honitonhobbit

3.9 Litre Isuzu lump Attached to an LT85 and an LT230 with 1.22:1 - what's it worth? Just how good is this lump?

Mayhap it's time to look at the whole non road legal class and approach Alexander Price Ltd (or similar) for a blanket quotation on TPL This is your big conundrum with non MSA involvement - get the MSA involved and eventually kill the sport because of the scrutineeering requirement but get event TPL

Allowing for the fact that the insurance is no longer valid if the vehicle is not legal and neither is the MOT so what you have is a taxed, un MOT'd and uninsured vehicle. As to the law around Wellington/Bamton etc all your VOSA man has to do is read this forum or check out the internet I can just see the happy smiling faces and here the chuckles of joy

Nige don't forget the other constrictions that form the possible requirement for an SVA - especially engine output. I suspect that your motor puts out more than the 25% over the most powerful Type Approved engine fitted to a Defender. However if the DVLA are happy and have returned your log book with the uprated engine listed on the V% then you are home and dry

I was going to then the guy I was dealing with in Alberkerkweee (sp) went up and and died. Had all the import sorted as well. Never mind such is life

Will, I have a welder and I live about and hours brisk drive from you. I have most tools for the job - especially when Bish returns my chop saw. You have cake. We could work something out here

For overland advice your first stop should always be OEC International - the big difference with them is they really do have the experience! If you are thinking overland then you need stuff that doesn't go wrong - the two best readily available kits are OME (wash my mouth out for my words) and TJM. The latter is the best. The best springs full stop are Eibach, closely followed by Dobinsons with King on the tail If you buy matched kits you will have no worries with accidental dislocation but if you mix and match - say OME and Pro-comp you will need to retain or relocate. A +2" Pro-comp has far more travel than say a +2" OME shock. Pro comp springs are good but not beefy enough for heavy loads Britpart yellows are excellent and like TJM are progressive so give a better overall ride over moderate rough stuff Shocks with remote resevoirs are better for heavy duty applications as they cool thier oil better - OME make some superb LR fitment remote units for a fair price Bilstiens and Gabriels are both excellent day to day shocks - especially for road and track work. Change your bushes - only one sensible option; SuperPro 60 K three year warrantee As I say, ring Anton or Paul at OEC listen to thier advice, then ring up a few others - you will end up back at OEC!

Procomp ES9000 shocks - do the job at a sensible price TJM springs - like OME just better SuperPro bushes (far superior to polybush and you get that warrantee

Freelander Mk1 superb off road and as JU says it certainly surprises people! RRC Hybrids - was only talking to Nick W about my old hybrid this evening - any of you old off roaders remember Bengy? Awesome truck. As for cutting teeth - I cut mine on an 80" with a 1600cc side valve, RTV trialling at 14, then moved up to an 86" with a 3ltr Ford V6 in it. I still believe that leaf springs are the way to go if done right but the RRC was the most capable 'out of the box' off roader ever built )not the most reliable and certainly not the best), anyone that has driven one in anger will agree

Good point - the 'mille' and the Cevenol can be tough as can the C'Blanche. Having said that they are all capable in a fairly stock truck. Allow for things like chains for the CB and a winch is more than useful. A good knowledge of working french is a must - so when you are stuck on the Micado (CB section) and the sun has set, you will know how to thank the Taliban (marshals) for getting your bottom out of a sling. Try thses guys - we met them a few years back in the Auvergne http://land-legende.monsite.wanadoo.fr/

Croisierre Blanche (sp) Triangle Vert Mille Riviers Trophee Cevenol are all good http://www.grands-randonneurs-motorises.com/ is where you start - these guys are so organised they make the UK off road scene look like what it really is! There are loads of other smaller Randonees that you will need to approach at club level but the GRM are the way in there as well

Sorry John you don't win the Kewpie doll! RRC in standard form is truly awesome and will leave a standard S3 by the off road side

Less than an hour though!

Les My 110 axles was an '87 model. It failed comprehensively at 200K/20 years whilst left foot breaking under heavy throttle with 33" aggressive tyres. Land Rover would not replace it so I rebuilt it with some fairly HD CVs, some Ashcroft half shafts ( from Pete Rowe) and a 2 pinion 24 spline diff. I did have a 4 pinion but I wanted and easy replaceable 'fuse' in the system that was still stronger than normal. It has worked well so far

If I had said they were 60 or 40 series you would have come up with something different Take a peak at a grey import jap spec 2.0ltr Hi-lux MK1 But the money says it's a BJ70 or 71 imported into the UK as a Prado from '84 to the early '90's Steering is correct as is the ARB and the rear diff strengthening fins Been wrong before though!

Jase, If you compare them side by side you will have to agree that the Mitsi is sightly less ugly

Checked with a few folks at work today - straw pole on the D3. Including a couple of guys who do 70K a year in one. M and F opinions, all ages, 25 people asked - all professional types D3 is pug ugly D3 is even uglier tha a Mitsi Shogun D3 is uncomfortable D3 drinks more than a thirsty drunk at a wine tasting party DS is possibly the most unreliable thing since the Edsel - more unreliable than an early P38 There were some positive comments - albeit one was "Thank **** it's being replaced soon!" Also checked with few people who know Chris - all agree his tape measure has stretched

Hi-lux or early Prado grey import - sort of a 70 series thing with a crappy 2.0TD in it

Make life simple go for a Ford V6 - say a 2.9 lump from a Scorpio. Donor car is cheap, engine is a hoot but not a complete Series gear box killer and it fits well in a left hooker. Adaptors are still easy to find, minimal silencing makes a noise like a banshee on speed and helium

Might I suggest then that you sell the TD before it goes bang and put the cash towards a V8

Chris - your tape measure is stretched

James, I have a spare one in the loft - good quality as it's Graco. I have to say I admire your acceptance of your lack of height - always remember that many short people have gone on to greatness; Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, Alexander the Great and Chris Watts

Wozzer, Firstly sorry for not dropping in last week - I have loads of excuses but I will be dropping in one day! Secondly don't bother with anyone around Bridgy, give Paul a ring at OEC International, whip down to Kingstiegnton, have a browse round the shop and a chat to Anton whilst a proper old school mechanic sorts out your issue, then take a drive back through Newton Abbott as this will show you there are worse places than Cannington on a Saturday night.

Simon should run the country

Don't if you want more power intercool it and have it mildly tweaked by a professional. These engines do not like to run hot which equates to rich