Please help newbie

hi all.

This is my first post so please bear with me and tell me if I'm doing something wrong (it does happen ha)

I'm sure this will of come up before but I can't find it. I'm wanting to buy a good 300 manual disco To keep long term to beef up as I go along but can't find many, firstly, where's best to look, I'm looking on eBay, auto trader and gumtree?

Secondly, Ive seen a few good autos that fit the bill with less than 100k and in good nick, apparently. But... What's involved in changing from auto to manual, mechanical skill isn't a problem I'm 'just' after a complete list of the parts needed and any tips and tricks to help along the way.

Many thanks in advance

Towsey

It's worth joining your local Landrover club as a member may have your perfect vehicle for sale.
With D1's check for rust everywhere, soggy carpets, oil leaks.
Why are dismissing autos? In many off-road conditions they are superior to manuals. Try finding yourself in the wrong gear when climbing or in sand. Dip the clutch you come to a halt but the auto will smoothly change down and you keep going.

The main thing to look out for on a disco1 is rust as has been said. Sills, rear wheel arches and chassis particularly around fuel tank. Some cars will lok in great condition but underneath will be little more than scrap. I would forget about converting gearboxes and just buy what suits you. There are plenty about. Watch out for lashings of underseal covering up rust on the chassis.

Cheers for replies

There is an auto disco in our group already so I know where you are coming from with wot you say, but, we spend a lot of time at places like tong and kirton and having to cover the brakes due to a lack of engine braking on long slippery down hills not wanting to lock up and start a slide is more common than things like bogs, sand and such like.

And between us we have had all combinations of engines and gearboxes and we have all found that autos are worse on fuel. I want a good vehicle to use everyday for my work and for play so converting an auto to manual to get the rite thing doesn't worry me and there would be two to change because the other disco I mentioned before does a lot of trailer work, but not aswell as its four manual predecessors.

Thanks again

Towsey

Rust rust rust and rust. Then the usual for a 20 yr old car ie everything else : )
Buy wisely and forget conversions waste of tine just buy an r380

Cheers

My mate is defo gonna be converting his for a few reasons, that was main reason for wanting a complete parts list.

Only reason I was wondering myself was because I've seen a few seemingly good ones but been auto not manual

Cheers

Towsey