Steve_M

5083 grade plate and 6082 grade sections are what would often be specified for aluminium boat structures.

Axles from a Japanese import lj78 might be worth looking at. They aren't leaf sprung originally (radius arms front and rear) but they have disc brakes all round and are about the right width. I have a set which I am planning on fitting to a leaf sprung truck (non-landrover). If you are any where near Guildford you would be welcome to come and have a look and see if the type was going to be suitable, if not I could get you some photos and measurements over the weekend. Steve

It should be relatively easy to swap in a 2.8 Daihatsu engine if you would like in either turbo or NA form, as the 2.8 appears to have the same mounting points as the 2.5 (I am planning on doing this swap although not for a landrover). If you would like to send me a PM with your email address I can send you a scanned copy of the engine manual for the 2.5 litre engine if it is of use?

Not used them but maybe a set of these http://shop.difflock.com/heavy-duty-extra-wide-vehicle-ramps-p-100.html

Nah, becasue he loves fixing stuff he thought he might go for the type that starts the first day with a shock falling off and then has to finish the weekend early in clouds of engine smoke.

Not quite the same, it is a 109, but I had the truck below for a while. It was very basic and very clearly homemade but massively practical. I bought it as it was in the photo and then put it back to standard after a while. All the sides and back hinged down and where totally removable to leave a flat tray made from plywood (with tie down eyes all along its length). This was all supported by a few big bits of timber and a steel frame and all bolted to the chassis. As I say a bit basic but it was just a farm truck and clearly served it purpose. It did have a frame for supporting a canvas top as well.

It may be worth asking on Outerlimits4x4, there was a defender on there built for Tuff Truck called 'lockless' that had a home made traction control system.

When we got down to that part of the site we found the group of Suzukis SJs and the Vitara that were there driving down the waterfall, I can imagine it was quite exciting in something with that short a wheelbase.

Great event enjoyed by every one in our little group. Thanks to Daan, David and Richard for their help in extracting the 110 after our little slide off the track, and to muddyrice and friend who I am pretty sure are the guys who supplied us with a new brake pipe to get us up and running again for the Sunday. Also relating to that if anyone is looking to sell a straight passenger wing and door bottom to suit an early 110 (preferably in a light green colour as in Fridge's last photo for day 1) please could you let me know and I will pass the details on to the owner of the slightly worse for wear 110.

I quite like the arrangement the Suzuki below has for a cage with a hard top, full internal with a couple of external bars running along the roof at gutter level to protect against trees etc. It does mean making some penetrations through the roof though which may be a pain to reseal. I would add some cross braces to the above but try and keep them removable.

Draft sight seems to be a new program, it is much nicer to use than dwg editor was altough it does still have some bugs.

They are also popular for Suzuki's because the rear diff offset is in the right direction and by about the right amount to suit the suzuki transfer case whereas if you use the hilux rear the diff is centred.

Wheel mounting face to wheel mounting face is approximately 1400mm on a 70 series cruiser axle (if I remember correctly) which I am pretty sure is less than a defender. As has been said the rear diff is much smaller than the 80 series but the front is a similar sized high pinion unit. The 70 series also rarely have factory lockers. In general 70 series axles tend to be used as an upgrade on smaller trucks like Suzukis.

Re-reading the arcticle in TOR the engine is a 2.5 litre V6 out of a Grand Vitara, apparantly this is acutally a Mazda engine.