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Lewis, It's purely the fact Dave @ Ash said his kit wouldn't cope. The warranty thing was a side question. But the fact he wouldn't honor it is another sign it wouldn't cope. Another point is, LC80/Y61 axles, converted would probably be under less than 35% of a full Ashcroft set-up cost. Assuming LC80 axles are about the same price as what Y61's can be had for. The most expensive aftermarket route are retrofitting the Dana 60's. I cant find anywhere to get these myself, so I have to go with someone else's supplier. Supplied and kitted out for LR fit is circa £3,000. Which is around 10-15% ore expensive than a full Ash set-up, but will more than cope with it. These would be 30/35-Spline (bias towards the 35) with at least rear locker, front if one can be found. Obviously if I got lets say LC80's with a full 30/30/30 spine 300M front and back, it would probably still sit somewhere around the Ashcroft route. Difficult to know what to do. On the legality side, I'd be cutting it close to a Q plate if I go with different axles too. That's put a bit of a sting in the tail too.

Cynic, appreciate what you say on 37's. Perhaps not a wise choice. Maybe 35 AT's would suit best to cover all types! 37's would just bring the gearing up a bit !

Wow Andy, thanks for the comprehensive reply! This is all making it very tough to decide what to do. I'll be honest, the Ashcroft/Kam etc route would be the easiest. But the fact I could spend all that money to then be refused any warranty is a bit of a sting in my brain! This is a really really tuff decision. I've even started looking down the route of making my own axles and utilizing Dana internals. RuffStuff housings for example. Very very tough this. I can only afford to do this once, so need to go the right way! I appreciate all this advice from everyone. It all helps!

That 15% though will make a reasonable difference. But obviously, the 35 spline route is better! Shame about RoverTracks. Didn't know what had happened to him. Have you got a link to McNamara? Only thing I could find was McNamara diffs. Is that the same fellow? You surprise me about LC80's not being much better than Rovers. What about Patrol? More thinking to do!

Interesting ... They use their own R&P? Just seems like there's none available. Couple of semi-restored C303's about, but they're talking £7,000-8,000. To much just to rip axles off!

It should be a touch over 400bhp and a touch over 800nm based on similar set-up figures. I know the Salisbury's are old etc, hence why the Dana 60 30/35 spine conversion was appealing. Turns the Salisbury's into what they should of been. However still cant find any source of these kits. I have a feeling RoverTracks/RovingTracks (Keith) maybe no more! I've considered portals too. But Mogs are super duper heavy. 303's I like but I've never found any for sale. This is also a motor that could also be used for daily commutes too, so it has to take motorway speeds for good distances. I know there's 'High Speed' mogs, but even they're only designed for 55/60mph I've read. This right? I know the Ashcroft stuff could probably work for general duties, but to spend that much and Dave telling me nothing would be covered, it's put me right off. It was good of him to be totally honest, so not putting them down over it! I've found a potential Dana 60 pair, but they're nye on £3k!!! The LC80 internals in Rover axle casinging conversion uses 300M material. How would this sound option wise? Another thing is the LC80/Patrols also have stronger brake set-ups too I've been told. Always a bonus. They're both heavy heavy motors! Appreciate all this advice chaps!

Howdy All, The Merc powered Defender is moving along and all the while I've been considering axle set-ups and gotten myself in a right old tiz over it, so seeking some advice on various set-up. By the time it's all done I should be putting out a fair old chunk of HP and NM and would like to run 35's or 37's and Ik know the Rover axles aren't going to like it in any way shape or form, so been considering various options: 1) Complete Ashcroft Internals - Even Dave wasn't sure his kit would cope. And said he would not put any warrenty or gaurentee on his stuff in my use, so that's out the window. 2) Cruiser 80 Axles - Correct diff offset, but smaller 8" diffs compared to Y61? 3) Y61 Axles - I know the centre rear diff, but that can be dealt with. Bit strong diffs and bigger shafts compared to LC80 I think. Only rear locker, can always put Terrano LSD in front. 4) Salisbury Axles F&R - Dana 30/35 spline conversion (though can't seem to get in touch with Keith and RovingTracks and cant find anyone else that does it, anyone got any contacts for this?). 5) Rover Axle tubes with HD LC80 Cruiser internals and diffs (30 spline conversion throughout) As far as I'm aware, that's about my limit of options. Budget wont stretch to Spiders or Force axles. Any help appreciated! Cheers All!

Howdy Guys, I'm after a bit of help. Doing a conversion in my now ex-TD5 110 and currently some of wiring is being delt with. Everything is reasonably hooked up but obviously the OEM Spider Alarm/Immobiliser set-up is just sat there doing nothing. Can the Spiders run standalone at all without the ECU any more or is it just dead weight now? If so, I may try and re-hash the wiring into an after-market controller, but thought I'd ask the guru's first . Many Thanks!

Rakeway do one anyway. I run one along with their solid flywheel on my TD5.

Another note, depending on how new you go is an issue with a circa 2012/2013 era Defender had clutch issues where they only seemed to run 20,000 miles. A friend has just had his at 20k and apparently there was a batch of clutches around that era that have had issues, all around 20k! On a side note, I'm also trying to make this choice, though I have the TD5 atm ... Can't decide if the 6th gear and the miles better rear seats are worth the extra 80-100% outlay!