Land Rover Defender Ex ARMY MOD conversion

Hey guys! Welcome back to the channel!
In this build series we'll be showing you the process of converting the original 2.5 NA Diesel engine to a more modern 300Tdi.
It was easier to buy a whole vehicle for this swap and i'm sure we'll do something crazy with it in the future!
Let us know what you think in the comments section below and please SUBSCRIBE!
Instagram: @juicemotors
Email: [e-mail]

[@TheJaimilton]

excellent video again guys, i have a 1995 300 tdi, great to see the engine being refined. looking forward to the next video

[@ewanstewart8011]

Love the simplicity and thoroughness of this build 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@juicemotors]

Utilitarian all the way!

[@ktmnorfolk3215]

Great to see you guys back again need more videos from you guys 🤔

[@raymondallo9947]

This is really interesting. Also interesting that the frame is not galvanised, whereas the land rovers in the Australian military do have galvanised frames.

[@brianmac001]

How about putting a Cummins diesel into the Disco?😁

[@stevepickering5866]

Why?

[@paulpobsanderson6219]

Had a series 1 300Tdi, 2 Td5 and 3 2.7 HSE Disco, but the 1 will always be my favourite. Looking forward to the content.

[@carlgreen2721]

Great video as a 300tdi owner you can appreciate people who know what they are doing with the engine along side the "bush mechanic" simplicity of the engine!!

[@joelprior182]

Fantastic vehicles and can’t go wrong with a smile 200 tdi or 300 tdi. Done many of these myself and customers love them

[@martincunniff4514]

best engine going the 300tdi had one for years and it was amazing that defender will be brilliant with that 300tdi well done guys

[@stevenpike7530]

Great fun…super skillset…keep up the great work.

[@markbond4460]

Great to see your back good video... p.s love the dogs 🐕

[@bungfupanda8936]

I've done this conversion many times, if you'd have used the R380 out of the disco everything would've lined up in the engine bay, easier exhaust etc, but you would have had to cut the engine mounts off of the chassis & fabricate & weld on new mounts further forward. Some of the last 2.5 NAD Defenders supplied to the MOD had short first motion shaft R380 gearboxes with the shorter LT77 bell housing👍

[@leeaitken2592]

I'm wanting to do this conversion to my 1983 County station wagon but am a little confused on the best way to go your comment has helped 👍 isn't the r380 a better gearbox anyway? Would I have room to fit the aircon?... not sure if the rear axle with disc br akes would be worth swapping also? 🤯 cheers

[@bungfupanda8936]

@@leeaitken2592 You're better off sourcing a disc braked Salisbury axle from a later Defender, the diff and halfshafts are far stronger than the discovery rear axle full stop and you wouldn't need to source a longer rear propshaft to accommodate the shorter diff. Personally I prefer the R380 gearbox, but for off road use I prefer the engine sitting back in the bay which the LT77 permits, if you switch an LT77 over from ATF to MTF its a good reliable gearbox for most applications, fit a 300Tdi or Td5 clutch pedal which will give you a much lighter operation. The R380 uses a common bellhousing and first motion shaft for Discovery and Defender, which pushes the engine further forward in the 300Tdi defenders, which is why you'd have to do something about repositioning the engine mounts in your year 110 chassis. The 300Tdi timing case has a dedicated position to fit an AC compressor, even the crank & fan pulleys have a set of drive grooves for an AC belt, all you would need is a tensioning & idler pulley & arm, wherever you end up with engine position you will have a sensible place to fit the AC compressor. The beauty of a Defender is that you can make it into whatever you want, before you do anything go out and get good advice from multiple reliable & knowledgeable sources and avoid the cowboy outfits that put big lift kits and even bigger wheels & tyres on Defenders, I don't know of anyone that has been happy going down that path of modifications.

