Terryh

The mounts for the gbx are handed so can't get them on wrong side, heights would all be wrong, thanks for the suggestion. I've had a good look back through photos of when I took it all to bits and reckon the engine mounts are too far forward. as Snagger says. Backed this up with a test fit of the bulkhead and the bell housing to gearbox flange was too far forward relative to the bulkhead. Going to re-drill the holes in the engine mount brackets as far back as I can allowing room to fit the nut underneath. I will still need to slot the transfer box mounts forward by 10mm but reckon it will all fit by then and whats 10mm in Land Rover tolerances.....

I have a 1997 300tdi 90 that I am fitting a Richards chassis too, taking time to do a good job and spent a lot of time cleaning and painting as I go. A big day came today and I went to refit the engine and gearbox assembly to the chassis... and it doesn't fit. With engine mount bolts in their holes, the mounts on the transfer box sit a good inch forward of the holes. I can't see and adjustment in crossmember that would make up this distance. Other than elongating the 4 holes to make it all fit I can't think what to do. Anyone got any other ideas? Cheers.

Ok so gave jacking the bulkhead apart a go and it worked. Lifted the bulkhead and fitted the bolt at the drivers side. Used a small bottle jack, some wood to prevent any damage and with some fiddling got the passenger bolt through. There was a bit of creaking as the bulkhead flexed but nothing to worry about. Just need to get it off again and paint it now! Thanks for all the replies 👍

So seems my mistake was welding in the new footwells with the bulkhead off the chassis. Didn't think about it at the time and I also had the chassis stored somewhere else whilst I worked on the bulkhead. I think I will try and spread the legs of the bulkhead to make it fit. I don't have a hi-lift jack so will need to have a think about how I will do it. Will be another 10days or so until I get back to having some time to work on it again so in the meantime any other ideas gratefully received.

Hello all, Been an avid reader on here for a few years and always found it to be a great source of guidance and inspiration so thank you all very much. I own a '97 90 300tdi that I am in the process of a complete rebuild onto a galvanised Richards Chassis. Attempted to fit the bulkhead to it yesterday.... only to find the bulkhead doesn't fit :-( The holes in the chassis are 12mm further apart than the holes at the bottom of the bulkhead A pillars. The bulkhead is the original item although I have welded in new footwells and had it galvanised. Whilst never expecting a perfect fit, 12mm does seem to be a bit much to force the A pillars apart to make it fit. Wondering if anyone has come across a similiar problem and can offer any guidance as to whats best to do? Chassis measures 1505 mm hole center hole to center. Bulkhead measures 1493 hole to hole center.

I ran a 54plate golf with DSG from new to +80k miles and never had any issues with it. Thought it was a great gbx in auto or flappy paddle mode. Having said that at the same time I knew of an Audi A3 with same gbx/engine combo that suffered at times from delayed/stuttery take off from stop. I drove it a couple of times and never noticed it myself but owner did take it back to dealer a couple of times. Sorry for the conflicting views on it but bear in mind it was a long time ago, no idea how much they have changed since then. Cheers.

Another yes from me. I've ran Dakar's for 3 years now, 265/75/16's. Done about 8000mls and no obvious signs of wear although I haven't measure tread depth. Yes a litlle noisey compared to more road bias tyres but expected that. Fine in dry, no problem for me in wet either. Truck does squirm a bit under heavy braking but par for size of tyre I think?

I used the carpet set from paddocks, fitted fine with a little trimming albeit basic and it does not cover the top of the seat box. http://www.paddockspares.com/tr650-carpet-set-defender-300tdi-with-r380-gearbox.html