1978 swb

I am going to look at a 1978 SWB for sale tomorrow.
He also has lots of spares.

What should I look for?

Thanks.

Rust on chassis - surface is OK but holes will need fixing. Rust on bulkhead, footwells, lower brackets, top and window hinges.
Noisy gearbox (they're never quiet but shouldn't be too whiney or clunky).
Make sure low range and high range fwd engages and disengages.
Noisy and/or smoky engine.
Excessive play in steering - a good one will probably have at least an inch of play at the steering wheel rim.
Balls should be shiny.
Not too many serious oil leaks - most places weep slightly.
All electrics working.
Brakes aren't great but shouldn't pull to either side.
Hand brake should hold on a reasonable slope.
Should have the right tyres - SWB are often fitted with bigger tyres which can improve the gearing but buggers the speedo reading.
VIN number on plate should be correct - the chassis number will probably be missing or unreadable due to corrosion or repair. (on right front chassis leg)
Does it look right? Landys are often cobbled together with bits from other vehicles but they should be the right vehicles. If it's made up of bits from other models you might find sourcing parts a bit of a nightmare.
Later engines are often fitted - make sure you know which one.
Cosmetically, older landys can look a bit rough. It doesn't matter!

Here's some background reading :-

pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com

also if u dont mind getting a muddy back, look on the inside of the chassis rails at the back (either side of the silencer) and also the bottom of the rails

I may go and see it on the weekend, its on another island and will take an hour by boat.
He also has a pile of spares.

I think going to look at anuvver Landy just took on a whole new meaning...

Bahamas, ffs....don't it look nice...

OK, I did not actually go yet but I am booked on a flight to go in the morning.

I am going with a freind that is a certified land Rover mechanic, he is the one that will buy the truck if he decides to.
I dont have the extra money at the moment.

The flight leaves at 6am in the morning and is only about 20 minutes.
The island that we are going to is called Andros and we are going to the nothern end.
We are planning to spend the day there. The guy there has 2 series and says he is going to carry us in the bush and then to lunch.

I will take a bunch of pics and post them up next week.

That is if the weather holds tomorrow.......................

Nice......the last time I went to buy a landy I didn't even get a cup of tea!

Success!

Was a wonderful trip to Andros. Met some more Landy people and my freind bought a lovely series 88.
Its a 1981 not a 78 as we originally thought.
we spent the day fixing the front brakes, riding around and drinking beer.

This was my first time in a series and I got to go in both an 88 and a 109. I am quite impressed..

Anyhoo here are some pics.

1981 Series. Petrol.

nice little motor

Really nice and tidy.
Her name is "Sweep"




My freind and the owner workin on the front brakes.

And here comes the 109 trying to catch us up.
Her name is "Sooty"




And she does finally catch up.
What a beauty!




And there is Sooty again with her owner. He refuses to sell the 109, says he wants to be buried in her:doh:




And of course there is Felix.
His water bowl in the back never spills????




All in all it was a wonderful day out with the Landy's