The Biggun

Howdy folks, quick introductory post for my current project - my 1975 Series 3 109 aka The Biggun (mainly so named as my other S3 is an 88). Bought it last September from Richard Hall aka Glencoyne Engineering, he was selling on behalf of a customer and at £2.5k with a set of One Ton rims - well, 3x 569204s and 1x ANR1534 from a 130 - I had to have it. It looks ex-military but isn't - a p.o. has done that to it (pic 1). I decided I was going to make a camper out of it (having tried kipping in the 88) but many things needed to happen first. Top priority was a TDI conversion - as bought it had a Nissan LD28 in, nice engine but too long for a 109. The oil pump at the front of the engine was about an inch and a half directly above the diff housing, one good pothole and it would've been toast. To remedy this, extended bump stops had been fitted, leaving about 4mm of front suspension travel, I kid you not!! Considering also that the leaf springs all round were seized solid it wasn't a comfortable drive!!
So far I've taken the plastic Defender front off and gone for a more Stage 1 sort of look, and had pretty much finished the 200tdi conversion last weekend - until the rear oil seal (which we'd replaced) failed!! Also we've put some paras and +2" dampers on. Should be epic once we finally get it running!!