Vehicle & Technical > Series Land Rovers

A few questions, advice needed please

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stuntman:
Hello one and all, I post mainly in the Disco forum, but my disco is very quickly falling to bits.

I have a few questions if I may.

I have a full disco 200 tdi manual to take apart for spares 10 splines diffs etc.

I like the idea of running a series 3 but I really like my 200tdi engine as it's in very good nick.

I have the idea of a 109 station wagon, but can I use my engine and gearbox in the series, and would I need to swap my axels over?

A few other questions aswell, can I use any of my suspension parts on the 109 from the disco? I have a +2 lift that is brand spanking new, extended hoses (+5) etc.

Also what are they like to live with everyday, ie are the heaters any good and can they insulated etc.

As you can tell the series models are new to me.

Regards

Andi K

Guardian.:
are the series not all onleaf springs, they are a nightmare motor just like the defenders but a bit worse, but anything is possible, tdi would go in ok, plus you could fit your tdi axles / suspension with a bit of mucking about and welding relevant mountings etc on, but to be honest, youd be better off getting a defender 110, cheaper and less time consuming than converting a 109.

Pete:
 I have owned a series two with the turbo engine, five speed box, permanent four wheel drive and coils, but it was converted some years ago.  I believe some of the regs have changed since then.
 Mine was an 88, built on a brand new chassis. Hardest job is welding the new suspension parts to the series chassis, had to have the prop shafts shortened as well.  In the case of a 109 I would imagine that you would need longer shafts made up.
 They do go well, being over a ton lighter than the doner Disco, economy is good too. I do know of other conversions, but they have just changed the engine, and kept the transmision as standard. I'm told that an early series two box is the best to use, being stronger than the series three.
 Keep us posted if you decide to go ahead.
 Pete

Rich_P:
The 2A is stronger than the early Series 3 gearbox, but the late Series 3 gearbox is stronger than the late 2A gearbox.  Either way, you would have to be somewhat restrained on the throttle unless you want to replace the gearbox not too long afterwards, or you could detune the TDi to be of more 6-pot performance.

Your first problem would be getting a 109 SW in the first place.  They are not common place, and for specific reasons.  For instance, how would you fancy a turning circle that's about twice of your Disco?

A Series is, as mentioned earlier in the topic, on leaf springs.  Any Series motors on coil springs are not original and have been tampered with considerably, so much so in some instances they have been turned into a wannabe 90 as described in the post above.  :roll:  If they are also sat on coils and the conversion has been done in recent times, then depending on what else has been done on the vehicle they could be required to go through an SVA test.

If you were to use your engine, gearbox and axles and change to coils, then you're going to lose the vehicle identity and have to go through an SVA with it.  If you just change the running gear and fabricate the axles to take leaf springs then you may be able to retain the identity (something that would need to be checked on, since it works on a points scheme).

They also will have corrosion taking place quite badly in places, unless it's either a complete minter (practically none existent) or has been rebuilt.

Think Defender, and then think of what one would be like if it was built in the 1930s.  That will give you a far better idea of what a Series is like.  If you're used to the comforts of a Discovery then you'll be in for a massive shock when you start to use a Series as a regular vehicle.  Furthermore in my own opinion, to use a 109 within a city/town as a regular commuting vehicle is plain madness considering their turning circle and general performance in acceleration. :shock:

dave_2A_2.25Turbo:
You'd probably be better getting an early 110.  You'd be able to use engine and suspension with far less bother.  I fancy a 109 Station Wagon myself, but finding the right one at the right price is difficult.  But then I'm used to a Series.  If I TDi my 88 I'd like to use the TDi gearbox (mainly for the diff-lock), but I wouldn't want to lose either the leaf springs or the Series front. (Otherwise, it just ain't a Series!)

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