A few Q`s on an s III

Hi, my name is James, and its been 7 years since my last landrover!
But I`ve started again, this time with a `72 swb diesel needing tlc.

A bit of advice needed, I will post this elsewhere too.

1, is there a way of finding out the original colour of my s 3?
2, any online manuals for a fairey overdrive?
3, your thoughts on parabolics what make? which bushes?
it will get mainly road use and easy green laning.
4, thoughts on RR axle/diff conversions with regard to making it better on road.

Thanks all, I`m off for a look around the forum!

James

Hi Jamesbil,

My name is Perry and this is my first land rover (nothing like a bit of group therapy to get going eh?)

Don't know much but learning all the time. Only bit that I can offer any advice on is the parabolics..

I would highly recommend fitting parabolics... massive improvement in comfort, plus a noticeable increase in articulation, and an extra bit of height...

However, be warned and choose your parabolics carefully. I purchased a set from paddocks for £216.21 and had no end of problems with them. After fitting the landy developed a considerable lean towards the drivers side... turns out that the vast majority of parabolic springs are not handed to take account of the uneven weight distribution of a landrover (fuel tank/ transmission/driver/etc) so unhanded springs will tend to result in a lean towards the heavy side.

Following an eventual refund from Paddocks and much research I found myself looking at three options:-

Rocky Mountain - very knowledgeable and helpful technical guys with different number of leafs to rear spring weights dependant upon what duty of use you require (light/medium heavy), but no handing to left and right hand side so still suscetable to leaning (circa £500 for the full set)

Heystee - Bit of a boffin and can tell you all the technical stuff you need to know. Does produce springs handed to suit left and right hand sides, but only produces in very small numbers so no stock at present and as a result very expensive (nearly £1000 for a full set)

GB Springs - Small outfit supplying good value for money springs (used to be part of British Springs befor they moved away from the production of parabolics and leaf springs) . are the only other supplier to Heystee that I found who understood and could supply the left and right handed springs for a land rover.

I eventually purchased a full set of GB Springs for £215.00 including vat and delivery, they were delivered in 3 working days, came complete with bushes fitted and set of uBolts (including the odd shaped one for the front axle), fitted perfectly and resulted in a perfect level - so I could not recommend them highly enough.

Fitted with Pro-comp ES300 extra long dampers (+2"), and very happy. From what I have now learned I may with hindsight have gone for Monroe shock absorbers or if I had the money Old Man Emu, but that is only based on the opinions of some trusted friends who do a lot more adventurous off roading than me - I personally am very happy with my current set up and it gives me good levels of on road comfort and reasonable off road performance than is far better than my novice ability

Hope this helps

Cheers

Jamesbil said:

Hi, my name is James, and its been 7 years since my last landrover!
But I`ve started again, this time with a `72 swb diesel needing tlc.

A bit of advice needed, I will post this elsewhere too.

1, is there a way of finding out the original colour of my s 3?
2, any online manuals for a fairey overdrive?
3, your thoughts on parabolics what make? which bushes?
it will get mainly road use and easy green laning.
4, thoughts on RR axle/diff conversions with regard to making it better on road.

Thanks all, I`m off for a look around the forum!

James

Click to expand...

1, you could contact the DVLA they should have record of it, also it should be on record at Solihull

2, not that i am aware of, i managed to get a photocopy of the exploded parts diagram from my local independent LR specialist

3, they will transform your landrover, get either rocky mountain or british springs ones as the cheap ones will sag really quick and are generally poor quality

4, the axles won't fit without lot of work but the diffs fit in the series cases if you want the higher ratio, if you wanted it for the disk brakes rocky mountain so a disk brake conversion that is a better option

Thanks guys, where can i buy the british springs and which polybush set would be best?
Also i was thinking of rr axle for ratio rather than brakes. is it still compatible with an overdrive?

James

Jamesbil said:

Thanks guys, where can i buy the british springs and which polybush set would be best?
Also i was thinking of rr axle for ratio rather than brakes. is it still compatible with an overdrive?

James

Click to expand...

it will stuggle to pull the RR axles and an overdrive i would go for one of the other,

i think GB springs have taken over from british springs as said before

their enquiry form is here

i would go for floflex bushes

Jamesbil said:

is there a way of finding out the original colour of my s 3?

Click to expand...

Here ya go - it'll cost you a fiver!
Archive Research Services - Heritage Motor Centre Online Shop

Ian