SLROC Forum

I am attempting to fit a engine and box from a discovery into my defender. Its currently a 200tdi with a lt77 box. Hopefully will be a 300tdi with r380 box.

will the disco box fit straight in or do i need to adapt the tunnel?

Also how do you know where to fit the 300tdi engine mounts?

Having not done this before any help would be great,

Thanks Bill

Have a loook here Bill

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=64756

or here

http://www.steve-parker.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SPCK300

Pm sent. 

Both the links are for fitting a Defender R380 gear box installed not a disco. A Disco R380 has a larger bell housing which means the stick will sit too far back fir a defender driving position. You have ages options

- buy a used R380 for a defender. But they are like hens testy last I heard
- buy a defender box from Ashcroft and trade in your LT77
- keep the LT77, however the bottom 3 holes on the bell housing will not line up with the studs on the 300TDi engine

Can i just mount the engine further forward, as the back of the r380 box must be the same general dimensions. if its the bell housing thats the problem?

Does anybody know how much of a difference it actualy is?

Thanks Bill

Ashcroft did a short bell housing for around ?160 this was a few years ago give them a phone see if the still manufacture it. hope this helps Iain

I've seen people do the full engine and gearbox conversion and they just rejig the tunnel

Hi
If the lt77 is ok it works well with the 300 if a transfer box from a 300tdi is also used. Nice gearing. Good acceleration and plenty for revs for the motorway. When i done the 300 convertion i used my old flywheel housing fitted to the 19j and lt77 as fitted to the 300 with no drilling required. just a new crankshaft seal and a gasket. Sits in correct position only the engine moves back 6 inches in the engine bay.
Scott

Checked out a 300tdi disco today. the engine sits further forward than a defender using the front axle as a reference . i think im going to mount the engine forward and use the r380 box. it should hopefully solve any probs with hose lengths at the front.

has anyone done thus before ? Just incase there are other things that i am over looking.



Thanks Bill

The R380 gearbox sits slightly forward,about 40mm,from where the LT77 sits,so you need to change the gearbox mountings,both propshafts,modify the seatbox,obtain a plastic gearbox tunnel (V8 appears the same),modify the bulkhead to suit,replace engine mountings etc to get the engine to sit in the correct place to use standard hoses.   I know from bitter experience,fitting an R380 in the LT77 position resulted in too short hoses and the cooling fan hitting the power steering box.

Sounds like a lot of work for very little actual difference in the driving - Is the current engine/gearbox goosed ?

G. 

engine had a oil pressure problem, then a big end gave out, box is a bit noisy and i have the chance of replacements at a good price. but they are for a disco, didnt think there would be to much difference changing them over, and dont want the oil pressure issues that 200tdi seem to have.

Ashcroft did a short bell housing for around ?160 this was a few years ago give them a phone see if the still manufacture it. hope this helps Iain

they still do, special order & a bit of change from a ?1500 if you want a shorty R380

Big thanks to Greig for letting me see whats involved in putting the r380 box in my 110, after looking at that i wont be fitting it as im not prepared to butcher my 110 that much. So its an engine only transplant.

Thanks for all the replies but its just to much work for the gearbox.


Bill

I recently swapped my knackered defender box for an R380 and it was near enough a straight swap! As someone already said you need the shorter bell housing to make the shafts line up, and the sticks are both now further back. To be honest the driving position with them further back is much nicer. You would need to loose any centre seat or cubby box though.

I've found first gear to be a bit on the tall side when combined with my big mud tyres, but motorway cruising is so much better now