1983 V8 CSW - too good to chop?

[carcathan]

Bit of a moral dilemma here.

1. Break a pretty good early V8 110 CSW and build a 100", or

2. make it a runner and ebay, or

3. rebuild it as a 110 truck cab.

Bought the 110 as a source of parts (clutch is really stuck and otherwise just needs a rear crossmember) for a 100" hybrid that i was going to build using an 1989 3.9 RR. Still needed a rear tub of course.

Now i need to make a decision as the CSW is so big on the drive it's starting to irritate the wife, and the skeleton of the RR is in the garage. So it's got to be truck cab to reduce it's impact.

I suspect that the RR V8 needs a rebuild but the 110 doesn't. I also like the idea of the LT95 instead of auto. If i sell the 110 on ebay it'll have to sell well to cover the cost of the lift up doors, bonnet, wings, engine + gearbox, dash, wiring etc.

If i keep it the standard 110 rear tub just slips on and i don't have any SVA headaches as its just a change of body panels.

But i may have to fit the RR axles as they have ABS and will take the LSE alloys and tyres.

But looking at it today by the time you strip away all the CSW parts there's not a lot of the 110 left, and if any parts are needed they are at the front end - better bulkhead, new wing and front panel if we're being picky. Then i start thinking i could keep the b post and make a king cab - why keep it simple!

Wife just gives me a blank stare when i seek enlightenment from her - so any advice you lot fancy giving?

I know its all subjective but it could help swing it one way or the other.

[q-rover]

Keep it as a 110 V8, there aren't that many original ones about.

I wouldn't mind one.

[western]

Get it running & tidy it up & keep it, 110 V8's are getting rare in good original condition.

[V8 Freak]

My car is rare !!!!

Nah, surely not..... Then again, not much that's original now......

Keep it as a 110 V8.....

[Matt Neale]

But i may have to fit the RR axles as they have ABS and will take the LSE alloys and tyres.

If it stays as a 110 then use the 110 axles. RRC axles aren't rated to the GVW of a 110.

Matt

[carcathan]

Thanks for the feedback, guess that's unanimous - forget the 100" and keep the 110 V8.

But nobody said keep the CSW body! I just won't be able to keep a vehicle that big.

So it's either quick tidy, ebay and let someone else keep her original or keep it 110 V8 - but truck cab.

If i keep it simple may be no-one will be able to tell it wasn't one from the start.

Keeping the axles original would be easier, but i'd say it's heavy hauling days are over and ABS is pretty much the most important improvement in vehicle technology in the last 20 years and it seems stupid not to fit it if its sitting there in the garage. With all the other changes i doubt the insurers will object - Mind you whether it's still serviceable is another matter. I think i'm right in thinking that chassis, engine and gearbox are enough to avoid the SVA.

The socket set comes out next month - so i'll make sure i post some pictures either way. Expect to see some CSW parts on ebay! Unless i sell it all and buy a project series 1 - that should be small enough to hide it from the wife.

[western]

Leave it as a CSW, more space inside & just as practical & more secure than a truckcab pick up, you won't notice the difference in size when driving, it'll be only slightly bigger than a 100 vehicle.

if you fit ABS the insurers will most likely want a engineers report as it wasn't a original fit or option when the 110 first came on sale, only recent Td5 & newer 90/110 have it. the standard brakes are more than capable of stopping it.

[Matt Nelson]

Leave it as a CSW, more space inside & just as practical & more secure than a truckcab pick up, you won't notice the difference in size when driving, it'll be only slightly bigger than a 100 vehicle.

Tidy it up and sell it to someon tin the USA 1983 is the magic year for 110s. We don't have them here and we can only import vehicles that are 25 years old. Someone here might pay good $ for it if it is in decent shape.

[Mr Bean]

sell it to me....

Or keep it as a 110 V8 CSW they are best IMHO

[Jurriaan]

Sell it to me, would look great next to my '83 110 Diesel

[sheeppimp]

Having seen the fun that corrodefinger on here had with ABS on his hybrid build using the original RRC rolling chassis as a base I would suggest that trying to get the ABS right after moving it to the 110 would be a PITFA.

Never had an issue with a well maintained set of non ABS brakes on a landrover. I'd just rebuild what's on it properly and it should be fine.

[carcathan]

Well, this was intended as a mechano set project - and as i've got the rangie sitting there it seems a waste not to use all the best bits.

To keep the costs down the intention was to use the good alloys and tyres for the rangie - which also meant the axles and the bonus of ABS, RR seats, put the hotwire injection on the 3.5 (unless the 3.9 is not as sick as it sounds) and generally build a 100" defender truck cab.

I was feeling uneasy about cutting up the 110 for parts, it's a lovely looking outhouse!

I really liked CorrodeFinger's 100" project and i still really fancy the problems that the 100" will throw up. So i think it's best if i sell the 110 CSW on to someone who's going to appreciate her and use the funds to get the parts all lined up.

Chopping the CSW to make a pick-up just seems lazy now, especially if i end up selling off 70% of it in parts.

Thanks for the responses - it's been useful. I suspect i'd otherwise have done something i'd have regretted later.

[JSG]

Rebuild as V8 110 CSW.

I'd love an early one on a galvanised chassis.

[ThreePointFive]

There is talk of the 110 V8s being rare, but is a 1988 V8 90 also worth keeping original?

Not to stray (or hijack) the topic too much, but my own 90 is at the point where it could be tidied up nicely into an original spec vehicle, or made into a toy. I don't want to do anything too stupid with something potentially rare, and as anyone who has been on forums I post on may know, this issue has made me take a step back with the direction I want to take the vehicle on numerous occasions. I'm not worried about getting more money, but am worried about cutting up something of a rarity. and have never got a definitive answer on how much I should be worried.

I would love to keep the engine, but with an auto box, respray charcoal grey and other mods, so you see why this is a dilema.

[stobbie]

I would also like to buy your 1983 110. if you want to sell it: info@one-ten.nl

[gelf]

mine currently looks like this..........

decided to bite the bullet and chop it up........... wishing i hadnt now as its alot of work......

[Mr Bean]

My personal opinion is standard is best.