be able to build one. Will need to work out the finer details with measurments for him.