Mercedes Diesel Discovery 1 Build

DieselRover

New member
I'm nearing completion on my dream diesel build, ending a nearly 15yr battle against time, finances, willpower, ect to finish.

The truck started as a super clean 50th anniversary LSE, which I pulled the 4.0 out of, (still not sure what to do with it, maybe an MGB GT?)

The donor engine came from a 1986 300SDL, (om603). For those not familiar, this is the rarer 6cyl, SOHC turbo not the 5. Engine only needed a custom oil pan for land rover duty. It now has 2 sumps and a lengthened pickup tube to draw from the baffled rear sump. I also made an intake to add an intercooler. Injection pump has been set to "full load" setting and turbo wastegate adjusted to build 15psi

The chassis modifications include: modified crossmember to clear the L6. Hood scoop for the intercooler
FJ80 cruiser lift coils
Terrafirma long travel shocks
Cut and shortened shock towers
Custom built rocksliders, rear bumper, and front diff guard.
Snorkel
ARB front bumper with warn m8000 winch
Dual batteries
Mercedes fuel fill neck (diesel pump nozzles are larger)
C.b. radio
Poly/plastic pallet for a roof basket

The engine adapter plate was made by SMT (Scandinavian Marine Technologies) by Gosta Lindgren, top quality parts, but none fit, (made for range rover HP24?) So I had to have a local machinist make my parts to my measurements.

After much stress and headache I am nearing the end of the road, last upgrade will be a steel roof rack system, possibly a tent, with the end goal being a vehicle to travel the Pacific northwest with my family.
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NW40

Explorer
Congrats on finishing the build! What a project! Would love to hear how that motor performs in the D1. Maybe I missed it, but what transmission are you using?

Any way to move that intercooler up front to get some fresh, cool air? Maybe look at the 300Tdi intercooler/radiator setup as a starting point if you find you need cooler intake temperatures.

Enjoy the adventures ahead! I’ll be watching for you out and about in the PNW.
 

DieselRover

New member
Congrats on finishing the build! What a project! Would love to hear how that motor performs in the D1. Maybe I missed it, but what transmission are you using?

Any way to move that intercooler up front to get some fresh, cool air? Maybe look at the 300Tdi intercooler/radiator setup as a starting point if you find you need cooler intake temperatures.

Enjoy the adventures ahead! I’ll be watching for you out and about in the PNW.
I'm using the factory HP22 ZF trans. Theres no way to route piping past the radiator due to my dual battery setup, and the size of the radiator. I may use a water to air cooler in the future.

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DieselRover

New member
Some more pics from my trip up the oregon coast to Port Angeles Washington. Also crashed Ian Johnsons (of extreme 4x4 on spike t.v. fame) 2018 Cummins repower tour. There was a defender and discovery with 2.8 cummins engines
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NW40

Explorer
Didn’t realize you had a hood scoop for the intercooler.

Do you have a pyrometer hooked up? What EGTs are you running?
 

DieselRover

New member
Didn’t realize you had a hood scoop for the intercooler.

Do you have a pyrometer hooked up? What EGTs are you running?
I have one, yet to install. I figure any bit to help would be nice, had no intercooler before!

Also been looking at possibly just a small 8" fan on it, for times when I'm at low speeds where the scoop wouldn't help


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DieselRover

New member
Here's a startup video when I first got it running, there was no exhaust so it was exiting at the turbo. But I swear I can stand a nickel on edge on this valve cover, it's a very smooth engine


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DieselRover

New member
Why the cut in the firewall/vent shroud ?
The OM series engines have a filter housing for the oil filter, the element comes straight out the top, its located at the rear of the engine directly below the shroud/cowl. I now have some of that door edge molding stuff over the cut edge to make it look better

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J!m

Active member
I like this swap! This engine in thus truck must be a freight train!

But, as you probably already know, a scoop that low/close to the body will not get much "forced induction". It would need to be raised off the body an inch or two to be in "clean" airflow.

An alternative might be to duct air from the radiator support, under the inter cooler and exit straight up through the hood. You also gain radiative advantage as the heat naturally wants to rise.
 

DieselRover

New member
I've been contemplating an air to water cooler which would allow a small cooler up front and negate the scoop. But for now, I may even try a small electric fan to aid at low speeds.

I've just installed a eaton/detroit locker and begun building my roof rack system.

Been doing some more exploring of course;)

Found some old wwii bunkers on the Oregon beach here
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DieselRover

New member
Also got to try her out in some slick clay/mud trails. The all terrains were lacking, and this was prior to the locker.

My brother in law joined me in his 4wd tercel on super swampers. Even had to snatch me out at one point!

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DieselRover

New member
My roof rack is nearing completion. Just need to find a suitable floor material. I'm happy with how well it turned out. Next will be some limb risers to the brush bar
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