I'm in a 2000 disco ii with a 3 inch TF lift. I need to make a little more room for an oil pan on the bottom and an intake on the top of the engine compartment. I replaced my worn driveshaft with a friend's core return about a year ago. The core return has grease fittings but is otherwise stock. I need to go up about 1.5 inches. Tires will remain the same.

I have read a lot about driveshafts and it seems that double cardan is the best I can do. I have also heard of rotating the differential but that is a huge job. Can anyone who is using a 4 inch plus lift give me any pointers on what to look for in a driveshaft (front)? Also, I imagine the rotoflex needs to go, and I have done that conversion on another Rover. Anything to consider in a back driveshaft other than the conversion?

 

So confused, you need more room for an oil pan? You already have an oil pan, and what intake are you referring to? You'll be fine with a double cardon front shaft, may want to think about a double u-joint rear shaft.

 

Smells like an engine swap.

 

Correct!

 

Thanks. That's what I was reading. But the people who say those things are generally theoreticians. I don't want to get stuck with a broken shaft for sure.

 

Two engines to chose from, and both need more room n the bottom. I have the om617 in hand, in my garage, and I have been lurking for a gm6.2. I think the OM is the ticket though. Just need more space over the front pumpkin and longer bump stops. The 6.2 is fine with a pancake intake but I found one with a banks turbo and it requires more room up top.

 

Talk to Erick(screaminglife on here) about the OM617, you may choose differently.

 

Short Story: Don't bother unless you have about 10 grand and a year committed to not having your Discovery. This is a doable swap, trust me, I got soooo close.

Long Story: The OM617 is a fantastic engine, but you are gonna have to work a lot to get it to work. You are gonna have to plan a lot of things out. What type of transmission are gonna use? Are you gonna us an automatic transmission, if so do you have spare ZF4HP22 handy? Who is gonna redo the torque converter to meet the stale points for the engine? Are you gonna go to a dry sump? You are probably gonna have to get a new fuel injection pump, that runs about 1200 to 1500. Also plan on getting a new turbo, and re-gearing your entire vehicle. My two cents is that you A.) go find someone other poor schmucks vehicle that he already wasted swapping in an engine or B.) buy yourself a TDi Defender or wait for the next generation of small trucks that are coming out with I4, I5 and V6 turbo diesels.

Plus, I'm probably moving to [The Peoples Democratic Republic of] California by the end of 2014 and I didn't feel like looking over my shoulder with an illegal vehicle for the next 3 to 5 years.

It was fun trying to do something different, it truly was, but it was ultra frustrating when it didn't work out. It wasn't worth it in the end to continue pouring money into it, plus I could not allow it to sit at my friends shop for possibly up to 8 months. If you can honestly say to yourself this is an endeavor that you are willing to take the time to do, then by all means go ahead, but its not gonna be easy.

If you have ANY questions, feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to answer you.

PS. there is BMW I5 TDi that mates to a ZF4HP22, I forget what model its out of, but if you can find it, it could make for a much easier swap. I know its not the holy OM617, but its a decent, torquey engine. I'll add the exact name of the engine if I happen to remember it.

 

I followed your thread and I will certainly pm you as it progresses. I have the ten grand. I have the om617 working great. I have someone to make an adapter to the hp22. A fuel pump is in the budget for sure. I don't know why I need to change the sump other than for space considerations. I planned to lift myself out of that problem and place larger bump stops, but I'll do what I have to do. The hp22 will be controlled by a compushift but I haven't pulled the trigger on that because I really want to convert to a manual. I have the mid sized torque converter and it seemed like it would do the job from what I read. I haven't figured out the mounts yet but that should be easy to fabricate... I have stalled on that because I would like liquid mounts and I don't know the angle and dimensions without pulling the engine--I have watched Jarek 's video on the mounts but the angle escapes me. I have the speedo figured out. Not sure about the tach and don't care... Hmm. I don't know what else. I'd love to talk with you about it.