[@leeaitken2592]

@@bungfupanda8936 Wow! Thanks for taking the time and effort to reply me with such great advice! Very kind and very much appreciated 👍 don't worry no hi lifts or big boots going on my wagon! I have added bilstien shocks , superpro bushes and some wheels and tyre's off a 2016 model (and spacers 🙄) but apart from that she's totally original with 90k on the clock ... just needs some more power! Thanks again Mr Panda

[@bungfupanda8936]

@@leeaitken2592 No Problem 👍 A Defender 200Tdi is a straight in swap for your Landy and is a strong & reliable engine, comparable in power and torque to a 300Tdi but a little harsher sounding to drive, only snag being that Defender 200Tdi variant engines are a bit thin on the ground these days and changing a Dicovery 200Tdi variant engine around to fit a Defender can be a pain to get right, especially the exhaust routing if you keep the Discovery turbo. Lots of options out there, one of the most successful non land rover diesel engine swaps I did was fitting an Isuzu 3.1 turbo diesel (with the manual injection pump), absolute peach of an engine that gave good performance and economy in a Defender, it did take a little bit of head scratching to get everything just right though. Good luck with your quest for more power, definitely worth it if you're running any of the naturally asthmatic or the Turbo D motors!👍

[@leeaitken2592]

@@bungfupanda8936 the 3.1 Isuzu engine sounds very interesting !🤔 I did consider a 3.9 v8 with a gas conversion as I've had a 4.6 rr and a 4.2 supercharged both converted which were great ,also fantasised about a tdv8 but think I will probably go down the 300tdi route with my existing lt77 box! Thanks

[@patrickflanagan8008]

I love to watch people working who know what they are doing....looking forward to hearing it fire up.

[@juicemotors]

Thank you for watching!

[@hansvanleersum8309]

Top Guys! Cant whait till the next one! Hvl.

[@WestCoastVisitor]

I have an ex. MOD Wolf with 300TDI, great engine. Make sure you fit a new lift pump and 'P' gasket.

[@DarrLaw]

Was just thinking I hadn’t seen a video from you rockstars in awhile! What a Sunday treat! Love the work guys!

[@juicemotors]

Thanks so much Alexander!

[@jerrygreene7139]

I’ve been missing my Juice fix. So glad to see a new video. The puppies are beautiful! Nice video of the trucks too!

[@juicemotors]

Thank you for watching Jerry!

[@deadbird699]

Awesome channel just found it a week or so ago and I have already watched most of your videos! My new favorite channel! Cheers from Wyoming in the US!

[@juicemotors]

Thanks so much for watching! Hoping to get lots more content out!

[@trwpizza3021]

Excellent project! This is going to be a fantastic MOD-mod :)

[@juicemotors]

MOD squared 🫡😎

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Brilliant video and great new project 🙌

[@juicemotors]

Thanks doctor! 🏥 😍

[@graham-martin5847]

the 300 will sit in the same place as the engine is now its an lt77 box not an r380 so its close to the bulkhead

[@andicog]

Makes cambelt and water pump changes easier.

[@lesthiele4921]

Greetings from a Kiwi living in Australia, good luck with this converxion, hope all goes well.

[@darrencoyle3290]

excellent , can't wait to see more content like this..

[@robertchubb1518]

Really great to see the old gal get this refresh...I have a 300Tdi 90 (R reg) and it IS just bullet proof...the Wolf Land Rovers were all 300Tdi even though the Army were asked that td5 was on offer...the 300Tdi can be repaired anywhere and actually by anyone with ANY knowledge. It is a very robust and forgiving engine. Once had an oil leak on a Wolf on the autobahn and engine was virtually DRY on pulling in...we put some cooking oil in (albeit above the normal level to allow for cooking...literally!) and it got us back to Barracks.

[@juicemotors]

They’re such a great engine! The cooking oil made me laugh 😂 good old 300tdi will keep on going forever!

[@robertchubb1518]

@@juicemotors That sir..is the strength of the 300Tdi....just keeps a smile on your face..plus it comes back for more..

[@leeaitken2592]

Am I please to hear that! I've just got one started that's been sitting in a field, to do this conversion... it made some worrying noises as I used a little easystart 🙄 been hoping I didn't damage the internals but sounds like it'll be fine 🤞

[@snakeeyesman]

Yay, a new project 😃

[@johndavies2396]

First time I have seen the channel love the dogs oh and the landi bit are great

[@stuartdenty3163]

Great content Sam, thank you!

[@juicemotors]

Thanks Stuart!

[@mattmartin6007]

Yes more content and so interesting seeing the engine being taken apart….still need to get down to you to discuss camping conversion and other bits, haven’t forgotten following convo at Billings 👍🏼

[@juicemotors]

You're welcome anytime Matt!

