i just brought home a new project.
my first attempt at a rover build.:smokin:
Has anyone ever swapped a chevy drive train into a dicovery rover.
im not concerned with the fabing just the fit.
like i said this is my first jump into rovers.

here is my plan

350/350turbo/transfer case un known (depends on how much room i have)
d-44 front/9 inch rear
37 inch tires
h1 wheels
exo cage
rock sliders
lots of fender trimming
and some interior changes
hopefully end up with a nice streetable heavy trail use rig.:cool2:

Since i know nothing about the stock axles how strong are they compared to a d-44 or d-60.
the motor in it runs and has an auto with some sort of transfer case but i know nothing about these parts so im not sure if i want to use them or not.

If im feelin frisky i might even throw some rockwells under it and go with 49 inch tires:grinpimp: .lol
Any thoughts or ideas would be appretiated......

So you're starting with a rover and ending up with about 3 rover parts?

Why not just make a moon buggy from scratch.

The motor should fit - there is a lot of room in there.

The main issue you'll face is getting the electronics to work.

With all that work, why bother with a 44? Is there even an easy way to get the H1 bolt pattern on a 44?

There are a number of rr's and disco's on this board that can give you some idea's.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463470

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=495654

The main issue you'll face is getting the electronics to work.


Electronics? While it would be fairly simple to wire up the 94-95 Disco EFI to a SBC (say, if you had a late 80's/early 90's TPI manifold from a L89 or L98. Camaro or Corvette), the fuel map likely wouldn't jive, even if you compensated with injector sizing.

Otherwise, with the various carburetion and FI options available for the SBC, electronics are going to be as hard as finding the hot lead, ignition lead, and ground. Can't really see this even remotely being a problem...

The problem will be in the vehicle electronics, not the engine electronics. His title says disco2, so assuming that, it will be difficult - if not impossible - to get the guages and other dash electronics to work without the engine and/or transmission ECUs. If you completely gutted the whole thing and started from scratch with just a body and chassis and installed all of your own systems, it would be easy. But to maintain vehicle functionality while removing the two core systems of the vehicle is going to be difficult!

Sorry - I was referring to the truck electronics, not the engine.

Screw the Dana 44. The 44 is ok-ish in a light rig such as a TJ, but in the heavier rover, a Dana 60 is the way to go. Also when you decide you want bigger tires, the 60 can easily accept the bigger tires.

I payed 2500 bucks for this thing because it wont pass emissions here in tx and the owner didnt want to mess with the cost of fixing it.

i looked under the dash and the wireing looks like a 2 year old was working on it so im not aposed to gutting it and doing a painless kit or some thing.
I really like the rover in the links you gave me that is kinda what im going for
but with rockwells and 49 irocks and half doors so i wont need any power acc in the doors.

the rockwells will be my choice of axles instead of half tons.:grinpimp:

as for the moonbuggy suggestion i dont see anything wrong with upgrading axles and drivetrain parts. it will still be titled as a disco2 and be "streetable":smokin: .

Ive also found out that if i go propane i can get a alt.fuel certification and then no need for emissions.:)

Plus there are a lot of (rich) people around here that think they are the shiznit because they drive a ROVER so it will be bad ass to show them what a rover should be used for.:flipoff2: "im poor white trash so it makes it even better"lol

i will sell all of the good stock parts to any one who needs them so all will be good in the universe......:D

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m309/imtheglassman/realdisco.jpg

sorry to hijack someone elses truck but i was thinking kinda like this.:smokin:

you stay the fuck away from photoshop and my truck. :flipoff2:

Dude - I hope your building skills are better than your photoshop skills.

Before you go off with the sawzall, make sure you know what you're cutting. You can probably offset a good part of the cost of the swap with the stuff you're going to toss.

