Ah, I see where your going now. Kinda interesting to think about. Do you have any examples of that swap, if so I'd sure like to check em out.

 

I actually typed all that out and then let it go because we could open a new thread on just this type of swap. I think almost everything the BeCM does could be controlled by switches/relays but there may end up being a butt load of em...... It is a really interesting concept though. I've been reading on MegaSquirt all weekend, my eyeballs will never be the same. Diving in, gonna be a MS guru someday.

 

Yeah I know the RRC is technically the more mechanical/reliable one. But it's going to be a big puzzle piece to our family (and soon kid) so I have to concede some things to my better half.
And I won't necessarily be complaining to be in the cockpit of a LR branded BMW interior (almost everything about it reminds me of my E39 540i/6. Some of the parts are even the same. )

Is the BW case an open diff or viscous LSD? As an overland rig I'll at most be interested in a pair of trutracks. I've not once needed to lock the diff off road in my disco.

Yeah I've been planning on it for the D1 for over a year, and suddenly realized I should probably consider other (nicer/larger) options for a donor. Fully mechanical N/A diesel engine - nearly the same power/tq numbers and redline as the 4.0 - and fully hydraulic 4hp22 transmission paired with the BW case might actually be a pretty awesome drivetrain while keeping all the creature comforts and, imo, good looks of the P38 @ ~28mpg!

Here's the prototype tranny adaptor plate for the diesel-ZF conversion:

 

Grab it. Overland =simplicity. P38=complex. RRC =simple. The math is simple. I am a fan of the P38 but not it's dependence on it computers. Seems you can't fart in there with out the computers permission. That's why hardly anyone does a driveline swap on them. You'd probably have to keep the original sensors and harness to fool the truck into thinking it was still running a 4.0

 

My BW transfer case is great. It's quiet. It's easy to use. But the viscous coupling scares me. I've put a new chain in mine. It still makes me worry that one small part can stop me dead. The LT230 is a much better choice for overlanding.

 

That's what I'm trying to figure out. Just how interconnected are the various computers? From my research it seems at least up to a certain year they were still being fitted with the 4hp22 transmission, which has no computer controls at all. I gather the suspension ECU is independent of the driveline computer too.

 

It is my understanding the computers are all intertwined. Meaning a failure in one (or elimination of one) causes the others to malfunction. BUT I'm not an expert on P38's at all. I've worked on a few for various reasons. I may be completely wrong. So maybe try starting a new thread about engine/driveline swapping in the General tech or Modification section. More people may see it. As you can see the RR section is a bit quiet.

 

SO turns out it can, and has, been done!




Here's the full thread. I have some reading to catch up on.

 

Great info. Spent the last hour reading. It seems you'd also be doing a Trans swap as well

 

Yeah I haven't gotten that far into it yet. Looks like the first attempt used the 4hp22, which I know works well in this conversion on Discos and RRC's.