Gazzar

I'm buying an electric winch to use primarily as a trailer recovery winch - mounted on the trailer. I'm going to have it demountable so that I can put it on the front or back of the 109 for slow self recovery situations (muddy gateways, rather than challenge events). It occurred to me that it might make more sense to orient the winch on it's end, rather on the flat, as it might allow the winch to be mounted in more ways. I'm planning on mounting the winch on a dixon bate slider to allow it to be fitted to the adjustible drop plate on the rear crossmember, and on a removable drop plate over the front bumper. Leaving aside the good sense of the idea is there any technical reason why a winch won't work on end? Lubrication? Untidy winding of the cable?

Result! Thanks for reporting back. G.

No way! Proper Petrol only. I don't do crazy miles, depreciation isn't a factor, but I might want to go on the Eurostar someday so LPG is OUT. For now.... G.

It also depends on the documentation, is it registered? Is there difficulty registering such vehicles in france? Is the engine on the registration? These things can cost money to get right legally, so factor that in as well. The less legal, the less money.

One place to start would be to talk to the guys who do re-maps for diesels - they'd have an idea as to the chips programmers and the like used. From my standpoint I've looked into re-mapping the Volvo D5 - apparently it is a simple matter to go from 160 to 200 BHP and to and from 350 to 400 torque things - the main players for that engine are MTP and RICA, as well as Volvo themselves. Perhaps an email to the UK agent may get some pointers? The interesting thing about this Volvo D5 engine is that it is used in marine applications, so someone has already "de-car"ed the ECU. I think it was Penta Marine, again, a quick email may be of value? For me? I'm going to fit a Rover v8 petrol into my Vapour build 109 SW. I don't need economy, but I like simple torquey engines. and I think a megasquirted 3.9 fits the bill.

It's a shame. The family car is a Volvo, powered by a 5 cyl vnt diesel turbo, the D5. Reliable, powerful, torquey, economical, smooth (for a diesel), compact. It looks like great powerplant for a Defender, but there is no way the existing electronics would allow it to happen, as is, even changing the seats needs access to the on board diagnostics. As I see it the MegaRail would have to be able to hit the ground running Mo Farah style to run a modern CRD For one thing, the injectors can fire up to 7 times per cycle in these engines. To get an off the shelf product to that would take 20 years of research to be done in one or two years. Perhaps if the MegaRail was to focus on getting a first gen CR engine work then the knowledge base would be out there allowing evolution. If the wizards focused on the VW or the PSA CR engines of 2000, and get them running then MR could grow from there. Shame Volvo never let LR use the D5 in the discovery and defender ranges. G.

You could try moving the door forward first, before you grind the catch. UNscrew the door bolts a little bit and move the door forward. G.

I'll get some pics up someday. I asked a friendly mechanic for an old cv boot and he gave me a bag of them. I found one that looked ok, and fitted it. I had to put a bit of black water pipe over the lever to make it fit the driveshaft hole, but it worked fine.

Could you shim it out a bit? Perhaps a few slips from a coke can, or, I dare say, a Beer can? On my Di everything rattles, except the o/d lever, though I used a CV boot as a gaiter, so that may account for it.

Err, a truck cab roof with windows? I'm just in from the Christmas party so am struggling...... Do you mean a pick-up type roof, or a hard top covering the whole back? Do you mean the little windows along the middle of the side of the roof? Alpine windows, they are called. Also, little thing, whereabouts are you in the world? - your location isn't shown on your post. G.

I wonder would it ruck up and move about with a trolley jack?

That does look appealing. The garage range looks good. I wonder how it would cope with trolley jacks, axle stands and the like?

Devastation. I'm very sorry to see that. I was enjoying the build, stealing ideas for mine. You must be heart broken. When you've recovered your spirits, please take some positives= 1) The roof never distorted - that is a testament to your skills. 2) No one got physically hurt. 3) The land rover wasn't in the shed. Wishing you the best, and very much looking forward to the rebuild. G.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Locking-Aluminium-Fuel-Filler-Cap-Kit-Car-Motorsport-Race-Complete-Kit-RD2440-/331059198972?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d14aa7bfc may also work?

I don't think so. Not from LR, but you should investigate something from the kit car part suppliers, or from the classic mini scene - locking fuel caps should be available with a bit of safe and sensible bodging. G.

Well, my gas guzzling Landrover is now 32 years old and still a viable for of transport. In that time the saxo would have to have been replaced, say 4 times. Economical, my arse. PS when electic engines become viable I shall be ditching the current engine (recycled diesel) for a whizzy electric/hydrogen/fission/flux capacitor powerplant and driving it for another 33 years (anti-aging technology permitting).

Damn, That's the stuff I've got - I've been topping up the sleepers with it.

Done - "loss of heritage, cars of my youth" etc, etc. G.

I think it's ok - if the gearbox is in neutral then the propshaft would turn the internal differential in the transfer box and thus the output gear of the mainbox, wouldn't it? If you engage diff lock, or have the main box in gear then I don't think the prop should be able to move. G.

Our local DIY sells it, here in Gloucestershire. Well, it's called Creosote, and smells like it. Are there different types? G.

Assuming it's the LR version of a R380, yes.

And, if needs be, get it re-cored with a larger surface area. Though I don't think the Isuzu diesels run all that hot. G.

I'd do the frost plugs as well. Doddle to do when out, but PITA if in! G.

Scotchblocks are the work of the devil. I'd use them, but only if I was actually at risk of death if I couldn't get going otherwise. Mind you, with a good crimp tool, good quality conectors and non sticky PVC tape you can refurbish most hacked about looms. But, as you say, a new loom is a small investment for a good vehicle, afterall what's £400 compared with the cost of a set of tyres, or a timing belt change for a modern car? G.

Exactly - where did the smoke get out from? Unmolested looms are fairly robust, it's the older cloth looms, and where someone has been mucking about, where trouble comes from. G.