BMW M52 Defender 110
Discussion
Alot of progress been made in last couple of weeks.
Took, or rather cut off the old springs and shocks... Replaced with bilstein dampers and OEM springs. Strangely someone's put polybushes on the radius arms, but the shocks were nackered..
Next up, I've removed the rear windows and essentially turned it into a USW.. Kept the trim inside but added carpeting and sound deadening and it feels completely different, quite cosy and not like a crappy caravan.
This all needs a good clean and a bit of tigerseal around the edges but more than happy with it so far.
A couple of 'unwin' rails have been added to the side, so I can strap things to the side as per new defenders
Finally, I've taken a angle grinder to the rear arch, cut a hole and formed a very basic 'dirty' store. It's not at all waterproof but will be used for fluid and oil storage etc.. the door is from a sailing store and is designed for cabin floor access..
I'm not aiming to go wading and time soon, and any water would instantly drain out anyway.
May get the paint a bit closer, was a Halfords rattle can special!!
Took, or rather cut off the old springs and shocks... Replaced with bilstein dampers and OEM springs. Strangely someone's put polybushes on the radius arms, but the shocks were nackered..
Next up, I've removed the rear windows and essentially turned it into a USW.. Kept the trim inside but added carpeting and sound deadening and it feels completely different, quite cosy and not like a crappy caravan.
This all needs a good clean and a bit of tigerseal around the edges but more than happy with it so far.
A couple of 'unwin' rails have been added to the side, so I can strap things to the side as per new defenders
Finally, I've taken a angle grinder to the rear arch, cut a hole and formed a very basic 'dirty' store. It's not at all waterproof but will be used for fluid and oil storage etc.. the door is from a sailing store and is designed for cabin floor access..
I'm not aiming to go wading and time soon, and any water would instantly drain out anyway.
May get the paint a bit closer, was a Halfords rattle can special!!
Bit more progess, replaced all the prop UJ's, there was a quite noticable vibration coming throguh at high revs.
Compltetly changed the car, so smooth even up to what must be 6000rpm when it felt like the car was shaking to bits before!
Managed to get a second battery in the box, with a split charge system and then will need to link in the solar charger.
Next mini project, make some floor based storage in the rear to make it into a mini camper...
Compltetly changed the car, so smooth even up to what must be 6000rpm when it felt like the car was shaking to bits before!
Managed to get a second battery in the box, with a split charge system and then will need to link in the solar charger.
Next mini project, make some floor based storage in the rear to make it into a mini camper...
Bit of an update as ever.
Went away for the first time to Wales with the new camping set up, didn't go very well!
Gearbox let go half way, meaning a recovery back home
Entirely my own fault, should have checked gearbox oil as it looks like it was near empty. Stupid error, but tbh it was a 150,000mile gearbox anyway.
So, new gearbox later and its all back together... Again.
We've now got a compressor fridge on board which is supplied by the solar panel on the roof and a separate aux battery, and a 270 degree awning on the side.
Normally the awnings mount to roofrack / roof bars but as we don't have these due to the lifting roof an alternative arrangment was required.
These are brackets for a T25 camper that are modified slightly, which are clamping onto the gutter and I've bolted through the body with spreader plates behind.
I can rock the whole car from side to side on the brackets so they should be fine..
Next up, some new tyres as these [even though they have plenty of tread] are approaching 11 years old and have many small nicks..
Then all being well we should be travelling down to the South of France and Italian alps for a few weeks.. Slightly excited
Went away for the first time to Wales with the new camping set up, didn't go very well!
Gearbox let go half way, meaning a recovery back home
Entirely my own fault, should have checked gearbox oil as it looks like it was near empty. Stupid error, but tbh it was a 150,000mile gearbox anyway.
So, new gearbox later and its all back together... Again.
We've now got a compressor fridge on board which is supplied by the solar panel on the roof and a separate aux battery, and a 270 degree awning on the side.
