Fiberglass 90 body?

[99Disco1]

Hey guys,

I am wanting to build a nice trail truck and hate to use a "real" 90. I am a petty decent fabricator and want to start with a frame and body. Frames are easy, but I have not been able to find any type of aftermarket body.

Does anyone make one here in the states or can one be imported?

Thanks

 

[v8m8]

Some folks this side of the pond use a Disco 1 chassis frame either at 100 inch wheelbase or cut the centre out and reweld to 90 wheelbase (93inches??), add Defender bulkhead outriggers rear crossmember and other support as necessary for the seatbox etc, with a tray back for back body or shortened 110 tub.........lots of work, but a very cpable truck can be produced. There is a DVD about called a 4x4 is born that was originally shown as a series of programmes on the Discovery channel - well worth a watch

http://www.markevans.co.uk/acatalog/A_4x4_is_Born.html

some interesting challenge truck builds here

http://www.devon4x4.com/workshop.html

or how about a Bowler
http://www.tomcatmotorsport.co.uk/

Few things to ponder over.............
Paul

 

[mgreenspan]

What's wrong with an aluminum body?

 

[Gordo]

Use a series 3 donor truck, a RRC or D1 chassis, and a few various 90 parts to make it work. Basically a 90 hood, breakfast, grill, and steering column and lots of man hours. Here is a photo of mine using a 89 chassis and a 500 dollar series III. Gordo

 

[eric w siepmann]

Hey guys,

I am wanting to build a nice trail truck and hate to use a "real" 90. I am a petty decent fabricator and want to start with a frame and body. Frames are easy, but I have not been able to find any type of aftermarket body.

Does anyone make one here in the states or can one be imported?

Thanks

Not that I am aware of.

 

[Leslie]

http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43005

 

[99Disco1]

What's wrong with an aluminum body?

Aluminum would be fine.

Basically I do not want to destroy (nor spend the big money on) a Defender that someone took pride in. This will be a 90% trail rig and I am in no rush to get it in the woods. I want to do a 1-2 year build with everything being made by myself.

Thanks for the advise guys, please keep ideas coming.

I did see where guys are using their discos as platforms but I am wanting to get rid of all the little bugs discos have and get rid of the miles of wireing.

I am thinking...... Ramjet 350 with the stand along computer, and I already have built one ton axles, Atlas II case, 727 trans, driveshafts, winch etc.

Here is the donor vehicle.

 

[rover4x4]

Aluminum would be fine.

Basically I do not want to destroy (nor spend the big money on) a Defender that someone took pride in. This will be a 90% trail rig and I am in no rush to get it in the woods. I want to do a 1-2 year build with everything being made by myself.

Thanks for the advise guys, please keep ideas coming.

I did see where guys are using their discos as platforms but I am wanting to get rid of all the little bugs discos have and get rid of the miles of wireing.

I am thinking...... Ramjet 350 with the stand along computer, and I already have built one ton axles, Atlas II case, 727 trans, driveshafts, winch etc.

Here is the donor vehicle.

Maybe you just need another jeep..

 

[leafsprung]

I want to do a 1-2 year build with everything being made by myself.

Here is the donor vehicle.

Looks like a nice jeep. Why dont you just wheel that? Otherwise it would seem like you are just putting a rover body on an already built truck . . .whats the point. Extra points with the rover crowd?

 

[crown14]

I did see where guys are using their discos as platforms but I am wanting to get rid of all the little bugs discos have and get rid of the miles of wireing.

And defenders dont have little bugs? As far as wiring goes, that is nothing a little snip here and there wont fix.

 

[99Disco1]

Why dont I just keep the jeep?? Its a great jeep and I love it. I am just wanting to downsize and do something different. When my wife and I decided to have our first child I sold my tow rig and the jeep is not much of a interstate rig. I can get good money for the for the frame up on it. Frame, body, dash, engine and cage will help get me going on the 90.

I enjoy doing different things and have owned a couple discos (still have one), but have always wanted a 90.

Are Alum. bodies available? I did a search and did not see any.

 

[mgreenspan]

Are Alum. bodies available? I did a search and did not see any.

You need to buy the parts a la carte. It's not one solid piece like a fiberglass jeep body would be.

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

I may have a disco that would be a good starting point for you.

 

[eric w siepmann]

Why dont I just keep the jeep?? Its a great jeep and I love it. I am just wanting to downsize and do something different. When my wife and I decided to have our first child I sold my tow rig and the jeep is not much of a interstate rig. I can get good money for the for the frame up on it. Frame, body, dash, engine and cage will help get me going on the 90.

I enjoy doing different things and have owned a couple discos (still have one), but have always wanted a 90.

Are Alum. bodies available? I did a search and did not see any.

They are. But they aren't exactly cheap either. NAS stuff is getting bad too.

Google land rover wreckers like Equircar in the UK. Most have whole bodies or even wrecked donors. Might not be too bad if that is your only major out of pocket expense. Hell, might even be able to find one with a decent frame that just needs some repair pieces...

 

[chris snell]

Why bother with fiberglass? Just use plywood.

 

[Doug C]

Use a series 3 donor truck, a RRC or D1 chassis, and a few various 90 parts to make it work. Basically a 90 hood, breakfast, grill, and steering column and lots of man hours. Here is a photo of mine using a 89 chassis and a 500 dollar series III. Gordo

Cool rig Gordo ! Thats the first picture of the finished product I have seen.

 

[Gordo]

Thanks a lot Doug. Lots of work but its fun to wheel and not a huge investiment. Gordo

 

[mvpagent1]

Gordo,

seriously your hybrid looks great, I kept up with your build on the FLRC website. How much to build me one like that?

 

[Defender Tech]

Why bother with fiberglass? Just use plywood.

Holy Sh!t...someone converted a wooden shed into a car!

 

[Gordo]

Gordo,

seriously your hybrid looks great, I kept up with your build on the FLRC website. How much to build me one like that?

Thanks for the compliment, but it isnt what it would cost you but what it would cost me... one perfectly good marriage Im afraid!!!! If you really want one they pop up on EbayUK quite a bit, Im not sure about shipping one over but I would suspect that as long as it was 25 yrs old it wouldnt be an issue. Stephen Peters at Safari Rover has built a few as well, but you could probably buy a D90 for less as it is fairly labor intensive. he also ships tons of parts so he may be able to help you get one a good one over. Ive also seen a few over the last couple years on EbayUS. They range from 5-20k.