Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the add, been on here reviewing several builds like volleymdut LS1 build and CDeWan GM Gen 4 conversion threads and definitely learning about next steps.
I've gotten to a point after lots of reading and reading where I have come up with a tentatively good list for me to start planning the next step on this build.
A little back history, I bought this vehicle from UK and got it shipped to US then Baja CA in 2018 where I enjoyed the 200tdi for a bit, enough that I wanted to restore it completely (lots of bondo and chassis damage). I started the restoration by removing the body and having the chassis gone through area by area, to my surprise or not too much surprise there was lots of work to be done. I started working with this master restorer that works with metal and classic vehicle restoring, I decided to help him venture on his own business and go through a full restore with him. The chassis got opened up, rust remover and other treatments got sprayed inside, all sandblasted, parts fabricated, welded back up and treated (I simplify the process, but was very involved, overall restored chassis treated/updated/addressed inside and out) then COVID hit and project was put on hold till this last summer.
Forward 5 years and now I'm now back in CO up in Glenwood Springs where i've been living on and off for past 15 years.
Currently, We've replaced tons of new galvinzed body parts from YRM (doors, bulkhead, body mounts, hood, rear panels, Sill rails, body mounts, posts, floors, etc), every screw, seals, mounts and bushings to get the body back in working order. Overall the Chassis and body update will be pretty good and I trust I will be happy after a lot of back and forth on aesthetics, ride height and future use plan for the vehicle.
I decided on a Bowler style build, wider arches, 2" lift from TF (This will be a good start, but would like to be able to have better suspension down the road), Puma hood, Bowler front bar, steering guard and side sill protection (Hopefully can get them through JLR now, haven't purchased but are in the plan. I was working with Bowler directly before COVID, glad to see they're still around), 35" x 12.5 tires, 16"x10" TBD wheels, rebuilt axles and diffs, YRM rear trailing arm , glohh front and rear lights, Moal guages, and currently keeping the stock 200tdi RHD dash (would love to update to Gforce buggy dashbords or similar when I and if I update to LHD) and plan to leave the vehicle RHD for the time being.
I will use the vehicle for some road driving in town and driving in the vally, as well as some good ol'overlanding up here in CO, UT and Baja CA.
Now, after so many years of having the engine exposed to climate the 200tdi engine would need a good update if I wanted to keep it, based on all these forums threads and some help from searches, I feel confident enough on tackling an LS or similar GM swap as the next step in this land rovers life (With the help of a local trusted mechanic / fabricator in the Roaring Fork Valley)
I would like to start landing the direction i'm taking and would highly appreciate any and all comments and personal experiences for me to decide or validate direction and start purchasing parts while the vehicles exterior gets finalized.
Below I'll expand on each powertrain subsytem and current selected path and why I selected it.
1. Engine
- Legends overland, Engine, Transfer, 4L65E trasmission to LT230 converter. Seems like this is a good option based on everything out there, seems to take the complexity and mechanic labor from the equation, this does need a transfer case adapter for the 4L65E
3. Fuel
- Legends overland Aeromotive pump. Seems this is also a good solution coming with everything premade and simple drop in solution.
4. Transmission
- Holly Moal kit with sender. Seems that they have a sale for $550 right now for the 5 gauges with a sender it seems a good deal
6. Cooling (engine and transmission)
- I will be leaving the stock heater for now, eventually putting in an HVAC unit, nothing plan for now, I can live without cool air for a bit
I would like to have a good comprehensive list for me to share with my mechanic and create a scope of work to identify pricing as well as save time by having identified most parts required for the build.
Any feedback, experience on parts listed above and insight on parts that I have to think about that I have not listed would be appreciated. I am sure I will have have more questions as this progresses.
Few pics below
1. Original
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![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
2. Chassis work
![Image]()
![Image]()
more attachments on next post
Thanks for the add, been on here reviewing several builds like volleymdut LS1 build and CDeWan GM Gen 4 conversion threads and definitely learning about next steps.
I've gotten to a point after lots of reading and reading where I have come up with a tentatively good list for me to start planning the next step on this build.
A little back history, I bought this vehicle from UK and got it shipped to US then Baja CA in 2018 where I enjoyed the 200tdi for a bit, enough that I wanted to restore it completely (lots of bondo and chassis damage). I started the restoration by removing the body and having the chassis gone through area by area, to my surprise or not too much surprise there was lots of work to be done. I started working with this master restorer that works with metal and classic vehicle restoring, I decided to help him venture on his own business and go through a full restore with him. The chassis got opened up, rust remover and other treatments got sprayed inside, all sandblasted, parts fabricated, welded back up and treated (I simplify the process, but was very involved, overall restored chassis treated/updated/addressed inside and out) then COVID hit and project was put on hold till this last summer.