[@Jason-cl8hk]

This is a really nice project. I’d describe it as ‘honest’ - looking forward to the end result.

[@juicemotors]

Thanks for watching Jason! Excited to hear it fire up!

[@RoverGinger]

Great to see some older Tdi300s in the mix. I do enjoy watching the tuned Td5s and schmick Pumas but its not something I'll ever want myself!

[@landieman6044]

Done a good few of these conversions, can fully recommend the Steve parkers conversion kit for ease and professional looking install Inc bolt on 300 engine mounts that utilise the existing chassis mounts

[@highdownmartin]

Got a SP exhaust on my 200 tdi 109. 300 tdi manifold and turbo on it, everything fitted perfectly and is still good 4 years on.

[@juicemotors]

Great kit, easy to understand it all! Makes a change 🤪

[@adamtehan1936]

Catching up on videos so I'm a little behind! That disco has got to be crying out for the first Juice EV conversion surely

[@andicog]

I had my ex military 110 converted by Glencoyne engineering, the 300tdi makes a great difference, added power steering and a Disco transfer box, you'll find the original MOD transfer box will leave it a bit under geared with a 300tdi, especially if you do boost pin and spacer mod to the fuel pump. The Disco transfer box gives a good 60 cruising speed. The original diesel is 2.5 in that, being on a P plate its a late N/A 90, they were using the Wolf by then. 👍

[@juicemotors]

Depends on usage as the disco transfer box will afffect the length of 1st and 2nd gears. A great conversion none the less

[@clooperman3745]

@@juicemotors A good few years ago l drove up to the lake district in a 90 with the n/a 2.5 diesel, maintained a steady 60mph on the motorway with a bit in reserve but it was rather noisy inside and hot, lucky it was wintertime!!!!!

[@andicog]

@@juicemotors yes but you know the military Lt77 already has a lower 1st and 2nd gear to aid towing, at least it will be quick off the mark! They have a pretty big gap from 2nd to 3rd, with the na on a hill they're either screaming in 2nd or bogged going into 3rd because of the low 2nd and 1st. 👍

[@panda_boy4763]

Helllo bro i love tour content very much i am from indian

[@jorgeosorio1880]

love it

[@longlowdog]

Yaaay, LS3 engine in the Disco...

[@richardtedeschi9290]

Cool Ape Piaggio, hoping to come and do some work soon with you on our 300Tdi as soon as we have some money.

[@juicemotors]

Will always have a soft spot for Apes!

[@richardtedeschi9290]

@@juicemotors I remember them in Italy having lived 30 years in Rome my dad was Italian, we had quite a few Vespa and Lambretta but never an Ape, one of my friends rolled one over while working for a delivery company 😅 I love Land Rovers my father was selling Landy spares in Rome as a job started before I was born in 1968.

[@erwinthijs7574]

Nice

[@vincentpoole7588]

J/M. Congratulations on getting this ex. MOD Defender up to 70mph on the motorway if it's straight enough ? Thought a re-gear with 3.70:1 axle ratios and mild fettling of say 170Hp from the old donk would suffice ! V.

[@gavinbroad1743]

Excellent vid. Which paint do you use on the engine?

[@kserumgard]

Why not use transmission from the discovery? Better gear ratio 1:2 if I’m not mistaken, should be much better than the MOD ratio 🤔

[@andicog]

Yep, it'll be quick off the mark but screaming it's nuts off on dual carriageways. Some of the ex mil also have lower 1st and 2nd ratios so the N/A could tow easier.

[@stephen.leonard]

Can you salvage what's left of this Discovery 1 to sort out your yellow one ... or has that gone?

[@arsenal10141014]

The MOD Wolf 90 remus upgrade version comes with a 300tdi engine as standard. It’s a defender on steroids. Upgraded axle, disc brakes, power steering…

[@nigelevans9943]

is it illegal blank off the egr valve and will it improve driveabilty

[@noelcahill6707]

What would be the most reliable landrover that can tow 3.5 tonne

[@whitacrebespoke]

What’s the spec on that 3 door disco? After a tidy ish one to rebuild my 300tdi commercial

[@whopper9037]

Hi. I currently have a 300tdi, 110 tipper, I have 2 thoughts. 1, fit an auto to it and tune engine, or fit a td5, I like the simplicity of the 300, but I like the power of the td5. Can you off your thoughts and opinion please. Kind regards William

[@tazmeadows2925]

How about a p gasket steel one

[@308mate]

What happened to the m57 auto 110???

