Hybrid build question

[gordo]

Well Im getting ready to start tearing into a hybrid project. I bought a beat up series 3 88" and have a Range Rover 89 that I plan to use for parts. Ive found some sites online with general info and read the Hybrid book but have a couple questions Im hoping that someone can answer.

A buddy has a series chassis with a 3.5 and carbs. This motor fit into the series body without moving the grill forward. This is what I prefer as I dont want a series that looks like a D90 and D90 body panels are outrageously expense over here. I speculate that it is bolted to a series transmission but is that even possible? Some say yes while others say an adapter is needed. I would love the SU carbs so I could lose the EFI but while it is cheap I dont need another series trans or anything else off the chassis for that matter and it is a take it all or leave it deal. Too expensive for just the carbs and since this is a toy I dont want to fix the trans every year.

Another website I read said to use the FC101 transmission as the bellhousing is 8 inches shorter. This should give me room to fit the grill in its standard place. Good luck finding one though. I actually know a guy with one but he wont part with it. Found one on ebayuk but 800 bucks plus shipping to US is not any cheaper than buying the D90 panels.

So that leaves me with a final option and what Im considering. Stick with the autobox, even though I prefer a manual, and move the engine/trans/tcase back about 6 inches or so. I wouldnt see why this wouldnt work and I it seems to be the cheapest option However I would have to modify the driveshafts to do that and Im not sure what that would cost, but Im sure much less than the other two options.

If anyone has any experience and is willing to lend a hand here via email/PM/etc I would appreciate. Im not keen on running electric fans as it gets EXTREMELY hot in Florida and everyone Ive known who has tried them has had problems. I dont mind hacking up the front grill to fit a rad and I could move it up slightly if necessary, but if I move it too far up the hood is going to need extending or something. Thanks in advance. Gordo

[utahdog2003]

Gordo!

Can you give a better idea of your ultimate goal? Are you looking for a way to rebody your old red 89?

I've spent the last 12 months coming to grips with the fact that I will never be comfortable with flooded Florida trails and my 03 DII and the last 6 months changing diapers and putting together the final plans and parts list for my own hybrid project. I'm scheming up a 5spd 94-95 DI, carbed with Series II or IIA bodywork, all built in Series period style. I expect some of my issues to be cooling, outrigger placement/bulkhead location and building a custom harness. It's been three years since I was comfortable wheeling in Florida, and I'm not getting any younger. The parts are gathering in my shop, so I'm interested in seeing how your plan comes together.

[gordo]

Originally Posted by utahdog2003

Gordo!

Can you give a better idea of your ultimate goal? Are you looking for a way to rebody your old red 89?

I've spent the last 12 months coming to grips with the fact that I will never be comfortable with flooded Florida trails and my 03 DII and the last 6 months changing diapers and putting together the final plans and parts list for my own hybrid project. I'm scheming up a 5spd 94-95 DI, carbed with Series II or IIA bodywork, all built in Series period style. I expect some of my issues to be cooling, outrigger placement/bulkhead location and building a custom harness. It's been three years since I was comfortable wheeling in Florida, and I'm not getting any younger. The parts are gathering in my shop, so I'm interested in seeing how your plan comes together.

Hey James, how ya been. Just because you arent wheeling doesnt mean you cant come out to the rallies ya know! Weve missed ya. Then again you know we will make you take that DII out so I understand! Seriously the FLRC is doing great and we would love to meet the new addition soon.

Yeah the red RRC is just about finished. The body is just toast and yes my ultimate goal is to make it a "relatively" cheap replacement for it. My first rover was a 66 RHD series and Ive always regreted selling it. But I love my Classic for wheeling. So a hybrid is something Ive wanted for years.


The plan is to build another frame I got for free first and get it all ready with the series body panels and then take the beast off the road/ugh trails, and finish it up. This way Im not without a wheeling vehicle for so long. My biggest concern is cooling too. I really dont want to run electric fans which is why Im probably going to stick with the auto as I figure I can move it back, engine and all, without much problem and Ive got two of them. As far as carbs go I would like to get a set of the old SUs for simplicity. Outriggers, gas tank, and the list goes on regarding concerns! For me I gotta sell an old 66 ghia to make room in the shop first, then I can start wrenching.
Email me any cool sights you may have found online. Ive got a few as well.
my email is gordon.turner at fadv.com. thanks Gordo

PS: if you havent gotten the A 4x4 is born video let me know as I got a copy I could loan ya. It is PAL format so I had to watch it on my computer. It is the building of a D100 on a RRC chassis so it gives you an idea of what is involved, albiet not comprehensive and this truck is outrageous. I personally am building a trail truck, not a pretty truck with a heavy dose of redneck engineering! Gordo

[utahdog2003]

Originally Posted by gordo

Hey James, how ya been. Just because you arent wheeling doesnt mean you cant come out to the rallies ya know! Weve missed ya. Then again you know we will make you take that DII out so I understand! Seriously the FLRC is doing great and we would love to meet the new addition soon.

