1983 UK 110 Upgrades

[aosias]

I purchased a 1983 110 from the UK 2 years ago and have had lots of things done to her since then. We were looking at photos of the different stages of work and I realized I haven't posted a write up on the truck. I thought I'd post something here for people to see how the truck has progressed. It always amazes me how much one of these trucks can be changed.

With kids and dogs I wanted a 110 instead of a 90 so I started looking. Most of the trucks I had found already stateside were a bit more rusty than I had anticipated. So, I found my brown beast stateside. It was posted by a business, but it wasn't officially their truck. It was more of a consignment sale. We started with a nice, 1983 110 truck with a 2.25 gas engine. As a parent I was hung up on safety so I wanted a roll cage. I knew I wanted to drive it pretty regularly around town so I wanted LHD. The mechanics of the truck were pretty solid- less than 100k miles, recently rebuilt transmission (re-built in the UK), new exhaust. Overall decent shape. In January of 2010 I purchased the truck for $13,000 US and since it was stateside I didn't need to deal with importing it and that hassle.

Set about deciding what should be done to the truck- went back and forth between Camel Trophy cage and NAS 110 cage. Ultimately decided on the NAS cage since that seems to be more versatile and gave the Great Dane more space in the back. With that I would need a new roof since I had the ribbed roof. For the LHD conversion it made the most sense to swap the bulkhead. Not only would it save some money since there wouldn't be the cost of patching the old bulkhead but it gives you some peace of mind to know that it is new and not hiding rust. I also decided to upgrade the dash to the newer Tdi dash "while I was at it." With that came the Tdi wiring and setting the truck up for a future 300 Tdi conversion. We did a basic Alpine unit that works with an iPod at this time too.

We added AC to the list so too since the Tdi dash was a used dash and the previous truck had AC. I needed at least the interior portion to make the install look clean. Originally we were going to re-configure the system to work with the 2.25 but after looking at it the decision was made to box the rest of the kit and wait Not only was a lot of custom work going to be involved to make it fit but the load on the 2.25 may in fact be too much.

After a lot of back and forth, adding and subtracting, the work list was done and the parts were ordered. The original budget for this was just under $20,000 for parts and labor. Took a few months for the parts to arrive, there was a volcano eruption, US customs and just getting parts into and out of a container. Some work was done in preparation- new bulkhead was primed, sealed and painted. I went ahead and kept the original color at this point. Other ideas had crossed my mind but then I wasn't sure when if ever I would get to finishing the paint. The new roof and rear window sides were primed, sealed and painted at this time too.

Finally everything was together and it was time to start the project. The actual work only took a few weeks- which was amazing to me. The bulkhead was replaced, the new dash installed, the cage installed with new headliners and trim for the newer rear windows. The motor was gone over and the water pump, starter and idler wheel were replaced as well as the radiator serviced.

In the end it was 356.25 hours of labor and $17,852.87 in parts. Originally I was planning on it being about $20,000 for parts and labor based on the costs of the cage, bulkhead, and dash parts.

The truck arrived in Colorado a year after purchase decked out as requested. After driving her around in the foothills for a few weeks the second stage of renovations was moved up. The older 2.25 just didn't have the power I wanted. So, the next stage was to convert her to a 300 tdi. After some research a local mechanic was found to do the work. So, March 2011 all the parts for a conversion were sourced- used 300tdi motor, r380 transmission and new transfer case. Also added to the list was a Webasto heater, and oversized intercooler, the remainder of the AC kit installation, a rear step bumper, galvanized sliders and Puma rear seats.

Stage 2 was 84 hours of labor and 12,357 for the parts (from rear bumper to motor). The original plan here had it at about $10,000 for motor/transmission/transfer case and installation, not including the accessories (NAS bumper, Puma seats, and sliders).

The project is wrapping up this week. Super excited to get the old girl home.

[evilfij]

I love that you kept the original color. Very tasteful.

[T1G UP]

looks great. i love the early split doors

[megamatt]

Did you mistype the hours on the first project? What were the rates to make this turd to quote another member?

[aosias]

Did you mistype the hours on the first project? What were the rates to make this turd to quote another member?

No. Those were the billed hours. It was billed out as labor + materials. First shop was $85/hour and second shop was $100/hour.

