hcpu p38 hybrid?

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vilguy

vilguy

Do'er of stuff and the like
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Dumfrieshire
Had a crazy thought last night whilst stuck in a traffic jam of what to do with my p38

The mrs is basically being daft and refusing to get in the thing and demanding I sell it. But...

I was thinking and this may have been done by someone else (but after several searches I cant find anything as I am probably using the wrong words)

110 HCPU shell on the P38 rolling chassis? All done up fancy.

Obviously there would be loads of hassle with outriggers. But its the bulkhead area that would be the most stressful I think.

Key thing would be keeping all the electrics standard P38, hopefully fooling it about the windows and doors if this is possible to do? Also keeping the HVAC system!

Any thoughts. Yes is means sacrificing a rather nice p38. Having had a looksee, i see the wheelbase is just less than a 109 so its not a million miles off.
 
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someone must have done it before though surely? or realised it was too frickin hard (im still concerned about the bulkhead area)

also as it would mean replacing so much, would I be allowed to keep the existing reg?

I am thinking that as I have most of the panels and tub going spare, I could break the p38 shell and probably fund most of the conversion.
 
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Thinking this could end up something half decently quick off (my p38's a 4.6) comfy with the air suspension, probably very good off road (again because of the afformentioned) and practical (self levelling)

Ill have a measure up later and see whats what :)

I think its a real shame for me to even consider cutting it up, but as the mrs wont get in the thing and is refusing to let the kids in it too, that it would be better than having a range rover sat on the drive that will never ever move!

As its out of MOT theres no point in putting it through one (as itll need pads and discs, manifold etc sorting).
 
there's a guy around these parts that has a range rover pickup with the hcpu back on it, unfortunately only ever seen it driving past never been able to get a picture of it
 
vilguy said:
Thinking this could end up something half decently quick off (my p38's a 4.6) comfy with the air suspension, probably very good off road (again because of the afformentioned) and practical (self levelling)

Ill have a measure up later and see whats what :)

I think its a real shame for me to even consider cutting it up, but as the mrs wont get in the thing and is refusing to let the kids in it too, that it would be better than having a range rover sat on the drive that will never ever move!

As its out of MOT theres no point in putting it through one (as itll need pads and discs, manifold etc sorting).
Click to expand...
Why won't she get in it???

If you put the hcpu body on it....surely it is still a Range Rover with just a less comfy body!!
 
Saint.V8 said:
Why won't she get in it???
Click to expand...

as what alan just mentioned. She will get in a different P38... just not THAT one :doh: apparently the brakes mysteriously stopped working... then magically fixed themselves after hitting the wall

of course doing 40 odd mph on road tyres on 19" alloys, on a quite steep really bumpy slippery gravel track had absolutely nothing to do with it.


Saint.V8 said:
If you put the hcpu body on it....surely it is still a Range Rover with just a less comfy body!!
Click to expand...

yeah so i get to have the range rover reliability with all the comfort of a defender...

The best of both worlds from my understanding?!

It would be alot lighter than a normal p38, be reasonably quiet (I find the 4.6 a nice and quiet and smooth engine), with the benefit of air suspension - height adjustment etc :) Aside from nothing else its a nice little project isnt it. And I think I would find doing it this way easier than putting the 4.6 engine, gearbox, air suspension with all the electrics etc on a 110 chassis.
 
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vilguy said:
as what alan just mentioned. She will get in a different P38... just not THAT one :doh: apparently the brakes mysteriously stopped working... then magically fixed themselves after hitting the wall

of course doing 40 odd mph on road tyres on 19" alloys, on a quite steep really bumpy slippery gravel track had absolutely nothing to do with it.




yeah so i get to have the range rover reliability with all the comfort of a defender...

The best of both worlds from my understanding?!

It would be alot lighter than a normal p38, be reasonably quiet (I find the 4.6 a nice and quiet and smooth engine), with the benefit of air suspension - height adjustment etc :) Aside from nothing else its a nice little project isnt it. And I think I would find doing it this way easier than putting the 4.6 engine, gearbox, air suspension with all the electrics etc on a 110 chassis.
Click to expand...

Ha, better luck next time mate, fingers crossed that VOSA don't find the fault.:D:D:D
 
vilguy said:
as what alan just mentioned. She will get in a different P38... just not THAT one :doh: apparently the brakes mysteriously stopped working... then magically fixed themselves after hitting the wall

of course doing 40 odd mph on road tyres on 19" alloys, on a quite steep really bumpy slippery gravel track had absolutely nothing to do with it.




yeah so i get to have the range rover reliability with all the comfort of a defender...

The best of both worlds from my understanding?!

It would be alot lighter than a normal p38, be reasonably quiet (I find the 4.6 a nice and quiet and smooth engine), with the benefit of air suspension - height adjustment etc :) Aside from nothing else its a nice little project isnt it. And I think I would find doing it this way easier than putting the 4.6 engine, gearbox, air suspension with all the electrics etc on a 110 chassis.
Click to expand...
Ahhhh, I see said the blind man to a fish!
 
well i was in it yesterday and i just dont know if I can do it.

Hack it to bits I mean. I got in, closed the door and.... silence. Aaaahhh it was soooo good!
 
blue beasty said:
Do check the chassis carefully though and give it an extended test drive before committing :p
Click to expand...

urgh

what if you find horrible stuff thats been left in there by a previous owner?

i dont want an abused one. They are so tempermental and just not worth the hassle!
 
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