classic range rover diesel conversion

[KungFooMASTA]

Is it possible to make selectable 2wd. Lt230?

Yes. Im thinking there are several companys that make the kits, i know Ashcroft does or did anyways.

This has a little info on it Im sure there is more on it somewhere. One guy that did it said the actual part inside the lt could be made by anyone that can weld, and the only parts you would need to buy is the selectable hubs.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285818

 

[e.prevost94]

Send me ur mailing adr. And I will send u a copy
Eric

Any chance I could get a copy too?
-Eric

 

[highfructosecornsyrp]

So whats the story on the air conditioner compressor? Is there a spot to squeeze it under the hood of the classic?

As far as the military 6.2's go, is there one that is a better candidate, one to avoid, or are they all the same? Anyone have a good source for piling these up?

And for everyone interested, it's apparently possible to divorce an lt230 for about 300 dollars in machine work and parts...I have the parts but haven't done the machine work. The good thing about that set up is that you can run any 2wd transmission behind your power plant-2wd trannies seem to be cheaper because they are less sought after.

 

[dcwhybrew]

So whats the story on the air conditioner compressor? Is there a spot to squeeze it under the hood of the classic?

As far as the military 6.2's go, is there one that is a better candidate, one to avoid, or are they all the same? Anyone have a good source for piling these up?

And for everyone interested, it's apparently possible to divorce an lt230 for about 300 dollars in machine work and parts...I have the parts but haven't done the machine work. The good thing about that set up is that you can run any 2wd transmission behind your power plant-2wd trannies seem to be cheaper because they are less sought after.

HFCS, were you the guy doing the MB OM617 conversion on a classic posted on Rangerovers.net? Coincidently, I posted a reply yesterday evening asking how that went? Were you able to start that project? If so, did you complete it? Just curious.

 

[REDROVER]

So whats the story on the air conditioner compressor? Is there a spot to squeeze it under the hood of the classic?

As far as the military 6.2's go, is there one that is a better candidate, one to avoid, or are they all the same? Anyone have a good source for piling these up?

And for everyone interested, it's apparently possible to divorce an lt230 for about 300 dollars in machine work and parts...I have the parts but haven't done the machine work. The good thing about that set up is that you can run any 2wd transmission behind your power plant-2wd trannies seem to be cheaper because they are less sought after.

all the military 6.2 j CODE motors are good, the only 6.2/6.5 turbo family u wanna stay way is 1996 to 1998 6.5 turbo diesels , some had bad block, after 99 AM GENERAL ( not GM) took over and fixed the problem , later year 6.5 turbo optimizer motors used on Hummers h1 are excellent motors .

but if u are looking for 6.2 military engine, they is no problem with them, one thing to keep in mind is those motors have been seating at the military base for years and years , with almost no mileage less than 5k when i got mine. so make sure you get a motor that has been run before they sell you.

and 2wd transmission is what i have under my rover , with lt230. (T56 viper transmission short ratio ) today on the freeway at 56 mph the 6.2 was running at 1100 rpm, very impressive 6th gear.

there is room for AC yes, i just never did since i dont use it,

doing 2 wd transmission with lt230 the floor has to be modified ., not a big deal, but must

 

[highfructosecornsyrp]

HFCS, were you the guy doing the MB OM617 conversion on a classic posted on Rangerovers.net? Coincidently, I posted a reply yesterday evening asking how that went? Were you able to start that project? If so, did you complete it? Just curious.

That was me! I actually bought an old Mercedes with the om617 in it and everything...then I started looking into adapters and how much they were (around a thousand dollars) and realized the money saved on an OM617 was going to be lost on the adapters...it was looking like 1100 dollars just for the adapter if I remember correctly. So O sold the mercedes.

Since then I sold the SM420 and np208 I was going to put in it. I found out how to divorce the rover lt230 so it then made more sense to keep the stock drivetrain (to an extent) instead of installing a non passenger drop rear axle to match up with the np208. Then I came across an nv4500 2wd transmission for a price I could not walk away from.

