RobertDingli

April 23

I’ll probably take the L322 but possibly the D2

El Chapomint · April 23

I’m hoping to Join with the D2

April 18

We have provisionally booked a cheap room at the nearby Super8 motel.

April 15

15 hours ago, Mffoster said:

Leigh Anne and I are planning on attending the Pacific Coast Rover Club PNW Land Rover Rally over Memorial Day weekend. Jesse Combs has been talking it up and it sounds like a fun time. Anyone else thinking of going?

https://www.anarc.club/pnw-rally

I am trying to figure out how to get there with the family. Do you know if there are hotel options for accomodation?

Tyler Mattson · April 5

Moab trip report days 1&2 - Getting there

We split the 1000 mile journey into two halves and stayed at Spencer Hot Springs last night. As I got to camp, I noticed the battery light was on just as we got there. It’s partially hidden by my Scangauge and may have been on for a while. I was carrying a sore and swapped it over in no time. I started the engine and the battery voltage was about 12.8V. A little low, but then the battery may have been quite flat.

In the morning we started to line up to leave, when Sasha said that his D2 wouldn’t start. It would not crank. The security system had been tripped (possibly due to the hood being open) and we had to reset the system by locking and unlocking the doors. We tried this several times and it was clear that it wasn’t the problem. The next thought was something to do with the PRNDL lever, but there were no tell tale signs of faulty XYZ switch and the gear was correctly show on the dash.

We traced the starter circuit through the fuse and relay and down to the starter motor. I was carrying a spare starter and was preparing to swap it out. In desperation I asked Mike to give the starter a whack with a hammer. He used a screw driver handle as a mallet and it worked. The engine fired straight up after and thump to the starter solenoid.

The next adventure was my replacement, used alternator. This had come of my parts truck and I did not have any issues with it previously. For this trip, the regulator was partially working at the best of times and switching on and off and slowly draining the battery (fortunately it’s a dispose deep cycle unit). I managed to drive the distance and got as low 10.5 V before the alternator kicked in just as we drove into town. I have a replacement ordered which should arrive at O’Reilly’s tomorrow.

We had a nice dinner at Zax and finally scrubbed up before a night cap at the cabin.

LR4HD · March 30

Engine weight comparison.

Fully dressed LS engine weight about 5% or 15 kg / 33 lbs more than the rover 3.9.

Both of the measurements below include the weight of (similar) engine stands.

LS 213kg + 5kg for the AC vompressor

Rover 203kg

March 30

Some recent updates

The gear box and transfer case are mounted in the vehicle. I modified the rear mounts to move the bellhousing further forward to give more clearance to the firewall.

March 30

On 3/10/2024 at 10:30 PM, Jethro said:

Well more progress on the brakes and started painting body panels...

Need to order a few more parts then off to the races!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How much space will this steering box location leave to the axle? From the angle of this photo, it looks like the pitman arm will double as a bump stop.

So...Yoder · March 29

On 3/6/2024 at 11:19 AM, Kevin Yankton said:

Hey Robert, when do you think you will have your first test start?

Cheer,

Kevin

A test start with no cooling, heater, AC, driveshafts or exhaust and only the fuel system and wiring connected it possible in May. I have the Moab trip and then another trip back to Melbourne to occupy nearly all of April.

SDS · March 19

I hope to make it for the 23-24th. I only checked the forum today and will have to make arrangements.

SDS · March 19

My current plan is take take the period of April 3 to April 10 as vacation. I’ll drive to Moab over two days (April 3 and 4) and stay at the campground in a cabin for 5 nights April 4 to 9. The drive home April 9 and 10.

yokrieger · February 26

I’ve taken a little break from the restomod while I travel for work. I’ve been lucky enough to work on a project in my home town of Melbourne, Australia.

While here, I visited Les Richmond Automotive (@lesrichmondautomotive on IG). The business owner, Andrew, showed me around a few of their current projects. They specialise in LS conversions to Land Rovers, from old classics, Defenders and Disco 1 and 2s. They also do interior and exterior work in house. The quality of their work is inspiring.

January 26

6 hours ago, Mr.BlueSky said:

Wow! Bravo! Nicely done Robert!

The progress is looking great. I love the home brew machine shop.

Also... I think you may now have as many vice grips as a body shop.

Still debating on dropping the LS3 vs. 4.2L into Snowflake when the time comes. One the on side, I've been a fan of the LS3, on the other hand, there is a fully rebuilt 4.2L ready to go in the donor truck...

Of course, watching along intently as this is turning out to be a good guide for the future!

You do have a spare ZF 4HP24 sitting in your yard, but I guess you will probably go with a 6L80.

yokrieger · January 25

New Ashcroft transfer case painted to match transmission and bell housing

1.003 high range ratio

300M internal components

ATB differential

LR4HD · January 25

Finished bell housing photos

Mr.BlueSky · January 25

Making the 1” transmission spacer plate

LR4HD · January 25

Back to the powertrain. Time to mate the engine to the gearbox. I started with a custom bell housing cast and machined in Australia. However, this required some work to recess the trans bolt mounting holes, removal of some excess material and a DIY spacer plate to allow fitment of the D2 torque converter.

Mr.BlueSky · January 25

The final result. Note that I also refinished the transmission tunnel in matt black.

Mr.BlueSky · January 25

May as well refinish the whole engine bay.

LR4HD · January 25

Next was the engine bay. I had a spot of serious rust under the battery location. In the end I needed to cut out the whole section and replace.

LR4HD · January 25

Frame cleaned and repainted inside and out. I also painted the inside of the sills. I used Eastwood products including their 2 pack frame paint. Note that this was particularly toxic and I should have taken more care. I had a nasty reaction to where the paint got into my skin, eyes and lungs and took a week to recover.

Hopefully all to Don’s expectations.

January 25

On 11/30/2023 at 4:34 AM, So...Yoder said:

What power steering pump is that?

Camaro

Mr.BlueSky · January 24

Wouldn’t miss it for the world. See you there.

Mr.BlueSky · January 19

Sadly, I will miss this epic trip this year. The Shaver trips over the last several years have been most enjoyable.

December 2, 2023

Leaving South Bay now. ETA at the brewery 11.20-30

There’s a suggestion to head out to get the trees and then have lunch. Unless otherwise contacted, we will aim to meet at the brewery and head to the trailhead as soon the three confirmed participants have met.

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