[130Tdi]

So you have $81k invested ?

[aosias]

So you have $81k invested ?

And 2 years.

[broadstone]

So you have $81k invested ?

But not on a galvanised frame?

[megamatt]

Holy shit, for the ~$100k you just spent on that 83 turd, you could have gone to ECR and bought a brand new tdi. I see they have a td5 on their site for sale now. In the time it took to build your truck I guess td5s became legal.

[aosias]

But not on a galvanised frame?

Correct. Unfortunately the money tree dried up.

Holy shit, for the ~$100k you just spent on that 83 turd, you could have gone to ECR and bought a brand new tdi. I see they have a td5 on their site for sale now. In the time it took to build your truck I guess td5s became legal.

I think you are making assumptions about the price of that ECR truck, especially considering the first portion of this project was completed at ECR. I would venture to say that Td5 is going to be more than 100k. I believe Copley has an ECR truck on their site for more than 100k and it is less refined than the Td5 truck you mention. I am assuming that the more refined a truck the more it will cost but I could be mistaken.

[megamatt]

Sorry to insult your turd. I didn't realize it was ECR. You should see if they will let you exchange it for a better truck.

On a serious note, the hours do seem odd considering their experience with SD. According to Chapman though, since it is from them and not some other person on the board, it was totally worth it.

I miss Dan!

[gchinsr]

Hey Alex
I am glad to see the 110 is coming home. Looks great
Greg

[Skeena river rover]

That is expensive! But it is a nice car. Enjoy it and drive it! And your puma seats are very cool, and expensive:)

[130Tdi]

Alex you must have a very understanding partner. Not many women would undertake to buy a 27 yr old truck and make it their own so to speak. While exhorbitantly expensive it sounds as though you have a fully refurbished truck with fully rebuilt drivetrain. Hope you can get by/enjoy a 110 with the marginal heat and total lack of creature comforts, most women wouldn't.

[rijosho]

Alex, it looks great. While brown isn't my favorite color, it's also not my truck, so who cares? :) The interior looks to be tip top, and very clean. Will you be removing the door tops in the Summer?

Hope you can get by/enjoy a 110 with the ... total lack of creature comforts, most women wouldn't.

Well, she also spends countless hours on a bike seat training for her events, so I'm sure the Puma seats are more than a step up in comfort! :)

[aosias]

By understanding I think you mean tolerant. Like most on the forum the Defenders were in the picture first. I've had a 90 as my daily driver for years so I'm not a stranger to the "comforts."

I did agree to take some time away from Ironman distance races so who knows, I may actually get to drive the truck. Not that racing the half Ironman distance is all that much of a break. At least now my bike doesn't cost more than my truck.

Hindsight is 20/20 and knowing what I know now I may have done it differently 2 years ago.

[bjf]

Alex, it looks great. While brown isn't my favorite color, it's also not my truck, so who cares? :) The interior looks to be tip top, and very clean. Will you be removing the door tops in the Summer?

Well, she also spends countless hours on a bike seat training for her events, so I'm sure the Puma seats are more than a step up in comfort! :)

Only if she is sitting in the back.

[budzny]

Probably buy NAS 110 with tdi drivetrain.

By understanding I think you mean tolerant. Like most on the forum the Defenders were in the picture first. I've had a 90 as my daily driver for years so I'm not a stranger to the "comforts."

I did agree to take some time away from Ironman distance races so who knows, I may actually get to drive the truck. Not that racing the half Ironman distance is all that much of a break. At least now my bike doesn't cost more than my truck.

Hindsight is 20/20 and knowing what I know now I may have done it differently 2 years ago.

[bjf]

So whats left to do on the truck? No mention of wheels, tires, suspension. Is that all original?

[aosias]

Sorry to insult your turd. I didn't realize it was ECR. You should see if they will let you exchange it for a better truck.

On a serious note, the hours do seem odd considering their experience with SD. According to Chapman though, since it is from them and not some other person on the board, it was totally worth it.

I miss Dan!

The hours are cumulative for the entire project so not sure what was for the cage specifically vs the conversion.

Probably buy NAS 110 with tdi drivetrain.

Thought has crossed my mind a few times. Especially when I was done with the first stage and was in the truck for so much money and still had things that needed to be done to make it more "practical." But, when you start the project and the truck is in pieces there doesn't seem to be much you can do but finish it- otherwise you have a unfinished truck and you are still out the money.