Then the project took a backseat to a girlfriend or two and some resulting credit card debt

Im back to gearing up for the swap and was considering the cummins 4bt, but the 6.2 is calling me now (4bts are like 2800 dollars)...just need to find out about air conditioning before I commit myself to picking up specific parts for the 6.2.

This thread is a treasure trove of info! Thanks so much to RedRover and the other people who have contributed!

 

[highfructosecornsyrp]

all the military 6.2 j CODE motors are good, the only 6.2/6.5 turbo family u wanna stay way is 1996 to 1998 6.5 turbo diesels , some had bad block, after 99 AM GENERAL ( not GM) took over and fixed the problem , later year 6.5 turbo optimizer motors used on Hummers h1 are excellent motors .

but if u are looking for 6.2 military engine, they is no problem with them, one thing to keep in mind is those motors have been seating at the military base for years and years , with almost no mileage less than 5k when i got mine. so make sure you get a motor that has been run before they sell you.

and 2wd transmission is what i have under my rover , with lt230. (T56 viper transmission short ratio ) today on the freeway at 56 mph the 6.2 was running at 1100 rpm, very impressive 6th gear.

there is room for AC yes, i just never did since i dont use it,

doing 2 wd transmission with lt230 the floor has to be modified ., not a big deal, but must

That T56 IS an impressive transmission! Its a little out of my price range, but I might pick one up at a later time if this nv4500 blows up. For the time being I may just have to monkey with gears to get my cruising RPM at around 1600 or 1700 at 60 mph...havent done the math on that yet though.

I have a friend with a military 6.2 I might be able to buy...looking at the engine, how do I determine what "code" the engine is? Sorry if its a dumb question haha Im a newb to this kind of thing.

 

[REDROVER]

That T56 IS an impressive transmission! Its a little out of my price range, but I might pick one up at a later time if this nv4500 blows up. For the time being I may just have to monkey with gears to get my cruising RPM at around 1600 or 1700 at 60 mph...havent done the math on that yet though.

I have a friend with a military 6.2 I might be able to buy...looking at the engine, how do I determine what "code" the engine is? Sorry if its a dumb question haha Im a newb to this kind of thing.

if its a military 6.2, it has to be J CODE. intake manifold and cylinder heads are different. nv 4500 is very good transmission , unbreakable. ( good luck braking it lol) and its bolt on with 6.2. if u run 32 inch tires with 5 gear of nv 4500 u will be at 1700 rpm at 60 mph. you dont have to touch the gears.

if u look at intake manifold it has only one small hose entrance . besides the huge intake hole. C CODE motor has few holes on intake for smog control. and j code motors are all painted green. .


cummins 4 bt is a good motor but military j code is more powerful and more reliable .. its all about gear ratios my friend , my 95 H1 with 6.5 non turbo diesel, practically the same as 6.2. pulled stock 18 wheeler up the hill, and pushed 32 passenger tour buss up the hill. i wanna see brand new cummins turbo diesel do that.

or even 4 bt inside the hummer becomes a Munster. look an youtube . its all about gear ratios and tire size , i am more than happy with my 6.2 diesel choice . sure i could of got 5.9 commins witch is beautiful, or later AM GENERAL 6.5 turbo optimizer ( used on later H1) but at what cost ? $ 3000 for used cummins with 200kmiles or about $ 7000 for 6.5 turbo.

i payed 1450 with shipping for my 6.2 and it had less than 5k miles on it. i can stop at any auto-zone get the parts for it if i have to.

Mercedes motor would of been just awesome if it was 95+ years turbo. but older benz diesel ia only 70 hp. i just dont see how it would move the rover .


here are the old pics, i miss those engine swap days .

 

[REDROVER]

this video may help you more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KEqxgyULTg

 

[dcwhybrew]

That was me! I actually bought an old Mercedes with the om617 in it and everything...then I started looking into adapters and how much they were (around a thousand dollars) and realized the money saved on an OM617 was going to be lost on the adapters...it was looking like 1100 dollars just for the adapter if I remember correctly. So O sold the mercedes.

