1983 Land Rover Series 3
Discussion
Red9zero said:
Very nice. Perfect antidote to the Twisted LR in another thread.
I've seen the Twisted cars at the shows. Think they also bought up a load of the last Defenders so they could add a load of parts and then sell them for £100k a pop. Just not my thing and never will be. If you want LR ability with luxuries, just buy a Discovery 4. I have had a Discovery 3 and it was an amazing car (Off road and on) and great family transport, but couldn't manage 6 months without going wrong and eventually I just got fed up of the constant bills and running costs and nothing big went wrong on mine either!
Car is being moved to a local garage on Friday of this week. I have always hoped to avoid sending it to a garage, but for various reasons I have decided to send it somewhere to get the following items completed
- Brake rebuild all round (New drums, cylinders and shoes)
- Upgrade to anti burst doors
- LED Indicators/tail/brake/side lights. Just can't fae the god awful standard units any longer
- replacement alternator
- MOT
- Possibly fix the spring to stop second gear popping out.
- Fit my funky pool ball gearknobs
In the 10 years I've had it we'd had a dog, lost a dog, moved house, had two children and the later obviously takes up a lot of time. Hence the need to take it to a garage.
I've had the Series 10 years and its been at my mums for 4 years and family members were suggesting that it was time to cut my losses and sell it. However, I could now never afford a replacement especially as prices are contently rising s just decided to get the work done and hopefully enjoy it through out 2022. The hope is that it will be on the road by Christmas this year.
- Brake rebuild all round (New drums, cylinders and shoes)
- Upgrade to anti burst doors
- LED Indicators/tail/brake/side lights. Just can't fae the god awful standard units any longer
- replacement alternator
- MOT
- Possibly fix the spring to stop second gear popping out.
- Fit my funky pool ball gearknobs
In the 10 years I've had it we'd had a dog, lost a dog, moved house, had two children and the later obviously takes up a lot of time. Hence the need to take it to a garage.
I've had the Series 10 years and its been at my mums for 4 years and family members were suggesting that it was time to cut my losses and sell it. However, I could now never afford a replacement especially as prices are contently rising s just decided to get the work done and hopefully enjoy it through out 2022. The hope is that it will be on the road by Christmas this year.
Sounds like a good plan. Sometimes it's just easier to let the pro's do the job and get on with enjoying driving instead. I was fitting new seat belts to my 90 last weekend when a bolt head rounded off. I spent hours trying to shift it, but admitted defeat and took it to my friendly local garage. He got it out in 30 seconds 
Red9zero said:
Sounds like a good plan. Sometimes it's just easier to let the pro's do the job and get on with enjoying driving instead. I was fitting new seat belts to my 90 last weekend when a bolt head rounded off. I spent hours trying to shift it, but admitted defeat and took it to my friendly local garage. He got it out in 30 seconds
This is it. Think there is only one grub screw in place onthe four drums on my Series and I recon it would take me half a day to remove one drum 
At least your 90 had seat belts. I had to build brackets and all sorts to fit proper inertia reels on my Series. When I bought it was just fixed three point belts covered in what felt like 20 years of mud.
Also, I've estimated that it could be a couple of months before I wold have completed some of those jobs and by that point it will be show season again and I could see my self missing another show season.
It's difficult to put into words what it will mean to me to get it on the road and driving again. I'm also expecting to be quite emotional when it comes to me picking it up (If they can actually MOT it!)
Edited by bakerstreet on Tuesday 30th November 15:36
bakerstreet said:
This is it. Think there is only one grub screw in place onthe four drums on my Series and I recon it would take me half a day to remove one drum
At least your 90 had seat belts. I had to build brackets and all sorts to fit proper inertia reels on my Series. When I bought it was just fixed three point belts covered in what felt like 20 years of mud.
I spent many hours working out what seatbelts I actually had, as it appears mine is even more of a bitsa than I thought. It is nice to have proper retracting belts again though.At least your 90 had seat belts. I had to build brackets and all sorts to fit proper inertia reels on my Series. When I bought it was just fixed three point belts covered in what felt like 20 years of mud.
So after 4 years in my Mum’s garage, it made the move to the garage to hopefully have the brakes, LED lights and anti burst doors fitted plus what ever else is required for the MOT.
I’m pleased to report that it drove up the ramp of the flat bed under its own power, which I was pretty pleased with. Would have been quite sad if it had needed to be winched up. It’s testament to how robust these old diesels are. It’s been 6 months since it was last started and it just took a couple of cranks to fire into life. Smokey as heck of course.
ALso, I had suspected that the brakes were completely gone, but a good shove of the brakes proved there is something still there, so better than I expected.
Not going to lie, I got a bit emotional leaving it at the garage. Like many Classic Car Owners, I haven’t logged hours on this, but the interior alone is several days of painting, sanding, trimming and sticking. I also discovered that car upholstery was much harder than I thought. Even had my 70 year old mum out helping me apply carpet to the bulkhead. Think she was also sad to see it go in some ways.
