opinions on my series build.

[blue bomber]

For what it is worth, I have a series 109 and my friend has an 88. Both of us have done an engine and drivetrain conversion. I did a Chevy v6 4.3 throttle body, chevy truck transmission (sm465 & np205 transfer box) and finally toyota truck axles with a rear disk conversion and drivetrain parking brake. My friend put in a automatic in his.
The idea was to use reliable readily available parts. I used rocky mountain parabolics on mine and did a spring over. Having a computer is not a big deal. It gives you better fuel consumption and a throttle body is one of the simplest set ups to use. Much more reliable than a carburetor.
Engine wiring harnesses are easy to buy and install and reliable. I used a Howell Engine harness for the engine and a Painless for everything else. Every wire is labeled and all connections are supplied.
Before I did the conversion I looked into using a 5 cylinder mercedes turbo engine but passed simply because I wanted a set up where I could easily get parts anywhere for it cheaply. Most junkyards have these parts on hand. I hear people talk about the economy of a diesel but the reality is that you will not really see any savings after the conversion expense for quite some time. Of course a diesel sounds good. But in terms of actual savings...
I guess it depends on where you live, but for me the rover is a working vehicle that gets driven and used, not a garage or trailer queen.

You are correct. The diesel cool aid is tempting but the benefits do not out weight to cost and "weirdness" of specialty engines, at least here in the states. TBI fuel injection swaps are easy and convenient. I have done them in the past. Plus any shop can diagnose a GM type fuel injection problem. Please show some pics.


Tapatalk sucks, sent from Matthew's IPhone

 

[blue bomber]

Perfect, thanks.

The front is extended and has rear para's up there too now.

I thought there was plenty of room to put that exhaust crossover in front of the cross-member, thanks.

You haven't killed that Rover rear axle yet, eh?

Thanks,

KAA

Only one, trying to pull a wheelie up a hill. I have a Salisbury in the wings for stupid proofing. To be honest I think it was wounded for a while. I had a slight noise on deceleration, I thought it was a dying u joint, I was wrong . It's not fragile I'm just abusive sometimes.


Tapatalk sucks, sent from Matthew's IPhone

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Yikes!... "Well, there's yer' problem!"

Only one, trying to pull a wheelie up a hill.

 

[killahaas@gmail.com]

Thats nice i am still thinking about a chevy 350 swap. Do you have any pictures of the toyota axle swap?

 

[killahaas@gmail.com]

does anyone know if a 200 tdi bolts right up to the series tranny? so i have to mess with bellhousings?

 

[Nonimouse]

Minor mods but all easy

 

[killahaas@gmail.com]

do you know what exactly has to be done? and could you please tell me!

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

For what it is worth... I run 3leaf rear parabolic springs up front, 63" chevy rears, Bilstein 5125Series shocks with 14" travel, and I love the suspension! Nice and supple, tons of articulation, and still able to carry a load (they're pickup springs after all, they're supposed to be able to carry something).
Engine wise I've got a turbo 3B (3.4 diesel LandCruiser engine) driving through a 4speed Landcruiser gearbox, 4:1 Advance Adapters Orion transfercase, into some E-locked 80Series LC axles. Spring over axle ofcourse. I love the setup. What you would do for an engine/gearbox combo all just depends on what's available in the states, no idea on that..

I've got a build thread here:
http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=75094

Hope it works....

Otherwise, tons of pics in my photobucket account:
http://s609.photobucket.com/albums/tt173/Toy-Roverlander/Big suspension driveline etc mods/


Enough articulation? :ylsmoke:

It's my daily driver/weekend fun/holiday vehicle ...

 

[killahaas@gmail.com]

awesome truck toy-rover, i saw it on priate4x4. do you happen to have a more detailed write up on the suspension and toyo axle swap?

 

[frans]

toy-rover, when you go around a corner street driving, do you find the entire vehicle leans heavily to the outside? Or is this only on the really jacked up rockcrawlers? thx

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

awesome truck toy-rover, i saw it on priate4x4. do you happen to have a more detailed write up on the suspension and toyo axle swap?

Thanks! Probably not but if I get a chance I can write you something more detailed tonight.. Is there anything specific you'd like to know ?

toy-rover, when you go around a corner street driving, do you find the entire vehicle leans heavily to the outside? Or is this only on the really jacked up rockcrawlers? thx

That's the cool part of this truck. It still corners hard! On the street, handling is very good! I did all I could to keep centre of gravity as low as possible. The fueltank and batteries (4 of them!) are under the rear floor. The engine and gearbox lie low in the frame. The springs are reasonably firm, but as they're so long they still provide lots of flex. Rear springs are spaced further apart than the fronts, creating stability. It has good quality shocks. Plus, it's a softtop which doesn't weigh much. A mate of mine has nearly the same vehicle but his sits on 4leaf rear parabolic springs instead of the chevy springs, and his is a stationwagon with drawers in the back, plus a watertank, tools and stuff.. His has a lot of weight high up. His one leans badly in the corners. His girlfriend actually got seasick in it last year when on holidays haha ..

 

[frans]

I am putting a full length drawer in the back of my 109 and am running parabolics. Hope I don't suffer from that yawing...

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

I am putting a full length drawer in the back of my 109 and am running parabolics. Hope I don't suffer from that yawing...

Probably a bit. Did I mention his sits spring over axle, so is a lot taller than a standard 109, or one on parabolics
My advice is to keep as much weight low down, and in front or on top of the rear axle as possible.

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

awesome truck toy-rover, i saw it on priate4x4. do you happen to have a more detailed write up on the suspension and toyo axle swap?

Ok, here we go..
Basically, I wanted a comfortable suspension setup, that flexes a lot, but can still carry a load (mainly camping gear really). And I wanted to keep leafsprings. So I opted for rear springs at the front, parabolics as they are more comfortable. The frame was extended 6" with new spring mounts, and the shackle bush was pushed back more or less the same amount.

I used to run 3leaf parabolic rear springs but they were too soft. I didn't want to add another leaf as it would lift the back end up and the driveshaft was already making quite a steep angle. So I decided to start fresh and mounted 63" chevy springs (with RuffStuff brackets). The axle has been pushed back 2" at the same time. The springpads were redone so I could run a double cardan driveshaft. The springs have also been inboarded slightly compared to a standard 109". Mainly as this was easier to fit the brackets to the frame. End result is slightly less stability and slightly more flex.

Obviously the brakelines are extended. I welded hoops to the frame to act as top shock mount for the 14" stroke Bilstein 5125's. Very nice shock by the way..

Steering wise I bought, out of the first batch made, a pair of highsteer knuckles and arms from Hellfire Fabworks, for the 80series LC front axle. This raises the steering rods above the leafsprings and in front of the axle. Expensive but very nice bit of kit.

The leafsprings all sit fairly flat, not much arch in them, but that keeps the vehicle relatively low. Which is good. I haven't had much weight in it yet but it seems to be able to handle in. It's comfortable but as is has a low CoG it corners very well for a sprung over vehicle. And plenty of articulation.

Here are some pics..

Mount for P38 steering box... Only fabwork needed, the rest is all bolt on..

 

[killahaas@gmail.com]

wow awesome job! also i think i am just going to get 4leaf para's and repower the current axles. i think that will be the least amount of work, and cleanest look, i am not looking for crazy flex, but i want something better than stock.
Dylan