Help and advice from the experts

Tonks4x4 said:

I know all about the running costs of the B7 RS4 and with the issues of the heads getting gunked up etc etc.
I also am aware of how fast they are but also how detached from actually driving it that you feel.

But a can't conceive how bad it would be to go from driving that to any kind of series vehicle.

I love Land Rovers to bits and have personally owned each and every variation with exception of a 101 and an 80" Series 1 over the last 17 years.

If you are set on buying a Land Rover, I would seriously consider buying the best Defender you can afford.

Or if such a series exists, one with a disk brake conversion, power steering conversion, and a TDi upgrade, with parabolic springs. A Galv chassis and bulkhead.

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If your going to do all that, you may as well get a Defender. There is a company in the netherlands who do do properly engineered disc brake and power steering conversion kits but both together will be £2k with out fitting.

Also people have become wise to how desperate series owners are for 200tdi engines and they can fetch big money on the bay. Anything from £300 to £500 and £1000 for a recon unit. 300tdi lumps are cheaper, but much more work is required to get them into a series chassis.

I am in the process of trying to get my series sorted for the MOT and its taken much longer than I anticipated. Changing the springs to parabolics wasn't too expensive at £295 for the set, but it took several days to get the old ones off and new ones fitted.

The 88s do wander about on the road. The steering on mine is my biggest bug bear. As others have said, speed bumps are really uncomfortable in a 88 and thats with brand new parabolics and shocks.

Mine has cost me much more than I estimated. I was hoping to send money making it look nice, but the budget is just beeing plowed into the mechanicals

If the OP is looking at 109s in station wagon form with TDi and Galv chassis, then I think you are looking at £5 to 8k and you could buy a nice Defender 300tdi for that. If you are buying at the high end of series money, I'd also want an overdrive and proof that the gearbox has been rebuilt too. Series gearboxes are low tech and its fairly common for the syncro (I think) to fail and it will pop out of gear if you pop the clutch up coming down a hill. If you want someone like Ashcroft to rebuilt it, budget £500.

Is any one familiar with the Alan Partridge sketch where Lynne is asking him to downgrade to a Mini Metro?

This is a little similar to me here and these Defender suggestions.....

I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
You can keep talking Lynne, I'll just talk over you


I've got nothing against them, I just don't want one.

£5 k is no issue for the right vehicle and I'm not totally stuck on the 109 either. At the beginning it was favorite but the more I look the more 88s I see that seem to fit the bill.

I've got two budgets in my head.
£2k - £3k for a rolling restoration that I can use in partnership with the MG while I get things done. Or a fully ready, restored one with either a galvanised chassis and/or the TDi conversion already done up to about the £5k mark.

Did I mention I don't want a Defender?

if you want to chat directly to leafsprung afficionados, may i suggest a trip up to the national mining museum over the bank holiday weekend (Wakefield)

Leafers at 't pit | LATP

nothing but leafsprung vehicles on exhibition, standard rivet counting jobs, modified with an assortment of engines and gearboxes and of course complete bitsas, you should also be able to scrounge a little ride from a few to give you chance to compare vehicles as long as the showground isn't too busy with tourists/visitors

no distraction from the one true spring with plenty of folks that'll tell you the ins and outs of just about any modification and how easy or difficult it is to do

ignore the folks here that tell you it's hard to fit a 300tdi because it's not at all hard if you can weld or have a tame welder on hand, there's plenty of 300s going into Series motors nowadays, it's just that the 200 is simpler for those that can't or don't want to weld

parabolics are a bit of hit and miss on the quality if buying from the big name resellers but with a little research you'll find at least two companies in this country that supply and manufacture quality British springs, so unless the vehicle seller has reciepts and you can actually recognise the springs as being worth having i really wouldn't get too hung up on paras being fitted already, good standard springs are generally not really any worse on the road plus less body roll on the corners, rusty leaf packs is the worst thing about the ride quality, paras give more articulation offroad and really could do with decent shocks to absorb the rebound on road

bodystyle, truckcab, tilt, van panels or station wagon all have an effect on the ride quality due to different weights, then there's tyres and thier pressures (years old crossplies at 30psi will be rock hard), all of these things can be changed to suit yourself to one degree or another

your budget "should" find you a well sorted motor and probably a little change as long as you stay away from the dealers, or you buy a cheap project and spend your budget on building it how you want the finished motor (chassis and bulkhead being the money pits)

That would be a good idea but I'm away that weekend. I've got a viewing on Sunday now so I'll be able to have a drive, hopefully.

It's been over 20 years since I last drove one

I think I'm pretty much prepared for the worst, which I think will prevent me being totally put off and like you've said, I can make minor changes to suit my requirements and the big jobs can all be done as and when required or time permits.

One I have my eye on has been completely restored and looks great. It's in budget but a long way away. That's not something that will put me off but it affects the investigation process because I have to make sure the owner tells me as much as possible before I arrange a viewing.

Just remember that you have to want to drive a series to own one and enjoy it. I love mine but am first to admit it is slow and noisey. Ashcroft no longer rebuild series gearboxes. Apparently they will not do them due to nearly all the boxes they get in are not rebuildable to their standards.

parptoot said:

Is any one familiar with the Alan Partridge sketch where Lynne is asking him to downgrade to a Mini Metro?

This is a little similar to me here and these Defender suggestions.....

I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
I'm not driving a Defender
You can keep talking Lynne, I'll just talk over you


I've got nothing against them, I just don't want one.

£5 k is no issue for the right vehicle and I'm not totally stuck on the 109 either. At the beginning it was favorite but the more I look the more 88s I see that seem to fit the bill.

I've got two budgets in my head.
£2k - £3k for a rolling restoration that I can use in partnership with the MG while I get things done. Or a fully ready, restored one with either a galvanised chassis and/or the TDi conversion already done up to about the £5k mark.

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I hear where you are coming from, the image of later LR vehicles is a sticking point for me. I shudder at the big yuppy buses parked on the school run, laden with needless extras and steps hanging all round
Maybe a 90/110 would suit, maintain a bit of classic British street cred, but have something with a bit more comfort and useability in modern conditions!

Well, this weekend I have been on the LR hunt but it's not been entirely productive.

I've made numerous calls, most up north (By 'ek) and been to view one close by.

They vary on price and condition obviously but after talking to people selling them, I get the the impression I'm expecting too much maybe?

I went to see one locally that was relatively high in price based on what the advert promised but I went anyway, thinking/hoping it would turn out to be a gem.
What a mistake that was. I spent about 30 seconds there before I realised it wasn't anything like worth the money it was up for. This was based on what I'd seen on-line and what's been sent to me as high res pictures.

This afternoons example was a 1973, safari roof example in a creamy white colour. The pictures from the advert now make sense because none were close up.
When I arrived I could see that the safari roof was crushed, the body work was bashed to bits and covered in scrapes and dents, and I MEAN all over.
A very quick glance underneath revealed a generally solid chassis but many plates on both foot-wells but these were not very good.

There were a few plates on the chassis but they looked well executed and still solid.
The rest of the car was in pretty much the same state as the exterior, a mess. It hadn't even been cleaned for sale.
I know its a Land Rover but come one, take some time to make it presentable!

Now, I'm left with a couple to investigate further and these are fully restored and look in excellent condition but they are a good 3.5 - 4 hours away.
Hmmm

I see a wanted thread coming along......

take a look on the Series 2 forum The Series 2 Club Forum - Index

every now and then there are some true gems offered or linked to

do you think we should just link to LandyZone and not outside to other forums?

I have been looking all over but I've been concentrating on the most busy selling sites where I may find the right one. That's not to say I'm not welcoming other suggestions like the one above. It does look very quiet there though compared to here.

