rover build up opinions

[85lux]

hey all, i'm thinking of crossing over and building a rover. mostly as a winch comp/trail car. it will be engineered. i don't know much about rovers but here are my ideas.

SIII land rover ute chassis and body(because of good approach, large chassis and recess in front to mount winch without compromising approach angle.

6L LS2
Gas research
MSD Ignition
Rear radiator
TH400
GU transfer
GU diffs F+R
Custom radius arms F+R(cant be arsed doing a-frame or 5-link againand am not after massive wheel travel..)
FOX 10" coilovers all round.
internal cage(built by shop)
alloy tube tray and tube front bar.
Custom "special" winch


Emphasis on low center of mass and light weight to increase power to weight and reduce loads on driveline.

all opinions welcomed. do you guys think the SIII is a good choice??

thanks

jim

[Micka]

The only drama I could forsee would be fitting the much larger GU running gear in the space available. The LS2 may not fit without a huge amount of fab work, either.

Check the chassis measurements of the S3 and also take a look at Defender/Disco/Rangie - they all have huge chassis.

You can always mod one of these to suit the approach angle needed and put a series body on.

Think MogRover


Micka

[460cixy]

why go for the weak th400 and nissan transfer when the 4 speed rover box and
transfer is stronger and as for gas research wast of time and money impco is the way to go

[LOCKEE]

After owning a 90 Hybrid - SWB Landy body on a Range Rover Chassis shortened that did a few events in the late 90's.

I would retain the Rangie cab, vision, room inside and engine bay, better wipers etc or second choice woulb be to use a defender cab with the bigger screen and wind up windows.

No gas (gas is for BBQ's) most of the gas trucks have reverted to fuel due to range required even in the local comps.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Mog Rover but from experience in Vic Events a cut down Rangie is much better but flame suit on my current Nissan GQ works better again for me.

[uninformed]

buy a defender ute. cheap as.

sals rear dif is the same as a d60

convert front to a toy center

and build it up like the "lockless"

serg

ps if going down the nissan route buy a nissan it will be much easier to engineer and be cheaper than converting all that nissan stuff into a rover

[Loanrangie]

Rangie cut down to tray ute , 3.9 efi with zf auto, either a sals rear and toyo conversion up front or fit gq/ lc80's diffs f+r. No problems getting it engineered and panels are cheap. You wont get a s111 with big chev engineered these days.

[85lux]

i definitely want to run an auto. TH400 is pretty strong, i will be having it built for me.
i'm not interested in chopping a wagon into a ute, i hate panel work, i'm more of a machining and fabrication guy.
defender ute could work well. what would i pick one up for??
i was hoping to go straight gas for simplicity sake. maybe i will have to run injection after all. are there any options in terms of carrying second bottles or using forklift bottles??

thanks for the input.
jim

[85lux]

in regard to just building a nissan. every man and his dog out there has a nissan, there are valid reasons for this. i enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of designing and building a car. i want to do something a little different.

[Micka]

in regard to just building a nissan. every man and his dog out there has a nissan, there are valid reasons for this. i enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of designing and building a car. i want to do something a little different.

Good on you for wanting something different

A defender ute can easily be built into a weapon.

Why not go for Dana 60 axels instead of Nissan shite? Heaps stronger and far, far better gear ratios available.


Micka

[85lux]

dana 60's would be an option. whats the cost like compared to gu patrol?

[Micka]

dana 60's would be an option. whats the cost like compared to gu patrol?

Would probably work out about the same, depending on components. But you would never suffer another broken CV again


Micka

[Loanrangie]

There is a defender ute with high k's going cheap in Melbourne on one of the used car sites - one of the following- drive, carsales, carpoint,autotrader.
for about $8k i think.