dirtbox

Hi all. Just a quickie, I'm in the middle of a clutch swap in my conversion and strangely enough the rare spring release plate on my new engine is exactly the same bolt/ stud pattern as my v8! So I thought I'd stick it on as its in really good nick as opposed to the diesel one. I'm worried that the spring on the fingers is too strong for my LT77 fork arm, so, does a fork arm from a santana V8 fit on a early 4 cylinder 90 lt77? Its far too dark now to mess about and I really don't want to offer it all up and not have enough leverage or too much leverage to operate the clutch correctly (this would mean me dropping the gearbox AGAIN!!! (3rd time!)). Thanks in advance, Paul

Thanks bush. I had seen the equalizer you show when I was trying to research doing this. Couldn't find anything for the UK though? Well, V8 is out with gearbox (Bloomin heavy!!) and my old LT77 is back in on the mounts. Tomorrow I hope to get the engine in and welded and start playing with electrics. I hope to use my old engine loom along with a little modification to wire the engine up. Will post some piccys when i get the engine in. Thanks again for the help. Paul

Nothing like a confidence boost!!! Anyone know what starter relay I want?? If not to save me time, what relay is in a 12v? I'l just find a 24V version. Thanks all for the help. Paul

Thanks for the replies guys. I have found some well priced 24v bits and i think I'm now ready to go. Really didn't know where to go at the time as a parts dealer gave me a shock when he said he couldn't get any 24v bits, and the only thing he ever could was an old lightweight alternator priced at £3000!!!!! A price to get my starter converted or replaced with 12V equivalent started at £286 plus vat!!!! ( Needed a cuppa tea after that!) The engine is a FD35t Nissan 3.5 four cylinder turbo diesel (direct injection) Quite rare but I'm getting prepared for the worst. I cant find much info on the engine but they are about. A few conversions too (i.e. RRC and 110) I think its worth a try anyway- If it all goes tits up, I'l find a 200 Tdi to put back in. Thats too many people warning me off tapping into the first battery now so thats out the window. 24 volt bits it is! Anyone know what replacement relays I'm going to need? That is apart from the flasher unit. I cant see any spec on the small starter relay and the brake test warning relay? Thanks again everyone. Paul

Great, I should be able to see where it exactly goes on fitting. Thanks again!

Hi all. I'm hoping that this weekend I can finally fit my big oil burner into my 90. My problem still lies with the engine electrics being 24V and my 90 is 12V. I have tested a well known method of tapping into the 'first' positive to get my 12Volt supply and it seems to work on the bench. However, I have my worries about the charge of this system causing damage to the batteries. My plan was to use a 12 Volt 40 amp relay and turn it on from my ignition switch. This in turn would allow the 24V to start the solenoid via this relay. The problem lies with my 24 Volt alternator re-charging. Will the drain on the 12 Volt supply (Lights, heater, window wipers etc), cause the first battery to drop in power and in turn would the second (24V) battery over charge? I also need to know that would the 12 Volt supply still work in the same way (i.e. come on with ignition?), or would it all be a permanent live (Heater would stay on?)? I really appreciate any help on this subject as my brain is in knots with how to get over this problem! Cheers, Paul

Thanks western. I take it the chassis mount position is exactly the same too?

Hi all. I was hoping I could get some pictures of the 200 tdi/2.5 dt and the 2.5 N/A mounts (Are they all the same?). This coming weekend I'm fitting my big oil burner in place of the V8 and it will fit back on the original 2.5 petrol mounts that i removed from the chassis to fit the V8. I salvaged the mounts but it would be great if i can get a good idea exactly where they go as In the future I may finally go for a 200 tdi, and as far as I'm aware they all share the same mounting bracket/position. (Please tell me if I'm wrong!) I have a rough idea as there is a very slight trace of the scars made during removal but seeing a picture would show me the orientation and twist etc. Thank you in advance! Cheers paul

I had thought about an R380 but its the cost factor really. Do you know if the bell housing length is similar between the R380 and the LT85? I have the modified bell housing from the LT95 that fits the block and was going to modify/extend it to fit the LT85 but could I make this fit the R380? I had looked into the whole 4bd1t engine swap as a project but cost really gives me a reality check! I'm kinda set on the lump I have but I really want to make it as easy as possible for myself. On the R380 note, if I could get a size from gear box/chassis mounts bolt to front end of bell housing it would be real helpful as then I can roughly work out where would the engine mounts end up.