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
i know my computer skills suck.lol

i have a little bit of fabing skills
not much though:D :D
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2184000-2184999/2184553_18.jpg

you stay the fuck away from photoshop and my truck. :flipoff2:


:D :D i like your truck and i said sorry first:p
i really get a kick out of the guys that think i should stick with stock axles and such.:shaking:
and i will leave the photoshop alone.....lol

Build it, make it work and comeback and show it off. Until then...

I'll put a year's wages on it not getting done and being sold for scrap within the year.

paul, i already have the custom bored spindles (my dad), and offset 1541u offset 35 spline shafts. this will be a custom offset 60. plans are for an 8 lug 44 front until i can afford a 60. it should look very similar to madcows.

as for the moonbuggy suggestion i dont see anything wrong with upgrading axles and drivetrain parts. it will still be titled as a disco2 and be "streetable":smokin: .


You definitely have the fab skills...the problem will be making it street legal (e.g. pass emissions). The "alt-fuel" exemption would be slick; however, check into the regulations regarding engine swaps. Some states (like Commifornia...I think Nevada is the same) require that the engine you swap in has to be the same year or newer than the vehicle. I don't know if there are further restrictions for newer OBDII vehicles.

BTW, do you know why the vehicle will not pass emissions?

You definitely have the fab skills...the problem will be making it street legal (e.g. pass emissions). The "alt-fuel" exemption would be slick; however, check into the regulations regarding engine swaps. Some states (like Commifornia...I think Nevada is the same) require that the engine you swap in has to be the same year or newer than the vehicle. I don't know if there are further restrictions for newer OBDII vehicles.

BTW, do you know why the vehicle will not pass emissions?

Who worries about emissions when you can't get the doors to unlock without reaching out and pulling the the handle?

A Disco II is not the platform to be planning such an activity unless one of two conditions are met. First, the builder has an advanced degree in electronics, emphasis on control circuitry, or, the vehicle is gutted and point-to-point wiring utilized. NOTHING can be done on these vehicles without ensuring that all of the components are speaking to each other in friendly voices.

Who worries about emissions when you can't get the doors to unlock without reaching out and pulling the the handle?

it will still be titled as a disco2 and be "streetable"

In order for it to be "streetable," it has to pass emissions (unless he were granted an exemption for "alt-fuel"). I'd assume that if he were to invest the time to swap in Chevy running gear, he'd gut the rig and start from scratch. You'd be stupid not to; and it sounds like he wants to pursue this project for the novelty of wheeling a hard-core fat-pig...not because he wants to eat caviar amidst the luxurious Rover ameneties while out on the trail.

My point is that even if he chooses the simplest route (starting from scratch), he better make sure the engine swap meets his state's regulations if he wants the rig to be "streetable." I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt that he is capable of wiring a rig from scratch; it's time consuming, but certainly not difficult.

"I payed 2500 bucks for this thing because it wont pass emissions here in tx and the owner didnt want to mess with the cost of fixing it."

You stole it. Sell it and buy a better platform. I could get it to pass emission in a heartbeat.

There is nothing wrong with the stock DII drivetrain for offroad. It is actually better than good. Light, enough power and enough gears.

If anything leave it (well fix it and leave it) and run bigger axles. There are some well done DIIs around (look at Greg D's with the volvo axles--though I admit chopped is not my style).

With a DII most people just go for 33s or so but 35-37s and new axles would be great. A 44 (eight lug) should work for that size (with new shafts and CTMs). In the rear you will need offset so use a 60 or 70 out of a van (I have heard and I think have seen a couple of offset 9in if you prefer) or a flipped eaton out of a late 60s through 72ish 3/4 ton or 1ton chevy pick up.

ditto on Greg's truck, or Steve at RTEs for that matter. The engine and corresponding electronic nightmare would not be worth it. With the correct gearing I would think most any axle and tire combo could be made to work. There is a truggy here in town with 60s and the factory engine and t-case.

IH Scouts used the correct drop 44 axles. It should be a pretty straightforward swap.

Removign the ABS would be easy. If it hasn't failed yet, it will soon.