So, I think I am close to my first ever Land Rover - a 1970 series 2a, 70k miles, current owner for just under 20 years and 40k miles.
I'm viewing later this week - any top tips for anyone to check? I'll be going through the work that's been done including to the chassis.
I've never even driven a Series before, so wish me luck. The current owner is keen to give me lessons! I'm looking forward to the experience I've read so much about.
I'm hoping this is the first of many posts from me!
:clap2: Congrats, you have two choices... buy it then drive it and realise you will have to love it as you now own it... or ... drive it and walk away (looking very pale)
But in seriousness:
* Chassis - take a screwdriver with you and have a really good poke at it all, you will be under it, covered in mud and oil, so, wear old clothes - don't skimp on this, it's easy to just buy it cus you want it, but, make sure you really check it over, if you're there for less than 1 hour before buying you've not checked enough!
The rear cross members rust - mud collects in it and rots it out, check all the out riggers, check the bulkhead, all over, top, middle, bottom, mounts, the lot.
Take it for a test drive and make sure you get through all 4 gears, O/D if it has one (if it does, O/D's are worth a lot, but, do wear out if poorly treated)
Check high range 4x4 (push yellow button down) then check it comes back out again (pull red leaver back and then forward again - puts it in low range then back in high range - yellow leaver pops back up)
Check low range (automatically 4x4 mode so ignore red leaver)
Check it vaguely drives in a straight line - it's an old vehicle, you expect some play, but, not loads - and try breaking whilst lightly holding the steering wheel - see how badly it pulls to one side or the other.
Check the suspension - does the vehicle sit low, sag, lean to one side?
It is an old vehicle, it's not going to be perfect, some of the above may not be 100% right, some things you can easily fix yourself, others are big jobs, if you're unsure, take lots of photos of potential problems or note them down and post them up on here and we'll all tell you to run a mile :lol: