Disco / Fender Sanity Check

Im at the looking for an engine n box stage for the 110 SW project and have the chance of a very cheap 300TDI disco lump complete with R380....
From all ive researched a disco box in a fender puts the gear lever right through the front edge of the seatbox... not the end of the world with only 2 front seats but does this sound possible...... the 110 SW was a v8, obviously ive sold the V8 and ground off the V8 chassis engine mounts knowing i was going 200/300

Given that I..

a) need to weld on mounts to suit the engine
b) can get disco gearboxes far easier (in future)
c) have 6"+ of lift so the sump is well away from the front axle
d) have a 3" body lift so bulkhead tunnel is no issue

could I...

e) move the engine and gearbox forward so the gearstick is clear of the seat box (ie weld engine mounts further forward
f) drill oversize holes to mount the gearbox (M12/14 ish) and slide in a strengthener tube between the chassis walls and bolt in using M8 M10 x100's
props may be an issue although Im hoping the front double cardon will be fine given the extra length needed due to the lift??

Does any of this make sense to anyone apart from me

Cheers Steve

Check my king cab thread and you'll find out how to make a disco box a defender box

Dr_evil said:

Check my king cab thread and you'll find out how to make a disco box a defender box

Click to expand...

Doc... been following that with interest, very interesting and well worked

this idea was along the lines of a bit of extra work now could mean if the box ever died catastrophically I could do a straight and very quick disco box swop rather than the steps in your post...

prob six of one and half a dozen of the other.... but as i've currently no engine mounts in place i'm at the ideal point....

will take another read through yours though n weigh up...

Cheers Steve

ebbadger said:

Doc... been following that with interest, very interesting and well worked

this idea was along the lines of a bit of extra work now could mean if the box ever died catastrophically I could do a straight and very quick disco box swop rather than the steps in your post...

prob six of one and half a dozen of the other.... but as i've currently no engine mounts in place i'm at the ideal point....

will take another read through yours though n weigh up...

Cheers Steve

Click to expand...

Cheers, keep meaning to update it but haven't had time to take pics. Being transported over to mine next weekend though so will try!


For reference though swapping over the gearstick took about an hour in total so its not so bad, you can also buy that adaptor already made up from ashcroft and just swap from box to box should you ever break one! Same obviously goes for the top housing as its just an interchangeable part, mines from an LT77 but they fit onto the R380 the same