Will do. Thanks Landmannnn. Kind regards Paul

Hi all Just wanted some opinions on what you think with regards to my choice. I have sitting in my garage a 3.5l turbo diesel lump that I want to fit into my 90. It is nicely fitted to a LT95. In my 90 I have a LT85 (split case). My thoughts were that I'd prefer the 5 speed as I do quite a lot of motor way driving and I'd miss the 5th gear however, the LT95 is much stronger and is already professionally fitted the the engine making fitting much easier without the worry of gear box failure. Could someone also confirm the standard length of a 95 bell housing as the ones I have seen look very similar to the 85. The one I have is only 180mm in length so has a much shorter bell housing than my Lt85 (about 280mm) and would make the engine sit in the 4 cylinder position rather than the V8 position. Could this be from a forward control as i know they have shorter input shaft/bell housing and are VERY strong. I would have to fit R/rover transfer gears in the 4 speed to get a taller gear but how would this compare to 5th? I'd really appreciate any thoughts to help me make my mind up as the V8(petrol/gas) is starting to test my patience and wallet! Cheers, Paul

Now thats what we want to hear! Thanks muddy, I'l get me one of those.

I'm also planning this conversion. I'm going to try to shorten my prop by disassembling, cutting down and re-welding. Getting a mate to do the welding as mine is not too neat yet!

Thanks Martin. Think thats the one i have. going to order it today so will ask for all the right bits for my canvas. Many thanks for all the helpful advice! Kind regards, Paul

Thanks sean. I'l get looking!

If there were an emoticon for dribbling It would have been appropriate to put it in after seeing your 90 Ali! Can't wait to get on the case now and get it sorted for summer! One last question regarding the canvas- I have a brand new military one in the shed for the project so do I need any special parts (i.e. military windscreen rail) to fit it? Thanks again, Paul

AHHHHH! Just Googled volumetric alarm. Good idea! That and some other security bits and i should be fine. Thanks again!

Thats a great help thanks everyone! I want a drop down tailgate as i need to bolt my engineering vice to it for work. Seen it done else where and thought what a great idea! Thats why I need a strong one too! The more basic the better really. So does a series one differ from a newer one? As for security, I live in the middle of nowhere and thought I'd just make sure I don't leave anything out on display. Thats a good point really! What's the alarm your talking about?

Thanks western. Yes i did think I'd have to weld on hinges-thats another thing I'l have to find!

Hi all. As part of my 90 project I have decided to change from my hard top to a canvas. I had acquired a canvas awhile ago but i need all the other bits. My question is basically, 1. Where is the best / cheapest place to source a stick set?, 2. Do I need a spare wheel carrier that is designed for a tailgate?, 3. Is there anything I should look for when buying a tailgate (Heavy duty, fittings etc?)?, 4. Where can I buy a tailgate? 5. How much of a nightmare is it to fit? I know there are various shops/ auction sites that from time to time have these items but I'm not sure what is the best choice. I will probably give the tailgate a bit of abuse so a H/Duty one with cotter catches would be good! Any ideas / previous experience would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Paul

Totally agree with what the others have said. I fitted a 3.5 on carbs into my 2.5 petrol. Took about a week of playing about. I bought a santana gearbox to fit the engine as i was worried about the extra power killing my worn out box, Its given my rear diff a good hammering instead! Fitted my own gas kit too and was all pretty straight forward but I'd still prefer a 3.9 Efi rather than the carbs and I'd rather the stronger diffs etc. All good fun to do though if you like a challenge.

Hi, I fitted a V8 and santana into my petrol 2.5. Just re-used the same props but not sure what way round they went back on? Hope this is of help to you! Paul

I'd love the 3.9 thats in the Perenties! LOADSA torque! Don't have a clue where I'd start to look.

Nice one, will do asap! Never thought about googling it! Oh well we live and learn eh!