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Here at Alternative Conversion, we have been working on a number of projects with Discos. While we mainly are busy producing our Disco 2 Gen 3 LS kits, I wanted to talk about one of our in-house Discovery 2 builds that should be coming together in the next few weeks. This has been over a year in the making and I am very happy that it is coming together.
Here are the basic details:
2004 Land Rover Discovery 2
Galvanized Frame Swap
GM Gen 5 L83 5.3L Direct Injection V8 from a 2018 Chevy Tahoe with about 20k miles
GM 6L80 6-speed transmission
Ashcroft-Rebuilt LT230 transfer case with upgrades
Ashcroft-Rebuilt front and rear differentials with Ashcroft Air Lockers and upgraded axles
3 inch lift
Front and Rear Bumpers from Dark Crow Designs
Rock Sliders from Dark Crow Designs
Right now, the engine / transmission / transfer case is assembled next to the frame. The frame is reassembled with the axles. Earlier the entire assembly was mocked up in the frame with the exhaust (running dual exhausts on this one), then torn back down before final assembly.
Looking forward to seeing this in its final form! The truck was designed as an alternative to a Rubicon Jeep / new Defender build - with a basically new GM V8 drivetrain.
Thanks for all the positive feedback. The Les Richmond Discovery’s were an inspiration for this build. Where our original LS kits are designed as a factory engine replacement (and they do a very good job at that), this was designed to make the Discovery basically the best it can be. Almost as if we were building a brand new Discovery today, what it would be like.
Today, the engine / transmission / transfer case were put into the frame for the final time. The gas tank also was added to the back. A new fuel pump and regulator will be used to provide the uprated pressure needed for the direct injection pump. All the non-galvanized metal parts are being Raptor-lined.
Managed to finish most of the frame wiring and got some of the linkages back onto the frame today. Also looked at the driveshafts. We've done a rotoflex delete on the rear and will be using a D1 rear driveshaft. The factory D1 driveshaft is bit long because the transfer case had to move back a bit, so the driveshaft will have to be shortened.
Got a little bit more done today. New tires arrived. Power steering box is in, just waiting for a piece to finish hooking up the lines. Twin 2.5in exhaust with x-pipe is in. Just waiting on a handful of parts for the fuel pump and it will be time to put the body back on.
The Ultimate Discovery 2
