Should I Buy?

[Alaskan Assassin]

I have found a old Land Rover. Looks just like this one pictured below. The body of course is in great shape. That being because it is aluminum. From the looks of it. Its all there. Hard top and all. It doesnt run. Would it be worth buying for $400 bucks?

http://www.santiagosc.com/Pictures%20of%20Cars%20for%20Sale/Rover/drivers%20side.jpg

Like I said its not the one in the picture. I am just using the picture to show what kind of Land Rover it is.

[WBDISCO]

If the frame and bulkhead is good, and it runs and drives, it is well worth it.

Brad

[Alaskan Assassin]

If the frame and bulkhead is good, and it runs and drives, it is well worth it.

Brad


So when I go take a look at it what should I look for? Like where are some problem areas on these things? Thanks for the reply!

[dhkcoatings]

get under it and look for rust on the chassi. take a hanmer and smack the chassi looking for the rotten areas. it will be obvious when you find them. check for rotten areas in the foot wells check that all electrical is working. check that the brakes are working, check exhaust. if its not running hard to check the power train. but if you get it to run then select netral transfer box and go through the gears, everything should sound smooth, look for signs of oil leaking at any of the seals. 400 bucks is a far price for parts, it dosent run! offer lower money. personally i have never seen a 400 dollar land rover that wasent for parts only, you can spend a lot of cash restoring it so the choice is yours. defentilly check the chassi out if shes rotten that buy it for parts and vin tags.

[dhkcoatings]

also check www.roversnorth.com or www.roverparts.com to get and idea of the cost of parts and what other land rovers are selling for. look for the article on assecing your land rover and that should give you a better idea of its value

[WBDISCO]

See if the guy has a hand crank, and try to turn the motor over. Don't try to start it but make sure the motor isn't locked up.

Brad

[Alaskan Assassin]

also check www.roversnorth.com or www.roverparts.com to get and idea of the cost of parts and what other land rovers are selling for. look for the article on assecing your land rover and that should give you a better idea of its value


Hey thanks for the links. They helped out a lot. I will make sure when I go look at it that I can identify it. Thanks again guys! Probably go check it out close tomorrow.

[aloharover]

If it is complete vehicle and the body panels are straight it might be worth $400 even if the frame and bulkhead are rusted out and the engine seized. A good straight safari top is worth more then that alone.

[cmondieyoung]

Well, are you a collector? Or just looking for a good off-road project?

$400 might be worth it for parts alone. As per previously mentioned, a straight set of body panels or top could be pay for the rig many times over on ebay or LandRoverExchange....

[Alaskan Assassin]

Well, are you a collector? Or just looking for a good off-road project?

$400 might be worth it for parts alone. As per previously mentioned, a straight set of body panels or top could be pay for the rig many times over on ebay or LandRoverExchange....


Not a collector. Just looking for a good Off-Road project. Getting sick of fooling with the CJ. And now a days everyone has a Jeep. So I would like to start building something a little different. And maybe a little milder. Found this and just wanted to see what everyone thought. I will take pics of it tomorrow and post them. Thanks for the replys!

[cmondieyoung]

Cool. I infer from your posts you aren't necessarily very experienced with Rovers... Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets! Series Rovers are the best money pit 4x4in' can offer! Then again, like you say, they're pretty damn cool in their uniqueness. It'll all pay off when you make a TJ driver blush as you skate across a mud hole with the proverbial English grace..

Out of curiousity, where in Alaska are you from? I lived on Protection Head, Prince of Wales Island for 3 months... near Craig/Klawock.

[Alaskan Assassin]

Cool. I infer from your posts you aren't necessarily very experienced with Rovers... Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets! Series Rovers are the best money pit 4x4in' can offer! Then again, like you say, they're pretty damn cool in their uniqueness. It'll all pay off when you make a TJ driver blush as you skate across a mud hole with the proverbial English grace..

Out of curiousity, where in Alaska are you from? I lived on Protection Head, Prince of Wales Island for 3 months... near Craig/Klawock.


I am in Wasilla. Which is 40 miles outside of Anchorage. I am orginally from Kentucky. Moved up here in '89. I just like the way they look. They have that unique look as you say. My 5 has been a black hole when it has come to a money pit :p But, I am ready to start a new one :)

[pendy]

Better check some prices on frames. That is prolly where you will have to start on that project. And it will give you a feel for your money pit.

