Advice for a beginner

Hello there, newbie here.

I've always liked "the idea" of Land Rovers, but never really thought too much about ownership, until this weekend when I got talking to a Disco owner.

I need something to lug gear about (as I own a 2 seater), but something I can have fun off-road in appeals too. I've got a Toyota already, so the idea of a 4x4 that is plastic inside and just works (eg HiLux) is a bit boring - and a classic series land rover would seem to fit the bill.

So to help me in my search, would you be able to give me a bit of advice with some questions:

For load capacity I'm after a LWB, but are these as good off road? Most pictures of off road events all seem to be of SWB models. Is this just for lower weight / better clearance of SWB models rather than lack of ability from LWB models?

A lot of adverts state "hasn't been off-roaded" as some sort of prize quality. Is off roading that destructive? I'm thinking more green laneing to start with - not charging up rocky hills (just yet).

How common is retro-fitting things like servo brakes/disc brakes/power steering/200tdi engines to Series landies? I've seen a lot of articles about these, but is this the exception or the rule? Obviously with classic vehicles authenticity is valued, and the above might be seen as a sop to creature comforts?

I'm aware of the features of land rovers, such as marking their space, top speeds of 45mph and wet knees in the rain, so hopefully my eyes are a bit open. A sound chassis is my one must, as I haven't got space to deal with a full restoration.

Thanks in advance if you've managed to plough through all that.

Ian

Some people off-road their Rovers to near-destruction, which is why people say "never been off-road". The reason you see more shorties in off-road events is down to the wheels being closer together and therefore being less likely to get stuck on top of a hump. Remember: most photos you see are of off-road events on specially constructed courses. The people who design these courses do so with the sole intention of making life difficult for the competitors. You're unlikely to come across obstacles like these if you're just overlanding or laning. The vast majority of armed forces who bought LRs opted for the LWB version, because the extra load capacity far outweighed the slightly better off-road performance of the 88". After all, most times in the real world if you come to a difficult obstacle you just go round it - not over it
All the usual advice about rust and filler etc. Go and get yerself a cheap series or early 110 and start having fun

After 1981 Series 3 land rovers had twin servo brakes as well as larger drums on the front, but the brakes are still a comedy compared to modern cars. you just have to plan your braking in advance, it slows down so fast when you take you foot of the gas anyway, i hardly use them plus it never goes that fast anyway.
disc brake coversions for series are available from Rocky Mountain I think, but they are about £800.

spyderman

If stopping is a big thing for you pick a 3 with a servo fitted as the old models are a bit like driving a super tanker (5 miles to stop)

Spyderman said:

After 1981 Series 3 land rovers had twin servo brakes as well as larger drums on the front, but the brakes are still a comedy compared to modern cars. you just have to plan your braking in advance, it slows down so fast when you take you foot of the gas anyway, i hardly use them plus it never goes that fast anyway.
disc brake coversions for series are available from Rocky Mountain I think, but they are about £800.

spyderman

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you wouldn't have a picture of one of these twin servo thingys would ya?

look on Paddocks parts web site. www.paddockspares.com they have pictures under brake master cylinders. the one you want is after 1980 with a rectangular fluid reservoir not a round one.

Spyderman

ave had a look can't find it any where. i can find, no servo single line, servo single line, servo dual line, but nowhere can i find a twin servo brake system.. whats the part number?

N05uch7h1ng

there must be because spiderdude say paddocks are selling them. i think you may be mustaken ,grunt.

Is it a series thing? Do they have one for the front and one for the back?

Is this Servo envy ?

My servo is bigger than yours ! (Well actually I don't have a servo )

I too would love to see this mythical twin servo landy.

GRUNT said:

Is it a series thing? Do they have one for the front and one for the back?

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i once bought a trailer went with the bloke to pay fer it in the recption bit. he was adding up the cost of it with the 'extras' like cover , jocky wheel and spare. as he was adding it up i remembered i needed a no. plate for it . so i asked for a number plate. he looked up and asked me if it was for the front or back. so quick as a flash and twice as bright i said "front!, am gonna push the 'darn' thing"


this post has been sensored using swearguard.
available from www.oh!isaythatsabitrude.com

Sorry for the confusion, it's Dual Line with One Servo after 1980, not 2 servos. but the brakes are still terrible- option buy a parachute or anchor.

spyderman