conversion 109 to 88 inch wheel base

[billingtond]

Hi, has anyone tried it, I have a 109 stage one rolling chassis , plan to turning it into a 88 inch, are there any pit falls.
Original Stage one V8 88 inch do they use the salsbury rear axle.
I enjoy the 109, however has its limitation off road.

[sebking]

Don't take a rare chassis and chop it up.

Take an 88" vehicle and put the right bits on it if you really want a mini stage 1 or just slap a v8 in and put a defender front end on.

[map1275]

Strikes me as being the longest way round. Even if the 109 chassis was rotten, I still wouldn't even attempt to make it into an 88.

I had always planned to buy a complete 88 then rebuild it into a Stage One V8. The worst I have to do then, is issue a modification plate for a V8 installation. If anyone comes to me for a modification plate and starts off with "I chopped the chassis", I tell them to find someone else for certification.

The task of shortening can certainly be achieved, both legally and safely. I just don't see this as the easiest means.

[billingtond]

thanks for the feedback, will keep the stage one chassis, and put the v8 in my 2A, cheers dave

[5988]

problem will be there wont be one chop to do, a 109 isnt an 88 with some metal added, outriggers, cross members etc need changing chassis is the wrong shape on a 109 as well (and taprs so jointing the two sectiosn tidily will be difficult

converting an 88 to a proprt stage 1 88 wont be easy either, getting that gearbox in with a decent prop to the back could be difficult

[disco2hse]

Guess that's why most 88's I have seen that were converted to V8 either used the Leyland or small block Chev.

Dave, Have you considered just bob-tailing it? Biggest Issue I have with mine is banging its arse-end about, that and the awful lock (but a little mud and a heavy foot soon gets us round most tight bends ).

[billingtond]

Hi Alan, I have considered cropping the back end off, however, that would require the back body to reduced in size and the rear fuel tank to be removed. maybe I am asking too much from the old girl, and should get a SWB landy for the hard yak stuff. Dave

[disco2hse]

Well, if'n I were to do that. I'd junk the rear and chop it off at the bulkhead. Then put on a small flatbed tray. That would mean you'd have much better access to the chassis so you can mount the six point roll cage

And if this were to be case you'd not be wanting the rear fuel tank anymore because you'd be unlikely to be cruising.



Umm, just thinking about it. You're probably right. A shorty is easier but it would be a fun project though. Be a lot simpler to achieve than doing it to a Disco, but on the other hand if you were to do something along these lines a worn out 110 or 90 might be a better starting point.