Yeah the red RRC is just about finished. The body is just toast and yes my ultimate goal is to make it a "relatively" cheap replacement for it. My first rover was a 66 RHD series and Ive always regreted selling it. But I love my Classic for wheeling. So a hybrid is something Ive wanted for years.


The plan is to build another frame I got for free first and get it all ready with the series body panels and then take the beast off the road/ugh trails, and finish it up. This way Im not without a wheeling vehicle for so long. My biggest concern is cooling too. I really dont want to run electric fans which is why Im probably going to stick with the auto as I figure I can move it back, engine and all, without much problem and Ive got two of them. As far as carbs go I would like to get a set of the old SUs for simplicity. Outriggers, gas tank, and the list goes on regarding concerns! For me I gotta sell an old 66 ghia to make room in the shop first, then I can start wrenching.
Email me any cool sights you may have found online. Ive got a few as well.
my email is gordon.turner at fadv.com. thanks Gordo

PS: if you havent gotten the A 4x4 is born video let me know as I got a copy I could loan ya. It is PAL format so I had to watch it on my computer. It is the building of a D100 on a RRC chassis so it gives you an idea of what is involved, albiet not comprehensive and this truck is outrageous. I personally am building a trail truck, not a pretty truck with a heavy dose of redneck engineering! Gordo

I'll be at the Palomino event this year, but maybe in the Honda! I'm having some issues with ABS sensors, so I'm not sure I'll be willing to risk limp-home mode in 2 feet of water! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.

I've got a few books I've picked up. Most of them are sadly over-smplificated though. One on carb conversions was pretty good. I'll get the name of it to you. I did get the 4X4 Born DVD though, that was very good stuff.

Before I started this little scheme of mine I actually had to BUILD the shop!...which is why I've been absent from the last two rallys. Well, that and my pitiful fear of flooding my CD changer! Now the shop is done, tools are in their new home and I'm registering for a welding class to get my skills back up. (I did a year in a machine shop after college...need anything turned on a lathe? You supply the lathe! )

Hitting some yards this weekend to look for damaged 5speeders and keeping my fingers crossed. I might have to bite the bullet and give up on the 5 speed part, but I hope not. Jacksonville Rover pickins are slim...I need to hit up James at British 4x4.

Irony....I am contemplating selling my '71 Bug Convertible to make room for this project. I started in the car hobby with old VWs! I'm antsy to get started on this sucker and get my hands dirty...been too long since my knuckles last looked like I was the loser of some biker-bar brawl!

[gordo]

Glad youre going to Palominos. I will be there with the Red Rover. Hoping not to break anything to dip into my hybrid budget. Look forward to picking your brain a bit. Luckily one of my rover buddies is anxious to do my general welding and my Dads buddy is a master welder so he will do the chassis once I prep it all. Im good with the wrenches but not too good with a welder. Good luck with the 5 speed, Im sticking with the auto I think as I need to keep the expenses as low as possible and I think it will make it easier to retain the series "look" up front.
Me too on the VW my first car was a 68 VW. My Dad and I built it with a 1776 and duel Dellortos. I kept it for 12 yrs, then did a ground up on a Standard (German model) 51 split. That one was my baby. Won several shows vintage, then we dropped it with porsche replicas, wood slat rack, and a 1835. The purists hated me, but hey it wasnt nut and bolt and I drove the damn thing all the time. Sold it to buy my house, which is even older 1925! See you at palaminos. Gordo

[utahdog2003]

Baby got an ear infection so I missed out on the weekend, opting to play combination nurse and carpenter around the house instead. I'll compile a list of the resources I've collected to get me started on the project to date. I spoke with a fellow in ATL about a 5spd DI for sale, but the truck was too nice for a chop. The search continues...

Hope the weekend was a success!

[gordo]

Hey James, I saw a R380 and LT 230 for sale on Dweb. Not sure if you need them but I figured I would pass that along. I imagine you are probably hoping to get another truck so you have everything you need on hand but worth sharing.
BTW I just bought an Offy 4 barrell manifold and a Edelbrock 600 ( a little big I know) for mine off ebay. Im now leaning on going with the D90 front as well as my buddies are trying to convince me to keep it simple and keeping the series front does add a good bit of work and engineering. Since I just plan on wheeling the crap out of it, I dont really care that much if it looks a little like a D90 poser! By the way I just sold my Ghia and it will be out of the shop on Saturday so my project is going into the shop real soon. Hope to see you then. Later Gordo

[gordo]

James, Stephen at Safari Rovers has a manual disco with a bad motor. check the FLRC site to reach him. Gordo

[300bhp/ton]

You should be able to keep the Series front and fit the V8. The stock tranny will work (not sure about an adaptor, would need to check).

