Newbie Resources for Buying Land Rovers

[Bill C.]

Ok - flame away, but just point me in the right direction. I've recently been out seeking to purchase a nice Series III 88 station wagon, a IIa with a few drivetrain upgrades, an early importable 90 tdi, or a basement bargain 94 Defender. I've been a Land Rover fan for about 15 years, but have been loyal to my FJ40 (I'll describe below just for kicks). Looking for links, leads, and info. on purchasing. Currently have canvassed several importers and might have a deal going on a nice RHD mid 70's Series III 88 (like this importer for their reputation) but it's pricey, looking at a few built up and properly used mid 70's 88's in the States, and a few other options... I just can't figure out all the websites - too damn many of em :D. So any leads would be appreciated. I'm good to go with trying to verify rust issues with bulkhead, frame - and am just trusting wiring and drivetrain to sellers - not much else choice at this time.

I'm looking for something that is primarily streetable as my FJ40 is borderline trailer queen - and it's a hassle around town. Figured I'd go Rover finally - althought several club members are bashing me to buy a mint 78 FJ40 from a fellow club member. My price range is realistically $6,000 plus shipping, but I've gone as far as looking at $12,000 and committing to home equity payments for a few years....

My FJ40 - Originally did this as a frame off restoration and it looked it - complete strip down and sandblast of all frame, drivetrain and body panels. Over the years I've rebuilt the engine, converted to GM fuel injection, DUI dizzy, Warn 8274, AA GM SM420 conversion with a 4-speed t-case I built up with 2.31 gears, ARB front, compressor, power tank, 6 point family cage (we built 3 of these - nice), SOA with flat springs, Rancho 9000's, shackle reversal, home built 3/8" skidplate framed with 2" x 1/4" square tubing, FJ80 torsion bar for a traction bar (kool), anti-inversion shackles, No Slip Rear (Lockright in the spare diff), Poly Performance rear chromoly shafts, 4 wheel disc brakes, 30 spline chromo Longfields - inners and birfs, 6 shooter knuckles, 4x4 labs highsteer, chromo hub flanges, 4340 spare drive flanges, 17" WE beadlocks, 39" Red Label Krawlers for the trail, 17" aluminum wheels with 40" MTRs for the street, OEM style bows and canvas top, unrestored OEM soft top doors, front hood hoop and stinger, etc. etc. etc. etc. Just want something to drive besides the Duramax that doesn't attract so much police attention :D

[Leafsprung]

Welcome,

Advice on models:

Series three station wagons are unusual in the US because they were never sold here. Only "deluxe hardtops" were sold here, which is really closer to a standard hardtop than a station wagon. No tdis are legal yet, and even the ones which are here already are going to be out of your price range. MAYBE a early 2.5 NA/TD but still probably beyond what you are willing to spend. A NAS truck in your price range is going to be a writeoff. That pretty much leaves you with the SIIA which is the best of the cars you are looking at anyway. Theres not much in the way of significant drivetrain changes from the SIIA to the SIII (except the salsbury in the 109). The only thing thats really worthwhile is the power brakes. The rest of the SIII "upgrades" are pretty much junk, (the door latches are nicer tho).

Advice on buying:

Avoid importers. They arent doing anything you cant do on your own. Plus they normally get their trucks from the UK. Most rovers in the UK are rusty crap. Its a poor climate for an older truck. Restorations in the UK are generally not to the same standard as they are here. There are some nice trucks in the UK, but by the numbers, its a small percentage. RHD trucks are also generally worth less here in the US. Personally I dont care if a car is LHD or RHD, but everyone else seems to, so when it comes to reselling you will find it harder to move a RHD over a LHD given that the two are of the same condition and price. The dollar is also weak right now. Most importers are charging a premium because the dollar is worth so little.

Advice on where to look:

There is no magical land rover classifieds graveyard. They turn up everywhere, at all times, described as everything from scouts to mail jeeps. The more obscure and poorly decribed the car is, the more likely you will be able to get a deal. Look on craigslist, ebay, etc, any classifieds site you can find, look in the paper, talk to the local club members, go to car shows. They turn up in surprising numbers when you are patient. They are not nearly as comon as FJ40s.

