Steep learning curve

Hi all. I had an itch I had to scratch. I don' know where it came from but I've been scanning eBay for months looking at green badge stuff. I haven' had a project car for a long time and when I did they were petrol jap imports. Living in Wiltshire and doing a lot of fishing and getting out and about with the dog, I'd decided a needed something dirty and manly! I've also recently inherited my late grandads tools who I was close to. I feel this project will make his tools like on and carry on his trade.
SO,

despite being a bit more off road aimed than I wanted, I found a local d1 and purchased it to restore. I knew it would be rotten, I knew it would take me months and that was the whole point. I don't have the skill or knowledge to do a series and thought a 300tdi would be a good starting point.

 

Well done that man! Congrats on the D1.
Enjoy your madness like the rest of us do.

 

After a test drive I went and got her. I noticed she was pulling to the right when I tested her but when I got onto the a roads I though she was trying to kill me. Big insa turbos on and the wheel is at 1 o clock when car is straight! Not found culprit yet... I got to work

 

May be above leak is related to death steer. Tracking arms look well untouched. That's not priority yet though

 

Pillar joints aren't great at all and worry me a bit. The rear quarters will definiely be coming off and rear floor could be patched, however, I want it out to check rail tops under and to replace tank strap and rear members.

 

I' not going to pretend I know it all. This project will be as per title. I can handle the mechanical side with literature and vids etc but the welding will be the real challenge. A skill I've always appreciated and wanted to take further. I bought a Clarke 151e off eBay and a gas converter for big tanks. I'll be buying gas soon but practicing on scrap for some time. A good thing really as I've blown all my money on the car so will need to save up for panels etc! Any input is always appreciated. Especially when it comes to cutting and welding two joining panels where both are rotten I.e. those arches! Inner arches also been attached. Chassis rails don't seem too bad and sills have been box sectioned. When I get busy with the grinder it should reveal a lot. Goal wise I do want her capable of off road and like the lift however I'd like something less deadly and noisy on the road. This will mean almost downgrading tyres I guess to almost a hybrid set if that exists...

 

Oh I loves a good Disco rebuild thread

If you ever need a hand I'm only over the border in Hampshire and as you'll have seen from my own project car, I been there and done that on almost everything a rotten old Disco has to throw at me lol

 

Thanks and thanks for info re cambelt. I will be pestering you and nige for advice and now you have offered may take you up on the tricky stuff. I think I'll get busy with the grinder today. No spare cash now but do have paint and grinder. Regarding the boot floor - I assume I need to find a line that doesn't chop the resting lip out if you get me?

 

Knocked down a wall graded the edge of the bed to meet the tarmac and dug out a tonne. Hoping my Merc can get up that gradient. Plan was to put landy on it but I think it may upset the neighbour lol. Landy to live on drive and be movable until I have to drop tank I think. Would get a mini digger and do the lot but got nowhere to put muck and no idea of muck away costs

 

For the boot floor, drill out the spot welds, you'll see they're in lines, mind the brake pipe as it runs across to the centre ...

This might help :
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/boot-floor-replacement-for-beginners.120973/

This has pics too :
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/discovery-boot-floor-rebuild.203304/

 

Your a gent. Found the spot welds but grinder disc is dead and none in box. Bit noisy now too

 

(psst, she's a burd )

 

Best bet is to get a spot weld bit, don't forget the lube, (oo err missus), veg oil works as it's nice and thick ...

You can used an ordinary steel drill bit but they cut deeper through the weld, the idea is to pop the top layer off to keep the good under layer, it may be rusted to feck, but you won't know til you get the floor up ...

Edited to add : mark the spot with a punch to centre the bit or it'll scoot all over ...

 

These work well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-3-8-5...m=263050793749&_trksid=p2045573.c100506.m3226

 

They're like the ones we used, might need to get two packs though ... that's how I found out cutting fluid makes 'em last longer ...

 

yu looking for a challenge?

I might need a hand

 

Oh yes!

Ping me a PM and I'm sure we can arrange something one weekend

 

Just washed lots of land rover and green lane muck out my eyes ears hair etc after a day on it.
My biggest question, which again dieseldog will know is regarding order. I need new boot floor kit including new rear cross member. Arches are also patched and I'd rather do a full job. So, do I fit boot floor and simply tack to existing arches then cut out arches and replace?

 

these just seem to be a rust trap - double skinned. This will be a tough repair for me. They're clearly structural for roof. Oh well one big at a time. Was just cleaning back bits around rusty areas searching for good metal

 

yu might need a year or so