Use Your Tax Refund to Purchase a Backhoe-Engined Land Rover Defender

      Diesel Pump UK via Face

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      A potential dream Land Rover engine swap is now on the market. Diesel Pump UK modified a Defender a few years back by installing an industrial diesel, maintaining the Land Rover’s robust character while enhancing its reliability. The entire project spanned five years, and now the shop is ready to sell it and is open to shipping it outside the U.K. If you’re anticipating a tax refund, this could be worth your consideration.

      Diesel Pump UK typically focuses on Mercedes-Benz OM606 swaps, harnessing the capabilities of the renowned 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine. However, for this Defender project, they chose an engine from a JCB backhoe. JCB is a well-known British manufacturer of agricultural and industrial machinery, much like Land Rover.

      The intention behind the build was not to maximize horsepower, Diesel Pump UK owner Luke Dale mentioned in a YouTube video that was released around the project's completion, although power did see a noteworthy increase. Instead, the main objectives were to enhance reliability and maintain the Defender's British essence.

      The candidate for the swap was a 1988 Land Rover Defender 110 200 TDi. Dale sought an engine that matched the character of the original 2.5-liter turbodiesel inline-four but could offer a service life of 10,000 hours. The selected JCB TCAE-108 is a new old stock 4.4-liter inline-four that not only meets the reliability standards but also generates 145 horsepower (at 2,200 rpm) and 413 pound-feet of torque (at 1,500 rpm), compared to the stock engine's 108 hp and 188 lb-ft.

      British LAND ROVER Defender featuring JCB 4.4 Industrial Agri Engine Conversion Dieselpumpuk

      Fitting the larger JCB engine into the Defender’s engine compartment necessitated more effort than a typical LS swap. The backhoe engine was wider than the original, which required some sheet metal trimming. Additionally, it was too tall to fit under the hood, a challenge that was overcome by relocating the bump stops and installing a custom billet oil sump that lowers the JCB engine enough to clear the hood, which is also a custom-fabricated component to provide additional clearance.

      The backhoe diesel is paired with a robust R380 5-speed manual transmission and a heavy-duty clutch. It features a custom charge-air cooler, a stainless steel exhaust, rebuilt axles, a two-inch suspension lift, and new sheet metal to replace rusted areas. This vintage Land Rover is sturdy enough for genuine work, and you might even be able to register it under a business and write it off on your taxes next year...

      Do you have a tip about an interesting engine swap? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com.