Frame Compatibility

[jeepfiend]

I have found a Series IIA with a decent frame. It was a parts pig for another build. The body is all there, but the drivetrain is gone. My III has a seriously rusted frame, and this IIA frame looks pretty good. It has a couple of outriggers that will need to be replaced, and the front horns needs some work, but for the most part, it looks pretty good. If I get serious about it, I will go work it over with my chipping hammer and see what kind of shape it is really in. So my question is; can a left hand drive IIA frame be swapped with a RHD Series III? The fellow only wants $500, and there are quite a few other parts on it I know I can use. The bulkhead on it looks pretty good, and would make a good donor for someone. The tub is not too bad either, and the floor of my tub is trashed! The seat box and the top are also pretty good. Also, can the IIA doors be swapped with the III? I have the new style hinges, but is seems the new style hinges would be pretty easily adapted to the old doors. For the most part the body parts looked pretty good, at least a heck of a lot better than mine!

 

[antichrist]

Yes. later SIII's had a removeable transmission corss member that isn't on the IIA early SIII, but the mounts are the same so that won't matter even if your's is the same.
The job of relocating the sterring relay is a bear, but the hole should be there for it on the IIA frame, and you'd have to get yours out anyway if you were buying new. I'm 99.9% sure the bulkhead outriggers are the same. Just take a couple measurements to confirm.
This applies to the 88, I've never closely compared IIA and SIII 109's. With 109's there's a difference between the station wagon and the regular, but I think that's it. Oh, and a difference between the 6cyl NADA and 4cyl.
I'm sure Al at DAP would be happy to tell you if you should expect any issues.

 

[jeepfiend]

Just emailed ECR, and they said the modifications required are minor. I might just have a solid frame in little bit. I will probably have to wait until after the holidays to purchase, but I don't think it is going anywhere. The only visible rust was on one bulkhead outrigger, and the very front of the frame horns. I will inspect it with a chipping hammter prior to purchasing, but outwardly it looks pretty good. The rear tub looks pretty good too. I figure by selling the leftover parts, primarily the bulkhead, I can pay for this rover. I might sell or trade the doors for some series III units as well.