LS3 conversion; I'm learning a lot.

41450 Views 301 Replies 35 Participants Last post by volleymdut, 1 h ago

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2019 (Edited)

I have a 1991 D110, currently with a 200Tdi and LT77 5 speed manual. I know very little (i'm sure this is now disgustingly obvious to all of you reading this), but I am so excited and scared (mostly excited) to move forward with this project. I already have both feet in. This motor is toast. I need my defender to be quiet, be able to routinely drive highway speeds, and be an automatic. The only off-roading it will do is on the dirt roads of colorado that get me to my fishing holes (but it will do a lot of that), and of course it will get a lot of work in deep deep snow. I realize I'm transforming it into a machine that purists may despise, but I've dreamt of having this as my daily driver since I was a kid. This will be my dream come true.

The LS3 430hp engine is on the way with a "connect and cruise" 6L80E automatic transmission. I chose the LS3 with the 6L80E based on its compatibility with the LT230 by using the products developed at RW-eng.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I'll keep you up to date on the project if you want.

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AGloverThiel

· #281 · 2 mo ago

volleymdut said:
Speedo, tach, fuel level, battery, coolant temp, oil pressure all calibrated and looking good!

Looks fantastic! I ended up going for the HDX individual gages for a late 70's Firebird - getting a new dash designed and going to incorporate some grab-handles, integrated switch panels etc.

So many aspects to consider when stripping out so much of the old and you're faced with the "While I have everything pulled out...." considerations. Dangerous ground.

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sgo70

· #282 · 2 mo ago

"So many aspects to consider when stripping out so much of the old and you're faced with the "While I have everything pulled out...." considerations. Dangerous ground."

That would be my entire build lol, no end in sight.

Sean

Reactions: 1

4tee2green

· #283 · 2 mo ago

sgo70 said:
"So many aspects to consider when stripping out so much of the old and you're faced with the "While I have everything pulled out...." considerations. Dangerous ground."

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem of adding to the list of wants. The trouble is my budget has a needs cap and the wants are like the devil on my shoulder telling me "go for it"! The one thing I can kind of justify is this is going to be my main vehicle when I retire.

That would be my entire build lol, no end in sight.

Sean

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #284 · 2 mo ago

sgo70 said:
"So many aspects to consider when stripping out so much of the old and you're faced with the "While I have everything pulled out...." considerations. Dangerous ground."

That would be my entire build lol, no end in sight.

Sean

You'll get there bro. It'll seem endless until BAM! It's driveable and awesome and you can fine tune other stuff at your leisure.

Reactions: 2

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #285 · 2 mo ago

Lots of work yesterday. Big progress with central locks, I had SP 4x4 place genuine actuators and harnesses in the doors, and then I used an aftermarket receiver and remotes. One more day working on that, and that will be complete. The hardest part so far is fishing the wiring from the interior of the hood, down through the A pillar. I had to cut new holes in the A pillar to accept the gaiter from the door, but that wasn't too bad. The rear door is now 100% electrified; central lock, wiper, defrost, brake light. Just started working on the rear-view mirror camera (my rear view mirror will be a camera and the reverse camera will be separate). Plumbing the HVAC continues, the rout through the bulkhead and in to the cab came together nicely!

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volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #286 · 2 mo ago

3

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AGloverThiel

· #287 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

volleymdut said:
Lots of work yesterday. Big progress with central locks, I had SP 4x4 place genuine actuators and harnesses in the doors, and then I used an aftermarket receiver and remotes. One more day working on that, and that will be complete. The hardest part so far is fishing the wiring from the interior of the hood, down through the A pillar. I had to cut new holes in the A pillar to accept the gaiter from the door, but that wasn't too bad. The rear door is now 100% electrified; central lock, wiper, defrost, brake light. Just started working on the rear-view mirror camera (my rear view mirror will be a camera and the reverse camera will be separate). Plumbing the HVAC continues, the rout through the bulkhead and in to the cab came together nicely!

In my rush to get Sally back to me from the shop, I decided to wait for the re-skinning (new doors/panels and roof) and everything that could come along with that, until I can start the second phase of my build likely Winter '24/'25. Wishing I had the time, $ & Patience to have it all done at the same time while everything's stripped. This looks like it would be so satisfying! Great work!

I'll pick your brain at some point about the doors. I was wanting to use their 2-pc doors and modify them to have modern lock actuators (plug the old school door handles) so that I can remove the sliding windows during the Spring/Summer/Fall when I'll have the hardtop hanging in the garage and Sally will be in Beach-Runner mode. I wonder if it'd be easier to modify 2pc doors or modify the modern doors to accept the sliding windows. As I write this, it dawns on me the latter would likely be simplest.

