Help me pick a project

Two cars available here in Alaska. Both of them could probably be purchased cheaper than the asking prices. I live in Fairbanks, but I could easily arrange for a car to be shipped from Anchorage.

I have a friend who does auto body work and he would be a great resource for paint and rust. I know quite a bit about the engine, fuel and ignition systems. The rest of the stuff, like grease points, suspension, and other quirky landy stuff I have forums for.

First car is a Military Lightweight, it needs a lot of work but has cool points for being an 88 and having the hoop top. Way to pricey IMO but I can work it down. This car would have to be shipped to me.

1968 Land Rover lightweight

Second car is a 109 forward control. It is here in town. It looks like a decent deal. I'm not as big of a fan of the forward controls as the 88's but It could grow on me. Plus only 32,000 miles on it.

Land Rover Forward Control

My dads birthday is coming up and its almost been exactly a year since we bought our first Land Rover. Speaking of which, I need to get some pictures up for you guys.

Opinions on either truck?

P.S Rover's are worth more in Ak than in most places in the world. It's a hard place to get to by car.

Go for the FC. The lightweight is a complete shed.

but bear in mind that FC parts can be hard to come by, even in the UK.

Go with the FC , 95% approx of the parts are common to 109 bonneted control , they are a totally differnt beast to drive, great fun esp off road.
The only tricky bit with them is the gear linkage, tends to sieze up if left for long periods . Even slower than the normal landy, unless 6cyl . Very versatile, I used one as Bush fire truck, carry logs, moving house . motor caravan ( tarp over the top) . etc .
From the pic looks very good, you will need a good big engine crane if the motor needs to come out . Keep us posted

tacr2man said:

Go with the FC , 95% approx of the parts are common to 109 bonneted control , they are a totally differnt beast to drive, great fun esp off road.
The only tricky bit with them is the gear linkage, tends to sieze up if left for long periods . Even slower than the normal landy, unless 6cyl . Very versatile, I used one as Bush fire truck, carry logs, moving house . motor caravan ( tarp over the top) . etc .
From the pic looks very good, you will need a good big engine crane if the motor needs to come out . Keep us posted

Click to expand...

Any links on how to fix the gear linkage if it is seized? I would imagine that this one has been sitting for about 46 years. I've emailed the seller but he is not responding... Makes me a sad panda...

Best to ask for remedies once you have got it and found out what is wrong. Usual probs after sitting for many rears are clutch siezed, brakes rubbers perished etc. The one you pictured hasnt been parked that long as its got modern tyres on HTSH

the FC was sold.... I don't want to invest money or time into a lightweight. I'm gonna keep my eyes open for an 88 hard top though. That is my dream rover.