What to do - Restore or update & modify

I dont know a lot about Land Rovers, but have very much admired them for many years from a distance.

i've just taken the leap and bought myself a 1971 series 3 109" safari station.
Apparently this was the 29th series 3 to roll of the production line.

Its in reasonable condition, the chassis doesn't seem to have much rust, and it seems very original.

The dilemma i have is can i look to update it to a much more modern specification, such as engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension etc or should i look to restore it back to 100% originality, due to it being a bit rare / special.

Any thoughts by you guys would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Geezer,

being a 1971, it is tax exempt. If you change too many things (suspension, engine, brakes etc etc) you will not retain enough points and will lose tax exempt status, and possibly have the vehicle reclassed as a Q reg. This is all in theory - you may 'get away with it'.

Check the DVLA website regarding historic vehicles and points.

Can't see the point in buying a classic and then "modernising" it - just buy a later 110 if you want working brakes, lighter steering and a bit of engine power. Half the fun of an older landy is learning how to drive within its capabilities.

id restore it to original and enjoy it, if you want to mess with all of that then theres not much original landy as seen as its quite special i wouldn't do it,

but thats me this its your vehicle original series have there perks tho ok there not the fastest but there still more capable than most other 4x4s and they are a proper land rover

I'm for keep it as it is, repair as needed, then if a total rebuild becomes necesary do it to original spec but maybe use a galv chassis etc. If you want power, brakes, power steering etc as said above don't buy a series landy in the first place.

Yep I'm with Hughsey....Keep it original and if you want a Up to date Road Car/Off road play toy buy one of them aswell.

I've taken the middle road, defender heater, heated screens etc but kept the engine, gearbox, etc standard cos as has been pointed out, if I wanted a defender I should have bought one!

I like the SIII as standard, but I find the 2 1/4 petrol engine hard to live with because of the fuel consumption, so I fitted a 200Tdi engine to my 1971 SIII because I use it as an every day vehicle and go greenlaning with it too. The only other thing I've modernised on it is the front seats. I find it's a good compromise because it does well on fuel, has plenty of power, but still retains a lot of the character of a standard SIII.

I have to say my 2.25 Petrol is not that bad on fuel, around 22-23mpg, there are a few mods like electronic ignition, overdrive, electric fan etc which help economy without loosing originality or character.

keep it original,

the series 3 chassis wer c sections welded ever 3 inches, ther not the bestist things , as the ser2 wer welded plate, on all 4 corners

the 3's chassis wer rusters , most have gone now and wer replaced with galvos, just dont be suprised when yer "reasonable chassis " turns out to be buggered,

90truckcab said:

keep it original,

the series 3 chassis wer c sections welded ever 3 inches, ther not the bestist things , as the ser2 wer welded plate, on all 4 corners

the 3's chassis wer rusters , most have gone now and wer replaced with galvos, just dont be suprised when yer "reasonable chassis " turns out to be buggered,

Click to expand...

thanks matey, i needed cheering up

based on what you've said, i'll try and have a good look at the chassis this weekend.

sorry but its happened to me a few times and its norra great deal if your planning to rebuild it fully, just a bit of a pain if you want to drive it straight away

I think that the most sensible thing is to keep it original, which is what i will do.

Series Leafers were pretty kuch at the limit of the possible modification when they phased them out and introduced the 90 & 110 in '83 with new suspension, transmission and different engines.

Over the yeras poeple have done loads of stuff to them to make them more useful in modern conditions, and while modern 90's 110's & Defenders were that much more expensive, it made some kind of sense, but these days second hand car market is saturated. Deffy's still fetch a premium, and SIII's are still reletively 'cheap', but the ecconomics of modding them donmt stack up, & impediments of SVA, or is it BIFA or something now, either way, the rebuilt vehicle test to establish registration validity on a rebuilt classic for taxz exemption or safety on a heavily modded custom, really make it a no go before you begin.

and if you DO tackle a series, you start to find that they dont respond well to major or drastic mods, and the bits you THOUGHT you could cheaply and easily source and use from old disco's or rangies dont really, without a lot of drastic tin-bashing and welding....

they respond best to subtle and sympathetic restoration incorporating a few well considered 'minor' upgrades along the way.

For example fitting a 2.5NAD engine from an early 90/110 or sherpa van, or detailing the petrol engine with a high compression ratio 'unleaded' cylinder head, and electronic contactorless distributor, amp and coil from a Montego.

Maybe fitting parabolic leaf spring suspension with gas dampers, and modern tyres, like 235/85Radials possibly on aftermarket, deep dish wheels.

Upgrading brakes to the last of the line TLS Servo assisted drums, from a late 109.

Adding sound-proofing, trim, a cigar lighter socket, and whatever accessories take your fancy.

But MOST of all, the grumbles and niggles most moan about like heavy steering, leaking roofs and windows, sloppy gear boxes etc, can be taken care of through good contientiouse restoration & renovation, basically old fasioned mechanics and attension to detail.

and if you have the luxuary of the time and space to do a full ground up, then so much the better.

and the closer to standard you keep it, especiazlly for a newbie, it should all be, as it wil all look like the pictures in the book.....

which is the 'Green-Bible' AKA the official 'Land-rover Series III Repair & Overhaul Manual....

that should be the first thing you shoulod buy, costing about £20 from all good Landy Emporiums!

Thanks Teflon, i'll get hold of a copy of that book.

Is there a list of sensible / gentle mods that should be considered that wont effect the originality.

if yer look hard enough i think over the time teflon has typed the book on ere in his own words

I've got a mate who has modded his Fender new chip intercooler, Wheels tyres, Winches, sliders, the whole schmollie. Thing is he gets a quick satisfaction on his latest addition that last 5 mins. I'm also new to the scene with a pretty decent S3 and just keeping it running, repairing whats nessecary and driving it after learning something new to add to my mechanics skills is both fun, and deeply rewarding.

My take on it is get it right, budget all your money and time on not adding to it, but getting it to original as poss - learning about your new car, then if you want to do something that might improve your car do small creature conforts.

If you want more performance sell it down the line after knowing your craft for a Fender.

best of luck - it will be emotional