“Mighty Mite”
1979 Land Rover Santana Series 3 Resto-Mod
He was an all-stock original 1979 Santana, in terrible shape. Now he’s a Rad Rover for sure. The headline: a turbo on the 2.25L diesel — we’ve never heard of anyone successfully doing this, so we feel we are the first. An immense amount of modifications of body and bones, with care, concern, and passion for the pursuit of perfection.
Gallery
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Build Highlights
An immense amount of modifications of body and bones.
Powertrain & Turbo
- Turbocharged 2.25L diesel — first successful conversion we know of
- Massive intercooler
- 200tdi oil filter housing and Mishimoto oil cooler
- Aluminum radiator and electric fan
- Upgraded 140a alternator
- Upgraded super-powerful starter motor
- Heavy-duty clutch pack
- Custom clutch pedal pivot pin for master cylinder (our design)
Chassis & Steering
- New made-to-order galvanized chassis
- New bulkhead
- Range Rover Classic power steering
- Wootz transfer case oil tank
- Locking hubs by Forbyn Bros (upgraded from discontinued WARN hubs)
- Forbyn Bros billet aluminum door hinges
Fuel & Cooling
- Twin stainless steel fuel tanks by Pangolin 4×4
- Racor marine-grade fuel filter
- All lines stainless braided flex — brakes, fuel, clutch, cooling
- All stainless steel intake and exhaust system custom-made by John Coopy with Magnaflow muffler
Body, Interior & Electrical
- New aluminum dashboard and gauge cluster housing (made by us)
- New Defender front and rear seats
- Exmoor Trim soft top and made-to-order steering wheel
- Aftermarket cab heater with our special design assembly system
- LED package everywhere
- 100% custom wiring
- Made-to-order modified front bumper with 8k lb WARN winch (Pangolin 4×4)
- Everything chemically dipped and/or media blasted and powder-coated
Every part, no matter how seemingly insignificantly small it may appear, has been addressed with care, concern, and passion for the pursuit of perfection and quality over anything else. We take great pride in our work. Patience and persistence renders quality results.
Ready for Your Own Resto-Mod?
From turbo diesel conversions to full chassis builds, Rad Rovers pursues perfection on every project. Contact Jason to start yours.
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