Range Rover classic restoration

Love the thread keep up the good work

The Range Rover moved under its own steam for the first time today. And when I say steam I mean it because after 60 yards it broke down in true Range Rover style.

Okay it hasn't done any damage but I think the water pump is knackered as it got into the red after 2 minutes. And the heater isn't getting hot.
So it will be driven into the field and flushed through. There are no leaks in the system and its pressurising, the thermostat doesn't appear to be opening either but the hose into the thermostat is cold and the bottom hose out of the radiator is about 80 degrees. The water pump isn't seized but who knows it might just be a blockage.

Okay so flushed everything through and now the temperature sits perfectly in the middle, heater however isn't hot however. Not the biggest issue at this stage of the resto. So tomorrow I will get some petrol and take it around the field to see what does and what doesn't work mechanically the brakes need some work but they aren't terrible although the rears have no meat at all, the servo feed hose is also perished but they don't do too bad. Gears are nice and fairly smooth but that can only improve. No clonks or Knocks in the suspension and it's one of the smoothest riding things off-road that I've been in, hand brake needs adjusting as I expected, put the centre silencer on and the burble is lovely with just the centre silence on. Power steering is very light, lighter than my defender which is odd as I thought everything was identical steering wise. Difflock all works, haven't tested low range yet. So things are getting rather exciting especially as I've always wanted a Range Rover classic.

One thing I will add is how weird it is coming from Tdi vehicles to a v8 the power delivery is instant and smooth, much quieter. It's also amazing how although relatively similar in suspension and driveline is how different seats and a more spacious interior makes the Range Rover so much more comfortable to drive than my 90 truck cab.
I am very pleased with the progress.

Good for you worth the effort then

Sounds good. Glad you're so pleased with how it is to drive already.

The suspension was completely overhauled before I got it brand new everything suspension wise then just laid up. Drove it for about 15 minutes today and stayed in the middle of the temp gauge, got all the rear lights wired in today and all working, started repairing my tailgate as I was going to get a replacement as it's the lever you slide just above the number plate it's even more difficult to source. So I'll be making my one look presentable as a stop gap.

All of high, low range and diff lock worked, I thought the clutch may have been slipping but I'm not sure now, going by the amount of grass and mud on the Range Rover I think it was wheel spin under acceleration. My v8 is producing more than standard with the performance carb. After doing tests to see if the clutch is slipping like 5th gear with handbrake on and the car stalled. Although not a fall proof test until I get it on some Tarmac it'll be hard to know.
Also the heater is really hot, I had the window open and the heater on and I was sweating. So glad about that too.

Awesome. You'll soon be looking for any excuse to drive it around. How much left before MOT now?

So far it sounds like a good buy for £300.

Probably spent about £400 so far.

I just need a new windscreen and wiper arm, then put all the body panels back on, then fill up with fuel, put proper coolant and get the headlights working. Put some new tyres on the refuted rostyle wheels and do the rear brake pads. At this pace it should be about a month.

Cool. Glad to see another one getting back on the road.

fantastic thread, as someone new to the forum and looking to buy a classic RR to do up a bit in the next couple of months (without the metal work!!) threads like this are worth every penny!