This could be tricky.

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Growls

New Member
Posts
7
So, I was impatiently passing time flicking through ebay while waiting for a call to tell me that our 3rd child was about to pop into the world.

At the time I was right into 4x4 motor sport, mainly winch challenges, and was forming a plan to build a Hybrid from my recently written off 80 series Toyota Landcruiser. I'd sold my bob tailed Discovery 1 and was running about in a SWB shogun but had a hankering for a Land Rover of some sort. The plan was to pick up a defender body shell and glue it to the Toyota chassis and running gear.

I'd picked up a 110 tub and cab, had a few doors, a bonnet and some wings in the shed from years before so was on the hunt for a bulkhead. However, I came across an ex military 109 without an engine but otherwise 90% complete but with a crusty chassis. I reckoned it was just what I needed to for the Hybrid. Stuck a cheeky bid on and then got the call to go to the hospital. By the time I got home I was the proud new keeper of 2 Lily's. One, a perfect wee girl with all her fingers and toes and the other, a well abused 109 shell and running gear.

Fast forward a few years the 109 body was partially fitted to the LC chassis but the whole vehicle type approval thing reared its ugly head so the LC was broken for spares and sold on along with the 110 tub and cab. The old 109 was stacked in the corner of the garden to become home for the local wild life.

A couple more years have passed and Lily, the wee girl not the battered shell, is now 8 and a half, and desperate to learn how to weld and spanner. In a fairly sizeable jump from making a ladybird from an old oil can and a hobby horse from firewood, a broom handle and a welders apron for a school project, I've agreed to "help" her restore her namesake. Hopefully the whole thing will teach us both something useful.

109mil1.JPG
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We're forming a bit of a plan here but I've got a few questions you lot might be able to help with.

- Which non Rover engines easily mount to the S3 4 speed box and fit in the engine bay?
- The bulkhead is salvageable but needs some work. Where would I find plans for a bulkhead jig? Or, post pics of what you have done.
- I have a couple of LC 80 axles with lockers which I would like to use. Any one using them? do you have photos of how they were converted?
- Who's producing the best value chassis? I'm keen to use a 1 tonne chassis if possible for the extra height.
- If I was to replace the transmission for an auto, what engine and box would you recommend? Doesn't have to be Rover but does have to have to be realistically achievable.
- We're planning to build it up as a flat bed pickup, mainly because the tub has already been cut for the previous plan. However, what do I need to think about in terms of chassis mods for a flatbed? Or, will a standard chassis work fine with a flat bed mounted on top?

That'll do for now but I'm sure more questions will pop up as we go along.
 
You would be as well to rebuild it as almost original with a 2.25 petrol engine but upgrade to an LT77 and maybe an LT230 with selectable 4x4
.

Truck cab it and build a nice wood flat bed for the back.
 
Mmm, I was originally thinking a later 2.5 petrol but I suppose the 2.25 makes sense.

What’s the benefit of LT77 or an LT230? I have a series 3 box so, assuming it’s not wrecked, I was planning to use it.

Truck cab and wood deck is the plan. I have the truck cab off my first S3. It’s been lying behind my mom and dads shed since the mid 90’s but should fix up OK with new quarter light rubbers and window channels.

I’ve also got a LWB hardtop and sides which I was considering shortening to make an extended cab but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort without removing the rear bulkhead so it’ll probably get sold to pay for some parts.
 
Mmm, I was originally thinking a later 2.5 petrol but I suppose the 2.25 makes sense.

What’s the benefit of LT77 or an LT230? I have a series 3 box so, assuming it’s not wrecked, I was planning to use it.

Truck cab and wood deck is the plan. I have the truck cab off my first S3. It’s been lying behind my mom and dads shed since the mid 90’s but should fix up OK with new quarter light rubbers and window channels.

I’ve also got a LWB hardtop and sides which I was considering shortening to make an extended cab but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort without removing the rear bulkhead so it’ll probably get sold to pay for some parts.

LT77 gives you 5 gears and better fuel efficiency with less stress on the engine at higher speeds in order to keep up with modern traffic.

LT230 gives you a stronger transfercase.
 
Over 18 months since I last posted but there’s been a lot going on. Unfortunately non of it with the Land Rover.
A quick question though, is the military 109 4 cyl chassis interchangeable with the military 1 tonne chassis with the extra spring hanger holes?
 
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