I might be buying my first IIa

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!

I would advise that you go to the introduce yourself section,(some people get tetchy on here when new users don't do it)
As for the question, I own a s3 so I won't be too detailed, but rust in following places, bulk head, usually in the corners by the windscreen, on the chassis anywhere but mainly wheel arch area, rear cross member ( the thing that's like the rear bumper)
Arguably the milage doesn't matter, it's more how it's been driven, used and maintained IMO.
Also petrol or diesel? Is the engine standard, or has a tdi been put in?
As for engines I think the consensus is that petrol is faster and more driveable, but mpg can be expected to be very close to single figures
Standard diesels (I've got this one) very easy to work on (I've never had a petrol so can't comment on that.) I get about 19-20. Around town, 24-25 going to work and back (city and a roads) and 33 ish on the motorway
Also remenber these are slow beasts but the arnt about crusing at 90mph, there more about trundiliing along at 50-55mph, then when it snows or a road ends, to carry on trundiliing where your bmw x6 gets stuck
The brakes, they are very heavy to use, often to the point where new owners think there is an issue as they are used to disc brakes and abs but there again, problems with the brakes are not uncommon and usually easily fixed.

Hope this helps, even if it's a tad vague

Hmmm First off you have got to want to drive a series, they are so very different to anything else you may have driven. Well sorted they start steer and stop, however most are fettled by weekend mechanics some very good some downright dangerous. Let him take you out in it and then drive it yourself if you like it buy and enjoy. Lots of help on this board for people to answer questions, we all started with no landie knowledge and learnt, ask as many questions as you want.

53degreesnorth said:

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!

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: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:

divie said:

Lots of help on this board for people to answer questions, we all started with no landie knowledge and learnt, ask as many questions as you want.

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Thanks, will do!

Bump said:

: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)

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Will let you know the decision

and remember, little things like lights, mirrors, wiper blades are ridiculously cheap and easy to replace.

i hope you buy it and love it.
we all do dont we lads/ think its time for my meds

So, I went to see it. I took it out for a spin (my first experience behind the wheel of a series). Managed to get it through all it's gears, brake test etc. I had a big smile on my face. That 2.25 petrol engine is impressive. :bounce:
It almost breaks my heart to buy it from the guy selling as he's had it since '86 and clearly loves it but he's getting too old for it now (in his late 70's).
It's got 64k miles on the clock, he is only the second owner and has had it since 27k miles. It's mainly been used weekly for a 80ish mile round trip but with some off road use mainly for shoots. A huge pile of receipts and service history. Some welding work, most recent being a plate on bulkhead round steering column.
I checked over thanks to the advice, got some photos. Anyone have anything to add to these?
Very strongly considering buying, we agreed a price and I'm going to confirm by end of weekend. Price seems fair for condition.
Biggest concern might be the rust levels - any comments or advice from anyone?

53degreesnorth said:

So, I went to see it. I took it out for a spin (my first experience behind the wheel of a series). Managed to get it through all it's gears, brake test etc. I had a big smile on my face. That 2.25 petrol engine is impressive. :bounce:
It almost breaks my heart to buy it from the guy selling as he's had it since '86 and clearly loves it but he's getting too old for it now (in his late 70's).
It's got 64k miles on the clock, he is only the second owner and has had it since 27k miles. It's mainly been used weekly for a 80ish mile round trip but with some off road use mainly for shoots. A huge pile of receipts and service history. Some welding work, most recent being a plate on bulkhead round steering column.
I checked over thanks to the advice, got some photos. Anyone have anything to add to these?
Very strongly considering buying, we agreed a price and I'm going to confirm by end of weekend. Price seems fair for condition.
Biggest concern might be the rust levels - any comments or advice from anyone?

Click to expand...

Surface rust can be dealt with and if the chap has owned as long as you say-unlikely to be a pear

The rust doesn't look too bad though it's difficult to say without having a poke. Chassis could do with a clean up and treating and would be no surprise if it needed a patch or 3 cutting in and welding but looks to have lots of life left in it yet.

As Fan says the bulkhead rust looks to be surface rather than a big issue bubbling through a new paint job.

well if I was looking, given the length of ownership and seemingly genuine reason for him selling, if you think the price is fair, I would be buying it. Sweet looking truck, has the cat flap too not the rear door so easy to take the top off in summer

if that is all just surface rust on the bulkhead and chassis I would get on top of it straight away, don't wait till it gets a better hold.

whilst it is probably heart breaking for him to be passing it on, it is better that it goes to someone who appreciates it and will take care of it.

So then, I've bought it! Should be collecting at some point towards the end of the week, as soon as all the paperwork is sorted. I'll post some pics when I get it to it's new home.

Hopefully you lot on here are tolerant of lots of stupid questions (which I will no doubt have - after using the 'search' function of course!)
:dnfnoob:

Welcome to series ownership!
Stupid questions are accepted in exchange for pics

Off to collect it in the morning. The seller has today taken it for oil changes, put on a new wiper, new sparks, set the carb and checked points - plus he's touched up the white paint on either side of the slot. I think it is going to be a sad moment for him when he bids farewell to it! :Cry:

They change their tune when you hand over the cash or at least the guy did when I picked up my series one and handed him three packets of cash direct from the bank :Cry:

yes he may cry till you get round the corner than start drooling over the moolah

although from what you have said I am sure he will be gutted, I sold a 110 years ago with a full cage and rack and I have been crying ever since