d2 Galvanized Frames
- Thread starter WILL.TILLERY
- Start date
You're thinking of the tub? You'd have to find a donor truck and do it yourself.
WillT said:
Do you plan on offering RRCs at some point?
Yeah, the steel body that is under the body panels. Wish I could find a good one to swap into my RRC. Thinking of taking my LWB apart, blasting the frame and build up from there.
I wish I had the time and money for that! Hell, I'd add the door frames to the list as well.
There are plenty of people here with a lot more than that in these already.
If you've got a build you like, with a lot of time and money invested, it's not out of line to replace your frame with an improved unit that won't rust as easily; and certainly if your frame is already suffering dangerous or multiple rust problems.
This is something I've been wanting to do. I don't have rust issues, but it would be nice to have the added security.
Cheers,
Kennith
This is a great option and I put down a deposit on one for my son's truck.
I can see why some folks would think it's too much work to save a D2, but replacing the chassis is worth it to us to save an otherwise good trail truck (R380, ARBs with 4.75 Ashcrofts, RTE lift and bumper, etc.). Down the road we will be happy the chassis was galvanized.
I can see why some folks would think it's too much work to save a D2, but replacing the chassis is worth it to us to save an otherwise good trail truck (R380, ARBs with 4.75 Ashcrofts, RTE lift and bumper, etc.). Down the road we will be happy the chassis was galvanized.
True . . . but it's Kinversand and has a strong 4.6 with an R380 conversion, so building a new truck would entail the engine/gearbox switchover too and we would (probably) lose the color.
I take your point that it would be easy to underestimate the amount of effort involved.
Brett's had a few old D2s. My son has driven it for two years and has become good at repairing Land Rovers.
I'd eventually have the same rust issues in a lot less time though, even if it started out as a 'rust free' truck (which are next to impossible to come by around here.) For what I use it for a galvanized chassis is worth the little extra work.
I already replaced the entire interior. Had to get rid of the smell of Justin and Erik's "life partner" honeymoon.
John pretty much summed up the pros/cons of a frame swap:
"With restored Defenders costing over $100,000 and scruffy examples selling in the $40s a Discovery II with a rebuilt motor and galvanized frame starts to look like a more comfortable and good performing alternative that's almost as trail worthy and a lot more road worthy. Doing a frame in that context, along with a top hat or flange liner engine makes a lot of sense. Add some trail mods and you are still under $40 with both usability and a lot of capability.
Rovers North has just started selling galvanized DiscoveryII frames. It will be interesting to see how the changeover works out. These trucks have more “Stuff” underneath than a Defender. I would not be surprised if a frame change takes 100 hours and a pile of bushings, mounts, lines and pipes. Frame replacement is likely the most expensive repair one could undertake on these vehicles, potentially exceeding the cost of a flange liner 4.6 engine job"
Hello Will
I can aford the frame at your cost but how much is Sarek getting to do the swap.
I would call Jon there.. Not sure.
I am going to start doing them here in May and will let you know the cost...Its going to be very affordable all things considered.
Thanks