Overland110
Member
I'm actively searching for a project 110 and lurking on the forum trying to soak up as much info as possible. I think my project needs might be a bit different(or maybe not) than some of the other posters so I thought I'd ping the group to get your expertise on how best to proceed with securing a base vehicle for my project. Quick background: I'm planning to build out a 5 door 110 as a daily driver. I live in Colorado and the vehicle will spend most of its life at elevation, in mixed use for light overland trips, 4wd roads, getting to remote trailheads, highway, etc. This will not be a rock crawler. I've got the drivetrain pretty much sorted and hopefully I don't offend any of the purists out there but it will look like Cummins 2.8 swap, R380(slightly reworked), LT230(slightly reworked), existing front/rear differentials(slightly reworked). This will by no means be a heritage rebuild but there will be very few systems left untouched in this project. Likely the frame will get swapped for galvanized. Most all of the work will be done by me. I've got the time and the background.
So.... here is my dilemma. For most of the vehicles I've seen the sellers' have put a premium on the engine running, drivetrain in decent shape, etc. I get this but given the amount of work I'm going to do I care a bit less about that. The last few I've looked at literally were so rotten that all doors, pillars, sills, and bulkhead were beyond repair. All needed full replacement. I'm very familiar with the Rover history for rust and not expecting anywhere near a rust free body but there have to be better solutions out there than what I've been seeing to date. Maybe this is just the way it in in defender-land but hard to swallow paying almost $30K in some cases for what will amount to a VIN, Rear Tub, 2 axles, and a Transfer Case.
If you were starting a project like mine, what kind of vehicle would you be looking for? What are reasonable expectations that I should have? Is there anyone out there that has option(s) that might fit? etc. LHD preferred but RHD OK as well. Also R380 preferred but I can swap out the LT77 if necessary. Looking forward to creating a build post once I get going. Thanks All!
So.... here is my dilemma. For most of the vehicles I've seen the sellers' have put a premium on the engine running, drivetrain in decent shape, etc. I get this but given the amount of work I'm going to do I care a bit less about that. The last few I've looked at literally were so rotten that all doors, pillars, sills, and bulkhead were beyond repair. All needed full replacement. I'm very familiar with the Rover history for rust and not expecting anywhere near a rust free body but there have to be better solutions out there than what I've been seeing to date. Maybe this is just the way it in in defender-land but hard to swallow paying almost $30K in some cases for what will amount to a VIN, Rear Tub, 2 axles, and a Transfer Case.
If you were starting a project like mine, what kind of vehicle would you be looking for? What are reasonable expectations that I should have? Is there anyone out there that has option(s) that might fit? etc. LHD preferred but RHD OK as well. Also R380 preferred but I can swap out the LT77 if necessary. Looking forward to creating a build post once I get going. Thanks All!