Hi to all from a newbie!

Hello everyone!

I am as my user name states very new to the landrover scene. For many years I have wanted to own a landrover, and finally I am in a position to do so.

I am currently looking at a 1981 series 3, 2.25 petrol not far from me, rebuilt in 2000 on a galvanised chassis. I viewed it at the beginning of the week, and it seemed to run ok, although I didnt get the chance to check out the 4x4, free wheeling hubs, overdrive etc, but I am going back to with a good friend of mine who is a mechanic on sunday, so hopefully he can give me his opinion on whether it has potential, and carry out a more in depth look at the bulkhead, and common problem areas.

Is there anyone else in the same position, ie new to landys? would be good to share thoughts and views etc!

Bloody hell, I almost fell off me chair. Someone else from my neck of the woods.
Welcome.
Just make sure it's clear & tidy & been looked after. Anything can be fixed. Having said that if it's been rebuilt it should be ok.

Landrovernewbie said:

Is there anyone else in the same position, ie new to landys? would be good to share thoughts and views etc!

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Is it just me in need of breakfast or does this mean your not interested in the thoughts and views of those of us with years of Landrovering experience?
:welcome2: I think!

I just re read my post Bromsgrove defender. I probably could have worded it better! I sure am interested in any help and advice from experienced owners who have years of knowledge of owning and working on these vehicles. I must admit my skills are lacking and on reading some of the threads I got completly lost and confused! Hopefully I will pick things up as I go along! No offence intended honest!

Hi 666george, hopefully my friend who is more mechanically minded will double check the vehicle is sound, and then the steep learning curve begins!

Hello and ................:welcome2: to the forum:welcome2:

:welcome2: Just look for rust or more to the point holes if it dont look bad after looking for rust and holes everything else just bolts on

Gazz T said:

:welcome2: Just look for rust or more to the point holes if it dont look bad after looking for rust and holes everything else just bolts on

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Many thanks, when I looked at it early on in the week, I mainly looked at the floor pans, and the pillars, bulkhead etc for rust. It all seemed ok as far as I could see, Im hoping my mechanic buddy will give it the thumbs up, once he's had a good look at the chassis etc. Im hoping that I can learn alot from working on the engine! But i think it will be a good read of a Haynes manual before I attempt anything. Fingers crossed Ill own my first landrover by Monday!!

If it's had a galvy chassis shoved under it, it should be OK.

Get a good toolbox, a comfy set of overalls and a sense of humour and you will make a good Landy owner.

Everthing can be fixed, you are limited by the depth of your pockets.

:welcome2: and good luck.

Landrovernewbie said:

I just re read my post Bromsgrove defender. I probably could have worded it better! I sure am interested in any help and advice from experienced owners who have years of knowledge of owning and working on these vehicles. I must admit my skills are lacking and on reading some of the threads I got completly lost and confused! Hopefully I will pick things up as I go along! No offence intended honest!

Hi 666george, hopefully my friend who is more mechanically minded will double check the vehicle is sound, and then the steep learning curve begins!

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No offence taken. I don't play well with other children when hungry

Does your mechanically minded friend know much about Landrovers?

There is a thread on here of things to look for. I suggest you make a copy to take with you. I cant remember what it says so I will add, take something waterproof that you can kneel/lie on and be especially suspicious of rear cross members with chequer plating on tem

Bromsgrove Defender said:

No offence taken. I don't play well with other children when hungry

Does your mechanically minded friend know much about Landrovers?

There is a thread on here of things to look for. I suggest you make a copy to take with you. I cant remember what it says so I will add, take something waterproof that you can kneel/lie on and be especially suspicious of rear cross members with chequer plating on tem

Click to expand...

Im glad you were not too hungry!

He knows a little about landrovers, he used to own a series 3 LWB, albeit a while back. We looked at it today, and thankfully my eye was ok, and the bulkhead, chassis etc are good. The engine needs tuning, and he suggested that it may be worth either sending the gearbox off to be stripped/rebuilt, or buying a different one to put in. His reason for this was that he said it seemed "notchy" to him, but it may be that the gear stick needs tightening up so it doesnt waggle about on the ball so much. It didnt leap out of gear on the test drive. The owner said that although it was 2.25 petrol, it had a diesel gearbox (4speed). My friend said his one felt better than this, and it was more direct going into gear ie you didnt have to fish around for the gear before lifting the clutch. His just went straight in.

Another suggestion from my mate was I may want to consider a front disk conversion for the brakes if I am going to use it on Mways etc. (my cuurent commute is down the M11), although the brakes are good as they are.

In all it sounds promising, but before I commit I wanted to research rough figures in pounds for the gearbox issues/ideas, would you have an idea of what sort of costs I would be looking at for a rebuild of the gearbox, or replacement. Google is wonderful, but also confusing, with so many differing products etcetc!!

I should say the vehicle is on ebay, currently around the 1500 pound mark.