The other option would be to cut down the Range Rover chassis to 88" add a rear series crossmember and the Series body panels. You could then have a V8 powered Series with coil springs, wider track, better axles and power steering.

[utahdog2003]

Originally Posted by gordo

James, Stephen at Safari Rovers has a manual disco with a bad motor. check the FLRC site to reach him. Gordo

Thanks for the tip!

[cestes]

Gordo,

Definitely check with Stephen Peters at Safari Rover ( sales@safarirover.com ). He built my hybrid from a big pile of parts and I'm sure he'll have lots of advice for you!

-Chris-

[onslow]

Ok
1,V8 will need a adaptor plate to fit a series box not to hard to get hold of.
2,you can fit a V8 with RR or disco box auto or manual and keep the series front panel
3,you will need wide yoke propshafts to do no 2
4,the 101 bellhousing will only fit an LT95 gearbox (pre 84 RR 4 speed)

I have an 88 series Trials vehicle with a V8 and 3 speed auto fitted which works very well indeed will post some pics if I remember

[gordo]

Originally Posted by 300bhp/ton

You should be able to keep the Series front and fit the V8. The stock tranny will work (not sure about an adaptor, would need to check).

The other option would be to cut down the Range Rover chassis to 88" add a rear series crossmember and the Series body panels. You could then have a V8 powered Series with coil springs, wider track, better axles and power steering.

Thanks for the advice. Sorry I didnt make it clear but I plan on using the RRC's chassis and cutting it down. My trail toy is an 89RRC with a rusty body hence the need for something different. The issue is that unless you move the motor back in the RRC chassis it will sit in the front of the engine bay and if you move it back the oil filter needs to be moved to a remote location and it looks like the power steering is going to be in the way of the rad. Instead of going through all that, I just plan on using the D90 hood/grill. It is only going to be a toy so I need to keep it simple. Thanks again. Gordo

[gordo]

Originally Posted by cestes

Gordo,

Definitely check with Stephen Peters at Safari Rover ( sales@safarirover.com ). He built my hybrid from a big pile of parts and I'm sure he'll have lots of advice for you!

-Chris-

Hey Chris and he did an amazing job on your truck as Ive seen the photos. Luckily Peters is a good buddy of mine! Ive already bought a bunch of stuff off him and he is burning zillions of photos for me to help me along the path! Im not going to the extent you did though as this is going to be a low budget wheeling toy! (low budget being a relative term of course!!! ). Thanks Gordo

[gordo]

Originally Posted by onslow

Ok
1,V8 will need a adaptor plate to fit a series box not to hard to get hold of.
2,you can fit a V8 with RR or disco box auto or manual and keep the series front panel
3,you will need wide yoke propshafts to do no 2
4,the 101 bellhousing will only fit an LT95 gearbox (pre 84 RR 4 speed)

I have an 88 series Trials vehicle with a V8 and 3 speed auto fitted which works very well indeed will post some pics if I remember

Thanks for the advice Onslow! I wasnt aware of the 101 bellhousing needing an earlier trans! Ive got a buddy who has one in his shop but I couldnt get him to come off of it. They arent easy to find, especially here in the states. Going with the auto more than likely! Thanks again. Gordo

[p76rangie]

If you are looking for something off-road, I would not be shortening the Rangie chasis to 88 inches, I would be getting a long wheelbase Rear and shortening it to 100 Inches, or getting a series Ute cab and putting a tray up the back. 100 to 110 inch wheel bases have proved to be ideal for off road. 88 inch is too short.

[p76rangie]

This is a friends 100 inch Hybrid.

[300bhp/ton]

Originally Posted by p76rangie

If you are looking for something off-road, I would not be shortening the Rangie chasis to 88 inches, I would be getting a long wheelbase Rear and shortening it to 100 Inches, or getting a series Ute cab and putting a tray up the back. 100 to 110 inch wheel bases have proved to be ideal for off road. 88 inch is too short.

That depends on the nature of the off roading.

100" has proven to be pretty much ideal in many cases, however it's simply to BIG to go where an 80" trialer does.

[p76rangie]

300BHP, I was talking about going off road rather than attempting to turn a tight corner without stopping on a trials course.

[300bhp/ton]

Originally Posted by p76rangie

300BHP, I was talking about going off road rather than attempting to turn a tight corner without stopping on a trials course.

Its all OFF ROADING so don't get yourself in a huff.

BTW if you like you can remove your head from your arse aswell then maybe it'll stop you talking so much crap.

[p76rangie]

300BHP, i suppose when you have nothing constructive to say, just throw insults.

[300bhp/ton]

Originally Posted by p76rangie

300BHP, i suppose when you have nothing constructive to say, just throw insults.

Truth hurts does it?

Well you just stick with your 520lb ft @ 1600rpm Rover 4.4 then