Who knows if it will be ready before Christmas. We will have to see. Hoping family will be able to come and collect it with me so someone can take photos. It will almost feel like a new car collection
Few pics of the move.
I’m pleased to report that it drove up the ramp of the flat bed under its own power, which I was pretty pleased with. Would have been quite sad if it had needed to be winched up. It’s testament to how robust these old diesels are. It’s been 6 months since it was last started and it just took a couple of cranks to fire into life. Smokey as heck of course.
ALso, I had suspected that the brakes were completely gone, but a good shove of the brakes proved there is something still there, so better than I expected.
Not going to lie, I got a bit emotional leaving it at the garage. Like many Classic Car Owners, I haven’t logged hours on this, but the interior alone is several days of painting, sanding, trimming and sticking. I also discovered that car upholstery was much harder than I thought. Even had my 70 year old mum out helping me apply carpet to the bulkhead. Think she was also sad to see it go in some ways.
Who knows if it will be ready before Christmas. We will have to see. Hoping family will be able to come and collect it with me so someone can take photos. It will almost feel like a new car collection
Few pics of the move.
Called in at the garage today to drop off a gear lever gator.
Decided to get the garage to fit my pool ball gear knobs and near lever gator as I didn't fancy trying to remove the old ones.
One mechanic was wiring up the indicators and another was working on the doors when I was there.
Apparently ever single mechanic at the garage had worked on my series and it was becoming the preference compared to trying to fault find issues on the modern stuff which was their day to day work.
New Brakes and lines have been fitted and doors should be done this week and hopefully we will be picking up on Saturday the 18th
Was hoping this was going to be a family affair, but due to family lunches and haircuts, I'll be doing it my own which is quite sad really and not what I wanted.
Decided to get the garage to fit my pool ball gear knobs and near lever gator as I didn't fancy trying to remove the old ones.
One mechanic was wiring up the indicators and another was working on the doors when I was there.
Apparently ever single mechanic at the garage had worked on my series and it was becoming the preference compared to trying to fault find issues on the modern stuff which was their day to day work.
New Brakes and lines have been fitted and doors should be done this week and hopefully we will be picking up on Saturday the 18th
Was hoping this was going to be a family affair, but due to family lunches and haircuts, I'll be doing it my own which is quite sad really and not what I wanted.
So after many many years and no less than 9 years after I started this thread, my Series 3 has a valid MOT.
Looking forward to getting it home now to get started on a few of the outstanding items, but most of all, I want to show it some people including my two boys who have never even been driven in it. I have a few close friends who have been sent many messages with pictures of it over the years, so looking forward to that.
Looking forward to getting it home now to get started on a few of the outstanding items, but most of all, I want to show it some people including my two boys who have never even been driven in it. I have a few close friends who have been sent many messages with pictures of it over the years, so looking forward to that.
Earl of Hazzard said:
Many congratulations to you - best Christmas present ever !!
I bet you're hoping for a massive snow storm now?
Well, yes would be fun, but I couldn't think of anything more terrifying than driving a Series in Snow and Ice I bet you're hoping for a massive snow storm now?
However, mine now has fresh brake, suspension and steering wasn't too bad, so this is as good as it will get. Might drive round in it for a year and then consider an engine swap, but just want to start using it as it hasn't been used on a regular basis for many many years.
Collected it on Saturday morning. I smiled all the way home as it chugged and bounced along the road.
Pool ball gear knobs were bought as a bit of a novelty and they are actually lovely to use. Decent shape and quite comfortable to hold too.
I'm not sure I can be so positive about the garage. Within three miles someone had kindly told me one of the brake lights isn't working, so who knows if it was even working when it went in for a MOT. My guess is they used the original earth points which are well known to be rubbish. Annoyingly I even installed a new earth point for them 😕. The working LED lights are so much better than the old ones though. I'm almost scared to try the hazards though.
I fitted new top rad hose and bypass hose to cure a visible water leak, but it still has one even though it's apparently fine according to the garage as it's maintaining coolant level and not loosing water (which it clearly is) I asked them to run it for half an hour the day before the check things were ok. They clearly didn't. Bit annoyed about that as its thrown water all over the new paint on the inside of the bonnet.
Notes on the doors said it needed new hinges. I offered them new hinges several times and said I was happy to pay them to fit the new hinges. They point blanc refused to drill the doors for the key barrels because of the paint
I always knew the anit burst doors were going to be a challenging as the alignment on my doors isn't good and the note on the invoice states they are warped, so may bite the bullet one day and buy new doors, but short of a rebuilt and properly aligning the bulkhead, I'm, not sure new doors will make any difference. My doors are still square in one profile at least, but the difficultly is the rear tub and the bulkhead. Annoyingly, My doors are re pretty solid.
However they could be bothered to give me a quote for a new clutch and I will admit it's slipping quite badly. However, if they had called me with that quote, I would have probably gone ahead with it and they could have earned them self some more money in the last few days of the year.