So, having been to see that horrible example today and after speaking to a couple of other sellers I have some more questions for the experts.

1 - If you have a totally restored example with new door seals, would you expect to have rain water enter the vehicle through them? I've been told "they all do it"

2 - Is there any after market, Land Rover made, engine/transmission configuration that would fit, with some work, that would allow a cruising speed of about 60-70 MPH?
200tdi? 300 tdi? different gearbox?
I understand this would be relatively costly but I'm not put off.

3 - Oil leak. Again, I'm being told "they all do it". Surly if you know the source new parts can be fitted to rectify it?

Thanks again,
Mike.

Freelaner said:

do you think we should just link to LandyZone and not outside to other forums?

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i don't see the point in that thinking (unless you have a piece of crap you want to trap him into buying)

should i not come on this forum due to me being a paid up member of the Series2 Club and in turn not offer this chap (or any other member of this forum) a possible line of purchasing his desired motor

maybe i shouldn't suggest ebay or exchange+mart on the same basis that they're not related to this forum

or is it that you're scared he'll run off to a different forum, i suggest OLLR to folks as well from time to time if they're in need of help/information and that one is full of sweary blokes that might offend your sensibilities

if this chap should be offered a 2 or 2a and wants to learn about it the first place i'd send him is the Series2 forum as with good pictures he'll probably get the best answers as it's not really a "general" landrover forum and 99% of the identifiers of the model would be pointed out to him, i'm still learning as i've only been playing with them for 5 years so i'll surf all and any forums when i want information much in the same way any sensible person would when learning

NiteMare said:

i don't see the point in that thinking (unless you have a piece of crap you want to trap him into buying)

should i not come on this forum due to me being a paid up member of the Series2 Club and in turn not offer this chap (or any other member of this forum) a possible line of purchasing his desired motor

maybe i shouldn't suggest ebay or exchange+mart on the same basis that they're not related to this forum

or is it that you're scared he'll run off to a different forum, i suggest OLLR to folks as well from time to time if they're in need of help/information and that one is full of sweary blokes that might offend your sensibilities

if this chap should be offered a 2 or 2a and wants to learn about it the first place i'd send him is the Series2 forum as with good pictures he'll probably get the best answers as it's not really a "general" landrover forum and 99% of the identifiers of the model would be pointed out to him, i'm still learning as i've only been playing with them for 5 years so i'll surf all and any forums when i want information much in the same way any sensible person would when learning

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point missed then in that case

you are indeed sensible


carry on learning

parptoot said:

I have been looking all over but I've been concentrating on the most busy selling sites where I may find the right one. That's not to say I'm not welcoming other suggestions like the one above. It does look very quiet there though compared to here.

So, having been to see that horrible example today and after speaking to a couple of other sellers I have some more questions for the experts.

1 - If you have a totally restored example with new door seals, would you expect to have rain water enter the vehicle through them? I've been told "they all do it"

2 - Is there any after market, Land Rover made, engine/transmission configuration that would fit, with some work, that would allow a cruising speed of about 60-70 MPH?
200tdi? 300 tdi? different gearbox?
I understand this would be relatively costly but I'm not put off.

3 - Oil leak. Again, I'm being told "they all do it". Surly if you know the source new parts can be fitted to rectify it?

Thanks again,
Mike.

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1) Yes some leak, but mine never leaked on the old door seals. You can also fit 1 piece door seals on a hardtop which theoretically should make a better seal

2) 200 tdi will bot straight on to the gearbox, 300tdi needs extra work. I have a 2.5 N/A in mine, still slow but better than the original I would advise getting hold of an overdrive to bolt straight on the back of the gearbox, improves speed and economy and it makes driving quieter (providing you get a good one that doesn't howl ) My one with a 2.5 n/a and overdrive with larger wheels from a 109 could go comfortably over 60 (and this was with an engine that was in need of rebuild so with a good one should be good )

