78KF38 ex-mod 90 FFR

Having spent countless hours reading everyone else's fantastic rebuild threads, I thought it was time to stop being a silent watcher and start my own!

Now I have neither the time nor skills to do a strip down rebuild like Aaronmorris and others, so this is going to be more a record of steady improvements and general tidying up. I'm not planning on turning her into a civvy spec machine, or a wolf replica - I'm going to try and modernise the looks and add some functional elements too.

Anyway enough typing, here she is as I collected her...









The amber beacon on the side is because the previous owner used her to Marshall at the war and peace show last year. She's also still on her MOD plates in these pics as I was waiting for DVLA to issue her a civvy reg - hence she's in a field and not on the road

The first job was to do a full service and replace all consumables. All was going well until changing the front brake disks, which revealed I needed a new main swivel seal. I thought best to replace the bearings, seals and swivels as it was all coming off anyway.



I'm lucky in that the chassis looks sound - ill give it a brush and paint when the weather improves but no more than that needed. The bulkhead is ok, a few bits of rot such as around the foot well edges so as a temp measure I've treated with kurust and painted in hammerite red oxide primer. I ended up doing the whole interior as paint was tatty and I wanted a consistent colour when going over with green top coat.

I also decided that the holes in the side for radio wiring etc to go through were no longer required, and as they were letting water in they had to go. A bit of filler soon sorted this.



I'm planning on doing a full external rub down and paint in the summer, so these bits will just get a brush touch up for now. I do love having a vehicle that it's acceptable to paint with a brush now

By this point my new modular and insa turbos had arrived courtesy of John Craddock, along with a cowl for the heater vent as too much crap was getting into the heater.

Looks good, i would leave exterior as is with just new wheels and tyres. Are you leaving it drab green? tart up the interior for comfort but leave ext original ish.

mick the builder said:

Looks good, i would leave exterior as is with just new wheels and tyres. Are you leaving it drab green? tart up the interior for comfort but leave ext original ish.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes I'm keeping her nato green and will replace the union flag, "army driver" etc stickers when re - painting.

I've been pondering what to do with the spare wheel and pioneer tools on the back. The bonnet is very heavy with the wheel on it, and I note that wolf landys have moved pioneer tools to the bonnet and spare to the side, so I decided to do something similar.

First of all I needed to sand down the bonnet to try and get rid of paint build up and fill some old rivet holes.



Then drill out the rivets for the pioneer tool mountings from the back, fix to bonnet and then paint.



The back had filler and paint treatment.

Finally, I've fitted headlight guards and steering guard, plus a new grill, bumper, wolf side vent and new arch spats so she now looks like this which brings us up to date!

Looks nice and tidy.

You need to change your number plates, there're illegal. Supposed to be white front and yellow rear.

Ian46 said:

You need to change your number plates, there're illegal. Supposed to be white front and yellow rear.

Click to expand...

Yes I'm aware that I'm bending the rules a little, thanks though!

Nothing wrong with bending the rules, so long as you know you're bending them. Nice landy.

Fab. I have same ex mod ffrr. May I ask what engine is in yours ? I ve has it now for three years. Not touched a thing lol. Apart from replacing shock dampers and bushes and new alternator. Those split windows. I removed the tops and put rubber seal in to stop water get in lol. I'm e is 2.5 n/a

Mine is the same 2.5na. I think that as long as your aware of its performance before you buy it's a great engine! I love the fact that that there are no electronics to go wrong, and I've got a motorbike if I want to break the speed limit

I've got problems with the split windows leaking too. I've seperated them, cleaned up the join, replaced the rubber and used silicon sealant along the inside but still leaks even though the channels and ports are clear!

The dampers on mine are fine, springs are a bit harsh now it's not lugging round half a ton of radio kit. Any views on light duty spring replacements?

Most interesting thread for me. I have had my 90 (53 KG 42) for almost a week now. Loads of minor changes planned as and when cash allows, no rush though!

elan23 said:

Most interesting thread for me. I have had my 90 (53 KG 42) for almost a week now. Loads of minor changes planned as and when cash allows, no rush though!

Click to expand...

Good stuff, what you got planned? Post some pics!

OK, need a gearbox as this one is shagged, bought a bonnet,widowed sides, have some better doors and tops oh, and looking at a swing away on eBay. Guess I'm going to have to sell me Lightweight to fund everything. Got a quote for pas so got to save up. Bloody ell can't even afford to tax it til next week. Photos will follow.

Buy a disco to scrap, power steering and gearbox taken care of and get you're money back selling on the engine and axles

Yes. I put new rubber seals no leaks now. No sealants. Only issue now is the gap at the top window to the door rubber is bigger lol.

Taffy said:

Yes. I put new rubber seals no leaks now. No sealants. Only issue now is the gap at the top window to the door rubber is bigger lol.

Click to expand...

Did your new seals come with the channel pre - cut or did you have to do it yourself? Just wondering if I got the right part number!

Pre cutted shape and holes for the bolts to pass through. I ordered from my local Landrover shop. Mcdonalds landrovers from oswestry. I think it is britpart