Buying an old Land Rover - For Life

Buying an old Land Rover - For Life

Author
Discussion

matt21

Original Poster:

4,285 posts

203 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
quotequote all
After admiring some on here, I am looking to scratch a long term itch of purchasing an old Land Rover.

The plan (of course this could change) would be to buy one and keep it for life. I have limited mechanical knowledge but willing to learn and these seem simple enough things.

Budget is around £2k, so clearly won't get a mint one, but thats surely part of the fun?! Pre 1972 will be tax free, any on classic insurance will be cheap. Am I missing something obviously that make these very costly?

Also totally unsure which ones to go for. Looking at any from 1970-1990 all seems a similar price! Any engine I should avoid (4cyl petrol I guess), the Disco TDI engine seems to crop up quite a lot.

I am looking for something that is simple, rustic, fun and as reliable as possible - I do understand they are very old vehicles! Speed, comfort, handling, toys and braking something I usually find important matter not a jot. I have become all emotional by these old things!


Any hints and tips? Over to you!

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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I had a Series III diesel for several years and liked it very much. The Series III has the character derived from leaf springs and ye olde looks, and is better supported than the Series I or II. The petrol engine is thought better than the diesel engine, and the gearbox, rough as it is, is less crashy than the earlier ones.

Check the chassis and the bulkhead for rust. Those are the critical factors.

2K should buy you a pretty reasonable Series III with an MOT.

NB: These really are slower than a slow thing being a bit slow on international slow day, so don't expect much motorway usage. I was too much of a scaredy to take mine on any fast roads.

Condi

17,089 posts

170 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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matt21 said:
I am looking for something that is simple, rustic, fun and as reliable as possible - I do understand they are very old vehicles!
Almost there. Rust is almost a certainty and any 70s LR will redefine simple. The fun comes twice a year when its snowy, or once a year when you encounter some mud on the road.

If you can afford it they are fantastic vehicles, but if you think they are in any way practical then you're sadly mistaken!

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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I found my Landy very practical for use in the country, hauling trash, towing boats, and pulling out tree stumps, and for access to the local farm airstrip via a very rough bridleway. I once used the Landy to tow a Porsche Cayenne out of a muddy field, in which it was stuck. Ho ho.

Resist fat tyres and keep them tall and skinny.

Remember not to use four wheel drive on the road.

Condi

17,089 posts

170 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Breadvan72 said:


Remember not to use four wheel drive on the road.
Unless you have locking hubs every LR is 4x4 all the time?

vixen1700

22,669 posts

269 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Marlin45

1,327 posts

163 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Condi said:
Unless you have locking hubs every LR is 4x4 all the time?
Aaaahhh no they're not rolleyes

S1-3 all have selectable 4wd and that is restricted to offroad use if you want to save your transmission?

Back to the OP's post for that sort of money you will be lucky to get something tidy even in the Series 3 stacks these days. For long term ownership the top two priorities are a sound chassis (more than likely one that has recently been replaced) and a good rust free bulkhead. All of that doesn't come for free.

Engine wise for a smooth ride and non-stressed driving then go with a 2.25 petrol, but this won't be good on fuel costs if you want to use the LR as a daily driver? 12-20 mpg tops. Ideally.....buy one with a 200tdi 'properly installed'...those are rare. Most are a weekend bodge and although the fuel consumption and power will be a large improvement it will not be a smooth option.

My 200tdi in our 109 will do 70mph with RR diffs and 750 XZL's wink

Edited by Marlin45 on Thursday 25th October 13:01

john2443

6,325 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Condi said:
Unless you have locking hubs every LR is 4x4 all the time?
No, they're 2wd until you move a lever that puts them into 4wd. Well, early ones are, possibly not on newer ones.

Locking hubs disconnect the wheels from thr drive shafts so that when you're in 2 wd the wheels are just spinning round like normal front wheels and aren't pushing the drave shafts & diff all the time.

tomsugden

2,233 posts

227 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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My choice would be an old lightweight, with a V8 transplant. Mmmmmmmm.

Something like this, although I appreciate it is out of budget:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Landlord

12,689 posts

256 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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tomsugden said:
My choice would be an old lightweight, with a V8 transplant. Mmmmmmmm.

Something like this, although I appreciate it is out of budget:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Personal taste and all that, but jeeesus, that it horrible!

tomsugden

2,233 posts

227 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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The colour wouldn't be my choice, I just love the idea of a lightweght/V8 combo.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Landlord said:
tomsugden said:
My choice would be an old lightweight, with a V8 transplant. Mmmmmmmm.

Something like this, although I appreciate it is out of budget:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Personal taste and all that, but jeeesus, that it horrible!
Definitely in need of a repaint in the classic NATO Olive, although the rest looks great.

matt21

Original Poster:

4,285 posts

203 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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vixen1700 said:
I like that.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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matt21 said:
vixen1700 said:
I like that.
Get it bought. Before I do.

thescamper

920 posts

225 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Marlin45 said:
Aaaahhh no they're not rolleyes

S1-3 all have selectable 4wd and that is restricted to offroad use if you want to save your transmission?
Edited by Marlin45 on Thursday 25th October 13:01
Not entirely true, the first S1's had a 1600 sidevalve engine and where permanent 4 wheel drive except when in reverse or on the over-run.

later series 1 and all of the 2's and 3's were/are selectable 4wd.

Caulkhead

4,938 posts

156 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Condi said:
Breadvan72 said:


Remember not to use four wheel drive on the road.
Unless you have locking hubs every LR is 4x4 all the time?
Evidently you don't know the first thing about them.

OP - yes, they're a safe buy. Check the chassis and bulkhead (the upright metal panel between you and the engine) for rust but as long as the main chassis rails are solid, the outriggers, rear crossmember and front dumb irons can all be bought cheaply and welded on. Fitting a new bulkhead is easy but make sure it's reflected in the price.

If possible, the 2.25 petrol is the way to go - the diesel is very agricultural and uses nearly as much fuel as the petrol. Check the condition of the swivels - they are the big chromed half-moons behind the front wheels. If they are not shiny and oil tight, allow for replacement though they may just need new seals.

Gearboxes - the SIII has synchro on all four and is easier to drive but the SII boxes are stronger but synchro only on 3rd and top. I prefer the SII and you soon get used to them.

Brakes aren't very powerful but should pull up straight with a firm push - if it pulls under braking it's often the swivels or hubs leaking oil into the drums. If you can find one, a Fairey Overdrive is a beneficial fitment, free wheeling hubs less so.

Everything else is dead straightforward and can be fixed with a socket set and a big hammer. smile

Caulkhead

4,938 posts

156 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
quotequote all
thescamper said:
later series 1 and all of the 2's and 3's were/are selectable 4wd.
Not true.

The Series III Stage One V8 used the Range Rover LT95 gearbox and so had permanent 4WD. wink

Urban Sports

11,321 posts

202 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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vixen1700 said:
OMG sooo tempted, always wanted one myself.

thescamper

920 posts

225 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
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Caulkhead said:
Not true.

The Series III Stage One V8 used the Range Rover LT95 gearbox and so had permanent 4WD. wink
Which front axle did that use then?

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
quotequote all
Condi said:
Breadvan72 said:


Remember not to use four wheel drive on the road.
Unless you have locking hubs every LR is 4x4 all the time?
I wonder why you supposed that, having owned an old Landy, I would refer to switching off the four wheel drive, if it was always engaged? As others have pointed out, with minor exceptions, most Series Land Rovers have a selector to switch between four wheel and two wheel drive.

NB that Series II in the ad above needs a new grille, as the one it has on is from a Series III.

Another thing to consider with an old Landy is the state of the leaf springs. Some people recommend replacing these with parabolic springs, but opinions on this vary.

I agree that the diesel engine is not very economical, by diesel standards.