Brian Reynolds Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Hello All, I am in the process of rebuilding a 1962 LR LWB 2A from the ground up, installing an Isuzu diesel and 4x4 Dodge NV4500 transmission. All going well except the previous owner removed the axles and installed them under the springs to raise the vehicle height. Did an awful job, cutting away cross members etc. They also cut off the flat mountings that were welded to the axles where the springs attach. I am replacing the axles in the original position on top of the springs but need to see how this was configured so that I can make replacements. Does anyone have photos or drawings of the original installation? I have looked in the manuals, some info there but not enough to do this. Any assistance appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Hi there, Welcome to the Madhouse. Some pictures would be very nice !! I can only supply you with the SWB set up and I seem to recall that LWB's are a bit different. Are the springhangers in the original position ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 Welcome to the forum, The axle to spring blocks are mounted to the axles at 90 degrees to the pinion flange and on the front aligned width wise to seat the spring in the block centre bolt hole at a width to put the outer edge of the spring at the outer chassis rail width - so under the main rails . The rear springs on the 109 are mounted to the chassis on outriggers to position the entire spring outside of the rail. The bump stop axle pad remains under the chassis. The axle blocks, bump pads and 109 rear outriggers are all available on YRM metal solutions website to give you a clearer picture of what is missing. I do have a 109 rolling chassis I can take some pic's of in the next few days with some measurements but as Arjan said, some pic's of what you have to start with would be helpful Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 From the Factory WSM Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 Photos of the current chassis mounts please? So we can see what needs doing there, if anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 109 rear axle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 Many thanks for the helpful responses, I am obviously in the right place. Attached photos of what I am dealing with, I am only using the existing chassis to test fit the engine and gearbox. I am currently having a new chassis lazer cut, should have the pieces this week then a lot of welding. The information I need is for the new chassis. I intend to restore it to close to original configuration. What I am looking for is the configuration of the axle attachments, shock absorber attachments etc. I worked extensively with LR’s back in the 1980’s before emigrating to Canada, I know my way around them but dont have the detail I need to build this one. The photo Fridge Freezer posted was excellent, but a different axle, I assume a series 3? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 All the chassis spring and shackle points look to be original (with repairs) This is a Richards galv. 109 chassis Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 Thanks Steve, I originally intended to use a new Richards chassis but then realized that I would be reconfiguring the cross members to accommodate the replacement 5 speed transmission, so no point in chopping a new chassis, easier to build from scratch ( and a lot cheaper !) I think that I am ok with the spring hangers, what I am looking for is the actual axle to spring connections, also the shock absorber connections as the originals were cut off to mount the axle under the springs. Some photos of the axles removed from the frame would be very helpful. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 In case you haven't found it, this site has useful pictures: https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-series-3-chassis-body/series-3-chassis/chassis-frame-assembly_396 https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-series-3-axles-suspension/axle-propshafts If you're making your own chassis it can sometimes be easier & cheaper to buy some of the "critical" brackets than try to make them: https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-series-3-chassis-body/series-3-chassis/chassis-frame-brackets_395 This may also help: Apologies for the rotation on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted March 28, 2023 Author Share Posted March 28, 2023 Further to my recent post regarding repositioning the axles on a 1962 Series 2A 109”, I have now completely removed the axles from the chassis so I have a much better idea of where I am going with this, but still need some information on the rear axle. The previous owners had repositioned the axles under the springs to raise the vehicle height, in doing so had cut off the original axle pads and re-welded ( very badly) them on top of the axles. The front axle was not too bad, managed to cut off the pads and reuse them as original. I am working on the rear axle, I can see how to reposition the axle pads, but the shock absorber mounts are completely mutilated ( see photos ). I would really appreciate some detailed photos of the Shock absorber mounts so I have some idea what I need. I also understand there were 2 types of shocks, A) with eyes each end and rubber bushings, B) with an eye one end and a thread on the other. I dont know what this was originally, but plan to use type A). Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytze Posted May 2, 2023 Share Posted May 2, 2023 Is the Isuzu/gearbox combination a lot heavier then stock? If so, make sure your spring's are up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 The front dampers on both wheel bases use eyes on each end. The 88 uses the same for the rear, while the 109 uses an eye at the top and an axial stud at the bottom. There are tapered bushes for each side of each eye and squat cylindrical bushes for each side of the bracket that the stud passes through on a 109. The bushes are easily sourced. Make sure you have the four washers per damper for the stud bushes - they have two different patterns, the flattish washers with opposing internal and external lips sit against the bracket (internal lip locates the washer in the stud hole) and the wavy washers sit nearest the damper body and securing nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 17 hours ago, Wytze said: Is the Isuzu/gearbox combination a lot heavier then stock? If so, make sure your spring's are up to it. Depends - the 2.8 TDi is very small and light, the 3.9 not so much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytze Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 1 hour ago, FridgeFreezer said: Depends - the 2.8 TDi is very small and light, the 3.9 not so much... That's what i thought aswell. The Mazda in mine is no lightweight, that's why i brought it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted May 29, 2023 Author Share Posted May 29, 2023 On 5/2/2023 at 11:11 AM, Wytze said: Is the Isuzu/gearbox combination a lot heavier then stock? If so, make sure your spring's are up to it. The combined weight of the Isuzu 3.9 connected to the Dodge NV4500 transmission is 340 lbs heavier than the original unit. Apparently Parabolic springs will accept this extra weight, but I might just put an extra leaf or 2 in the original springs to test the set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted May 29, 2023 Author Share Posted May 29, 2023 I am well into building the new chassis. I am currently making the spring hangers so that I can position the rear axle then the replacement power unit to get everything in alignment. I did not want the PTO holes in the cross members as a PTO is not an option with this power unit, plus in 40+ years of being around LR’s I have yet to see one with a working PTO. Thanks for all the helpful advice, always appreciated. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted May 29, 2023 Author Share Posted May 29, 2023 On 5/3/2023 at 1:17 AM, Snagger said: The front dampers on both wheel bases use eyes on each end. The 88 uses the same for the rear, while the 109 uses an eye at the top and an axial stud at the bottom. There are tapered bushes for each side of each eye and squat cylindrical bushes for each side of the bracket that the stud passes through on a 109. The bushes are easily sourced. Make sure you have the four washers per damper for the stud bushes - they have two different patterns, the flattish washers with opposing internal and external lips sit against the bracket (internal lip locates the washer in the stud hole) and the wavy washers sit nearest the damper body and securing nut. Thanks, as you can see in one of the previous photos the rear shock mounts on the axle have been, to put it mildly, “modified” . I was looking for photos or a drawing to get some idea how to restore the original bottom mounting on the axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytze Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 4 hours ago, Brian Reynolds said: The combined weight of the Isuzu 3.9 connected to the Dodge NV4500 transmission is 340 lbs heavier than the original unit. Apparently Parabolic springs will accept this extra weight, but I might just put an extra leaf or 2 in the original springs to test the set up. They will not accept the extra weight. One extra parabolic leaf, will make the front very hard. If you're not going to use it off road , that would be fine.. Otherwise it will be to stiff. I'm going to try a trailer spring , that is rated for 1000 kg as a set.. Using one , cutting it up , one leaf on each side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Reynolds Posted June 1, 2023 Author Share Posted June 1, 2023 Thanks, my intention is to use the original springs to get the project on the road and see how it performs. I can easily add an extra leaf or 2 into the springs as necessary. I have done a previous conversion using a Perkins engine which was heavier than this Isuzu using standard springs with no issues. This LR will be used for almost all road work with very occasional off road. More for towing and nostalgia than mountain climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytze Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 15 minutes ago, Brian Reynolds said: Thanks, my intention is to use the original springs to get the project on the road and see how it performs. I can easily add an extra leaf or 2 into the springs as necessary. I have done a previous conversion using a Perkins engine which was heavier than this Isuzu using standard springs with no issues. This LR will be used for almost all road work with very occasional off road. More for towing and nostalgia than mountain climbing. No harm in going your way. Mine is spring over axle. About 8 inches long spring seat's with RM parabollics. A pretty heavy Mazda 35 slt with a ZF 4hp22. And that sit's flat. Used a extra parabolic leaf, but that got way to stiff. It did corner like a racecar though😁. Keep us posted.. Oh, and a few pic's would be nice, or a build topic? 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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