Dariusbez

Well, the temperature outside here is a rough 37 degress, add 5 degrees for humidity! So, eventhough I am very impressed, I will not be considering that, maybe use it to run a ammonia absorpyion type system...mmmm....

Thanks Si, Have you done a bulkhead before? Or know of anyone that has? Unfortunately Im in SA, just looking to see what alternatives there are to galvanising and painting (and I must say I do think that it would look great on a bulkhead), Imagine everyone's envy - over here no-one that I know of has ever done it or even heard about it - ooh, i need to build one soon! Only problem: Not much garage space, and no time!

Google? Jokes, thanks you guys are really helpful! Will let you know when/if I build anything interesting - busy boy lately with too many other projects!

Thanks, Now I just need to see how much they cost here in SA!

Sorry, excuse my ignorance: Pirate? and Ready Welder?

Thanks, The reason I think that it could be a home job is that I've heard of people doing their own, so it isn't impossible - I just don't know how to get hold of those people. Thanks agn.

I've heard about guys modifying an alternator to act as a makeshift welder as well as still acting as an alternator (not heavy duty but can really get one out of a spin in the bush). Does anyone know how this is done, as my knowledge of electrcity is dangerous - I need to do a little research before doing something like that. Anyone done a mod like this yet, how well does it really work? Sorry, hope its relevant - living in Africa u sometimes need to make your own plan - last trip in a landy we ended up having to stick strips of the carpet to the clutch so we could get home (pratleys steel worked wonder - and no I am not paid to say that); we took 3 hrs on the road to do that job (f&*$@n hot!), but it drove another 450 odd km where we could change the clutch properly - ha ha. So, any help would be appreciated. Another project Im interested in is a compressor system using and aircon pump and some tanks (dive bottles or fire extinguishers or something) havent really checked whats the correct spec yet, but its fairly simple to do. A friend of mine runs a aircon pump on his landy just for emergencies, reckons itll inflate a big tyre in no time! Would be cool to be able to run pneumatic drills/grinder/rivet gun and be able to weld while travelling hey - to help the guys in land cruisers of course

There is a process that is called elecrolytic tinning (or thats what I've heard) they use it for tent pegs, petrol caps etc ect. (a good example for us would probably be a petrol tank level unit, all the metal parts are normally that golden yellow colour - thats it!). It is also available in a silver colour- looks almost like cad plating, just shinier. So, the questions is: Has anyone tried this on a chassis or firewall? Are there people that do this surface treatment that have tanks large enough for this kind of thing? And what were th results like?

Hi there guts, Yup, living down in KZN. Grew up (not too long ago) in the Natal midlands/Drakensberg area. Moved to Durbs to study Mech Eng and got a job there, spent 2 years working there and then moved to Richardsbay about six months ago. Not the greatest town on earth - a little dead here but there are some nice activities/places in close driving distance; plus I have a pretty cool job that pays the bills. mmmm........Landies........ I 95% rebuilt a series 109" pickup and ended up not getting it to licencing - terrible I know. But I ran out of time and money and havent been able to get round to it for the last three years. The result is that ist been standing in that state and it doesnt look great. But its still a nice vehicle. Anyway, as much as I hate to admit it, I think the best thing is to sell my series 1 and to build a derangy (a range rover chassis with a land rover body on) aka 100" hybrid. I have met a few people that have built these and a very good friend of mine built one about ten or twelve years back - before anyone had ever started speaking about them. He sold the vehicle and has regretted it ever since, but he has built another and loves it. The reason for my decision is that I cant afford to have 2 4x4's and unfortunately the series ones take it out on you one the road, 100km in a series one feels like 300km in another vehicle; Id like to do some overlanding in the vehicle so I guess the series one isnt really an option huh. Im considering putting a Japanese import Diesel engine in to try and contain my fuel costs! If anyone knows anything about which diesels are good, cheap and reliable please let me know. Otherwise, nice to hear from some local boys! Cheers

Thanks a heap, Got the mail, eventhough I thought I had received 2 blank images. Must confess, havent read them yet- will do today though. Cheers hey

Ta, Bit of SA sarcasm there!

