Shopgrrl and I have the wrecked Disco almost completely stripped-hope to have the body off the frame early next week. The SIIA bulkhead has pretty rough footwells. I also intend to retain the Disco steering and brake assembly.

Last night, I was looking at the Disco footwells. Do you suppose I could cut the bulkhead of the Disco around the footwells/steering/brake assembly and graft these pieces to the bulkhead of the SIIA?

What's the consensus on wheelbase for a hybrid? Cut the Disco chassis down to 88", section the tub of the IIA to add 12", or use a 109/110 tub and leave the wheelbase as is? The only 109 body parts I have are four station wagons, except my DD and I'm not gonna cannibalize it for Shopgrrl's truck :flipoff2:

Peace,
PT

thread,worthless, without, pics

thread,worthless, without, pics

Fine, you'll reply to postings, but not phone calls...

And, why do you need pics? 1: you're gonna be here next week, 2: you've met Shopgrrl and Shopboy, 3: you ought to know what a wrecked Disco and rusty SIIA look like :flipoff2:

Lastly, you know I'm not smart enough to resize pics.

Replate the series bulkhead. its basically all flat metal plates and is easily fixed
shorten a 109 tub if you can get one. the 88 tubs don't allow much seat adjustability for leg room. 100 inch wheelbase gives the best compromise for allround offroad ability. 88 inch is a bit short for steep off camber terrain.110 gets high centred too easily on crests.
Bill.

PICTURES!!!!

I think I paid $70 for new footwells.

I would do that. Shiny galvy with holes for the clutch and brake assemblies

As far as wheelbase we need more info. Drivetrain (rear driveshafts can get short), are you going to run huge tires (and hack the fenders to clear), how much does appearance matter, etc.

If you are swapping on an 88 body I would stick with 88 and just put a D90 front end on for the room for the V8. The rear driveshaft will not be too short and if you fudge it just right it will be the same length as the front.

My theory is to use as little as possible that is unique. Also KEEP IT TO A COMBO OF TWO TRUCKS ONLY!!!!

Trying to make a truck that has aspects of 14 different vehicles is a nightmare (ask me how I know)

The last thing I might suggest is to get a D90 frame and rear tub or better yet BUY THE 110 FRAME THAT ECR HAS for $500. You will likely drop close to that in outriggers and X-members converting the disco frame.

109 BODY PANELS swap directly onto a 110 frame, unlike the 90/88 issues. Disco tank will fit per pendy.

Ron

109 SW frame built to 110 spec 300tdi mounts, but now with V8 mounts on the way, 1964 dormobile roof, interior, rear tub, series III front fenders, SII bulkhead modified, 95 D90 drivetrain, 1993 military 110 rear axle, 1987 RR front axle suffix A, 1993 NAS hood, 1959 rear door, new t-pieces, 1967 windscreen etc etc.

Keep the WB at 100". Its perfect for 35-37" tires. You are going to run those, right? :flipoff2:

PICTURES!!!!

I've already explained that.
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I think I paid $70 for new footwells.

That doesn't get me any closer to Disco steering and brakes now does it?
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Shiny galvy with holes for the clutch and brake assemblies

I'm not gonna need a clutch for an automatic.
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As far as wheelbase we need more info. Drivetrain (rear driveshafts can get short), are you going to run huge tires (and hack the fenders to clear), how much does appearance matter, etc.

Disco drivetrain, 1995. I really don't expect to be running huge tires anytime in the foreseeable future. Shopgrrl doesn't want to need a ladder to get in. It can't looked hacked or cobbled-she won't stand for it.
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If you are swapping on an 88 body I would stick with 88 and just put a D90 front end on for the room for the V8. The rear driveshaft will not be too short and if you fudge it just right it will be the same length as the front.

I have a Defender bonnet and intend to have a radiator narrowed to fit the space.
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The last thing I might suggest is to get a D90 frame and rear tub or better yet BUY THE 110 FRAME THAT ECR HAS for $500. You will likely drop close to that in outriggers and X-members converting the disco frame.

LOL! Outriggers are cheap and so is wire for the MIG. I have a Disco frame and the engine, etc. is already mounted.
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109 BODY PANELS swap directly onto a 110 frame, unlike the 90/88 issues. Disco tank will fit per pendy.

The only 109 panels I have are for station wagons, not general duty tubs.
Just because Pendy says it on the internet (where he appears bigger) doesn't mean it's true :flipoff2:

Peace,
PT

First I was suggesting buying the 110 frame and using 109 SW body panels, this would be ideal for resale and usability, but since you want cheap I will go with that.

"That doesn't get me any closer to Disco steering and brakes now does it?"

Sure it does, SIII or D90 brake tower with the disco booster and MC bolted on. Difficult to fit under the hood (Disco booster is longer than D90) but can be done. The disco pedal assembly is so far from what you need I would not even attempt it.

I would not worry about the steering. It should be easy enough to make a bracket or two, easier than cobbling the the disco bulkhead onto a series bulkhead.

Back to the master plan:

Ok, not cobbled looking and you do not have a 109 tub.

88in wheelbase is the only way it is not going to look hacked without a lot of work. SIII fenders, D90 bonnet, D90 rad support (or custom).

Stretching body panels to 100in is a lot of work. Shortening 109 regular stuff is easier.

You should be able to remove the rad mounts from the side of the disco rad and it should fit between the fenders. I can go double check on the dimensions but it looks the same width as a d90 to me.

SO: from 88:

Body, bulkhead potentially a driveshaft

From disco: drivetrain, front driveshaft

NEED: tunnel cover, modify seatbox, hack 12in from frame, new rear X-member, make all mounts.

Issues: fuel tank? wiring? front panel? how to modify series front wings?

Ron

Im planning on building my own tub. 110 3door skins, flat floor from sheet alum. Summit alum. 'tubbed' fenders, and a donor series tub for cappings, rear panels, support ribs.

-Jeff

From disco: drivetrain, front driveshaft

NEED: tunnel cover, modify seatbox, hack 12in from frame, new rear X-member, make all mounts.

Issues: fuel tank? wiring? front panel? how to modify series front wings?

Ron

Tunnel cover/seatbox-this justifies my buying a sheetmetal machine :flipoff2:

Fuel tank: Modify Series tank? Modify frame to accept outriggers to support the tank.

Wiring: Not a problem for me.

Front panel-move breakfast forward?

Series front wings: I just got a pair of pretty good wings from Ike a month ago. One of my neighbors has two TIG welders in the back of his truck and he drinks a lot of my beer :flipoff2:

See my new thread with the design specs.
PT

Front panel-move breakfast forward?

This is an issue because making the disco rad fit would be difficult.

I would go with D90 stuff. I think george wanted $100 which if you had a good IIA breakfast you could sell and break even.

Ron

You would do well to emulate JS Briggs plans. I will bring a camera. The interweb will never be the same.

JP

paul,
do you have any of the little headlight teets (plastic and screw thingies) from the wrecked disco? i need three. :D