L200 4x4

[A112H]

Okay, so this is not a build yet but thought this was as good a place as any to put this.

So chatting to a mate today, we got talking about his Dads 4x4 L200. He has owned it since new, 4G63 and 5 speed, and it is pretty tidy. Body is great but seats are trashed.
Anyway, after chatting turns out it has been replaced by a new Triton and has sat in the shed for 4 months now and this seemed its fate. I jokingly said I should chuck full VR4 Galant/Evo running gear into it. Would make a sweet and very quick AWD ute.

So he offered it to me for free if I do it.

I guess my question is, is this possible?
Now I know anything is possible but is it something that would work without too much chopping and something that would not be noticeable from outside?

I am thinking FULL running gear, front cross member, rear sub frame. I think as the ute is a 4x4 the front rails at least will be suited to AWD.

[geezer101]

The L200's chassis sits a lot higher that the VR4 AWD set up would normally be sitting in for a start. Then you'd either need to space frame the front end or fabricate a support point for the timing belt end engine mount, remodel the rear end undercarriage (so it doesn't look like it's dragging on the ground) to take the rear diff and suspension set up and modify the tail shaft for any difference in wheel base. Oh, then there's the steering set up you'd have to reconfigure...

[bruggz351]

Be alot of weight too...

Better to do this...

[A112H]

There are a few Jumbucks getting around with evo running gear. Just thought the L200 would be something unexpected and most of all it is free, lol.

[75glnt]

You could get away with the block, bolted to the current gearbox. Thus having the transfer case to make it 4wd.. That will work.. But. It will cost a bit for something to "have a shot".

Or you could sell parts to me not that I need em

[Tj.]

There's a lot of info on austarion about dropping a twin cam head on the sirius block starion motors so that may be the simplest way to go.
Keep the same block and fill it with a hybrid of evo and starion bits and hope that the driveline holds up. If there's nothing to stop you from doing that, it shouldn't be too difficult or expensive.
I know you said the body was in good nick but I can't help but think how cool it'd look beat to hell with some patina and surface rust.


I was also going to say good luck getting it registered but then I remembered that you're in SA where anything goes

[75glnt]

Just check behind the seats in the corners of the cab, the sills, front 1/4s, behind the cab at the bottom (l+r side), a pillars and rear windows.. Also under the master cylinder.

These utes are a butch for rust!!

[Scorpma82]

Why isn't this a build thread?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

A hugely turbo'ed evo200....or even evo300 would be awesome, and an embarrassment for all the 'fully sick' imports!

In all seriousness tho, this would be a fairly unique car.....the biggest thing i'd be concerned about would be the chassis re-inforcement and suspension.....from memory, the utes/vans run leaf springs in the rear (though i could be wrong)....as far as i know, everything would be pretty much the same as any other all Mitsu conversion (i'd imagine anyway)

[75glnt]

Yep.. Leaves and shocks in the arse... But it's upper and lower control arms and springs in the front.. And shocks.. Lol.

Like old holdens

But l300 hubs go onto the front like an oem product. Giving you 4x114.3 pcd and better rotors (vented centres, not solid).

[77GDWAGON]

If you use the original 4x4 gearbox and transfercase you will not be able to use 4wd on the bitumen without getting gearbox wind up. 4wd is only designed for offroad use.

[75glnt]

Yea wonder if you can do anything to change that?

[A112H]

I was thinking of using the complete evo driveline.
Front cross-member diff and suspension
Engine
Gearbox
Rear cradle, suspension, diff

[75glnt]

So it would be as low as an evo??

[A112H]

Yep

My dodgy photoshop version, lol

[A112H]

Have a read of this
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums ... -pictures/

This is what I am thinking for the L200

[Tj.]

Holy hell that's a thorough build!

[Scorpma82]

Certainly a very complex way to have an injected 6cyl Torana lol

Full marks for commitment and quality....and its good to see its progress in his own garage.......not something i could be bother doing tho........it'd almost be easier to build tube chassis from scratch, dropping in the nissan running gear...then the Holden body ontop

[A112H]

His purple one is a efi Torana and an easy build. The AWD is what is special about this build.

Holy hell that's a thorough build!

Very impressive work isn't it.

Still think I could do this using EVO/VR4 running gear and a L200

[Scorpma82]

*I think it would be a smipler build than that Torana for sure

[A112H]

Think I am going to give it a crack anyway. Free L200 and my old man is selling his HH VR4 I think the oportunity has presented to me like fate

[Scorpma82]

With an opportunity like that....i'm stunned you even questioned it lol

[A112H]

Never questioned it, just after ideas
It will be a very long build, I would want to get everything else out of the way so I can commit all my time and money to this. It will be expensive but certainly worth it