Newbie Help (please?)

Hello,

I have just been given the go ahead by the wife to buy my first Land Rover!

I've wanted one since falling out the back of a series III coming up the hill from Tintagel when I was four (35 years ago). As this is my first and I don't have an off road area to work in I need it to be quite tidy but I'm partial to a bit of tinkering.

Having read through the threads I have a good idea what to be looking for - I think the best advice was think with my head not with my heart. I do have a couple of questions that I can't seem to answer by searching the boards. Sorry if they have (quite probably) been asked before....

I'm going to look at a series II LWB - built in 65 but registered in 67. "Good working order, MOT July 2011, Tax exempt. Interesting history. Fitted with extra fuel and water tanks. Some spares plus manuals. £1,995" ok sounds like it's worth a look......

Having spoken to the owner who has had it garaged for 13 years (palms getting sweaty) the interesting history is is that it was first registered in Namibia. First thoughts should be ok for rust but check suspension. Second thoughts does it just need to have a V5 or should there be associated paperwork with it? It's been in the country for 13 years but have no idea about importing vehicles!

Any issues with possibly converting to LPG in the future?

It's bench seats are ok for carrying people I don't care about on but how easy (and more importantly) how safe would it be to fit two new seats in the rear with a three point seat belt so the kids are safe!

Thanks for any help - please don't flame me - Every one here had to buy their first Landie once!

Cheers

Simon

HELLO firstly and :welcome2:
The only problem i can see is you say you dont have room to do anything more than tinker......hmmmm maybe a landy isnt for you....

Good chap.

If its got a v5 you're laughing. Despite being in Namibia it still needs a damn good look at the chassis and bulkhead. Outriggers etc can be bought cheap...as can most parts for a series.

What engine has it got in it..? I'd be tempted to keep it original...also the bench seats..Forward facing seats in a lwb just doesn't seem right to me...especially if its a 2 door.

Good luck..post some pics...

landymanmel90 said:

HELLO firstly and :welcome2:
The only problem i can see is you say you dont have room to do anything more than tinker......hmmmm maybe a landy isnt for you....

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It was a consideration BUT I've rebuilt bikes without a workshop and as long as I've got access to a welder I'll tackle most things (with the exception of a ground up rebuild) either on my mates drive or out side my office (my boss is a 110 owner).

I just WANT ONE NOW!!!!!!!

if you wanit go get it, you be ok as long as you know how to throw a spanner an work a hammer....
gota love dem landy's....

Welcome to the forum.
I'm not an expert on prices however the 109 has less demand than the 88, and for the cash you mentioned I'd be wanting summat that was in reasonable condition.
Bits to look at are the bulkhead and the rear crossmember.

Nomisb said:

I have just been given the go ahead by the wife to buy my first Land Rover!

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Welcome Simon - Wouldn't bother buying a Land Rover after your opening statement, it will come back to bite you. Perhaps get yourself a nice sensible car unless of course your wife is the bread winner and pays for your keep and she makes all the decisions for you.

Nomisb said:

I do have a couple of questions that I can't seem to answer by searching the boards. Sorry if they have (quite probably) been asked before....

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Wow, a newbee who has done a Search! :welcome2::welcome2::welcome2:

Ignore any negatives, def. go and get yourself one, it will be the best decision you make... maybe not financially, and maybe not for the sanity of your family... but it will bring you lots of joy, headaches, problems, etc.

If it's been in the country fro the last 15 years then it should have been properly imported, but worth checking.

Don't be too concerned about having no space to work, you'll be amazed what you can do parked up on the side of the road outside your house. Just need a long extension lead, that's all - least when you then spill oil everywhere the wife isn't going to kill you for wrecking that new drive. :doh:

I know it's reasonably easy to put forward seats in the back of a old defender with bench seats so i assume the same kind of seats can be used in the back of a series - maybe with the off adaption for fastening points.
3-point belts will be harder - lap belts no problem, but the top mount for the 3-point belt will be an issue.

If its a petrol engine (probably the 2.25 petrol?) then converting to LPG won't be a major issue - there are kits about to convert old engines.

Best of luck if you do get it

:mil22::flame:

Nomisb said:

Hello,

I have just been given the go ahead by the wife to buy my first Land Rover!

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Do it do it do it!
you won't regret it.

2k seems a bit steep but series landies are going for silly money at the mo'. If it's rust free, in good nick etc and has proper documentation I'd offer 1.5k and see what he says but I'm a tight arse yorkshireman.

:welcome2: to the forum, lots of good info, banter, **** taking in here so don't take anyone too seriously and you are the top newbie this week as you managed to find the search function before posting:clap2::clap2:.

Hi. I bought an imported series 3 a couple of years ago. It had obviously stood for quite a while. The road springs were incredibly hard, but they eased after some use (including a good weight in the back). It was also fitted with a steering damper to cope with African roads, which made it very hard to turn - I removed that after a few days.
The other thing was that practically every seal is now leaking; I suspect they had hardened with dis-use. These are all quite minor problems, but worth checking if it has been standing for a while. Good luck anyway!!

biggeeeee said:

Welcome Simon - Wouldn't bother buying a Land Rover after your opening statement, it will come back to bite you. Perhaps get yourself a nice sensible car unless of course your wife is the bread winner and pays for your keep and she makes all the decisions for you.

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Having looked at your profile I'm not too shocked to see that "biggeeeee has not made any friends yet" after that comment. Enjoy the short bread and don't get tooooooo damp when the snow melts........:blabla::blabla:

for that kind a money make sure its in good condition especially body work and chassis every thing else can be fixed cheaply

Nomisb said:

Having looked at your profile I'm not too shocked to see that "biggeeeee has not made any friends yet" after that comment. Enjoy the short bread and don't get tooooooo damp when the snow melts........:blabla::blabla:

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:hysterically_laughi

Def going to fit in fine here

Nomisb said:

Having looked at your profile I'm not too shocked to see that "biggeeeee has not made any friends yet" after that comment. Enjoy the short bread and don't get tooooooo damp when the snow melts........:blabla::blabla:

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Did your wife tell you to type that!!

biggeeeee said:

Did your wife tell you to type that!!

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lol - FINALLY A BOARD WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR!

To be fair to wee jock my wife was a little upset to find out how much I'd spent on climbing kit this year and I'd thought I'd play safe and ask her this time round before a blow a couple of grand.

Still hope the weather's not too bad up there in the 3rd world.....

Wee Jock - you've not seen the size of my belly then.

Any time your passing this way pop in there will always be a bed, a dog bed mind but a bed none the less!