[don]

I love that you kept the original color. Very tasteful.

I love those original colors/schemes as well and agree with you. The brown with white strip just has a ton of flavor.

Thanks for sharing with the build info. Not sure who did the motor work but ECR does an amazing job (which isn't news). $85k isn't cheap but it looks like a great vehicle and is a LHD, 300tdi, R380, with new bulkhead and interior with a full cage. I bet if the frame needed it ECR would have told you so and being in CO you wont have to worry about it like us on the coast or in the northeast.

I read someplace that there is a hot rod movement going on now - modern gear with original body work called distressed (I could be wrong). Seems like that what you did in a way and I think its great. Enjoy it!

[bjf]

Yeah look up the icon derelict

[Jackie Treehorn]

So you have $81k invested ?


Sounds about right:rolleyes

[nathanwind]

Alex:

Are you happy with the Td5 dash vs. a standard LHD dash after the conversion?

[aosias]

Alex:

Are you happy with the Td5 dash vs. a standard LHD dash after the conversion?

I am. It looks really nice and also mounts the stereo. The trays aren't that useable as they are pretty shallow but that's not a big loss. I think it is a nice improvement and it's not really a huge chunk of change more than the older LHD parts- for a conversion. I don't know that I would necessarily pay the money just to upgrade an existing LHD truck. Although you could probably re-coup some money selling the older LHD parts.

[ron]

very nice truck love the 2 piece doors...

[bjf]

The td5 dash is great and I agree with Alex if you are going from rhd to lhd it makes sense. I am not sure I would bother if I just felt like changing the dash. It looks much better but I like the space in the dash of the old style that is in our NAS trucks. Also I don't think I would want my radio up there in a soft top. Not that it is really going to get wet but I rather it in the cubby. If we are talking a wagon I think it is great.

[GYM]

I read someplace that there is a hot rod movement going on now - modern gear with original body work called distressed (I could be wrong).

Um, that's pretty much the definition of what a hot rod is. Been that way since the 50's. Easier to source 'modern' parts than vintage originals, whatever the time period... Plus it makes 'em faster, more reliable and brake better than stone stock.

Have you seen a Ford flathead V8 on the road recently? :)

[KKilo23]

Alex... I love it... a great balance of new and old.

[usadventureracing]

Um, that's pretty much the definition of what a hot rod is. Been that way since the 50's. Easier to source 'modern' parts than vintage originals, whatever the time period... Plus it makes 'em faster, more reliable and brake better than stone stock.

Have you seen a Ford flathead V8 on the road recently? :)


They are called ratrods.....there is a huge difference between a hotrod and ratrod. Ratrod is a car that looks like total SH^T and a hotrod would have a very expensive paint job. Hotrod parts "originals and reproductions" are easy to find.

[founD90]

More pics please!

[GYM]

They are called ratrods.....there is a huge difference between a hotrod and ratrod. Ratrod is a car that looks like total SH^T and a hotrod would have a very expensive paint job. Hotrod parts "originals and reproductions" are easy to find.

Agreed, by today's definition. Ratrod is a relatively new term in the history of the 60+ year hot rod lexicon, last 10 years perhaps.

(Granted; a minor and irrelevant point WRT the context of Alex's build thread. Back on topic.)

[don]

Sorry to have thrown the hot rod/rat rod piece in there. I just like how this build kept the original brown paint scheme but has the nice updated interior and drivetrain and it reminded me of some cars I've seen either in the Hot Rod mags or on Velocity tv.

[aosias]

She's getting closer. Had some issue with the motor a few weeks ago when she was fired up so it's being rebuilt. Some photos from today of the motor.

Hard to get rear seat photos for those that have asked- will need to do those outside to get better light.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Alex, that's a purdy-looking replaned deck and new intercooler! (what's the deal with the larger intercooler anyway? source? any fabrication to make it fit?)

What exacty happened when you fired her up that it needed to be rebuilt?

We just randomly discovered that an oil cooling jet from #2 cylinder fell off and was just hanging out in the bottom of the pan waiting to wreak havoc! Dumb luck that we removed the pan to fix a leak.