Since then I sold the SM420 and np208 I was going to put in it. I found out how to divorce the rover lt230 so it then made more sense to keep the stock drivetrain (to an extent) instead of installing a non passenger drop rear axle to match up with the np208. Then I came across an nv4500 2wd transmission for a price I could not walk away from.

Then the project took a backseat to a girlfriend or two and some resulting credit card debt

Im back to gearing up for the swap and was considering the cummins 4bt, but the 6.2 is calling me now (4bts are like 2800 dollars)...just need to find out about air conditioning before I commit myself to picking up specific parts for the 6.2.

This thread is a treasure trove of info! Thanks so much to RedRover and the other people who have contributed!

That all certainly makes sense. I thought Mercedesrover (SeriesTrek website) had an adapter template? It's water under the bridge now, but I wonder if having an adaptor made would cost <$1,000. I am guessing "no" but just wondering. Anyway, from what i am reading here and elsewhere, it does seem as if a 6.2/6.5 is the way to go if a diesel conversion is considered. I still wonder what the total cost is though.

 

[REDROVER]

That all certainly makes sense. I thought Mercedesrover (SeriesTrek website) had an adapter template? It's water under the bridge now, but I wonder if having an adaptor made would cost <$1,000. I am guessing "no" but just wondering. Anyway, from what i am reading here and elsewhere, it does seem as if a 6.2/6.5 is the way to go if a diesel conversion is considered. I still wonder what the total cost is though.

well total cost depends on your mechanical skills , parts are very cheap.

lets say u got the motor and trans for 1300, used. clutch kit is 450, that includes the flywheels and master cinder and slave cylinder . then u have to get a strong large radiator. about 400 then u need front springs .250 bucks. then u need new drive shafts 500. and the rest is labor and another 500 for little parts here and there

4 grand lets say. and u have strong running diesel .

and if u can get 6.5 turbo give extra 2 psi boost and adjust the injection pump, and u have 550 lb torque. then its much stronger than 6.2 and that will kick some *****.

but i have one question for u, some diesel MBZ cars came with zf22 transmission i think. so whats the problem that u cant get them work together ? all u need to change is the bell housing from ur rover to the one for MBZ.

i am gona do some search today.

 

[REDROVER]

i was looking at my friends Mercedes diesel today. and its amazing on how much similar design is there between 6.2 and mbz.

injectors ar 95 % the same, it can be even interchanged , made by BOSH both of them. injection pumps are lubricated by fuel on both of them . they need 3/4 psi fuel pressure to run,

they have cdr valve on both of them . fuel intake and return system is the same design . they have the same pre combustion chambers. the only advantage the GM diesel has over the Benz is that its a gear driven motor, Mercedes is chain driven

most gm 6.2 go well over 400k miles , just like the Mercedes . on the hummer forum we have 700k miles on a few hummers to. with the same 6.5 .

the idea of using the adapter to make zf22 or 24 with the diesel is that u dont have to touch the drive shafts or the interior .

 

[REDROVER]

here is what i would do if i really wanted Mercedes diesel. i would get the motor and trans together , and make a little adapter shaft that would make 2wd work with lt230 and thats it, + 2 new drive shafts , with Mercedes diesel u dont have to change the radiator ,
you can do this in one week if u want to . are you in calif? i can help u if u are in so cal.

i am gonna have to build me one , it sounds like fun project . 1987 turbo diesel Mercedes motor. engine/trans out of pick ur part 350. new shafts 500. lt 230 120 bucks from disco.

i bet u can pull it off under 1500 .

 

[highfructosecornsyrp]

Where would you shoehorn an Ac compressor in on your 6.2 if you wanted it? I'm in Florida and with the humidity here, I couldn't live without it.

Also, how did you do the clutch pedal? Modify one from a disco or modify one from a gm vehicle?

 

[REDROVER]

Where would you shoehorn an Ac compressor in on your 6.2 if you wanted it? I'm in Florida and with the humidity here, I couldn't live without it.

Also, how did you do the clutch pedal? Modify one from a disco or modify one from a gm vehicle?

clutch pedal is from camaro . but it would of been much easy to find land rover unit and just bolt it on.