90/110 wanted and then possible 130 purchase?

Good Morning all.

My mate has offered me a series three for bear tokens and a BBQ afternoon/weekend!
The problem is that the said truck has no engine and he says the gearbox is knackered.

Do I invest into this project or do you guys think I can pick up a reliable 90 / 110 for cheap money. 2000-3000 pounds max?

So I am thinking of the following.....?????

I need a 130 for work yet I cannot afford one at the moment as my finances are tied up in my van. So one idea is as follows...

1. Get my mates series 3 short wheel base for free and then find a donor engine and gearbox. The engine in there was a Tdi unit as it had a conversion many moons ago so I thought pick a tdi engine and five speed box up for approx 500 pounds and simply drop this in? At least I would then have a vehicle with better towing capabilities than my van (perhaps buy a new engine from turner engineering 200/300 tdi, place this in the donor car and then when the time is right remove the engine for my 130 project)????

2. Just keep my eyes and ears open for a sub 3k 90/110 that will either be up for sale here or on ebay perhaps. (I am very very worried about buying such cheap vehicles. Are there really bargains out there that have a good few years life left in them)?

3, I am also considering in preparation for next year buying a 130 chassis from Richards and then sourcing a written off / heavily damaged donor car.
I could then perhaps swap all items over and replace new bushes etc etc.

I wounded how much time energy and money swapping or building a car based on a 130 chassis would be?

Thanks all for reading this and great replies warmly excepted!!!!:hippie:

Up to you mate but a few thoughts occur....

Did the Series have a 5 speed box fitted? If not be aware it involves chopping bits. A Series gearbox in decent nick can handle a 200tdi quite happily.

I'd be inclined to buy an Disco mot failure, drop the engine in the Series and break/scrap what you don't need. Takes time but means you'll get a free or near free engine.

Of course it depends on the condition of the Series, especially the chassis/bulkhead and how much time you have.

I can't see the sense in buying a 130 chassis for a vehicle you haven't got yet. The donor will need to be a 130 to start with unless you fancy jumping through legal hoops.

Got to do the BBQ/beer thing and nab a free Series LR! ..but it might better to sell it on and put the proceeds together with the 2-3K and buy a 90/110 (or Disco?) as a van replacement. It's entirely possible to get a good one for this money but only if you know what you should be looking for so make sure to take an experienced LR user/buyer/fettler with you!

blue beasty said:

Up to you mate but a few thoughts occur....

Did the Series have a 5 speed box fitted? If not be aware it involves chopping bits. A Series gearbox in decent nick can handle a 200tdi quite happily.

No it still has the original 4 speed box.

I'd be inclined to buy an Disco mot failure, drop the engine in the Series and break/scrap what you don't need. Takes time but means you'll get a free or near free engine.

I am tempted but my end goal is to finally end up with a 130. The disco means I have another vehicle lying around. I appreciate the disco donor car is probably the most ideal solution, finically speaking. I am just a little worried incase the donor car/engine and gearbox turn out to be a lemon!!!


Of course it depends on the condition of the Series, especially the chassis/bulkhead and how much time you have.

I can't see the sense in buying a 130 chassis for a vehicle you haven't got yet. The donor will need to be a 130 to start with unless you fancy jumping through legal hoops.

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Ooops sorry my bad. The chassis is something I am considering ready for next year or as a winter project. I think the ideal solution would be to find a cheap 130 and use it for six months then use this for my winter/2015 project!

blackstrat said:

Got to do the BBQ/beer thing and nab a free Series LR! ..but it might better to sell it on and put the proceeds together with the 2-3K and buy a 90/110 (or Disco?) as a van replacement. It's entirely possible to get a good one for this money but only if you know what you should be looking for so make sure to take an experienced LR user/buyer/fettler with you!

Click to expand...

I will agin consider this point. Perhaps it is even better to break it down and sell off the individual items?

I think it would be very nice to find a car for the 2k mark to at least help me out with the towing!