Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys,
need your opinion. My motor recently blew and hence i decided to drop in another engine. I managed to source a 1998 Disco ES 3.9V8.
So i was wondering would the conversion be quite straight forward. I thought of shoehorning the V8 together with the box from the Disco into my RR. I believe the Disco gearbox is better than my RR as it is using a viscous coupling box.
So basicaly my question is the convesion quite straight forward?

Another thing how differnent is the axle on the Disco as compared to my RR? I heard the newer disco is stronger due to a bigger spline count. So is it worthwhile to change the axle too at the same time?
Thanks
Best Regards
Victor Cheong,
Malaysia.

The engine swap itself should be nice and easy (assuming the Rangie was a V8 also). Should be a straight swap in. I'd be more inclined to leave the LT230 transfer case in the Rangie and not swap over to the viscous coupling BW. This is on the basis that it is used off road. If its just a road car then the BW does have some benefits that may be worth considering.

In regards to axles, you are right to say that later Disco's had 24 spline axles (not sure what year these were introduced), and these will stand up to abuse a bit better than the 10 spliners you probably have ATM.

One thisg about Rangies is that lots of bits are interchangeable within reason, so the later Disco engine/gearbox swap will be a straight forward fit.

Like TuffRR said, piss off the BW viscous coupling transfer box. Even if you don't go off-road much, you will still need to have it overhauled if your Rangie has done well over 250,000 kms (know a bloke in our club with a 93 Rangie and it had 370,000 kms on it before the viscous unit seized. Doesn't suprise me and it lasted that long )

Also, upgrade to those 24 spline axles. You will need to get the diff centers as well so it will all fit, plus the inner front axles. You could jusdt upgrade the back only and leave it as a 10 up front.

Good luck with it all.

Trav

So this is what i ought to do?
- Ditch the Borg Warner transfer case and plonk on the Disco case.
- Is it still okay to use the current axle or preferrably swap to the 24spline axle?
- Anything else u guys wanna consider.
- So i assume that with a competent mechanic, the swap should be quite straight forward?

Yeah i understand that the viscous coupling centre diff is great for those who dont go offroad. But for on road handling does it really benefit alot especially around corners? As i'm actually a mad person as i tend to chuck the RR around corners way too often.

If not i'll swap to the Disco box if it is not detrimental to handling.

I dont have the heart to take the RR off roading. Simple reason is that Range Rovers and Land Rovers are very expensive to maintain here.
But dont fret light core off roading still done on my RR.

But my hardcore 4wd machine is a Daihatu Rocky or a Toyota Hilux with lockers. Though my dream is to have a Defender 90.

Oh guys one more thing.......
Er i would like to rebuild my 3.5 V8 next time when the finances allows. But more as a performance engine to drop into something old shool like a Escort MkII. So what specs should i aim for something reliable and streetable. What parts worth sourcing and blah blah blah.

Ok Thanks for everything, enough ramblings on my parts.
Cheers
Best Regards.

Hey guys got a question.
How do i go about with the axle conversion? Coz i just realised that the RR runs a self levelling boge hydromat thingy at the rear while the Discovery doesnt. So i dont think its a direct fit for the Disco axle onto my RR.

Or i've to strip the Disco axle of its half shaft and fit it on the the RR axle?

Another thing does anyone knows is there such thing as a low and high compression engine for the 1995 Disco?
Coz i cant seem to find on the net if the Disco from Japan are low or high compression engines.

I need to be enlighten......
Thanks man.

Yes the disco axle will swap over to your rangie complete. Ditch the Boge[us] unit as its probably not been working for the past 20 years anyway. The Disco runs higher spring rates in the rear to compensate for the lack of a boge unit so grab the disco springs while you are there.

You won't miss it.

Can't help with the compression thing - someone else will though.

Also another thing i noticed with the Disco axle is that it runs a rubber coupling as compared to my RR which runs a universal joint. Any idea which is stronger?

The how about the rear axle conversion, can i just run without the centre piece where the self levelling system seats originally?
I've always wondered why many ppl say that they are worthless plus i heard u cant rebuild them either.