A 4x4 is Born

World-renowned engineering enthusiast Mark Evans dusts off his overalls to take on his first off-road project - the transformation of a 4-door, 1985 Range Rover into a unique 100"...

Mark makes the brackets and plates necessary to fix the Land Rover bodywork to the strengthened chassis. Only one problem - the rear wheels don't fit under the wheel arches!! The...

With so much metalwork to do, Mark calls in professional welder, Paul Harris to run a MIG-welding masterclass. There's also some TIG welding to be done to stitch up the seams on th...

Mark shows how to assess, renovate and upgrade the transmission. He rebuilds the axles from scratch, and shows in detail how to fit air-operated diff locks. Mark's attention turn...

It's Mark's favourite part of the project - rebuilding and upgrading the monster V8! Cleaned, stripped of its ancillaries and decapitated, Mark assesses its condition. Mark visit...

The galvanized chassis arrives back at the workshop. When Mark has finished admiring it, he starts to fit the running gear ! First up: suspension. Mark continues playing with bus...

With the help of some "specialist" friends, Mark makes himself a unique roll cage out of the longest piece of tube he could fit in his van. He shows how to bend, assemble and fit i...

Mark cleans his pistons, prepares and lubricates the crankshaft and engine block. Mark shows in detail how to rebuild the 3.5L Rover V8, including fitting an upgraded cam. Then it'...

Mark paints his rocker covers and sets the variable valve timing kit on his newly assembled engine. Mark fits his core plugs, before venturing to his bench to show how to correctly...

Mark fits and assembles the bulkhead to the chassis. The wiring transforms from a jumble of multicoloured spaghetti to the vital veins of the beast's electrical system. Then it's...

Mark's very special Land Rover is really starting to take shape, and he turns his attention to the brakes. Then it's on to the fuel system and there's a problem with the fuel tank...

Mark can see the light at the end of the tunnel and continues fitting the renovated body work. One of the few "newish" bits of bodywork is the truck cab - but it too needs a lot...

Not wanting his unique vehicle to be stolen under his nose, Mark invests in a state-of-the-art alarm system that will call his mobile of his Land Rover is touched ! He also makes h...

The racing bucket seats are fitted, plus the last of the windows and door panels; plus Mark gets all scientific when he uses lasers and a computer to set up his suspension geometry...

It has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears that has taken Mark, Les and Phil (the team) 2500 hours to complete over 5 months. Mark put the finishing touches to his unique 100"...