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Aidso

Aidso

New Member
Posts
500
So I'm getting my series 2+3 on Sunday. The series 2 needs completely rewired. Have got the original workshop wiring manual. There really isn't a lot too it. Basically it's very primitive. I work with electronics everyday. I was wondering should I keep it original or bring the modern touch to it I.e. relays for lights and speed control on wipers. Keeping anything visible period of course. What's your thoughts?
 
Depends if you want to restore it as a classic in which case just fix it or you could add to it as you have suggested which would make it a bit more "comfortable". If I was doing it from scratch as a daily driver I would upgrade where possible
 
I want it to be as original as possible but modernised if that makes sense.
 
Aidso said:
I want it to be as original as possible but modernised if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

You can either have your cake or eat it. Personally I think that these older vehicles, particularly the "historic" ones should be left as original as possible. If you want a "modernised" series, get a defender, similar looks but a more modern drive.
 
I would do as you suggest and use modern components keeping the visible parts period. If rewiring its worth using relays and things nowadays, series vehicles only have a couple of fuses to cover the whole wiring of the vehicle so its worth adding a few others at least. Its what we're doing on mine but that is to be a daily driver though.
 
That's sorta the plan. Someone looking at it will think its original but deep down it's all new. It won't be original as it has had a new 2.5 diesel fitted in place of the 2.25. As it was MOD it was 24v but new engine is 12v.
 
You can have your cake and eat it as well. There really aren;t all that many places that a relay would serve a useful purpose - and those are easy to add with little buggering about with the harness.

I do suggest buying a premade harness - don't just start flailing at the poor thing with a kit of wire and crimp connectors. I have seen FAR too many Series vehicles that has been done to - and unless you are stringent keeping up with the colour codes and patterns the next owner of that truck WILL hunt you down and beat you.

Adding relays for the headlights is simple and can get done right at the back of the panel or on the bulkhead - easy enough to put in to take the load off the quaint antique switches. Of of the very nice things about a wiring harness using lucars is the ability to add and change things without actually hacking up the wiring harness itself. I've done this many times to add wiring for transmitters and other radio gear - you can do a simple plug-in change that can be remade stock with little effort.

Whatever else you do, mark up a copy of the schematic with your changes or the previous comment about hunting you down will undoubtedly occur.
 
Cheaper and easier to fit relays to headlamps than keep buggering up dip switches. I am on my third one in three years and now run with relays. Only time will tell.
 
It's easy to stick to colours and I would be drawing a new diagram before a started so would send that off IF I ever sell it.
 
samc88 said:
I would do as you suggest and use modern components keeping the visible parts period. If rewiring its worth using relays and things nowadays, series vehicles only have a couple of fuses to cover the whole wiring of the vehicle so its worth adding a few others at least. Its what we're doing on mine but that is to be a daily driver though.
Click to expand...

I agree with this completely and is the concept I am working to
 
Ok so the wiring diagram I was looking at turns out to be series 3. Has anyone got a link to the electrical manual for the series 2?
 
I have the original 2A owners manual (from 1963) with circuit diagrams. I'll scan it for you and any other info you want out of the book :)
 
Last edited:
Hope you can read it ok
 

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Great thank you. Big difference in the 11a and 3. Will need to be a new diagram as I have the 2.5 n/a I think. The starter and charging circuit is different as the engine has an alternator and not a dynamo plus starter has solenoid not relay.
 
I know there wasn't that much extra work needed for wiring a 2.5 up in a series 3, well my granddad managed it with success and he can't be said to be profound with electrics. If theres anything else you or anyone else wants out of the book just let me know :)
 
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