Hybrid

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
I have probably asked something about this before. But, basically, the series is just sitting in the driveway - nearly perfect, even runs well.... but the transmission is dead, and the overdrive is very loud.

Option #1: rebuild or buy a cheap working trans and continue as always

Option #2: get the new high ratio gear box with a rebuilt trans = $3000 -$700 for overdrive. Still running on an "old" trans

Option #3: Buy a wreck of a Range Rover for around $1000, install the 5-speed or auto with the V8 into the Series truck and have LOTS of fun.

Is option #3 completely do-able? I know you can put a V8 into a series, I have seen it several times. I am really wondering about the viability of myself doing a frame swap - which I have also seen done, but in a shop. I need to know if I can do it, and if it would be worth the $$? I know the end result would be awesome, but I only have so much $ to spend on an old truck - you know, reality and all.
 
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smenzel

Guest
Ben, how much money do you want to spend? The more you spend, the more / better your truck will run. Keep in mind that you'll never get any of it back when you sell your truck.

You're in Portland, right? The Pacific Coast Rover Club has a lot of members in the Portland area with a lot of modified Series rigs. You might try attending some of their monthly meetings to check out what others have done and get a better idea of what the outcome of your options would feel like to drive.
 

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
I'm not a part of the club, but I am pretty well connected with the "community" of Rover owners here. I live less than a mile from Ship's mechanical... so it's really just a hang-out for me.

Anyway, I am looking to spend no more than $3k, that is why I am thinking a running, but exterior and interior runined range rover might be the answer - they are really cheap if your willing to look around. I could do most of the work - it would just be time consuming and it would eat up around $1000 after the original purchace. That's the idea at least.
 
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ISUZUROVER

Guest
Just bear in mind that budgets for these things always run over. The rangie in good mechanical condition will at least nees a full service on all the components and a lot of oil leaks fixed and other minor engine parts replaced. If you are putting the rangie running gear into the series body chassis, nothing will bolt straight in, so it sounds like you will have to pay for a lot of welding/fabricating (unless you buy a S111 stage 1 chassis in which case most things will bolt in. You will probably also have to move the series grill and radiator support forward to clear the V8, and lengthen the bonnet.
 
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LMRW

Guest
keep it in original condition, it will be worth more when the time comes to sell it!
 
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smenzel

Guest
Three grand sounds like an awful tight budget for slipping an eight cylinder and new transmission into your Series rig.

Besides, to do it right, you'll want to swap out your axles so that get the correct drive ratios. As a side benefit, you'll get coil springs and disc brakes. :)

I understand the 'original condition' argument but I honestly don't think you'll do much damage to the value of your Land Rover much by making it more driveable. The market for 'original condition' Series rigs is pretty small. Most people like them modified -- either by someone else or themselves.
 
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EricSiepmann

Guest
smenzel said:
I understand the 'original condition' argument but I honestly don't think you'll do much damage to the value of your Land Rover much by making it more driveable. The market for 'original condition' Series rigs is pretty small. Most people like them modified -- either by someone else or themselves.

What are you talking about? I am trying to find an unmolested series rig and plan on keeping it to spec. Why would I want one that someone else messed up? There's a reason that unmolested series in good condition bring top dollar. Blank canvas for your needs. Who needs another series truck pretending to be something it isn't?
 

Ron

Well-known member
Jun 15, 2004
1,820
0
Main Line
BTW a V8 and a zf auto or V8 R380 does not fit in a series 88 well at all. You basically need to put a D90 front end on which is $$$$

With the R380 you can upgrade to a 200TDi and have it bolt in.

Ron