What about a tree starting to grow through it? I am currently 'finishing off' a Datsun SSS bluebird and that had a case of a tree starting to grow through it. I know that doesnt apply here, but it is pretty funny! I 98% finished a series one that has been standing around for 4 years now, decided that its time to sell it as it isnt in the same shape that it used to be in (if you know what I mean). So with that money I can get started on a hybrid. Hopefully finish the SSS before then and then be able to devote some time to the Hybrid. Building it for the odd off road outing but mainly to be used for overlanding. Keen to do some Mozambique, Malawi and Namibia trips and then do a really big one right up to Northern Africa and then through Eastern Europe and to the UK. As the theme goes, its all vapours for now!!!! Cheers

Hi Stumpy, Thanks, that would be great if u could. my address is dariusbez@hotmail.com. Would be interested to see what he changed the diffs to, maybe he had a Salisbury axle and changed them from the original ratio to 354's as in the 110, thats what I plan to be running. Cheers

Hi Mark, sorry. Where would I find the Overland bulletin forum? Is it part of lr4x4? Sorry again

Hi, Studied mechanical engineering and my job description is 'mechanical specialist' at a company in the aliminium smelter industry. Basically I design and commision equipment and improvements for/to the al industry. Before that I worked in the motor industry doing similar things, just a very different industry. Oh yes, guess this could be a chance to network. If you're looking for a young/junior mechanical designer (I have a fair amount of quality experience), then give me a shout. Regards, D

Hi Jim, Thanks for the advice, will post any answers here. Hopefully things work out alright. All I want is to be able to drive a 4x4 that runs relatively economically at 120km/h that doeant cost a fortune and is reliable as well as good off road.

Hi Jim, This is one of the first sites I came across when searching for the engine on RSA sites, unfortunately it has no information about the engine, but it is mentioned there: 2CT 2 litre Turbo under the Toyota engines. I used to agree with the section on false economy running a diesel engine, you know: turbos are expensive to replace, shorter service intervals and bad quality fuel here. But with the way the fuel prices are looking now I think that it is time to jump on the diesel wagon. Thanks for your post. Do you know anyone else tha t may be able to help? Cheers Ps: chilly up there this week?

Hi there, i agree. Range Rovers are great vehicles and they look good too, but have you ever considered building a 100'' hybrid? Ie: Range rover running gear with a Land Rover body on. It isnt necesary to use expensive panels either as you can fit series Land Rover body panels to the vehicle, bringing the costs down. You wil be amazed at the vehicle that you have built if you do this, their handling and off road performance is good, the rust problem is reduced and you have a lighter vehicle. The reason that I bring this up is that I am seriously considering building a hybrid and wouldnt mind seeing some inspiration. I must say that I would like to put a diesel engine of some sorts into the vehicle as I do big mileage and cant afford to run a V8 - even though they are awesome engines! Suppose I want an engine that costs as much as a 3.5 V8, is as reliable, powerful and sounds as good but that does 12km/litre. Oh yers, if you know which engine Im speaking about, please let me know, because I dont know where to get one! PS: If you do decide to build a hybrid, then you're already miles ahead of me: I havent gone as far as buying a vehicle yet!

Hiya guys, has anyone heard of people doing conversions with cheap second hand Toyota 2CT engines. I heard of someone thats done 140k kms at about 12km/litre in a series one! Just wondering if anyone local has heard of anything else about this. Apparently cruising speeds are 115kph to 125kph. It bugs me though, its a pretty small engine (2.0L) and only produces 83hp at 4000rpm, concerned that it will be a dog. So I guess, I just want to know how fast the vehicle will go and how good it will be off road with that engine in (torque at low rpms). The reason Im building it is for playing off road and also to use as a weekend vehicle for now. I am planning to do an overland trip in the next two years also (hence the concern about fuel). Please help! Thanks Ps: I want to put it in a hybrid Landy (or De-rangy as we know them here in SA).