[@micklamb9942]

See you in 2 months lol

[@callumstewart5662]

M57 disco next project

[@neilcampbell4048]

Did you change the P gasket 🫣🥶

[@molokomawela1565]

Would there ever be a discovery 1 build on the channel?

[@juicemotors]

Check my videos for the yellow 1998 discovery 💛

[@ibrahimgunes1276]

süper

[@erhardt1477]

Quick technical question! Would it not have been easier to get a turbo attached to the MOD Defender …?🤔 … PS. one funny aspect of old military vehicles… some country’s to REFUSE entry !

[@andicog]

Land rover did produce a turbo version of this engine, it was pretty bad tbh and the later 200tdi was a big improvement.

[@mavericmorph5358]

Loving the show, but please do something about the cheesy music.

[@richardhunt1384]

Are the gear ratios same/ similar on them both? A technician from our local LR specialists (you actually featured one of their 90's on you channel!!) said the Disco had a longer geared transfer box giving better top end speed. Or something along those lines at any rate, was a while ago!!

[@andicog]

Yes, the Disco does have different hi range transfer gearing, there are 3 different ratio boxes, military N/A Defender , normal Defender and Disco, the Discovery trans box will give slightly lower revs at cruising speed, most conversions to 2 or 300tdi won't leave the military trans box in as its too low geared for the 300tdi's power and will limit top speed. Some military land rover also have a lower 1st and 2nd gear to make towing with the old N/A diesel easier. 👍

[@juicemotors]

LT77 gearbox is the same ratios as the discovery 1 R380 but a few mods to longevity, the discovery transfer box is favourable for lowering revs as it’s geared at 1.2 as opposed to a defenders 1.4. Depends what you use it for though as 1st and 2nd gear will be affected

[@stevepickering5866]

I love mine and would not change for anything, including LS V8’s, BMW Diesels or any other complex modern rubbish, but Refinement and 300Tdi are rarely used in the same sentence, they’ll go on forever and will forgive an amount of owner stupidity, but refined, no sorry !

[@Shavenuw129]

Do you sell merchandise? Would love a cap!

[@juicemotors]

We do indeed! Send an email to [e-mail] and the team can help you further. We'll also have a website for merch up towards the end of the year!

[@transitpassenger3948]

Sam, where did you go, there was no video for a long time!

[@juicemotors]

The workshop just doesn't leave me much time to get videos out! Trying to get as much content out as we can!

[@transitpassenger3948]

@@juicemotors Understood! It's good to have work! Hello guys!

[@deadbird699]

Quick question having never driven a 200tdi defender, can they cruise at 70mph competently? Thinking about buying one but would like to be able to go 70.

[@charliegray4222]

I've just got a 1991, 90 for me it's a struggle to get it to 70mph, it will do it! But have patience. I've found driving at about 55-60mph seems to be where it's best suited. Hope this helps!

[@juicemotors]

A 200tdi will need tuning to comfortably sit at 70mph - if possible go for the 300tdi

[@Shawrytog]

ive got a LR 90 with a disco 200TDi - 55mph is really the quickest to comfortably travel. 60 feels like it will disintegrate!!! however you have to think about stopping distances and even with rear disc conversion 50 is too fast!!

[@andicog]

I have an ex military 110, 300tdi with pin and ring, disco transfer box, I've had 85mph on the sat nav but it's really not healthy at that speed, I usually cruise at 50-55 mph.

[@MrMontychops]

That’s a confusing 90 - an NA diesel with a P plate 🤔

[@andicog]

Yep, they were using the XD wolf by then, must be a late one.

[@mechanicalmoron2251]

please put that 3door back on the road

[@user-ms1vy1hc4w]

Доброго здоров'я привіт з Одеси Україна.

[@hallyfella]

Great content guys and i love the way you all get on with the jobs without any moaning . Happy work place

[@juicemotors]

Thanks Keith! We love what we do and enjoy working with our great team! Smiles all round 🤩