Series 3 New chassis time - help!

So the time has come to treat the S3 to a new chassis. When I did it to a 300tdi 110 last time I used Richards and was impressed with the quality. Can any one recommend an alternative and how do they compare?

Secondly, at some point in its life it has been retro fitted with a 200tdi and power steering, can anyone identify the steering box (see thumbnail).

Lastly, the battery has been moved to under the NS seat, I assume that this tray (pictured at tile two) is for a battery if it was in the original location? I don't want to have to cut this off and weld in place the mounts for a steering box, compromising the integrity of a £2k chassis, ideally I will be able to find a manufacturer that will build it to the spec without hiking the price - too much.

Help and guidance are greatly appreciated. Stay safe.

Not sure about PS but that is the battery tray support, on my series with 200di fitted I wanted to keep original air filter. And a battery under bonnet , I had a 2nd tank under seat
I guess you can ring suppliers and ask for bespoke option , there’s also galvo paint if you want to cut Bits

steve2286w said:

Not sure about PS but that is the battery tray support, on my series with 200di fitted I wanted to keep original air filter. And a battery under bonnet , I had a 2nd tank under seat
I guess you can ring suppliers and ask for bespoke option , there’s also galvo paint if you want to cut Bits

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Clear on battery tray - thanks mate. It’ll have to go though because of the steering box. Open to cutting if necessary but in an ideal world I manage to get it made with the modification done.

What gearbox x member have you got?

I kept original suffix d gearbox and has the fixed cross member
Not tempted to revert back to manual steering?
I shortened and raised battery tray and fitted a smaller battery to avoid timing case

steve2286w said:

I kept original suffix d gearbox and has the fixed cross member
Not tempted to revert back to manual steering?
I shortened and raised battery tray and fitted a smaller battery to avoid timing case

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When I put the new chassis on the 300tdi I pulled apart the PS pump and cut the blades off the turbine, doing away with PS.

Since driving the S3 with PS I think I will keep it! Very useful picture though - thanks!

Very keen to identify my steering box, fairly sure that it is off a Defender so that I can ask for the mounting holes to be included on the galv chassis.

For what it's worth, I got Richards to add 4 quite hefty roll bar mounting points to the chassis they made for me. They charge an hourly rate, but it was quite reasonable. I'm sure the can do whatever mods you want before galvanising, and leaving bits off should be trivial.

TheMegaMan said:

For what it's worth, I got Richards to add 4 quite hefty roll bar mounting points to the chassis they made for me. They charge an hourly rate, but it was quite reasonable. I'm sure the can do whatever mods you want before galvanising, and leaving bits off should be trivial.

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Really good to know. Thanks.

Not sure but power steering box may be an older type fitted to BMW's. Looks very like one I have in the shed. Quite popular mod at one time for road and trials.

Power steering has a part number on it for a P38.

Hicap phill said:

Power steering has a part number on it for a P38.

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Do you think it’s off a P38 then? Looks like it has a standard S3 track rod...

P38 ZF steering box..

Henry_b said:

P38 ZF steering box..

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Just searched for it on the bay. Very kind. Thanks mate. I assume the drop arm on a P38 is compatible with a series track rod?

Pillar said:

Just searched for it on the bay. Very kind. Thanks mate. I assume the drop arm on a P38 is compatible with a series track rod?

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I'm assuming so chap

Steering is very clunky. Maybe it’s wobbling around in the hole

Now to see if Richards will make me a S3 chassis with no battery tray but with the cotton reels to receive a P38 steering box!