NAS 110 #66
- Thread starter Adam
- Start date
Minor update - dropped sides & doors off for paint. Decided we're going Willow Green. Dropped off the cage and a few minor bits for fresh powder coat as well. It'll be a nice matte black.
Also decided to order a new OEM JLR frame from RN, which will take a few months to get here. It looks like we'll be rebuilding from the ground up. We'll have it galvy'd and powder coated once it arrives.
Many debates around engine have been had (Cummins, 300tdi, Chevy 292) but for now staying with the 4.6l v8. I intend to put some major miles on this and serviceability is a major priority. In a pinch, being able to roll into any shop in North America and finding a moderately easy source for parts is crucial. Going to an esoteric diesel motor defeats much of that serviceability. Preserving a bit of originality is also nice. I may revisit this decision in 5 - 10 years when the GM Crate electric motor program is more developed.
Have a 110 litre stainless steel tank on order from safari-equip.co.uk to make up for the lackluster MPG I expect to get. I've also been collecting a variety of other parts, including an ARB front bumper and the Hannibal rack / awning that Woody Woods originally ran on this defender in Hawaii. It's to be a bit of a resto-mod, but trying to stay fairly period correct as we can.
More pics to follow as disassembly continues. I imagine we'll strip it back to the bulkhead soon enough. Sounds easy, but many parts are falling apart in our hands as we go along.
The cancer on this one is pervasive.
Also decided to order a new OEM JLR frame from RN, which will take a few months to get here. It looks like we'll be rebuilding from the ground up. We'll have it galvy'd and powder coated once it arrives.
Many debates around engine have been had (Cummins, 300tdi, Chevy 292) but for now staying with the 4.6l v8. I intend to put some major miles on this and serviceability is a major priority. In a pinch, being able to roll into any shop in North America and finding a moderately easy source for parts is crucial. Going to an esoteric diesel motor defeats much of that serviceability. Preserving a bit of originality is also nice. I may revisit this decision in 5 - 10 years when the GM Crate electric motor program is more developed.
Have a 110 litre stainless steel tank on order from safari-equip.co.uk to make up for the lackluster MPG I expect to get. I've also been collecting a variety of other parts, including an ARB front bumper and the Hannibal rack / awning that Woody Woods originally ran on this defender in Hawaii. It's to be a bit of a resto-mod, but trying to stay fairly period correct as we can.
More pics to follow as disassembly continues. I imagine we'll strip it back to the bulkhead soon enough. Sounds easy, but many parts are falling apart in our hands as we go along.
The cancer on this one is pervasive.
lordhelemt
Well-known member
? on the tank. Does this fit the steel tank chassis or it a replacement for the poly tank frame?
Its being made to fit the puma spec chassis. They can make it to fit any configuration you like - give them a call during business hours.
With the JLR chassis -just know they are significantly different, but the factory stamping your VIN on the frame and associated paper trail with JLR are worth it for a collectable truck. Applaud your Willow Green decision.
RDavisinVA
Technical Excellence Contributor
Chevy 250 is reliable and pretty much maintenance free with over the counter parts support and any shop can fix it in the rare case you need a shop to do the work, but you likely knew this already.
I acknowledge and accept it in whole. It was for this very reason my worthless, yet all-encompassing clause of "Preserving a bit of originality" ( which is mostly bullshit in the context of everything else being done ) was added.
1of40
Well-known member
Rover V8’s have been good to me. I had a lot of time to think about it this weekend on a trip to meet up with some folks to cut some new trails. The truck is a daily driver (which is probably key) and it has been getting me to/from the trails, to/from work and to/from everything else our family has thrown at her since 2003. She’s now close to 200k, and cruised at 75mph for ten hours round trip with no problem. Today I gave her some fresh oil as a treat. I’ve honestly not had any problem getting parts, but to her credit she’s not needed many. Pretty much 2 fuel pumps, 2 water pumps, a rad, a heater core, a belt tensioner and a couple fan clutches.
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Bulkhead is back from chem dipping in PA. This removed all the paint and rust to prep for restoration and new floor pans, etc.
Next I'll have it repaired and vents cut into it - think I'll be going with a TD5 dash after all.
Also dipped was a rear x-member from a puma truck.
Next I'll have it repaired and vents cut into it - think I'll be going with a TD5 dash after all.
Also dipped was a rear x-member from a puma truck.
WreckITFrank
Technical Excellence Contributor
Where did you get that done? More info please. Thx.
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WreckITFrank
Technical Excellence Contributor
Thanks for sharing. That is out there.
Yeah - it's about a six hour round trip. I'm fortunate @JimC lets me use his Dodge to run parts all over the Mid Atlantic.
I'll have the shop start a pretty exhaustive restoration of the spare bulkhead that I have - and first up will be new foot wells from Rovers North. They've been a great vendor for so much of what it's going to take to get #66 back on the road. Much thanks to Zack. More bulkhead goodies arrive Friday.
hillstrubl
Founding Member
How are you going to work them with the NAS dash? Doing something different with the A/C?
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Swapping to TD5.