Chassis swap s2a

[DonMcDazzle]

Hi guys, went and picked up my new series 2a today. Rear cross member is beyond repair, body cross member needs some patching and the front isn't without it's faults too.

I'm after opinions on the easiest way to proceed. I can either get a replacement rear X member made, or if I can find one second hand get that fitted on, get the rust on the others patched. Or I could do a full chassis swap with a tidy one I can acquire for $200.

Any ideas on labour cost of doing a full chassis swap? Seems like that would be a decent option given the replacement chassis is cheap, but I'm just unsure on how much that work would cost me.

Thanks.

[Stage1V8]

You can replace them (rear cross member and outriggers). These are available for purchase. Check out the guys at http://landroverparts.co.nz/ or the many pommie sites that sell them.

Replacing the chassis is a big job, but can be done in a weekend>


If you can get a reasonably good chassis for just $20, then jump on it. At the very least, it will be cheaper to chop off off the bits you want than buying them new.

[DonMcDazzle]

Jeez too bad those blokes are in Norway I could use their help!

Having a chat to a fabricator/welder who might be able to make a cross member for me. Might pick up the spare chassis regardless, then at least I'll have a tidy spare lying around if i ever need it/feel like taking on the mission of replacing the whole thing.

My main worry with replacement is that once I start pulling everything apart it will uncover other issues that I will want to fix and I'll still be sorting things out in 2 years time.

[Ralfie]

Hi guys, went and picked up my new series 2a today. Rear cross member is beyond repair, body cross member needs some patching and the front isn't without it's faults too.

I'm after opinions on the easiest way to proceed. I can either get a replacement rear X member made, or if I can find one second hand get that fitted on, get the rust on the others patched. Or I could do a full chassis swap with a tidy one I can acquire for $200.

Any ideas on labour cost of doing a full chassis swap? Seems like that would be a decent option given the replacement chassis is cheap, but I'm just unsure on how much that work would cost me.

Thanks.

It won't be the labour cost of doing a chassis swap but the cost of all the other parts and replacing all those rusted nuts and bolts that will increase the overall cost.
You will need some one like Rex from Land Rover Spares www.landroverspares.co.nz on speed dial (or Forward Specs as already suggested) for all those extras you find you will need. You will be saying to yourself, I have come this far might as well do this and that and before you know it ............ you will have spent more than you originally anticipated.

A second hand chassis could be almost as bad as your existing chassis so inspect it well before proceeding. Replacement rear cross members, out riggers and even front chassis dumb irons are available so it may pay to check costings on these parts before committing to the chassis swap.

So many vehicles are left unfinished when people start these projects and don't realise the depth and cost of the job and soon become disillusioned and abandon the project.

If you are confident you have the ability and facilities to do the swap then go for it. There is a lot of satisfaction from doing these things yourself.

[DonMcDazzle]

Ralfie you've just summed up why I'm hesitant on trying a chassis swap. Might put that that on the back burner unless mine is really shagged. Cheers guys.

[niblik]

Replace crossmember only and get chassis if good, tidy up and paint it etc for later down the track.

Oh, and it hasn't been said yet but pics pics pics.

[DonMcDazzle]

Cheers niblik, that is what intend on doing. I've been referred to an engineer who is apparently an expert fabricator/welder so I've got the cross member issue sorted hopefully. Might get him to tidy up the footwells while he is there and tidy up the weld on the front bullbar which is a tad rough.

I forgot my camera when I went to work on it on the weekend, but I'll take it this weekend to get some shots of the progress.

[oldyella]

If your paying someone to do your rust work, it aint going to be cheap. It can be very time consuming...

You could get a chassis swap done pretty good for $1k i reacon and it might take less than 2 months just doing it yourself if you wern't fussy (or lazy ).

I spent $1.1K paying an engineer to remove rust from a 1969 mini which I ended up giving away (Dumbass teenager at that stage)

Look forward to a few pics