Normally the awnings mount to roofrack / roof bars but as we don't have these due to the lifting roof an alternative arrangment was required.
These are brackets for a T25 camper that are modified slightly, which are clamping onto the gutter and I've bolted through the body with spreader plates behind.
I can rock the whole car from side to side on the brackets so they should be fine..
Next up, some new tyres as these [even though they have plenty of tread] are approaching 11 years old and have many small nicks..
Then all being well we should be travelling down to the South of France and Italian alps for a few weeks.. Slightly excited
Great build! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve got a 90 with the 2.4 transit engine and often wonder whether I’d swap like-for-like when it eventually fails, or whether I’d swap for something like that.
In my “modern / efficient” 90, I rarely see more than 30mpg and more often it’s 25/26mpg - so 20mpg from that is pretty decent IMO!
I’ve got a 90 with the 2.4 transit engine and often wonder whether I’d swap like-for-like when it eventually fails, or whether I’d swap for something like that.
In my “modern / efficient” 90, I rarely see more than 30mpg and more often it’s 25/26mpg - so 20mpg from that is pretty decent IMO!
Juice motors in Kent did a 4 part video converting a puma to a bmw X5 engine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwRwRnKckgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwRwRnKckgU
Time for a bit of an update, as we eventually did manage to get camping in this eventually at the end of last year.
Bit of a catostrophic balls up on my part I believe in the summer, it appears that through all the work the input shaft wasn't quite supported fully in the sprigot bearing. The first (150,000mile) gearbox that went had absoultely no evidence of this, presumed it was just wear and age as I'd done about 2500miles since installing it
Replacement gearbox installed last year, about 300miles later the input shaft was as loose as a goose in the middle of France!
At great expense, the shaft was removed and lengthed, though now it seems to be sorted, but highly frustrating and a complete own goal of mine I think!
Managed to get some interior lights working on door triggers which has made a massive difference to the usability of the car. Next up I'd like to get the rear axle converted to discs, but would rather have the defender working through the colder spell!
Bit of a catostrophic balls up on my part I believe in the summer, it appears that through all the work the input shaft wasn't quite supported fully in the sprigot bearing. The first (150,000mile) gearbox that went had absoultely no evidence of this, presumed it was just wear and age as I'd done about 2500miles since installing it
Replacement gearbox installed last year, about 300miles later the input shaft was as loose as a goose in the middle of France!
At great expense, the shaft was removed and lengthed, though now it seems to be sorted, but highly frustrating and a complete own goal of mine I think!
Managed to get some interior lights working on door triggers which has made a massive difference to the usability of the car. Next up I'd like to get the rear axle converted to discs, but would rather have the defender working through the colder spell!
ProCo2020 said:
Any further updates?
Clutch failed when in France this year - Well, stripped the splines on the clutch plate....(Mrs may have done very violent downshift) Final straw.Ripped it all out and sold it off as a complete drivetrain.
Currently putting together a M57 with and 8 speed auto box to replace it. Should be about 280bhp and 550Nm which should be adequate!
Hopefully proves a damn sight more reliable and economical, though will miss the stick and the 7000rpm engine!
tommobot said:
Clutch failed when in France this year - Well, stripped the splines on the clutch plate....(Mrs may have done very violent downshift) Final straw.
Ripped it all out and sold it off as a complete drivetrain.
Currently putting together a M57 with and 8 speed auto box to replace it. Should be about 280bhp and 550Nm which should be adequate!
Hopefully proves a damn sight more reliable and economical, though will miss the stick and the 7000rpm engine!
its like a cheap Ineos Grenadier?Ripped it all out and sold it off as a complete drivetrain.
Currently putting together a M57 with and 8 speed auto box to replace it. Should be about 280bhp and 550Nm which should be adequate!
Hopefully proves a damn sight more reliable and economical, though will miss the stick and the 7000rpm engine!
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