JP

[aloharover]

Better check some prices on frames. That is prolly where you will have to start on that project. And it will give you a feel for your money pit.

JP

If you can weld it's possible to do an 88" frame for under $300.
Pete

[HandBuilt]

If you can weld it's possible to do an 88" frame for under $300.
Pete

A LWB chassis is about 400. More steel :flipoff2:

Seriously. Pete and I both have built chassis for under 500 bones. I ended up going back to a factory chassis, but it's doable.

[Alaskan Assassin]

All right guys. Went and looked at it today. Took some pics. It is all there and complete. Everything down to the d-shafts. It looks as though someone pulled it in there and left it... The carb got busted off. And the dist. cap is busted also. Frame looks to be in good shape. No rusty spots, no hols. The top is what I couldnt get over. All complete. Nicely lined inside. The motor is a 2.25. When I seen that I looked at my little buyers guide and I thought it was a series 2. But, in one of my pics of the inspection plate it says series 3. It looks like I could get it for $300 bucks. So.. Is it worth it? What would be the high dollar on it as it sets you think? Shifts nice to.. Tranny that is. Didnt try the t-case.

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831099_100_0440.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831139_100_0441.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831180_100_0442.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831234_100_0443.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831281_100_0444.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/gpthing/2004-08-06/1091831561_100_0446.jpg

[cmondieyoung]

I'd pay $300 just to have it sit in my front yard...

[SUE ROVR]

It is a SIII, a late one at that (4in amber lights)

If the frame is good then it is well worth $300.

Series parts are basically free used. The high dollar would be redoing the brakes, new MC, wheel cylinders, shoes etc. Not available used. Have to replace some seals. But it will run.

Ron

[aloharover]

I agree with Ron. Definately worth 300. If the bulkhead (firewall in rover lingo) is solid like the frame its a GREAT deal.
My 1970 IIa had the same 4" amber lights but no idea if they were stock or not so I dont know about the "late" thing.
Body is rough, but if you are looking for a fun wheeler I would grab it.

Just an fyi on part prices, while living in Hawaii it was sooooo much cheeper to get stuff direct from the UK. I would think when comparing shipping from Rovers North (genuine parts) and the UK to Alaska combined with lower parts prices you might find the same thing.
Buy the rig.
Buy a hanyes manual.
Start going through all the systems and determine what needs raplacing. Make one big order from accross the pond.
Clutch system is hydraulic so I would plan on doing that also.
Good luck
:)

[Alaskan Assassin]

I agree with Ron. Definately worth 300. If the bulkhead (firewall in rover lingo) is solid like the frame its a GREAT deal.
My 1970 IIa had the same 4" amber lights but no idea if they were stock or not so I dont know about the "late" thing.
Body is rough, but if you are looking for a fun wheeler I would grab it.

Just an fyi on part prices, while living in Hawaii it was sooooo much cheeper to get stuff direct from the UK. I would think when comparing shipping from Rovers North (genuine parts) and the UK to Alaska combined with lower parts prices you might find the same thing.
Buy the rig.
Buy a hanyes manual.
Start going through all the systems and determine what needs raplacing. Make one big order from accross the pond.
Clutch system is hydraulic so I would plan on doing that also.
Good luck
:)

Well, I have made up my mind. Going to go rent a trailer tomorrow and go pick it up. :) Start my Land Rover adventure :P Thanks for all the help guys. And I will post some pics when I get it back here at my house. Probably get some dirty looks from the nieghbors draging in another vehicle :P hehe.

[lwg]

I think that's a good idea. I'm not a big Series fan, but for $300 it would be sitting in my garage. :D

[Alaskan Assassin]

All right guys.. The Rover is at my other property. I went and got it today.. And let me tell you... WHAT A PITA! Gathered my Brother, and my Dad to help. I knew this wasnt going to be easy. Took us all day, and some rearanging of some vehicles... But we got it up and on the trailer. Took it over to my other property. Nieghbors wouldnt appreciate me bringing that thing in. But it is under a 10x20 tarp tent. Took a glance at the motor. Its not locked up. Oil is golden. First thing I am going to do when I get back from this job is dig into the motor. Tranny shifts good. But the gear shifter itself is real loose, and floppy. T-case shift good also. Suspension is shot.. Rear has some broken leafs. Sagin' pretty bad. Other than all that :) it doesnt look like to bad of a buy. For just to build slowly and have a DD/Off-road toy... All ready savin' $ :p