Arjan

Blacksheep gets good feedback.

Awesome tread and very inspiring !!!!! Thanks. Please keep it going. Love to read this.

They are not as bad as claimed to be... It is all about preperation

This is an awesome read Many thanks guys. I have a SWB Series Hybrid that will get the 200 Tdi from a Disco I. This is very interesting as I have a full rolling chassis as a Donor. The Hybrid's chassis is galvanized though..

So... what is the plan for W4X4 ?

"it seems to suit my driving style and expectations..." You have a point there. We also run a 90 with a 200 Tdi and I keep comparing those two and perhaps I should not do that. I'm in the Alps this Summer for a few weeks with clients and we'll see how it goes. I do have a 1.66 : 1 here but that is really short. But pulls very well.

I have a 110 Hard Top with the 300 Tdi + R300 + Disco box and not happy with it. To tall for my liking. Looking for a 1.44 : 1

OK - re-read your question. The sides are bolted to the body into rubber "tubes" and 1 or 2 angle irons. Weird construction that is practical to LT as it makes it possible to both fit hoops and the "bolt" for sides / cab.

Ehm.... Not sure if I understand you correctly as I'm not a "native English speaker but the RBRB is 3 parts. The big bar that goes across and 2 uprights. These have a plate that goes on the "sloping side of the wheel arches" and with 2 or 3 bolts through the capping. For these, I had to drill vertical holes. It is easiest to do this without the sides on - or have them out of the way.

Yes. The side locker doors do get in the way of the sliders. I have FirstFour ones on the 110. Basically, there are 3 solutions for this : 1 - Lower the slider about 12 mm. A lot of work when using a bought in one. 2 - Cut out a bit from the top of the slider where the door is. Have seen this and a lot of work 3 - Take a bit off the doors and the "angle iron" that sits at the bottom ot the opening. That's what we did. HTH.

Plenty of tracks but please keep a close eye on what the signs say for opening & closure. The Police & Gendarmerie on all sides of the Borders are getting very short with trespassing 4x4's and encounters like that take the fun away from being there. Also, the weather plays a big role on where you go and where you camp. No problem to go to 10,000 Ft. if you know what you're doing and if this is the f1st time and you're going solo, please be very careful. Late August the weather changes very quickly and the temps can drop a lot in the night. Not unusual to have ice on the tents.. We go there each Summer and combine forces with the expert knowledge of a well known company - she's also a member here - who know the Alps inside & out. Have FUN & be safe.

Hmm. I converted the RHD HCPU Td5 into a LHD 300 Tdi Hard Top. However, the Mrs. didn't like the driving position so we had to change plans and make it a Hard Top Not difficult - all bolts & nuts really. A few friends who came by for coffe gave a hand... The Mrs. did the paintjob ! And after a lot of work... So, If I can do this, most people can.. It is a lot work, esp. in this case as the vehicle came to me without an engine and a single piece of wiring. Being Dutch and different, we build the vehicle up to our own taste and insights. Electrics are different and some 900 mtrs - 2,700 Ft. in your money - was used, along with a serious amount of fuses, switches and relays. But if you are working from a working HCPU it is a relatively straight forward conversion. I'd suggest you try and find a complete body as this saves a lot of time. Oh, and if you have to cross borders with the various parts don't mention "body parts" when talking to Customs or Security.. They get sort of nervous.....

What period are you thinking of ? We'll be in the Alps, again, in August for a few tours.

Join us in the Auvergne.

I have raised this on several forums and although people tell me it is done I have yet to see it "in the metal". This is the one I have fitted to the Mrs. her Ninety. I have another RBRB, from P&P, awaiting fitment to our Series Hybid, but that is not as easy as it looks because the Hybrid has a full roll cage and being a SWB, the fuel filler is also a bit in the way.. Looking forward to see what our respected LR4x4 members have to say..

Looks like you guys had fun. Planning a UK Raid for November, including N Scotland

Getting a "recon" one, even from a very well know supplier, is a gamble and the further away you are form the supplier, the less he in general cares. And they are not cheap - fitting them is work and having it done is even more money. After some 300k miles the ZF died in the 300 Tdi Disco I drove. Needing the vehicle I bought a recon ZF from "the leading expert on recon gearboxes". After 10 miles the ATF Mildly miffed out from the belly housing, the second ond lost drive after 20 miles and the 3rd one again lost drive after 40 miles. Last 2 boxes were itted by an appointed workshop and the the supplier that wasn't interested at all. In the end, friends found me a "good but used"ZF from a V8 and we fitted that. Lasted me another 150k miles. So in the end, I will try to rebuild my own gearbox for the 110 if I can get the parts as in that case I can just blame myself if things go wrong..

"The only difference are trailer speed laws, all the license stuff (B+E for 750kg+ [yes I know there are exceptions]) is the same across the EU." Ehmm... Not quit. France requires you to have a "E" behind "B" for a trailer over 500 kgs. Holders of French drivers licence, only. And a health check every 5 years. Trailers over 500 kgs. need their own logbook. Often their own insurance. EU doesn't excist

We have a Pivlock on the 110. Not everybody's liking as you are required to unlock and open the carrier first and then the door. We like that as it makes it possible to fix the door in the open position while cooking.

Back in the '90s, we used a IH Scout power steering box for the Hybrid. Simple & strong. No leaks.

Fleece would be nice ! XXXL please

Another France bases Series !! Good. Here in the Auvergne we have loads of lanes and the winch is not used often but the mere fact it is there is always good to know. We have a DB on the back and no problems with dep. angle.

Contact David Lovejoy.' Although not local - you might be able to work something out.

Driving in France is like driving in the UK / just on the other side.. We go everywhere with both Series and Defenders and prefer the RN´s. Less stress, more to see and the voyage is part of the whole thing.. Speedlimit is to be obeyed, HiViz vest per seat compulsory, as is the warning tiangle and the analyser. Bring 2 as you need to carry one and once the 1st one is used you still have the other one. Fuel off AutoRoute / Peage / is cheaper and most supermarkets have 24/7 card operated fuel. CC usu works. Please bring your green card as proof of insurance, the logbook and your drivers licence. Don' t laugh, we have loads of clients who forget things.. Enjoy

This is what we have. IH Scout box & arm - takes LR ball joint Defender Collumm Jaguar "prop shaft" Jaguar pump Vehicle runs on 235's and this worked very well with both the 2.25 turbo & 2.5 N/A diesel it has had. When the 200 Tdi goes in I will keep this box.