Going to call another local garage and get a quote for the clutch as I'm just not that happy with the service from the garage on the work that I asked them to do.
Regardless of the garage, I do now have a 12 month MOT and it's insured and taxed. This just a few snaps as I didn't have much time.
Short term plans are to fit my external sun visor, fit my vinyl door trims, wire up my 12v outlets for the dash and find somewhere to hold a phone. Medium term is to get the bluetooth am wired up to the rear speakers at least.
Pool ball gear knobs were bought as a bit of a novelty and they are actually lovely to use. Decent shape and quite comfortable to hold too.
I'm not sure I can be so positive about the garage. Within three miles someone had kindly told me one of the brake lights isn't working, so who knows if it was even working when it went in for a MOT. My guess is they used the original earth points which are well known to be rubbish. Annoyingly I even installed a new earth point for them 😕. The working LED lights are so much better than the old ones though. I'm almost scared to try the hazards though.
I fitted new top rad hose and bypass hose to cure a visible water leak, but it still has one even though it's apparently fine according to the garage as it's maintaining coolant level and not loosing water (which it clearly is) I asked them to run it for half an hour the day before the check things were ok. They clearly didn't. Bit annoyed about that as its thrown water all over the new paint on the inside of the bonnet.
Notes on the doors said it needed new hinges. I offered them new hinges several times and said I was happy to pay them to fit the new hinges. They point blanc refused to drill the doors for the key barrels because of the paint
I always knew the anit burst doors were going to be a challenging as the alignment on my doors isn't good and the note on the invoice states they are warped, so may bite the bullet one day and buy new doors, but short of a rebuilt and properly aligning the bulkhead, I'm, not sure new doors will make any difference. My doors are still square in one profile at least, but the difficultly is the rear tub and the bulkhead. Annoyingly, My doors are re pretty solid.
However they could be bothered to give me a quote for a new clutch and I will admit it's slipping quite badly. However, if they had called me with that quote, I would have probably gone ahead with it and they could have earned them self some more money in the last few days of the year.
Going to call another local garage and get a quote for the clutch as I'm just not that happy with the service from the garage on the work that I asked them to do.
Regardless of the garage, I do now have a 12 month MOT and it's insured and taxed. This just a few snaps as I didn't have much time.
Short term plans are to fit my external sun visor, fit my vinyl door trims, wire up my 12v outlets for the dash and find somewhere to hold a phone. Medium term is to get the bluetooth am wired up to the rear speakers at least.
Red9zero said:
That is very nice. The niggles are part of the character ! Mine had a new MoT when I bought it, but an indicator packed up on the way home and a wiper fell off. I was still grinning when I got home though
One indicator really isn't bad. The earth point are so s@&*, I would almost expect the indicators to return when you hit a bump Never had a wiper fall off, but that is the kind of fault that would make me chuckleWhen I bought it 2012, mine had a fresh MOT as well and it had a lot of chassis work done to get it through that MOT. Thankfully I am hoping I won't have to touch the chassis for many years unless I need to go for a removable gearbox cross member to aid easier installation/removal of the box.
Added a bit of luxury today. Made these door trim panels well over a year ago out of 6mm ply and if memory serves I even treated the timber using wood preserve.
Handles are bolted through steel spreader plates. MY eventually fit some net pockets for some more storage
Wish I'd bought the Britpart ones as they are only £50 a set and probably fit better. However I know they won't be made using 6mm ply and Britpart hardboard won't be treated either so mine should last quite well.
Hoping to do the driver's side tomorrow and the trim panel hides the sound deadening too, which always looks like tin foil glued to the door
I believe that this style of door trims were a factory option under the 'delux' trim pack.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/nfwM9zf7[/url]
Handles are bolted through steel spreader plates. MY eventually fit some net pockets for some more storage
Wish I'd bought the Britpart ones as they are only £50 a set and probably fit better. However I know they won't be made using 6mm ply and Britpart hardboard won't be treated either so mine should last quite well.
Hoping to do the driver's side tomorrow and the trim panel hides the sound deadening too, which always looks like tin foil glued to the door
I believe that this style of door trims were a factory option under the 'delux' trim pack.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/nfwM9zf7[/url]If you are planning on keeping and using this for a while, have a look at Lokari wheel arch liners. I’ve got a set on my SIII and they absolutely keep the mud and filth off the chassis - most bulkhead footwells go because they are blasted by spray and mud from the wheels. They’re a bit fiddly to fit, but well worth it.
rxe said:
If you are planning on keeping and using this for a while, have a look at Lokari wheel arch liners. I’ve got a set on my SIII and they absolutely keep the mud and filth off the chassis - most bulkhead footwells go because they are blasted by spray and mud from the wheels. They’re a bit fiddly to fit, but well worth it.
Not heard of those before so will have a look. Footwell on passenger side has been patched and driver's side is fairly solid. However, I expect tye bulkhead will probably need to be replaced at some point ,but I'm hoping that won't be in my lifetime!
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