Forward 5 years and now I'm now back in CO up in Glenwood Springs where i've been living on and off for past 15 years.
Currently, We've replaced tons of new galvinzed body parts from YRM (doors, bulkhead, body mounts, hood, rear panels, Sill rails, body mounts, posts, floors, etc), every screw, seals, mounts and bushings to get the body back in working order. Overall the Chassis and body update will be pretty good and I trust I will be happy after a lot of back and forth on aesthetics, ride height and future use plan for the vehicle.
I decided on a Bowler style build, wider arches, 2" lift from TF (This will be a good start, but would like to be able to have better suspension down the road), Puma hood, Bowler front bar, steering guard and side sill protection (Hopefully can get them through JLR now, haven't purchased but are in the plan. I was working with Bowler directly before COVID, glad to see they're still around), 35" x 12.5 tires, 16"x10" TBD wheels, rebuilt axles and diffs, YRM rear trailing arm , glohh front and rear lights, Moal guages, and currently keeping the stock 200tdi RHD dash (would love to update to Gforce buggy dashbords or similar when I and if I update to LHD) and plan to leave the vehicle RHD for the time being.
I will use the vehicle for some road driving in town and driving in the vally, as well as some good ol'overlanding up here in CO, UT and Baja CA.
Now, after so many years of having the engine exposed to climate the 200tdi engine would need a good update if I wanted to keep it, based on all these forums threads and some help from searches, I feel confident enough on tackling an LS or similar GM swap as the next step in this land rovers life (With the help of a local trusted mechanic / fabricator in the Roaring Fork Valley)
I would like to start landing the direction i'm taking and would highly appreciate any and all comments and personal experiences for me to decide or validate direction and start purchasing parts while the vehicles exterior gets finalized.
Below I'll expand on each powertrain subsytem and current selected path and why I selected it.
1. Engine
- LS1 or LQ4 engine. I decided on these gen 3 models to keep simplicity with the cable driven throttle and other considerations. I believe the power and torque should be sufficient regardless of the engine. I would be looking to buy a crate engine with everything on it to avoid the labor of pulling parts from a donor.
- ECU Retune. I still don't have a vendor or tuner to help on this, recommendations are appreciated
- Legends overland, Engine, Transfer, 4L65E trasmission to LT230 converter. Seems like this is a good option based on everything out there, seems to take the complexity and mechanic labor from the equation, this does need a transfer case adapter for the 4L65E
3. Fuel
- Legends overland Aeromotive pump. Seems this is also a good solution coming with everything premade and simple drop in solution.
4. Transmission
- 4L65E transmission. This seems like the better one to choose, I am also considering the 4L60E as its available with lots of LS1 engines.
- Lokar shifter. I do have a question on this one, I see some companies are offering the 16" level length, what are others running or prefered to have selected?
- rw-eng.com lokar adapter plate. Seems like a straight forward solution.
- Lokar shift cable and shift arm. I am not sure if I will be requiring these or not, have others needed them?
- Custom Driveshaft. TBD on vendor, recommendations welcome.
- Holly Moal kit with sender. Seems that they have a sale for $550 right now for the 5 gauges with a sender it seems a good deal
6. Cooling (engine and transmission)
- Quickdrawbrand radiator. Seems like the better option. I do spend good amount of time on backroads in hot weather.
- Quickdraw Spal dual fans for radiator. Seems like a good choice.
- Tru Cool transmission cooler kit. Seems good option but open to other solutions as this doesn't have a built in bypass.
- PPE thermal bypass valve. I cant seem to find a trucool with bypass so will need this.
- Hedman Hedders 69026. Read these might work well.
- Exhaust TBD
- Drum to Disk brake kit TBD. I would like to update my drums, recommendations welcome
- Brake Booster TBD. I would like to update this as well, recommendations welcome
- I will be leaving the stock heater for now, eventually putting in an HVAC unit, nothing plan for now, I can live without cool air for a bit
I would like to have a good comprehensive list for me to share with my mechanic and create a scope of work to identify pricing as well as save time by having identified most parts required for the build.
Any feedback, experience on parts listed above and insight on parts that I have to think about that I have not listed would be appreciated. I am sure I will have have more questions as this progresses.
Few pics below
1. Original
2. Chassis work
more attachments on next post
