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chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
Maybe I missed it but there is not a ready-to-go "kit" for this, right? As I understand it, this conversion is still a lot of fabbing, non-LR drivetrains, etc.
 

Jeff B

Well-known member
Maybe I missed it but there is not a ready-to-go "kit" for this, right? As I understand it, this conversion is still a lot of fabbing, non-LR drivetrains, etc.

That is my understanding after seeing some of Uncle Doug's work on the Beta.
But I think it's Cummins--->beefyR380--->LT230 for now, right?
So all Rover after the engine.


.
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
Kit should be avail soon.
Delay is on me. Need to insure the mods we made to the cooling system components
fit perfectly before ordering quantity. Kits will be offered with or without the special sauce radiator and intercooler.
Once we have finalized any tweaks the components will be stocked and available from a favorite retailer.
DIYers will need to purchase their own engine from Cummins, and transmission (no bell housing) and tcase from Ashcroft.

2 of the next three on our calendar are to get a/c as well. One will also utilize the Ministry of Defender retro fit puma dash with his new integrated a/c and heat system on a South African built truck we converted to lhd.
Lots to do around here.


Still focused on getting some of these other trucks out
of here. Three tithonus v8 conversions. Two were ground up builds with all steel galvanized.
There is a light in the tunnel, just hope its not another train.
 
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Overlander

Well-known member
Callsign: KM4BOR
.. One will also utilize the Ministry of Defender retro fit puma dash with his new integrated a/c and heat system on a South African built truck we converted to lhd.
this is the exact way I'm going Doug. Look forward to seeing that build details
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
Just a heads up, the $7500 sale price avail through Alloy and Grit, Expedition Portal, and directly from Cummins ends June 30th and the price goes back to 9k.
 

LostChord

Well-known member
Looks like the MSRP for the R2.8 has dropped to $7700 ?


UD, are you busy :)
 

Overlander

Well-known member
Callsign: KM4BOR
Looks like the MSRP for the R2.8 has dropped to $7700 ?


UD, are you busy :)
outstanding. keeps getting better
 

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
What's the current state of these conversions? I noticed that the Quickdraw doesn't appear to include motor mounts. Are those something that builders have to work out for themselves? What about all of the other ancillary hookups? Power steering, cooling, etc?
 

Z.G

Well-known member
So very tempting...
What's the current state of these conversions? I noticed that the Quickdraw doesn't appear to include motor mounts. Are those something that builders have to work out for themselves? What about all of the other ancillary hookups? Power steering, cooling, etc?

That's sort of the holdback for me. Many of these companies that do the swaps want to control the kits going into the trucks in house, as not to deal with DIY people that complain, have issues, can't work around things, etc. I don't blame them.
 

haru182

Active member
And Chad's deal is unbeatable. I bought all that crap separately and paid 1k more for just the engine so yeah, killer deal.
 
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Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
So very tempting...


That's sort of the holdback for me. Many of these companies that do the swaps want to control the kits going into the trucks in house, as not to deal with DIY people that complain, have issues, can't work around things, etc. I don't blame them.
Exactly. Given the different floor configurations etc, frame side mounts vary with install. we bolt the engine,trans,and transfer case together and install as an assembly. We mount the trans and transfer case first. There's a fair amount of skill set required. The engine clears the bulkhead footwells by appx 3/8ths on either side. I spent 3.5 hrs fabricating a left side trans side mount yesterday that lines up with the bolt on frame side mount perfectly. I'm custom making these for each install,one mount @ a time. We mount the trans and tcase and then lift the engine as high as possible in the engine bay. We then put the hood back on to make sure we have a 1\2 or so clearance underneath before welding frame side engine mounts. Not interested in producing these, letting Chad put them out there, and have folks with no skills, or abilities, and superior knowledge gained on the internet,complain or trash on the internet.

Installation of a R2.8 into a defender requires the ability to cut and weld 3/16 steel. If you can do that, you don't need me to make mounts for you.

Robert has a terms and conditions contract that prospects have to sign before he will sell them a 250 or 292 kit. Totally necessary since you have zero control over someone's lack of mechanical ability, and contrasting ego. Love Robert like a brother, but not interested in being in that business. There's a reason he drinks more than I do.

Truly zero upside for us.

More to loose than to be gained.

Uhh.. big update coming soon.
Loose lips sink ships.
 
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terryjm1

Well-known member
It is great there are folks on both sides of this, like Doug who handle the project from start to finish but also supply components when it makes sense, and like Robert who like to produce parts for those that only prefer a hands on approach but do not necessarily have all the skills required to fabricate things and overcome the less than obvious. It is a shame there are those that make legal agreements necessary.

I really like the R2.8 and if someone offered a complete kit I’d be interested. However, with some help from a friend, I’d also tackle a project like this with available parts and fabricate what isn’t available. I’ll admit, sometimes I get in over my head but I have a quick learning curve and friends with good fabrication skills. When I was 16 years old a retired engineer with the most amazing machine shop helped me put a Toyota 22R engine in an MGB. it wasn’t a terribly challenging project. The Toyota drivetrain was not radically different than the MG. However, all of the mounts were fabricated, oil pan modified, driveshaft custom built, and much more In his shop. I did 95 percent of the labor, he did 95 percent of the engineering and machine work. He was retired and just filling his days. We took on several projects before I went away to college.

I totally get where Doug and Robert are coming from, certainly not retired and just filling their days. However, reading these and other forums, I have gained a wealth of knowledge, just enough to get myself in over my head on another project, someday probably an R2.8 repower. I’m a fan of many different vehicles and over the years participated in many forums. I will say, I see more of the “unpleasant” communications on the Land Rover forums, compared to others. However, they are still a small percentage.

I was really into TR8s, still have one. There is a guy that built a lot of custom stuff for them and other Triumphs for 30 plus years, well known in the TR world. I cant recall a single negative thing said / written about him or any of his products.

I will be looking to source what is available and fabricate what isn’t. The R2.8 is just too good to not pursue. Just the information shared by Doug in this thread alone offers very helpful insight. Thanks for sharing! For now, I’m still working through the 200 and 300TDI projects.
 
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