If you had the opportunity to acquire a rolling 1984 Defender 110 in great condition but needed a new engine/transmission, what drivetrain would you opt for? In other words, what are the possibilities? what would fit easily?

I already have an '85 110 with 300tdi/r380. I love it, but since I have the opportunity to essentially "create" a new beast, my imagination is wandering. Small block Chevy?? 6 cyl Cummins? What are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

It would have to be a diesel....fo'sho...

 

Are you saying it has to be diesel because the transfer case couldnt handle the higher revs of a gas motor? Lets pretend money isnt an object and the transfer case, diffs, axles, etc. will be swapped out too. Still have to remain diesel??

 

Only 3.9L izusu diesels work in those along with the lr diesels.

The isuzu diesel was used in Australian army trucks.

 

If you're keeping them both I'd use the same 300/R380 combination for spares commonality.
If you have a special need for something else, then that's another issue.

 

Not worried about spares commonality, I would actually prefer to build a truck that is completely different so as to have two unique trucks. One thing I am sure of is that I love Defenders, be it the ruggedness of the design, or simply the toughness of the appearance. I think if I keep both trucks, Ill actually want them to be as different as possible so I will have a truck for every possible use/occasion. Call me an idiot or a fool if you want, but Im doing this purely for fun and for the challenge of it.

So, that being said, is there anyone out there that has knowledge of an instance where someone has implanted a big, powerful motor into a Defender? Pure and simple, I want more power than the 300tdi can offer. For instance, I want to be able to drive this truck on the interstate comfortably, whereas in my 300tdi, at 65mph it sounds like the engine is going to explode. See what Im getting at?

 

do a factory v8 conversion, useing a 4.6 short block and 4.2 heads. You will have the best of both worlds a diesel for off road and the 4.6 for long highway trips.

 

After looking around on the internet a little bit, and finding some videos on YouTube of old Defenders with engine conversions, I think Ill go with a Cummins 6BT. Its a little heavier than a gas V8, but the torque and durability win out over the horsepower and highway speed I think. Plus, the sound is cool enough all by itself.

 

I was ready to bid online today on a wrecked isuzu npr 200 with the 4he1-tc engine/ mxa 5 speed manual g/b . Buggered it up completely with my laptop outing itself of power at the wrong moment so i missed out completely .In the proccess of moving house currently and the project would have taken the backburner though it still would have been handy to have the motor n box sitting there.

specs taken from 4btswaps.com

4HE1-TC Basic specifications:
Cylinders: 4
Injection: direct
Injection pump: Bosch inline type with automatic timer
Displacement: 4.75L (289.75 cu in)
Bore: 110mm (4.33 in)
Stroke: 125mm (4.92)
Valves: 2 per cylinder
Inlet manifold ?
Exhaust: RHS (drivers perspective).
Weight: Approx. 365Kg (803lbs)
Dimensions: 833.3H X 699.8W X 1181L (the length may be incorrect. Member astr has measured 30" from fan mount on water pump to tail which is nearly identical to the 4BDx series)
32.8"H x 27.6"W x 46.5"L
Bellhousings: ?
Starting aids: ?
Electrical: 12v in US market
Turbochargers: Garret GT226?
Alternator: 12v (US market)
AC Compressor: ?


Power output:
Automatic -175 hp (130.6 KW) @ 2700 rpm
Manual - 142 hp (106 KW) @ 2800 rpm
Torque output:
Automatic - 347 ft-lb (470.5 nm) @ 2000 rpm
Manual - 275 ft-lb (372.0 nm) @1300 rpm

Overhead cam .



The ford 5.0 302 engine looks the goods and could even be resonably economical given 6 speeds and decent ratios? I understand you can buy short blocks and build your motor up also.

Rakeway have the gearbox/ lt230 to suit? I dunno.....

2012 Mustang Boss 302 5.0L Crate Engine, M-6007-M50b by Ford Racing at LRS - Same Day Shipping!


The v8 nearly being half the weight of the deisel.


Gi me IFS + R&P steering conversion , lowered with the v8 for an on rd rig

 

800 lbs for the Isuzu 4 cyl, and 1000 lbs for the 6bt are the biggest drawbacks I can see there. The conversion would be easier for these engines though.

Ideally, in a perfect world, I would love a good ol' 350 small block V8 for its light weight, simple design, mechanical familiarity, non-electric/non-computer simplicity, and high power output potential. The only thing keeping me from just moving on this option is the custom work that Im sure is required to fit the motor(keeping the truck right hand drive as well). Beyond that, changing out the gears, axles, transmission, transfer case, etc. all to handle the higher RPMs. If this option is easier than I am thinking it might be, please someone chime in with something I dont know, a little advice or pointers. Thanks.