I have a good 524td laying around and my 2000 d2 looks like it has a cracked block. Do you think this would be a good diesel for the rover? Or maybe not enough power. I guess they used it in the range rover classic

 

Anythings possible, depends on money invested. I don't have the specs for that motor in front of me, but you might also have to find a tranny and torque converter to match the torque output, might be more then an old disco can handle... also goes for the weight, you may need to beef the front suspension up to keep it level, and invest in upgraded brakes. Other main issue will be title/registration/inspections. That all depends on your state. You might convert it fine, and some states don't inspect diesels anymore, but if they do you may have a problem. Second, if you ever go to sell it, the new buyer might not be able to register it for use on the street as it wouldn't be a correct match. OR the state might not even take notice or care.

Other then that the hard part would be getting the computers/guages in order... I'm guessing total replacement would be necessary with whatever systems where used origibnally with that motor.

 

State laws aside, no one makes a bell housing adaptor for that, so ulness you have/can cheaply source a matching tranny & transfer case, I'd say it's not worth it. Even then, you still have to work the engine management & driveshaft(s) issues. Would love to see it done though! Then you could run your Disco off leftover McDonalds frying oil!

 

Um, yeah. Did you try the search feature before you posted? I seem to remember maybe one thread on DII diesel conversions. Or maybe one hundred. They generally start with "Can this be done" and then sort of trail off without ever getting done. You can put a diesel in a DII but it will only be "legal" in states where nobody checks under the hood or connects to the OBD port. Plus it will either have a dash with every light on or a fully gutted OEM electrical system replaced with a custom built one. It is a huge undertaking and will likely drive you mad.

 

Actually, that diesel with the BMW bell housing, Torque Converter etc will bolt to the 4hp22. I don't know that it will bolt to 4hp24 though. After that it would be a matter of fueling motor mounts and ancillaries.

 

It was bolted up to the 4hp22 in the BMW from 1983 to 1985, so that part would be easy but all of the other parts of the swap will still suck just as much.

 

Cheaper to buy one of those reman Defender frames and building your own deisel hotrod version using d2 body panels from wrecked/siezed motor finds haha. id go with a single mid seat cummins dual turbo setup personally...

 

Enough with all the Naysayers.... WillieD I admire your enthusiasm! You can Easily do this IF you are mechanically inclined and have a spare 2-3K laying around, I could build a good sized Tank for 10K so toss that idea right out the window... Heres the easiest way to do this as I am doing it in a Disco One and it will cost me the price of the vehicle and the price of a complete BMW 524TD. You Can do it without the complete donor vehicle but then you are looking at about 10K. PM me for more info. I stand to do this swap at a leisurely pace and have it done in less than two months. Dont let these guys scare you off this project because when its done youll have one of two in the US! You don't need a custom bell housing or any fancy stuff like that, you just need half brain like I have and the internet and that is a given.

 

I would not ruin a 524td. I had one. Nice car.
If your car is in perfect condition then post some pictures on here.

 

Here is my 2cents worth. There were Defender 90`s and 110`s built in South Africa with BMW 2.8ltr motors in them. Around 1996 to 1998 so bell housings for the 524td may be available there. Just the electronics will be a BEAR. I have complete D1 Disco diff in my 1969 Series IIA. So nothing is impossible just a bit harder to get done.