Advice on what to buy:

Look for a LHD SW from 1958-1967 ideally in the western US or from the western US. These are generally the cleanest least fucked with, generally most desirable of the swb series trucks. Mechanically most things are interchangeable from 58-84 or later components can be substituted.

You should be able to find what you want within your budget if you are patient. Nothing in the 6K pricerange is oing to be perfect, but you should be able to find a good streetable machine.

Rules of Thumb for a good deal on a series rover
-if one minor thing is wrong (ie wiring, burnt valve, brakes not working) you can normally get a great deal. The owner has lost interest and wants it gone or cant fix it and doesnt want to pay to have someone do it. Also great bargaining point.
-Trucks with no rust and mechanical issues are better deals than trucks with rust that are good runners. Mechanical parts esp used are cheap, structural parts are not.
-Trucks with extras (winch, Overdrive, multiple tops etc) are great because you can remove the goodies and sell them to defray the cost of the truck
-SIIIs suck
-Paint is of very little importance. A straight body with faded paint is better than bondo with fresh paint over top.

good luck

[Bill C.]

Many thanks! Understand about focusing on frame, bulkhead and body - and have constantly commented to sellers I don't care about cosmetic condition of paint...

So far, the only thing I don't understand is - what is the Salsbery reference? Is it an engine, tranny, t-case, GVWR?

and - are 4-cylinder gas the best for reliability - have gotten negative feedback on the diesels, which is my preference, and don't know much about the straight 6 or V8's?

Thanks again. Bill.

[tripm]

Salsbury is a heavy duty rear axle, similar to D60.

The 6 cyl rover engine in a series only came in 109, and I think you were looking for an 88. They have a bad reputation.

The 8 cyl came much later in the Stage 1. For your budget, you're not likely to find a gem.

The 4 is reliable, but at ~77hp, you're not going to go very fast. And if you plan on putting tires larger than 32 inches on it, just plan for new axles and a new motor.

I don't have direct experience with any of the diesels, but the reputation is:
2.25 - very slow
2.5 N/A - similar
200 - ok power, some say reliable, others don't
300 - similar to the 200

Ike said look for western trucks, but I see you're in Florida. Good ones seem to pop up in Fl pretty often, but not always cheap.

I'd look for a IIa in nice shape. Parts are cheap and easy to find.

[Bill C.]

Yup - finally figured out the rear axle reference - thanks. Not that I wanted to install that spare D60 someone owes me, so 31" to 33" skinnies is as big a tyre as I plan for this item.

Don't care about speed - work is 7 miles away, and I'm 5 minutes from beach and bars downtown - that's mostly what this will be for except for a couple of runs/events - just plan on taking more time to get there. Heck drove my Fj40 today - and while it'll go 80 + on 40" tyres - having a 7 to 1 first gear, and then computer problems between 2nd and 3rd makes speed irrelevent in traffic :D.

Not caring about speed - are the older diesels reliable. The Land Rover Huddersville salesman said he prefers to export the 2.25 gas models. I'm sitting back and more patient on a Stateside find now - but why was he agaisn't diesels.

Again - if there are resources out there - let me know - don't want to be hitting the same questions you've had to answer before. Thanks.

[Bill C.]

Well, found a nice 73, I know it's a Series III, but having a rebuilt engine, tranny and t-case, galv frame, galv repaired bulkhead and all original and straight otherwise - with lots of maintenance made it what I was looking for. Worn paint, straight panels, etc. Getting something this clean in Florida, or within reasonable shipping distances limited my options. Should be shipped in within a few weeks. I'll have to get a star and post here....

As a result I might have a set of spare 40" MTRs with nice 17" wheels for a LC for sale. These are my street tires - and have about 70% tread...

Thanks for all the prior input. I'll be digging into this more once Summer boating season is over :D.