How to modifications tend to affect Land Rover insurance
Discussion
As above considing I'm young. I'm thinking of a series 3 (maybe 2 or 2A) with a Perkins Prima engine, Salisbury rear axle, overdrive and 7.50 x 16 tyres - modifications carried out by yours truly. Nothing is committed yet, it's a potential aim currently. Would this tend to make it near uninsurable as even small mods would tend to for normal cars or make little if any difference?
Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 18th January 21:25
I got mine from Adrian Flux - "4x4 department". Every now and again I'd ring up, ask what the impact would be for my latest mods, and the answer would always be, "no change".
That included front, rear, underside protection, lights, winch etc. Nothing mechanical yet.
If funds allow, I'll be lifting it at some point this year, so that could be interesting.
I'm 27 and it's a V8 Disco which was something like group 15 to start with anyway.
You might be able to get yours on a classic policy? A friend of mine has an MG with a classic policy and even performance mods have made no change.
That included front, rear, underside protection, lights, winch etc. Nothing mechanical yet.
If funds allow, I'll be lifting it at some point this year, so that could be interesting.
I'm 27 and it's a V8 Disco which was something like group 15 to start with anyway.
You might be able to get yours on a classic policy? A friend of mine has an MG with a classic policy and even performance mods have made no change.
The overdrive shouldn't be a problem as many were fitted as an option from new. Axle changes are often regarded as simple replacements for worn out existing ones - as can other parts - eg Weber carbs. Most mods on a vehicle this age won't effect the policy except anything that increases power or effects the brakes (even improving brakes can have an effect!) Most insurers of classic vehicles will simply increase the excess rather than the policy amount. ps I've got a tax-exempt SIII with an overdrive and galvanised chassis that I'm considering selling soon!!!
That's encouraging. The Perkins Prima is about 80bhp though (turbocharged) so power would be up a little, would that small increase have any effect do you think? I suspect my budget may be a little on the low side for your S3 though. Being a student cash flow is an issue, and I would be looking at around 6-8000 miles per year, hence the engine conversion to make it affordable - according to my calculations the engine conversion would pay for itself in about a year. Having other plans in the pipeline a bit sooner means I won't be looking to buy one, finances permitting, until mid spring. The plan is to hopefully get something a bit scruffy, maybe with a blown engine or rear axle depending on the rest of it as those will be replaced anyway, strip it down and rebuild it, not aiming for anything fancy, but just to a good working condition for regular use and greenlaning. The main advantage here is that I can do the work as and when I can afford to (it'll be kept off road until it's sorted).
Matthew-TMM said:
As above considing I'm young. I'm thinking of a series 3 (maybe 2 or 2A) with a Perkins Prima engine, Salisbury rear axle, overdrive and 7.50 x 16 tyres - modifications carried out by yours truly. Nothing is committed yet, it's a potential aim currently. Would this tend to make it near uninsurable as even small mods would tend to for normal cars or make little if any difference?
Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Go to a specialist insurer and you'l have no probs. Had a few probs getting mine insured because my series3 hybrid has been bobtailed and coiled- they dont like chassis mods! Dont see you need to worry about getting a Salisbury rear axle, Ive been using Rangie axles on mine with a V8 on board and no breakages except a couple of half shafts in just over 2 years.Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 18th January 21:25
SmokinV8 said:
Matthew-TMM said:
As above considing I'm young. I'm thinking of a series 3 (maybe 2 or 2A) with a Perkins Prima engine, Salisbury rear axle, overdrive and 7.50 x 16 tyres - modifications carried out by yours truly. Nothing is committed yet, it's a potential aim currently. Would this tend to make it near uninsurable as even small mods would tend to for normal cars or make little if any difference?
Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Go to a specialist insurer and you'l have no probs. Had a few probs getting mine insured because my series3 hybrid has been bobtailed and coiled- they dont like chassis mods! Dont see you need to worry about getting a Salisbury rear axle, Ive been using Rangie axles on mine with a V8 on board and no breakages except a couple of half shafts in just over 2 years.Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 18th January 21:25
Matthew-TMM said:
SmokinV8 said:
Matthew-TMM said:
As above considing I'm young. I'm thinking of a series 3 (maybe 2 or 2A) with a Perkins Prima engine, Salisbury rear axle, overdrive and 7.50 x 16 tyres - modifications carried out by yours truly. Nothing is committed yet, it's a potential aim currently. Would this tend to make it near uninsurable as even small mods would tend to for normal cars or make little if any difference?
Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Go to a specialist insurer and you'l have no probs. Had a few probs getting mine insured because my series3 hybrid has been bobtailed and coiled- they dont like chassis mods! Dont see you need to worry about getting a Salisbury rear axle, Ive been using Rangie axles on mine with a V8 on board and no breakages except a couple of half shafts in just over 2 years.Whoops, I mis spelled the title, that should be do.
Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 18th January 21:25
Matthew-TMM said:
That's encouraging. The Perkins Prima is about 80bhp though (turbocharged) so power would be up a little, would that small increase have any effect do you think? I suspect my budget may be a little on the low side for your S3 though. Being a student cash flow is an issue, and I would be looking at around 6-8000 miles per year, hence the engine conversion to make it affordable - according to my calculations the engine conversion would pay for itself in about a year. Having other plans in the pipeline a bit sooner means I won't be looking to buy one, finances permitting, until mid spring. The plan is to hopefully get something a bit scruffy, maybe with a blown engine or rear axle depending on the rest of it as those will be replaced anyway, strip it down and rebuild it, not aiming for anything fancy, but just to a good working condition for regular use and greenlaning. The main advantage here is that I can do the work as and when I can afford to (it'll be kept off road until it's sorted).
The small power increase shouldn't make too much of a difference (I think the petrol SIII is mid 70's horsepower), but the only way to find out for sure is to make a couple of phone calls. Adrian Flux and Footman James are both pretty classic-friendly - however FJ won't insure you if they think you may go off-road!!! On a previous SIII, Footman James gave me unlimited miles for the price of a 3000 mile limited mileage policy as the car was over 30 years old. My 1972 SIII is worth about £1500 to me but you may find a non-tax exempt will cost less - but cost £195 extra per year on road tax. Saying that there are frequently SIII's in the LR magazines for double this! You may be best to buy something half decent - possibly with a diesel conversion already - to save the work. For example mine has a galvo chassis and 'new' bulkhead which may save a fortune in the long run.Ok, so in that case I may just stick with the Rover axle then.
cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
Matthew-TMM said:
Ok, so in that case I may just stick with the Rover axle then.
cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
Footman James asked me if I intended to offroad and when I said 'Yes' they refused to insure me, even when I then said 'No' as I had already said 'Yes'. I told them I would be happy to take the risk when off road but they still wouldn't play ball! Green laning is officially on a public road, so should be insured anyway, but some insurers don't see it that way. Playdays are definitely off road as they're private land - so unless the organisers have some sort of insurance, you're best to be covered. Adrian Flux cover you for any type of off-roading so it gives you peace of mind. Try a few Landies before you buy to see if you really like the SIII - some early 90's (before they were called 'Defender') can be quite cheap and are of no disadvantage over a SIII unles you get a tax exempt one.cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
cpas said:
Matthew-TMM said:
Ok, so in that case I may just stick with the Rover axle then.
cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
Footman James asked me if I intended to offroad and when I said 'Yes' they refused to insure me, even when I then said 'No' as I had already said 'Yes'. I told them I would be happy to take the risk when off road but they still wouldn't play ball! Green laning is officially on a public road, so should be insured anyway, but some insurers don't see it that way. Playdays are definitely off road as they're private land - so unless the organisers have some sort of insurance, you're best to be covered. Adrian Flux cover you for any type of off-roading so it gives you peace of mind. Try a few Landies before you buy to see if you really like the SIII - some early 90's (before they were called 'Defender') can be quite cheap and are of no disadvantage over a SIII unles you get a tax exempt one.cpas, by off road use, do they mean pay and play sites or do they include greenlaning? I'm afraid that your SIII may well be beyond me, as doing the work in the front garden I can spread the costs over a longer period of time than going for an outright purchase. In a way I don't want to be saved from the work as to me that's part of the appeal - this saturday just gone I did a day of a DIY welding course and the second (last) day is this coming saturday in preparation for my future vehicles!
Thanks for the input, this is all good stuff.
They are definitely an experience to drive - especially when you're used to driving a modern car every day and only drive te series occasionally! Clutch and brakes are usually quite good, it's just the steering as you say! Part of this is due to the leaf springs causing bouncing over every bump!
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