Work Or Play

Land Rover Defender Turbo Diesel

Published in the May 2019 Issue May 2019 Build, Feature

Matching Power With Quality

In its stock configuration the Cummins 3.9L 4BT motor produces 105hp and 225 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm.  Specific details of the two-year build follow below. The configuration that was designed and built by BEC was dyno-tested by Industrial Injection in Salt Lake City at 230 hp at 2000 rpm and 580 ft-lbs of torque and that was at 5000 ft above sea level. 

Engine—Invigorated with a fully remanufactured and built Cummins 4BT Turbo Diesel P-pump engine which is fitted with a No. 10 fuel plate for improved fuel delivery and achieves 30 mpg during normal highway and city driving.

It features Hamilton camshaft for increased performance and ARP head studs for durability. Fluidamper harmonic balancer and liquid-filled engine mounts reduce engine vibration. The Holset hybrid HY35/HX30 turbocharger fed by cold air intake and custom liquid to air charge air cooler provides better airflow for performance.

A cross-flow two-row custom aluminum radiator, custom fan shroud and engine driven clutch fan provide ample cooling for the 4BT engine. Fuel is supplied to the engine with all-new fuel lines using a 2-micron filter system and a new Land Rover 20 gallon steel fuel tank all mounted with new mounting hardware. 

The exhaust is custom fitted with full stainless three-inch exhaust tubing, Steed Speed exhaust manifold for performance and mounted using all new hardware. Fitted in the engine bay is an electric assist power steering system and stock manual steering gear.

Transmission/Drivetrain—Drivetrain is fitted with the proven and Durable ZF5-S42 five-speed manual transmission and a South Bend high performance single disc clutch with Diesel Conversion Specialists adapter plates. It has an upgraded modern clutch slave cylinder providing improved leverage for easier pedal pressure.

An LT230 transfer case with 1:1 high range gearing and ATB differential make this truck a true all-wheel drive when needed, retains the low-range crawling capabilities and still allows for 80-plus mph highway cruising capability. 

The drivetrain was upgraded for maximum strength with new bearings, new seals, new series six bolt flanges, new universal joints and one-ton axles. It also includes a Detroit soft locker differential in the rear and Detroit Truetrac differential in the front for excellent all-terrain traction.

Brakes—It features a rear twin piston disc brake system. Using Land Rover components and Front Forbyn Bros custom 11-inch slotted and vented disc brakes with four piston Wilwood calipers all powered by a Hydraulic brake booster creates brakes with state-of-the-art modern capabilities and standards.

Chassis/Suspension—The body and drivetrain sit on a brand-new Land Rover 300 TDI structurally updated and fully galvanized frame with new black semi-gloss Wolf wheels fitted with Goodyear 235/85-16 Dura Trac tires.

Old Man Emu springs and shocks upgrade the suspension all around to support the larger Diesel engine and provide vastly improved ride and handling.

Exterior—The aluminum body was stripped down to bare metal and all body components were individually prepped and repainted in Land Rover Coniston Green and semi-gloss black. The roll cage was powder-coated black and all-new rubber window channels, seals and glass were installed throughout. 

A Puma bonnet was added for a more powerful look and improved clearance in the engine bay for the engine along with a KBX grill facia kit and a wet weather heater intake cover.

Billet aluminum hinges from Optimill provide more robust and maintenance-free operation. The front and rear of the truck are adorned with matching custom fabricated steel bumpers. 

A lighter weight Smittybuilt X20 10,000-lb. synthetic rope wireless remote-control winch is installed on the front bumper and a Blacksmith Engineering Company custom fabricated swing out spare wheel mount installed on the rear bumper.

Interior—Open up the doors and you will find Exmoor black leather and cloth heated front seats, Exmoor black leather and cloth forward-facing lock and fold seats in the second row and Exmoor black leather rear inward-facing fold down bench seats in the rear.

The upper and lower dash, visors and cubby box are wrapped in black leather. In the dash is a Raptor Engineering center pod for control switches and gauges which is also pre-wired for additional lighting. Interior body panels are custom fitted and match the seat and headliner material.

A custom headliner was installed on the removable hardtop. The steering column is fitted with a Moto Lita steering wheel, and Billet aluminum covers from Optimill are fitted to the pedals. 

The windshield is heated while a Land Rover heater and air conditioning system keeps the cab temperature comfortable in all weather.

A Sony GS610BT receiver with Bluetooth phone and USB connectivity is paired with 4 JL Audio MX650 speakers, 2 JL Audio 6W3V3 Subwoofers and a JL XD700/5 Amplifier.

There is Dynamat heat and sound barrier and Land Rover sound and heat insulating mats throughout the cabin to reduce noise and enhance cab comfort.

 

Behind the scenes also put together by Stan Evans Photography.

https://vimeo.com/314381851

https://vimeo.com/317077216

www.blacksmithengineeringcompany.com 

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