3) Thats the patented rust preventing system Main bits that leaked on my 2.5 which is similarish to the old 2.25 were crankshaft oil seals and other places where new gasket were the only thing needed. Oh and the rear diff pinion seal. Theres loads of info on this forum about doing jobs like that Benefit of old land rovers is oil seals and gaskets are pretty cheap, the big oil seal at the back I got for about £1.50 new and a gasket set for the whole engine was £20

Hope that makes sense

samc88 said:

1) Yes some leak, but mine never leaked on the old door seals. You can also fit 1 piece door seals on a hardtop which theoretically should make a better seal

2) 200 tdi will bot straight on to the gearbox, 300tdi needs extra work. I have a 2.5 N/A in mine, still slow but better than the original I would advise getting hold of an overdrive to bolt straight on the back of the gearbox, improves speed and economy and it makes driving quieter (providing you get a good one that doesn't howl ) My one with a 2.5 n/a and overdrive with larger wheels from a 109 could go comfortably over 60 (and this was with an engine that was in need of rebuild so with a good one should be good )

3) Thats the patented rust preventing system Main bits that leaked on my 2.5 which is similarish to the old 2.25 were crankshaft oil seals and other places where new gasket were the only thing needed. Oh and the rear diff pinion seal. Theres loads of info on this forum about doing jobs like that Benefit of old land rovers is oil seals and gaskets are pretty cheap, the big oil seal at the back I got for about £1.50 new and a gasket set for the whole engine was £20

Hope that makes sense

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Excellent, thank you.
The owner of one of the cars in my sights has said his '65 diesel will happily sit at 45 mph all day long and occasionally you can push it to 55 but you wouldn't want to for long.
He also said the heat-soak from the engine bay through the bulkhead can get a bit stifling if cruising but a few stops would sort that.

180 motorway miles at 45mph I might make a weekend of it and come the back roads, if I get it.

Yep, the diesels are a little slow but they are a reliable and simple engine.
I replaced the rear main seal on mine, new front diff pinion seal and I now only lose a couple of drips a week at the most from the transfer box cover plate. That said, mine is just a weekend runabout for fun. You have to bear in mind that although some of these were built in the 70's and 80's, the design is very much earlier technology. You only need to look in the Haynes manual at the design of the rear crank seal to realise that it's probably always going to leak just a little eventually....also why land rover left a hole in the bell housing!
Probably also fair to say that many people are far too accepting of oil leaks and don't keep up with the maintenance and replacement of seals.

It sounds as though with that budget, and the level of finish you're looking for you may want to look at John browns, or huddersfield landrover centre. Haggle hard, because they are expensive, but if you're after perfect panels and a clean and tidy motor could be worth having a look. If not, then maybe speak to liveridge or someone about a rebuild? No personal experience with any of these guys but maybe helpful ideas i hope!

Best o luck to ya I say





I know when I bought my Td5 everyone said oh ya don't want a series


Feckin bunch o numpties



It was EXACTLY what I wanted....... 9 years later I got one still got a way to go before it'll be on the road though, hoping next summer

That's not say I don't love the TD5 by the way

But from having sat in the series trundling it in and out of the garage to work on it............................. It'll be worth it and some

After further disappointments I have finally decided to do what I should have done at the beginning, start a wanted thread.

Well, I went to do it but it seems I'm not allowed yet. I think I need to have at least 50 constructive posts before I can do that. It makes sense I suppose

Can I do it here in this thread and hope people see it?

Bromsgrove Defender said:

Best o luck to ya I say





I know when I bought my Td5 everyone said oh ya don't want a series


Feckin bunch o numpties



It was EXACTLY what I wanted....... 9 years later I got one still got a way to go before it'll be on the road though, hoping next summer

That's not say I don't love the TD5 by the way

But from having sat in the series trundling it in and out of the garage to work on it............................. It'll be worth it and some

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Will you update your thread again on him?

samc88 said:

Will you update your thread again on him?

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Huh?