Steep learning curve

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resto_d1

Well-Known Member
Posts
3,326
Location
Wiltshire
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.
 
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
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May be above leak is related to death steer. Tracking arms look well untouched. That's not priority yet though
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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.
 
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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...
 
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
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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?

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

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 ...
 
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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?
 
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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
 
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