Hi DEANO3528, Thanks for the helpful post. Did a quick search and this revealed that the International 2.8 TGV has the following specs compared to 300 TDi: LR ‘300’ Tdi Displacement :- 2,495 cc Maximum power :- 111 bhp @ 4,000 rpm Maximum governed rpm 4,000 Maximum torque :- 195 lbf ft @ 1,800 rpm International HS 2.8L TGV (Variable Geometry Turbo) Displacement :- 2,785 cc Maximum power :- 135 bhp @ 3,800 rpm Max governed rpm :- 4,000 Maximum torque :- 277 lbf ft @ 1,400 rpm Looks pretty good, only 1 problem: It costs a sum of: R 58,500.00 excl vat. (+-$8350) (Im bargaining on a complete vehicle for R35000). I know it doesnt sound good but $$$ makes a large difference to me. That is the advantage that I am looking for with the 2CT (cheap repair/replacement value and the economy). Theres a guy I know of that has 300TDi 90inch and the turbo disintegrated. He replace it with a 2CT and sold the TDi engine to cover costs (he even made a profit). So I dont think this is going to be the engine for me, unfortunately as it looks like quite a performer (rather just drive V8 and fork out for gas at that price! - and have that beautiful gurgling sound!) One things for sure about the 2.8L - theres a lot more info available than there is on the 2CT and 3CT (Thank you for your input). Anyhow, any more information available on the 2CT or cheap alternative? Do you reckon that the 2CT will pull a derangy well? Also, in terms of mucking about on hill climbs etc (off road) do you think it will battle? Ive driven a v8 rangy and left people in Tdis for dead because they just dont provide the torque at low rpm's. Even my old 2.25 petrol series 2 engine challenges the Tdi there (not to knock the engine - Actually use one at work and its pretty enjoyable on the road). Great site guys, not regretting this! Im so keen to build a 'derangy' now, would be nice to set up a good site that documents the build. Planning to fit the vehicle out nicely and maybe head for Europe from ZA. (I know it sounds like a pipe dream but I've done a fair amount of shorter distance African travel and I love it!). So, maybe in the next 2 years there will be a nice 100" hybrid driving around London for a week or so . Cheers, better get back to work!!!! Talking about building cars is so much more fun than work!

Hi Guys, Speaking to you from "sunny South Africa" but its pouring with rain outside and snowing in some parts around here (extremely rare for us). I need to get some advice: I would like to build a 100" hybrid. There are a few around here and all the owners are ranting and raving over their vehicles. A previous rebuild that I did was a '57 109 pickup when I was 16 years old (with a lot of help from a friend), unfortunately I couldnt afford to run it at 6km/litre of fuel so it has been standing around and not getting much TLC. I hate to admit it but if I want a practical vehicle I should build myself a hybrid (we call them De-ranged Rovers over here). My major problem is still the rising fuel prices and this pushes me in the direction of a diesel conversion. We get competitive 2nd hand (but running well) Japanese imports over here and I believe that a lot of people are doing conversions. Apparently the people get great consumption figures - 12km's per litre (I think thats 28 miles per galon) and the vehicle happily cruises along at 115 to 120km/hour (70 to 75mph). The other thing is that the engine costs around R3000 ( $400 to $450) and an adaptor plate costs around R1000 ($140-$145 US). The engine I am speaking of is called the 2CT engine which came out of Toyota Camry's and Corolla's (from what I hear); I belive that its a 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine. This sounds pretty small to me but the cost and consumption really pull me in! There is also a 3Ct engine that is a 2.2litre but costs a little more. I was just wondering what you guy advise and if anyone knows of any of these conversions or about these engines. Oh yes, the reason I want a vehicle like this is that I would like to do a pretty serious overland trip/trips (think Cape to Cairo type journey) in the next two years but would also like a vehicle that I can go and play in (and I know how well these vehicles perform off road!). I do relatively high mileage and need a relatively economical vehicle. I also go to Mozambique on Holiday a fw times a year and need a vehicle that I can use for that too. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh yes, how much does it cost to do a pretty standard rebuild/hybrid conversion? - I figure that a standard rangy with the conversion and good running parts (brakes, radiator, gearbox etc.) and a simple/scrounged series body should easily be built on R35000 ($5000) (if I do it myself - which is the intension). Regards.