[Matt Perkins 3.9]

Hi there in looking for some information I have a series 3 I've put a Perkins engine and Range Rover gear box in it and put RangeRover axles on it the problem is the tub doesn't fit and neither do the wings just wondered if any body else had done this? Thanks Matt

 

[Rattlegun]

What chassis did you start with? Those are some big changes, you'll probably have to chop things about a bit, maybe use Defender wings with the wheelarch extensions, and a defender rear tub?

 

[Matt Perkins 3.9]

Hi used a 88" galvanised chassis it's been quite a challenge to get the axles to fit but there on and to squeeze the engine and gear box in plus had to make to power steering box fit. I've bought some wheel arch extensions going to put them on the series tub of I can what the differences with the series tubs / wings compared to the defender?

 

[Rattlegun]

Sounds like you're on the way then, wings and tubs are plentiful and cheap enough to have another go if you don't like how it comes out. I think construction is the same, just differences in where the wheelarches are and size of them.

 

[LifetimeLandy]

Sounds like you're on the way then, wings and tubs are plentiful and cheap enough to have another go if you don't like how it comes out. I think construction is the same, just differences in where the wheelarches are and size of them.

Original Defender wheel arches are different shape to Series and the fixing points will not fit where they should along the edge of the wheel arch. I have done the conversion and done quite a good job of it.
First of all I found a company that sold wheel arch extensions for Series III. Sent for a set, and when they arrived I unpacked them and tried one against the wheel arch on one side of the tub. It fitted well needing just a few spaces here and there that would not be seen and I would be able to fix it with stainless bolts in the wheel arch. Anyway as I was busy I did not try the other arches and put them all away assuming the rest would be OK. Big mistake.... about six weeks later I started fitting the extensions and started with the same one that I originally tried. I had to drill holes in it to site my fixings in the best places so that I needed the minimum of spacers. Having got that side fitted I went to the other side of the tub and found that the new arch for that side had not enough overlap to be able to drill fixing holes. Too late to complain and ask for my money back, so I cut a 2" wide strip of aluminium and fitted it around the wheel arch extension and then drilled along the other edge of this strip to fit the aluminium strip into the tubs wheel arch. This took a lot of time to get right and looked good when it was finished . However, when I stood at the back of the vehicle I could see about half an inch of the outer edge of each tyre, so the extensions were not really wide enough to catch all the water and mud thrown up by the wheels.
Back to square one.
I then took a big piece of hardboard and held it against the outside of the tub wheel arch and drew the outline of the wheel arch on the hardboard with a marker pen. Next I cut along the line and was left with a pattern of the wing. I took this pattern to John Craddocks in Cannock and they let me try a set of wheel arch extensions they had on show in their window. Success... I found that the extensions covered the shape cut in the hardboard and would make a neat job. So I bought a set and fitted 2 of the extensions to the rear of my tub. Did not need to fit front ones as I'd already fitted Defender wings complete with original arches that were a perfect fit.
The arches I bought from Craddocks, fix to the tub with bolts that will be visible from the side (you just need to drill holes through the wing sides) and they were made to be fitted to a Discovery. If you intend to buy some of these arches, I strongly suggest that you do take a pattern with you.

 

[Matt Perkins 3.9]

Thanks for that got a set of defender wheel arch extensions offered them up marked them and cut and folded the aluminium they fit nicely and its sitting a lot better now just need to cut the wings then get them painted