Rich_P

Depends how strong you are and how much you're willing to risk the steering box going bang if you heave the wheel at standstill. Choice of tyres entirely depends on the terrain you're likely to encounter. I favour narrow skinny tyres, others like to go as monster-truck sized as possible.

Parabolics often give a mild lift. Further to this the military 109 chassis have extended spring hangers and shackles (as do One Ton examples). For a big lift, you could consider putting the springs over the axle rather than them remaining underneath. The problem with any lift however, is that it affects your centre of gravity. I would suggest you seriously consider whether or not it is worth the extra time and expense to go beyond the parabolic "lift". As for disc brakes. I don't know much about these conversion kits. From what little I've gathered from people I know who have looked into it, it is very very expensive. It's something I've never felt would be a problem - but I tend not to have my 88 axle deep in mud or silt.

I'm undecided on parabolic springs for generic use - springs have been a big problem for Series motors in the past few years. The availability of decent new springs dried up to the point of people recommending to re-use old original springs as they were still better than the new poor quality ones. Fortunately it looks like this is starting to change (at last). My understanding is that parabolics can improve articulation as there is less metal to twist and rub compared to the design of a standard leaf spring. I think the best setup for ultimate leaf-sprung articulation is parabolics with revolver shackles.

The only "problem" I have found with the leaf sprung suspension is how uncomfortable some lanes can be if they're very very rocky.

Except, last I was aware, LR are now starting to sell Britpart parts in the LR box.

Just a thought. The 200TDi features a thermostat in the oil filter housing to the oil cooler, doesn't it? Won't it then need to get the oil hot enough to open the thermostat before the cooler will fill with oil?

For Carbs, I suppose you could always try a twin choke, if you really wanted to play about with that sort of thing?

No - they will still demand written evidence from the garage who did the conversion. Home mechanics do not fall into their equation. You'll have to resort to getting it inspected by a garage who then will produce a letter that you can send off with the V5C attached.

I'll take it you despise the earlier motors that have no such things then?

I saw your post over in the Members Motors section, and saw you had posted the question here as well. Assuming it's the 2.25 Diesel (it should be if it is factory spec), expect between 27 and 35 miles to the gallon. An overdrive would be of great benefit if you got one fitted - makes 50mph far more comfortable and allows one to travel at 60mph if they want without revving the engine. Where is this Lightweight located at the moment? I don't think the UK ever used Diesel powered Lightweight? I do know some foreign countries did run them with diesel engines though. Maybe it's an export model?

It's a tactic the DVLA have adopted as of the past few months. I got the letter when I tried changing my engine fuel type from petrol to heavy oil. Because I am aware of one or two who didn't get a letter, I've sent it off again with just the correction and shall see what happens. Why they are doing this I am not sure. The DVLA don't carry any risk at all, that's for the insurance companies! Nothing to do with trying to employ more civil servants is it?

As the above post says, the Defender grill panel will fit with minor alterations (drilling new holes for bolts etc.). But if you could, it may be worth advising him to keep the front end standard - even if it is just for vehicle value. If people want a Series they tend to want it to look like a Series oddly enough.

The 2.25 diesel will be stop cable. There should be a choke-like handle somewhere on the dash that you pull, this will close the stop valve and stop any further fuel reaching the engine.

Can you zinc/galvanise and then powder coat?

What is the ideal location and positioning for fog lights? I'm considering getting some fitted to my 88 - been through too many instances of heavy fog over the past few months to want to go without in future.

And don't forget to post photos! Some of us like photos.

I saw over on the LROi website that they have put up a link to this newspaper article. It is one of the most biased pieces I have read in a while - no mention of what damage is done to footpaths by rambling. Anyway. Is this just a one off thing or is more to come? More importantly, are items like this true? Thoughts?

That's cool.

Oh.

Like in the example given by Les? The seal is called an "O-Ring", right?

It's a straight forward job. There's an O-ring in them - behind the drive flange.

Don't think any 2.25 Diesels ever had that though? Only the late petrol rocker covers?

They're strong engines. You might get away with it, although if it stopped because it overheated I'd be tempted to inspect the big end shells and maybe the main bearing shells too - at the very least. You'll know if a piston ring goes, it'll lose compression on the cylinder and maybe start running poorly with increased oil consumption. Although a head gasket can go if an engine has overheated - two vehicles I know (although not LR engines) did this after getting a bit too warm (didn't get to the point of seizing through overheating though).

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBXYbYjQbTA Don't think it mentions it, but it also didn't have any oil. Lasted quite a long time given it was doing somewhere around 9,000 rpm.

And it is highly likely you will need to alter the chassis for the body, or make some really really fancy brackets. The body of the 88 and 109 are held together and to a chassis in a completely different way to the Range Rover and Discovery.