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RTTDefender



Member Since: 28 Aug 2020
Location: Enniskillen
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 
Chassis Swap and Rebuild Process
Hi,

I have a 2001 TD5 which was a pickup, now a 90 SW base. The chassis is now rotten and I want to replace this. Repair the seals to the steering and anything else mechanical. I have the place to do this. Fork lift and car lift to hand. I can strip most things and rebuild and replace parts but a complete chassis swap and all the bolts, washers and nuts I am not familar with. Is there amyone who can direct me to a guide and parts needed for a complete swap. I would like to replace all bolts etc!

Also I have no rear roof liners, alphine windows in the roof which I believe need to be done. She has side seats (7 seater) which I am happy to leave as is. But I do want to have rear wiper setup as this is missing and de-mister! Which is the best chassis to buy as well.

She has 130k on the clock and is running really well. Any advise to keep this engine running well let me know too!

She peedles rain in through the top of the doors onto the floor! What can the issue be to stop this happening.

regards

Richard
Post #853626 1st Sep 2020 3:52pm
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RTTDefender



Member Since: 28 Aug 2020
Location: Enniskillen
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 

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Post #853635 1st Sep 2020 4:36pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3673

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
I think the general consensus is that the Richards chassis is the one to go for. You might save a couple of hundred going cheaper, but you’ll be cursing it when the holes don’t line up and the dimensions are off.

Good luck with it.
Post #853646 1st Sep 2020 5:04pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1860

United Kingdom 
Great looking truck - nice one Thumbs Up Rob

1993 200tdi 90 hard-top
1998 300tdi 90 soft-top
2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top (sold)
Post #853650 1st Sep 2020 5:28pm
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Lwb97



Member Since: 10 Sep 2015
Location: Powys
Posts: 75

Wales 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
Marsland are a better fitting chassis then the Richards without a doubt. The marsland are a genuine chassis so the fit is spot on every time and also have the correct chassis rails. The Richards are cheaper and fit is okay although the last one I fitted the tub was sitting to high on the chassis causing door alignment issues. Don’t bother with shielder as never heard a good word about them. Can’t comment on an XD chassis but will be trying one very shortly as heard good things.
Post #853670 1st Sep 2020 7:18pm
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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1380

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
This has just been posted on the Series Two club forum - spot the deliberate mistake. Richards may have some QC issues



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 Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #853673 1st Sep 2020 7:24pm
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Oldowner



Member Since: 26 Dec 2018
Location: South west
Posts: 620

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Aintree Green
Lwb97 wrote:
Marsland are a better fitting chassis then the Richards without a doubt. The marsland are a genuine chassis so the fit is spot on every time and also have the correct chassis rails. The Richards are cheaper and fit is okay although the last one I fitted the tub was sitting to high on the chassis causing door alignment issues. Don’t bother with shielder as never heard a good word about them. Can’t comment on an XD chassis but will be trying one very shortly as heard good things.


I have had ten or so Richards chassis, A couple of series ones had major issues back when they were first starting out - missing body mounts etc, and I had a 110 one for a Hicap five or six years ago which the tub never sat right on it either, the Hicap tub was too high at the back to get it parallel with the rest of the body. All the 90 ones I’ve had have more recently been good however with no alignment issues, and I’m a stickler for correct door shuts and barrel side lines. I bought a Puma 90 chassis from Richards two years ago but have yet to fit it to my Puma (this winters job)

My father has a Marslands one on his 2012 90CSW, (was done under insurance as a replacement after a crash) I didn’t fit it, but it seems very good and alignment is bang on as to be expected.
Post #853691 1st Sep 2020 7:53pm
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RTTDefender



Member Since: 28 Aug 2020
Location: Enniskillen
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 
Well, thats good to know!

Can anyone recommend where I can get good detail of the replacement parts I would need for chassis swap. How best to take it apart either complete lift or remove in bits. It is going to get resprayed as well.

regards

Richard
Post #853772 2nd Sep 2020 8:18am
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
Remember it will double your budget and you need 3 times as much time as you planned, Or was it the other way around. Twisted Evil

My first rebuild toke some time. The strip down was done in a day build the rebuild took 3 years. Partly because making and getting my first child and building a house didn't speed things up.

Take it apart completely as then you know you don't bend anything. You will see more parts that you want to be replaced if everything is apart. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #853883 2nd Sep 2020 5:37pm
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Nidge



Member Since: 27 Jan 2008
Location: Kildare Ireland
Posts: 817

Ireland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HCPU Cairns Blue
Richard... Wills web site is a great place for parts reference, prices etc. -https://www.lrworkshop.com.

Get yourself a pile of boxes small bags etc and itemise everything as you take it apart, makes it easier for reference etc when you come to put back together and you just replace the rusty bolts with new ones as you have the old ones for reference.

YRM are also great for Galvanize parts but be warned you'll end handing them over loads of cash Laughing

As you have a lift, leave the body as one and lift it clear of the chassis, only if you are going to do a colour change strip it down and paint as parts.

Best of luck with the rebuild.

Nidge.
Post #853906 2nd Sep 2020 7:40pm
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RTTDefender



Member Since: 28 Aug 2020
Location: Enniskillen
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 
Here are photos of the bulkhead. I see a few rust holes which is not good. Can a bulkhead be repaired rather than replaced.


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When ordering the new chassis, would it be good to replace the towers as well.


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Last edited by RTTDefender on 6th Sep 2020 6:41am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #854209 4th Sep 2020 9:57am
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
I think in most cases your better off getting your own bulkhead repaired with the repair sections from YRM and then having it locally galvanised. The ones from ashtree are usually completely knackered ones which have had the same treatment and yours may be in better condition.

Also, go marsland. Doesnt look home made like the richards ones.

As for the process, just start pulling it to bits. Its all very straightforward. Once you start putting it back together then decide on what to replace/upgrade as you go; oh and get yourslef a metric Censored ton of stainless bolts! I had plans to keep it simple and try and not fully dissaemble but one things leads to another, in for a penny etc... Keeping the body intact is a good plan as id say its probably 80% of the work effort, just be aware that it feel like a part job too!
Post #854480 5th Sep 2020 7:10pm
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zippo87



Member Since: 29 Mar 2019
Location: Moray
Posts: 100

Scotland 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Get plenty of cutting discs for your angle grinder, and if on battery a second 5ah 😂 . I stripped mine on the drive with the wife, making dolly’s for axles, boxes and engine to drag them away for prepping. I found lots of bits that i hadn’t considered prior to doing it. I’m looking forward to doing the 110 at some point, but it needs to start after the house renovation!!!
Post #854503 5th Sep 2020 8:46pm
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RTTDefender



Member Since: 28 Aug 2020
Location: Enniskillen
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 
The door frames to the two doors are rotten at the bottom so new doors are going to be needed. The subframe holding the bulkhead to the chassis not great either. Sea water is a pain for all the few times I launched the boat into the sea.

Is it hard to take the tub apart, as I am going to go a full respray. Battery tray needs replaced too.
Post #854517 6th Sep 2020 6:46am
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
Sounds like your in for a big job. Put some pics up so we can see the extent of the rot. Id also consider buying thing like a seat box or tub if yours is truly knackered. The amount of hours and replacement panels mean it can easily be worth just getting a better one.

Is it staying as a CSW? I converted mine to a soft top which was actually warmer than the van top lol.
Post #854519 6th Sep 2020 7:04am
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