And ANOTHER County Isuzu conversion

**Bearman** · 6th November 2010, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by steveG

The VIN decodes to being a V8 with LT95 originally, but the transmission hump panels were definitely 5 speed, and didn't have the "lump" next to the handbrake.

The steel mount is slotted and I've left them slightly loose so they could just settle where they wanted to go, but the trans only sits in one place due to the angle of the steel mounts and the thickness of the rubber mounts.

I've got some LT95 panels, and have already had to trim away part of the seat box flange etc to even get the gearbox to bolt up to the mounts.
The seat box has a flange extending forward for the 5-speed panel to attach to, but the LT95 rear panel mounts flat on the face of the seat box so I need to remove the flange to make it fit.
I think its all going to fit, just needs more trimming etc.

Steve

Got to be something amiss there Steve, My County was originally a 5 speed and the LT95 4 speed fitted straight in without any fouling and I kept the 5 speed transmission tunnel/seatbox and used the army type hi/lo selector levers which fits straight into the 5 speed tunnel and rubber boot. Obviously you have the motor fitted and bolted to the transmission, does the bonnet close ok? Just trying to figure out if the engine is a bit high at the front.

**justinc** · 6th November 2010, 08:45 PM

Steve,

You have gone about it the right way, attache the trans etc and then locate the engine mount positions by lowering the assembly down and checking angles etc.

The last few I have done, I have used the relationship between the power steering pump on the timing case and the steering box to locate the engine height.

It really helps to eyeball a factory 110 Isuzu installation to measure it up. It is actually quite close.

When I did mine into the RRC, I had a 110 in at work to measure off.

Surprisingly, the engine looks almost horizontal, with hardly any slope at all when viewed from the side.

JC

**steveG** · 6th November 2010, 09:26 PM

Thanks JC.
I'm pretty sure I've got the height right as I worked from a jig that was made off a factory Isuzu.

There is no way known that I could fit the LT95 in mine without cutting a piece out of the seatbox to correspond with the "lump" next to the handbrake on the LT95 cover panel. The front of the LT95 main gearbox casing is physically forward of the seat box.

Did the 200tdi defenders have a different seatbox and transmission tunnel than the county ones?
If they did then maybe mine had one fitted as part of the 200tdi conversion.

Steve

**justinc** · 6th November 2010, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by steveG

Thanks JC.
I'm pretty sure I've got the height right as I worked from a jig that was made off a factory Isuzu.

There is no way known that I could fit the LT95 in mine without cutting a piece out of the seatbox to correspond with the "lump" next to the handbrake on the LT95 cover panel. The front of the LT95 main gearbox casing is physically forward of the seat box.

Did the 200tdi defenders have a different seatbox and transmission tunnel than the county ones?
If they did then maybe mine had one fitted as part of the 200tdi conversion.

Steve

Yes, that is the problem here. They are actually quite different, and offset to one side a little.

JC

**steveG** · 6th November 2010, 09:41 PM

Ahhhhh - Now it all makes sense!

Looks like I've got a bit more work to do around that area than I planned then.
The cutout in the front face of the seatbox isn't a problem, but I'll have to have a close look and make sure there's nothing else that's too close for comfort.

Is the handbrake in a slightly different position in Defenders and Counties?

Steve

**justinc** · 6th November 2010, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by steveG

Ahhhhh - Now it all makes sense!

Looks like I've got a bit more work to do around that area than I planned then.
The cutout in the front face of the seatbox isn't a problem, but I'll have to have a close look and make sure there's nothing else that's too close for comfort.

Is the handbrake in a slightly different position in Defenders and Counties?

Steve

Hmm, that I can't be 100% on. AFAIK all County/110 and 300Tdi Defenders are in the same pos, but the 200Tdi due to seat box differences I THINK are in different positions. The stage 1 109" are different again IIRC.

Anyone else help out in this department?

JC

**rar110** · 7th November 2010, 08:14 AM

I know the handbrake cable was different on the 300tdi. The county cable does not fit into the bracket attached to the seat. I have a 300tdi seat base and had to weld a nut to it to receive the handbrake cable that suits the lt95/85 box. Maybe same mod required for 200tdi seat base.

Also 300tdi trans tunnel is very similar but not identical to lt85 trans tunnel.

**rovercare** · 7th November 2010, 09:35 AM

Those gearbag mounts are right and seeing as you copied my engine mounts, they'll be right also

There is differences in the seat box, just hack it out, then cover it up, no biggy

**steveG** · 7th November 2010, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by rovercare

Those gearbag mounts are right and seeing as you copied my engine mounts, they'll be right also

There is differences in the seat box, just hack it out, then cover it up, no biggy

Cheers Matt. The hack it out bit would be a damn sight easier if I had a garage where I could open the doors properly to get my a$$ and a grinder in at the same time

Steve

**steveG** · 7th November 2010, 08:50 PM

Note to self - 3 bolt steering box doesn't fit between engine and chassis with the engine mounts bolted up.

I'd removed the steering box to make it easier to clean the chassis, but when I came to refit it it wouldn't physically fit between the chassis rail and the engine.
Fitted in OK once I lifted the engine a bit. Will be a PITA having to lift the engine to remove the steering box.

I've only got 15mm between the edge of the steering box and the front cover on the Isuzu. Is that enough, or will the engine move around enough to make contact. I can move the engine across to the left slightly, but it means some stuffing around with the engine mounts.

Steve

Thread: And ANOTHER County Isuzu conversion

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