[aosias]

Size matters :)

I'm not 100% sure on the IC, I didn't source the parts Keith did. But 1 bracket on the LHD side needed to be fabricated to fit and it will need the pushed out grill since I have AC too.

No compression in 1 cylinder so the decision to rebuild. Does look pretty.

[MUDSUX]

Very Nice Alex! Thanks for sharing. I seriously almost bought that very same truck when I was looking for mine. I think I may still have the email Mike sent me with the specifics about that truck and what he recommended in terms of fixing. This is giving me inspiration to finish my truck. Very cool.

[aosias]

So- she's home again and running great. She sounds awesome and seems to be running strong. Power steering is so something I used to take for granted. Planning to get some good photos this afternoon and will update the thread. Just few things left- re-trim the front seat and some sound deadening stuff and we should be good on projects for at least a few days...

[evilfij]

we should be good on projects for at least a few days...

lol!

[aosias]

Here are some photos of the motor, seats, Madman gauge (which is super cool), sliders and rear step bumper.

[grnrvrs]

Glad that it's home! Thanks for the pics. I really like the second row seats.

[MUDSUX]

Hey Alex,

What is a Madman gauge? Is it an engine meter?

[aosias]

What is a Madman gauge? Is it an engine meter?

Yes- does all kinds of things- engine hours, coolant temp, oil temp, oil pressure, EGT. You can set limits with alarms and it does a digital display I didn't want a gauge cluster so this was a way I could get more gauges in my dash.

[cgalpin]

Very nice, and glad to see it's back in action. What's the story with the rear bumper pad missing?

[dave_lucas]

How did you get the madman? I tried for months and never had an answer from them :confused

[aosias]

Rear bumper pad is in my garage. Add it to the list of little things...

Ask Keith I think he had someone in Canada who he was able to source it from.

[cgalpin]

No worries, I was going to offer you one if you needed it.

I too would like to see some pictures of this madman in action.

[aosias]

Madman photos. No complaints about installing it so I believe it's pretty simple with the correct harnesses. Has an alarm for when limits are reached during operation. From looking at the instructions it seems pretty simple to deal with- not much different than my GPS watch really.

Decent display size. Opted to swap it out for a gauge in the cluster vs a pod or mounting it elsewhere. I like that it is front and center.

[bjf]

Does it light up with your lights?

[MUDSUX]

Alex that is very cool. Thanks for the explanation. By the way can you take some pics of your cage? :)

[aosias]

Does it light up with your lights?

Haven't driven at night. I'll see what happens tonight. Seems to have a backlight during the day but not sure how it will look at night.

Alex that is very cool. Thanks for the explanation. By the way can you take some pics of your cage? :)

Anything in particular? My daughter LOVES the interior portion that comes down behind the front seats. Makes for an excellent grab rail to hoist herself up- along with the slider as a rail/step.

[MUDSUX]

....Anything in particular? My daughter LOVES the interior portion that comes down behind the front seats. Makes for an excellent grab rail to hoist herself up- along with the slider as a rail/step.

Just over all: the outside, a few interior shots, and roof. More specifically how much clearance between the roof and cage. Just want to see how an external cage look on an older 110. Stephen is placing an order soon and I have to decide which cage I want. Thanks a million!

[sonoronos]

How did you get the madman? I tried for months and never had an answer from them :confused

Dave, if you are interested in the Madman gauge, I recommend using the US version from MGL Avionics.

Their cockpit singles come in a larger variety. They have several full small engine monitoring gauges. No need to get it from across the world!

http://www.mglavionics.com

[aosias]

Cage photos as requested. Some showing how close it sits to the truck. It's a tight fit.

[MUDSUX]

Cage photos as requested. Some showing how close it sits to the truck. It's a tight fit.


Thanks Alex! That is tight. Think I just made up my mind.

[grnrvrs]

Forrest, do you have a smooth top?

Alex, there is something about the detail in pic 7. I love it.

[MUDSUX]

Forrest, do you have a smooth top?

Alex, there is something about the detail in pic 7. I love it.

Paul I have a ribbed one, will be going with Camel Trophy cage. And I agree with you about the picture, it took years to get that patina. It makes me sick to know mine will end up looking too new.

[Oliver Whiting]

Alex,

Glad you are enjoying the 110. If you ever get over to Durango let me know we can show you around.

Oliver