Lucky 8’s Project P38

[spikemd]

Hopefully, just preventative maintenance... I want to see where you are at.

Also, I was searching your website and was having a tough time finding your new terrafirma suspension kits. Sounds like I will be getting a used coil-conversion kit from a buddy but may need to upgrade the springs to a bit taller and/or add spacers. Interested in what you might have available.

Any pics of the snorkel!? :drool:

 

[Fivespddisco]

Just a quick update on the P38 project

I think we have the suspension dialed in. The last set of test shocks from Terrafirma really suit the truck in my opinion. They feel more appropriately valved to retain good road manners and handle off road duties.

Sorry for this short video but it will let you see that the back of the truck is no longer bouncing with the current version of shocks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjC7b4vPss&list=UUUnCLXtAqip_9qd-T1NenbA&index=1&feature=plcp

Now all we have to do is finish the head gasket job with the new Lucky8 ARP stud kit.

Some good news, we should have our hands on the new Ashcroft heavy duty rear shafts any day now.

 

[junkyddog11]

So what is new with the ARP stud kit. Some of us have been using them for years......did they change something?

 

[Fivespddisco]

So what is new with the ARP stud kit. Some of us have been using them for years......did they change something?

The ARP kits we have are for the Rover motor and only have the studs you need. Most people use the 318 kit and through out the extra parts

 

[Fivespddisco]

Project update
Last weekend we had a chance to test out the suspension and tires. In short I was very happy with the way the P38 performed on the trails. Whether the truck was off camber or on hills it remained stable and solid. When pushed over whoopie doos and hidden obstacles under the mud the truck didn't do anything out of the ordinary and the shocks absorb the rim smashing impacts.

Side note, a passenger that took a ride in the P38 said "its unbelievably comfortable for this big of a lift"

This weekend at Howard's Guyfulks event the extra wheelbase came in very handy with all the elevation changes.

One thing that I noticed With the P38 compared to the other Land Rover products of the same Era was the Transfer case. In order to get it to engage you really have to stand on the pedal. This is a huge disadvantage when you're trying to gently crawl over an obstacle. In short this means you have to go faster and risk breaking more things to do what a D2 or Defender with a locking T Case could do with ease. We really need to double our efforts in finding an economical way to get a lockable Tcase.

On a good note I was impressed with the way the traction control was able to help get the P38 through the sticky ducks snot mud.

More updates Soon
We will have the truck at Roush Creek next week for Rovers on the Rocks

 

[R-Overland]

I agree on the TC issues... remember, we talked about options on the phone...

 

[spikemd]

Very nice! Glad to hear the P38 is performing well. That mud looks crazy thick...

I am going to be converting to springs this winter.

The other option to consider is Detroit TrueTracs in the diffs. I have heard they work well with the traction control even though they are a true locker. Or you could drop a full locker in the rear...

 

[ZG]

IIRC the P38s use the same diffs as the newer Defenders correct?

 

[Fivespddisco]

IIRC the P38s use the same diffs as the newer Defenders correct?

Yes that is correct.

 

[Fivespddisco]

The other option to consider is Detroit TrueTracs in the diffs. I have heard they work well with the traction control even though they are a true locker. Or you could drop a full locker in the rear...

Ash Lockers will be going in.

 

[LR Max]

Is an LT230 swap viable in these trucks?

 

[R-Overland]

An lt230 would be a great idea, if it would fit. P38 has a left hand drop.

 

[LR Max]

An lt230 would be a great idea, if it would fit. P38 has a left hand drop.

Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Yeah, not worth it to flip it. Seems like every Dana 300 transfer case I've ever seen flipped never worked quite right. Since seeing that, I'm not a fan of flipping T-cases.

 

[R-Overland]

Was thinking of a new progress tc but they have the rear shaft come out from center that will not work with rear axle. Changing the front to disco axle could work and then LT230 but I don't know if the clearance on that side will work .

 

[LR Max]

Wonder if Advance Adapters can supply a driver drop version of the Orion T-case.