New TDi into Series III thread.

[Ace]

Hi guys, i know LRH started a thread a while ago about this but that was more of a discussion about the merits of it. Dad and I are actually thinking about doing it, as dad wants the old rugged Series III look with the fuel economy and drivability of the TDi. We figure replacing the old Landy 6 with the TDi would pay for itself over time with the saved fuel.

Ok, first of all, has anyone done it, or know someone who has? Secondly other than the engine, what is needed, will the TDi mate with the old gearbox? Will mounts need to be moved or engine bay mods be required? Any help would be arrpeciated, i know people said before just buy a defender and be done with it, but where is the fun in that? Matt

[LandyAndy]

Hi Ace
I did read on a pommy site that the TDI will bolt up.Then you have the weak series box to contend with plus the 4.7:1 diffs.It goes on and on.If you use the Disco box and transfer you then need to get the stronger Stage 1 front axle (with CVs) to suit the constant 4X4 setup,the rangie ones arent interchageable without serious engineering.You would also need the 3.54 ratio diff centres.Front is easy,Rangie but 3.54 Sailsbury rears are not so common,but can be purchased AT A COST.
Would be a great project but not cheap.
Andrew

[Maggot4x4]

Originally posted by LandyAndy
Hi Ace
IYou would also need the 3.54 ratio diff centres.Front is easy,Rangie but 3.54 Sailsbury rears are not so common,but can be purchased AT A COST.
Andrew

Or he could run 37" or Bigger tyres :wink:

I will have a set of rangie 3.54's for sale soon with lockers.

[DaveS3]

I know someone that has recently put a TDI into a lightweight.

Required all custom mounts, to set engine in position as drivelines lenghts are different. The shifted the engine around so you can use a stock front shaft in the rear, and another custome shaft front i think.

When im next there, i'll ask for you.

Dave

[Ace]

Originally posted by DaveS3
I know someone that has recently put a TDI into a lightweight.

Required all custom mounts, to set engine in position as drivelines lenghts are different. The shifted the engine around so you can use a stock front shaft in the rear, and another custome shaft front i think.

When im next there, i'll ask for you.

Dave

Thanks Dave, that would be great.

So the Series III box and transfer case wont take the extra power? Matt

[LandyAndy]

Hi Ace
The gearbox is the problem,if you did retain it you would have to treat it real kindly,as any holden 6 owner would know [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
The transfercase is bulletproof,the engineer who I got my auto conversion from said the series transfercase is one of the best for simplicity and strength,the only stronger transfercase is the remote mounted nissan transfercase fitted to their 720 utes(hilux style thing).
Andrew

[Hellspawn]

Yes... no dumping the clutch, flat shifting or really winding the gears out .... you know... any of the fun stuff. :roll:

Late series II 'box are supposed to be a little more durable but it would still be slow due to low gear ratio and slowish turn speed of the TDI. Be awesome in the scrub.


These are only ideas as any method will still be costly.

Maybe the otherway is graft in a truck gearbox, think Marks used to do it though I read somewhere here they've cast us adrift from their modification scene. They had some truck gearbox they machined to fit a series transfer. So the overall spin was stronger 'box with gearing upped by a 5th gear rather than the problems of tagged on overdrive, diff swapping etc., so you could do all the fun things without limitations after a reasonable modification cost.

'less he goes auto, though there again, customised, unique, and that word again... costly. Though the auto has the advantage of power application is smoother....more constant on the shifts rather than the manual setup and more flexible.

[DaveS3]

Originally posted by Hellspawn
Yes... no dumping the clutch, flat shifting or really winding the gears out .... you know... any of the fun stuff. :roll:

Late series II 'box are supposed to be a little more durable but it would still be slow due to low gear ratio and slowish turn speed of the TDI. Be awesome in the scrub.


These are only ideas as any method will still be costly.

Maybe the otherway is graft in a truck gearbox, think Marks used to do it though I read somewhere here they've cast us adrift from their modification scene. They had some truck gearbox they machined to fit a series transfer. So the overall spin was stronger 'box with gearing upped by a 5th gear rather than the problems of tagged on overdrive, diff swapping etc., so you could do all the fun things without limitations after a reasonable modification cost.

'less he goes auto, though there again, customised, unique, and that word again... costly. Though the auto has the advantage of power application is smoother....more constant on the shifts rather than the manual setup and more flexible.

Again the same bloke doing the lightweight conversion has made an adaptor plate to suit a S3 diesel to i think T98 ot T19 ford manual box wich has a granny low, with similar ratios to series boxes.
Someone mentioned that the tdi bolt pattern is the same as the series diesels?

Maybe that is the go, use a series diesel box / transfer or make a custom one to suit a ford or nissan box.

Dave.

[Ace]

I am just looking for the easiest, and of course cheapest way to make the conversion.

Are the early 200TDi Defenders constant 4wd? Matt

[LandyAndy]

yep certainly are.
Dont know how much you guys are looking to spend.In the last 4X4 Trader,3WJ ph 97225255 ,there is the following 300TDI 5 speed selling complete,running gear,motor/gearbox/diffs and firewall in driveable order,no body $7000.There is no web addres in the add but pretty sure they have one,try 3wj.com or something similar.
Andrew