Thread: Nissan cabstar into series3

I had this conversion once.

The adaptor from the gearbox to the transfer case and the "spud shaft" made by MARKS 4WDS was crap. The bolts were tapped into aluminium, the whole thing must have been out of alignment by a fraction, because it always howled. It split at the join (busting the bolts - tearing them through the alum) half way between CooberPedy & Alice Springs. I managed to limp it to Katherine where I removed the gearbox which was TOTALLY destroyed. (total kms on this unit were about 4,000). MARKs charged me retail for a new box and adaptor - the same thing occured within 500km.

Anyway 3 gearbox rebuilds later, I decided a Land Rover petrol motor & 4 speed box were slower, thirstier and infinately more reliable. Even after I put helicoils in and drilled the external holes through and fitted high tensile bolts.

I've heard afew good reports about this conversion and many VERY BAD reports. I think it was a good idea that just wasn't quite engineered right.

As for warranty:

1st phone call - "we'll fix it."
2nd phone call - "we'll send parts, but you pay for labour" since the thing had me stranded in the Kimberley.
3rd phone call - "send it down and we'll see if it was our fault."
4th phone call - "we didn't do the service and so can't provide a warranty." when I asked what service was required on a box that had done less than 2,000km, they said an oil change, by them every 500km!!!! :x 8O :x

Hi Michael 2
Thanks for the reply.Sounds like you had big problems with this conversion.I might be able modify the adaptor and use different bolts to
rectify that problem.Could you tell me if any other modifycations are needed to the front and rear tailshafts and gearbox mounts please or any thing else to complete the conversion.
Thanks Wayne.

The t/case bolts to its original; position, so the tailshafts remain the same. The gearbox is much heavier than the Land Rover one, so use either Deisel Land Rover / Range Rover or Jag engine mounts.

I had a 3.0l diesel engine on mine and as the engine flexed when it revved it put pressure on the gearbox which was suspended between the motor & transfer case. The t/case didn't have as much flex and the force ripped the weakest point, which was the alum adaptor. Handging such a heavy box from an alloy adaptor was a bit under engineered IMHO. If you're using a petrol motor you may not get so much torque transferring across from the motor (talking external not internal driving force).

See how it goes and whether it howls a lot (some did some didn't) that should tell you how far from optimal the sloppy engineering was on the day. Hopefully you'll have a good one.