Disco axles.

the one thing I haven't quite figured out is which shocks fit. the ones that end up with the right compression/extension lengths by the time you've fitted para's/extended shackles/spacers/SWB rear mounts are the pro-comp ones that you use a rubber gaitor on, not fully steel, and IMHO they don't look right. I did see rocky mountain a while back sold what looked like the same shocks but with a full metal jacket, but they weren't cheap and I didn't find out the extension/compression lengths. No standard or standard HD shocks are quite right, either too short or too long.

Yes I was wondering about that, I'm gonna use the standard shockers on the rear as the axle is just about the same place, and the tube is the same dia, so the original shock mounts off the salisbury are spot on.
I want to use standard shocks on the front if poss, and while we are making brackets there is some freedom where the shocck mounts are fastened so long as they clear everything, the extra lift hangers means the shock centres are further apart, but if I weld a shock mount onto the axle a bit higher up I should be able to keep the standard shockers.
On a race or even raod car this would affect handling, on a leaf sprung setup where the axle wanders I dont this will have any effect.
On the subject of prop shafts, doesnt the disco have a rubber duffer flexi drive coupling on one or both of its prop shafts, might be of use to counter any misalignment.

Your right the disco has a rubber doughnut on the rear diff/prop but it's a 3 bolt fixing not 4 so unless your rear diff is of a 300tdi it won't go no matter how hard you hit it! Lol

The axles are actually '86 deffy, but they are the same as a disco, there was a couple of disco axles next to these when I went to pick em up.
I've ground off the brackets on the ends, and you were right they are a ballache and take ages.
Not gonna take off the A frame bracket over the diff, looks as though it adds plenty of structural strength, I'm just gonna pull the rubber out and weld a plate over the hole to blank it.
Dont think I've ever done so much grinding in one day, since I was 21.

Dont spose any of you would know whether replacing the front axle for a disco/deffy counts as a replacement steering system according to the dvla radically altered vehicle directive?.
If it doesnt I'm gonna have a new 'box too.

Doubt if you will find a concise answer on that, even if you write in. Arguable either way, but you can be sure they'd win if they wanted to.

I'm very light on originality points too, so I hope not!

Nope dvla cant tell me, seems the advice lad doesnt know owt about vehicles, not his fault dvla probably dont want to pay for someone who knows the answers.
I need to make a decision on whether I replace the front axle or 'box, having allready changed the rear axle and engine I'm light on points too, as far as I can tell if swapping the front axle isnt classed as diffo steering, then you could replace both axles, engine and 'box without loosing out.

It would take someone who really knew their landies to point the finger.

If you've already changed the rear axle for an ex-coiler one your track widths are about 70mm different so you'd want to change the front anyway?

I'm relying on chassis/steering/suspension for my points, hoping that my revised engine/transmission mounts don't constitute a modified chassis which is again arguable ... and that parabolics constitute a direct replacement part.

I have been through the chassis welding for engine mounts at length, and dvla made it fairly clear that they are not bothered about engine mounts being welded on, though they wouldnt put that in writing, nevertheless I think you'll be ok on that score.
Yep the track I think is more than 70 mil isnt it 100, I havent actually measured up, doesnt bother me too much though, mr ackerman wont mind to much.
I had a couple of vehicles with diffo track front and rear they drove ok, the only real diffo is the ackeman and roll centre geometery, roll centre is like a spoon in a bowl of soup on a leaf spring so that wont matter, you could alter the length of the steering control arms to correct the ackerman if you were a purist, then you wouldnt be welding disco axle on then though.
I'm gonna sort the front out when the cars on the road, the rear has served its purpose by giving me a more usefull diff ratio, well when its on, not quite done yet.

diffs ... have you got different ratios front to back now? if so I wouldn't necessarily be rushing out to put a permanent 4wd box in ...

You could manage the different axle widths by using SWB wheels on the rear and LWB on the front, the different offsets should soak up most of the difference.

Now thats interesting I didnt know the offset was diffo between swb and lwb, I have disco steels on at the mo, but I have a few series ones too, I'll be out with the tape when I get yam.

Seeing as I have both the axles from the deffy, I had planned in the meantime while running the original series front axle to transplant the diff from the deffy front axle to the series front, to match up the ratios.
That said I'm aware that the series axle isnt really up to the job of perma 4wd, allthough there are people with the lt77/r380 with series axles.

Here's a pic that might change your mind about just fitting the rear axle, the front is standard series the back is disco

unless you want the hotrod look I'd fit both!

See what you mean, that looks way over 50mm wider.
Did you have to cut out some of the bodywork so the suspension can hit the stop without the tyre contacting the shell?
I have welded up the mounts and things, and its ready to bolt on.
I was gonna post up some pics, only it seems like nokia have yet another usb type connector, and of course you dont get the lead in the box with the fone.

If the axles have different ratios you will get transmition windup when in 4wd and that's not good
Becouse the wheel will be trying to turn at different speeds you could easily smash the transmition when on the road

The mot tester Wont even notice you have changed anything if it's done well
Engine and gearbox don't even come into the mot as long as they are secure then that enough for them
As for different axles and modded steering it's only if the tester really knows landis that he may question it but as long as it's all solid and straight I dought he would notice

I cut the body so I could fit deffy arches and it dosn't catch at all, but if you want to keep it looking original the swb rims will keep the tyres just inside the body

I measured the difference and the disco/deffy axle was 3 inch wider at each side on mine

Right then, a set of swb rims, shouldnt be so hard to find.
Yep well aware of that pob's, but theres a couple of things I can do, ones to remove the front prop, the local mot man wont fail a vehicle for that oddly enough, the other is a better option, I have the same deffy front axle, so if I decide to I could stuff the diff from that into the series axle, marrying up the front and rear.
The shatpart disco mounts worked, I drilled a 17mm hole in the middle for the locating pin of the leafs, and when in place the locating pin just clears off the axle case, looks good, the ride height is within a couple of mm.

dr pepper said:

ones to remove the front prop, the local mot man wont fail a vehicle for that oddly enough,

Click to expand...

had this once where he tried, on assumption that if a rear half shaft broke there'd be no handbrake
relented when i asked him where he stood if optional extra free wheeling hubs were fitted.

Good argument, wonder if it was the same geyser.

Anyways done some more bashing, the shatpart spring perches and the shocker mounts of the salisbury are now on the disco/deffy axle.
The U bolts just fit over on the side nearest the diff, the U bolts on the longer tube side dont, the bump stop needs a little tickle with the grinder for that to work.
Had to drag the 'ole lot inside as its been peeing down, I dinna have enough room for that.
Mi home made 12 ton power press came in handy shoving out the suspension bushes.

The old axle is looking better for a coat of paint, you cant tell I've bashed the hell out of it.

good effort dr.p

you've officially got further than me ... no paint on mine!