Reactions: 2

mikewerx

· #288 · 2 mo ago

volleymdut said:
Lots of work yesterday. Big progress with central locks, I had SP 4x4 place genuine actuators and harnesses in the doors, and then I used an aftermarket receiver and remotes. One more day working on that, and that will be complete. The hardest part so far is fishing the wiring from the interior of the hood, down through the A pillar. I had to cut new holes in the A pillar to accept the gaiter from the door, but that wasn't too bad. The rear door is now 100% electrified; central lock, wiper, defrost, brake light. Just started working on the rear-view mirror camera (my rear view mirror will be a camera and the reverse camera will be separate). Plumbing the HVAC continues, the rout through the bulkhead and in to the cab came together nicely!

I'm about to install my reverse camera and rear view camera also, and so far the plan Is to have separate cameras but are you using the same camera for both applications? I see the one you have above the sprayer but if you have 2 where are you putting the other one? Also, which camera did you go with?

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #289 · 2 mo ago

mikewerx said:
I'm about to install my reverse camera and rear view camera also, and so far the plan Is to have separate cameras but are you using the same camera for both applications? I see the one you have above the sprayer but if you have 2 where are you putting the other one? Also, which camera did you go with?

I'm using 2 separate cameras. I'll send you the specs on the brands. I believe the rear-view mirror cam is BrandMotion, but I'll confirm. My wife has one in her Grand Wagoneer, and it completely erases her blind spot thanks to its super wide view. It also makes it so she can load the rear cargo area to the ceiling and still see everything she needs to. I love it.

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volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #290 · 1 mo ago

6

Go ahead, take a stab at what I’m still doing?!?! Yep, more wiring. Switches, power, function, ground, illumination. Rear wash motor, rear wiper, rear defrost, front defrost, a/c, seat heaters, power windows, central locking, cutting for grommets and gaiters. Everything working so far.

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NateB

· #291 · 1 mo ago

Looking awesome! Great job!!

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #292 · 1 mo ago

Wiring, wiring, wiring. HUGE thanks to @Puma Upgrades for help with the Ministry of Defender Puma HVAC. I had one troubleshooting issue, and he nailed it. The blower and heater work great, I haven’t charged the A/C yet, so I’ll have to report on that later. But everything else (besides the stereo) is now wired and working.

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NateB

· #293 · 1 mo ago

Looking great! Your gonna be on the street in no time!!

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #294 · 12 d ago

3

Trying to make sooooo sure I have the wiring where I want it before i put on the dash. Some nice steps forward… rear view mirror/camera gives me a wonderful range of view. It eliminates my blind spot, and I can see out the back when the rear is loaded to the roof with boxes! Stereo is in, subwoofer is in, the remainder of the speakers will happen this weekend.

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AGloverThiel

· #295 · 11 d ago

volleymdut said:
Some nice steps forward… rear view mirror/camera gives me a wonderful range of view. It eliminates my blind spot, and I can see out the back when the rear is loaded to the roof with boxes!

View attachment 487944

Looks great! Can you please remind us which model rear-view you decided on? Apologies if detailed earlier - on phone and pain meds :/

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #296 · 11 d ago

AGloverThiel said:
Looks great! Can you please remind us which model rear-view you decided on? Apologies if detailed earlier - on phone and pain meds :/

Mine is the Brandmotion FVMR-1100. I wanted a full replacement mirror, not one that strapped on the the original mirror. the rear view camera is 1080p, with a good refresh rate so it looks seamless. It has 170 degrees of view, it's all touch-screen. The touch-screen is nice, it allows you to change where the camera is pointing (big vertical range of motion), and it allowed me to turn off the start-up noise, change the brightness/dimness. You can use it as a regular mirror as will if you want to. It also functions as a forward dash cam with an SD card. It came with absolutely everything for install, and a QR code for instructions. WHOA! a company that actually makes installation instructions!

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AGloverThiel

· #297 · 11 d ago

volleymdut said:
Mine is the Brandmotion FVMR-1100. I wanted a full replacement mirror, not one that strapped on the the original mirror. the rear view camera is 1080p, with a good refresh rate so it looks seamless. It has 170 degrees of view, it's all touch-screen. The touch-screen is nice, it allows you to change where the camera is pointing (big vertical range of motion), and it allowed me to turn off the start-up noise, change the brightness/dimness. You can use it as a regular mirror as will if you want to. It also functions as a forward dash cam with an SD card. It came with absolutely everything for install, and a QR code for instructions. WHOA! a company that actually makes installation instructions!

Thanks for that, mate. I’ll add it to my list

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #298 · 11 d ago

AGloverThiel said:
Thanks for that, mate. I’ll add it to my list

Awesome! it has a bit more reflection than i want, but I'm hoping window tint and the black headliner will help with that. I've also heard that it doesn't dim headlights at night quite as well as people would like, but I haven't driven it at night. So, I do have a polarized filter ready to fit it that proves to be true.

KGH

· #299 · 11 d ago

Man, you are killing it!

How’s the NAS truck?

volleymdut

Discussion Starter · #300 · 11 d ago (Edited)

KGH said:
Man, you are killing it!

How’s the NAS truck?

The NAS is a life-saver! It drives so nicely and keeps me motivated to finish this one so I can finish a couple of small projects on the NAS, then probably sell it. Not enough garage space!

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