JayHoe
Extreme Landy Fan
A bit of background
I have loved Landys for more years than I can remember. The first one I went in was an early Range Rover when I was at middle school. The first one I owned was an F reg 110 2.5 diesel. I loved it, and even drove it across Europe twice to Hungary. The problem was I was also using it to commute to work an hour each way, every day. It was when I realised that my fuel bill was more than my mortgage that I decided she had to go
Whiz forward a few years and I now have my SWB 1972 SIII. She is generally very straight, with just a few minor battle scars that I am happy to live with. However, I knew that the chassis was requiring some work in the not too distant. Well, last years MOT was a bit of a shock. The rear cross member is shot (I pocked a hole in it with my finger!) Outriggers suddenly have 1" wide holes - gulp. It failed due to corrosion near mounting points on three corners of the vehicle. The bulk head is crumbling on the top rail, the footwells and I think the pillars as well. So, I reached decision time....
And I decided that I would garage her. I couldn't bear to part with her, I didn't see the point in just patching (and then having problems elsewhere a year or two later) and I was in no position to do a proper job.
A year passes with me gazing at her every time I go in the garage. The number of times I sat in the garage having a smoke and wistfully staring at her doesn't bear thinking of. Then a brainwave...!
I can stop smoking and use the cash to pay for the rebuild!! Every time I have tried to give up I have struggled, but this time, with this (to me) very important goal I have stopped easily.
I have serviced my vehicles for around 20 years to the extent of brakes, master and slave cylinders, UJs, oils etc, so this is going to be a challenge I have a reasonable collection of tools and will just have to add to it (or scrounge) when required. I have done no welding or paint spraying.
Aims of this rebuild
I am not looking for a concourse restoration - funds and skills do not allow it and anyway, I want to use her without worrying! I want keep her looking as she currently does, I think the black and sandstone go well together... So the targets are...
1. A new galvanised chassis (with bolt up gearbox cross member) - imperative
2. A replacement bulkhead - this is imperative, and I would like one new. The Morris handmade one is too expensive for me, so I have ordered a TD5 bulkhead from Land rover (Part AHA710460 at £169.32 + VAT) I will worry about the conversion once I have it!
3. Clean, refurbish or replace all components as necessary.
4. Rebuild tub floor as necessary similar to Snaggers rebuild (I have access to sheet ally at cost!! - Phew)
5. Stick in a new clutch and replace relevant seals and gaskets while inspecting the engine (clean and paint the same)
6. Rebuild with a new wiring loom
7. Add minor mods - a rear work light, internal courtesy light, a power socket/lighter
8. Possibly fit a Tropical roof
9. Repaint panels while off
10. Investigate and possibly convert to LPG
... And relax
A few photos to kick off with...
1. My old 110, 'Big Blue' retired to a chicken farm for a few years now
2. Something else I sometimes drive (mmmm, big and bendy)
3. The garage, cleared out and ready (mmmm, heating for cold days
4. The little lady
5. The little lady's behind!
I have loved Landys for more years than I can remember. The first one I went in was an early Range Rover when I was at middle school. The first one I owned was an F reg 110 2.5 diesel. I loved it, and even drove it across Europe twice to Hungary. The problem was I was also using it to commute to work an hour each way, every day. It was when I realised that my fuel bill was more than my mortgage that I decided she had to go
Whiz forward a few years and I now have my SWB 1972 SIII. She is generally very straight, with just a few minor battle scars that I am happy to live with. However, I knew that the chassis was requiring some work in the not too distant. Well, last years MOT was a bit of a shock. The rear cross member is shot (I pocked a hole in it with my finger!) Outriggers suddenly have 1" wide holes - gulp. It failed due to corrosion near mounting points on three corners of the vehicle. The bulk head is crumbling on the top rail, the footwells and I think the pillars as well. So, I reached decision time....
And I decided that I would garage her. I couldn't bear to part with her, I didn't see the point in just patching (and then having problems elsewhere a year or two later) and I was in no position to do a proper job.
A year passes with me gazing at her every time I go in the garage. The number of times I sat in the garage having a smoke and wistfully staring at her doesn't bear thinking of. Then a brainwave...!
I can stop smoking and use the cash to pay for the rebuild!! Every time I have tried to give up I have struggled, but this time, with this (to me) very important goal I have stopped easily.
I have serviced my vehicles for around 20 years to the extent of brakes, master and slave cylinders, UJs, oils etc, so this is going to be a challenge I have a reasonable collection of tools and will just have to add to it (or scrounge) when required. I have done no welding or paint spraying.
Aims of this rebuild
I am not looking for a concourse restoration - funds and skills do not allow it and anyway, I want to use her without worrying! I want keep her looking as she currently does, I think the black and sandstone go well together... So the targets are...
1. A new galvanised chassis (with bolt up gearbox cross member) - imperative
2. A replacement bulkhead - this is imperative, and I would like one new. The Morris handmade one is too expensive for me, so I have ordered a TD5 bulkhead from Land rover (Part AHA710460 at £169.32 + VAT) I will worry about the conversion once I have it!
3. Clean, refurbish or replace all components as necessary.
4. Rebuild tub floor as necessary similar to Snaggers rebuild (I have access to sheet ally at cost!! - Phew)
5. Stick in a new clutch and replace relevant seals and gaskets while inspecting the engine (clean and paint the same)
6. Rebuild with a new wiring loom
7. Add minor mods - a rear work light, internal courtesy light, a power socket/lighter
8. Possibly fit a Tropical roof
9. Repaint panels while off
10. Investigate and possibly convert to LPG
... And relax
A few photos to kick off with...
1. My old 110, 'Big Blue' retired to a chicken farm for a few years now
2. Something else I sometimes drive (mmmm, big and bendy)
3. The garage, cleared out and ready (mmmm, heating for cold days
4. The little lady
5. The little lady's behind!