Series 2a or 3 or just a camponoligist?

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Mawgan

New Member
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7
Location
Dorset
A few months ago I bought a Series 2a 88 as a rolling project. V5 was present and matched the vehicle although the chassis number wasn't visible and the engine number recorded appears to be a casting number. Vin number matched and the plate was in the looked "right". It was scruffy but had a few redeeming features like a good safari roof and it was all there though in a state of disrepair.

Being new to series ownership I set out to assess what I'd taken on and came through this excellent forum to Calvin. Now I have a quandry. I definitely have a Series 2a, metal grill, centre dash etc but Calvin tells me that 906 on the VIN plate is a series 3 number. I have checked the mot history back to 2005 and it looks spot on and I can identify work on the vehicle with an MOT failure.

So my query is this could it be possible that the vehicle which was first registered 8/2/72 have been given the "wrong" 906 designation or have I managed to buy a ringer, albeit one that was rung over 10 years/ 3 owners ago.
 
Whats your engine number?
236xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2286cc (fitted to 88 inch airportable)
241xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2286cc 8:1 CR
251xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2286cc 7:1 CR
252xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2286cc 7:1 CR
253xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2286cc 7:1 CR
271xxxxxx Series IIA diesel 2286cc
276xxxxxx Series IIA diesel 2286cc

345xxxxxx Series IIA petrol 2625cc
361xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 8:1 CR 5-bearing
364xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 7:1 CR 5-bearing
366xxxxxx Series III diesel 2286cc 5-bearing
895xxxxxx Series III diesel 2286cc 3-bearing (fitted to 88 inch airportable for export)
901xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 8:1 CR 3-bearing
902xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 8:1 CR 3-bearing
903xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 8:1 CR 3-bearing
904xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 7:1 CR 3-bearing
906xxxxxx Series III diesel 2286cc 3-bearing
941xxxxxx Series III petrol 2625cc
951xxxxxx Series III petrol 2286cc 3-bearing (fitted to 88 inch airportable)
 
Hi Guys, thanks for the replies. Essentially I am trying to ascertain whether during the crossover period it is likely that my 2a could of ended up with a 906 vin number. The engine has been replaced and is a 12J Diesel out of a 90/110 (though it does have a weird straight out the wing exhaust. If it is dubious I don't wish to spend a large amount of money on getting it back to good condition (the novelty of watching the road surface through the bulkhead is wearing out for my passengers). Having said that it seems weird that someone might fit a series 3 vin to a series 2a.
 
Easily yes. My old Mondeo was a very early TDCI that was one owner and genuinley not been messed with (full history etc). But on the V5 it was down as the older TDDI. I checked with DVLA (well someone who I know who works there!) and they said that often when new models come in, the garage selling new will fill out the wrong details on the form, as they are used to writing the details for the previous model. As its a subtle error, nobody notices or cares.
Also, she said that mistakes are often made in the DVLA in terms of data entry and these forms have the contents input by a person, into the database. Again, if your used to seeing TDDI and you write that in instead of TDCI, who's going to notice. It just happens. DVLA will change these back for you for free and don't usually kick up a fuss.
Mind you on a series landy, my money would be on it being a ringer!:rolleyes: But you never know.
 
Thanks ronsealdeath. However essentially I have a series 2a with a series 3 VIN and this Vin on the V5. My money would probably be with yours, but I was just trying to establish whether, as I have been told series 2as were still being made, my vehicle is one of these and ended up with the 906 vin number. Being registered in Febuary 72 the time frame would be about right.
 
I own a 1970 series 2a which has the series 3 grill, lights in wings etc. I had it checked at a local garage/landy enthusiasts.
Aparantly around 1970 was the changeover to series 3s and instead of remaking body parts they just put series 3 parts onto them.
Aparantly you can tell by the chassis (something to do with the welding/joins) he did show me but due to my memory span being zero I can't remember, if you wish I can go have another word with him and find out.
 
It would be great if you could find out. The information I have now dug out is that Series 3 were produced from October 1971. Given the date of registration 8/2/1972 this would suggest that the vehicle was produced right around the changeover period. I wonder did Landrover keep records of dates of production of particular vehicles linked to chasis number?
 
Mawgan said:
It would be great if you could find out. The information I have now dug out is that Series 3 were produced from October 1971. Given the date of registration 8/2/1972 this would suggest that the vehicle was produced right around the changeover period. I wonder did Landrover keep records of dates of production of particular vehicles linked to chasis number?
Click to expand...

Will be going up next week, will report back for you
 
Dear All,
Many thanks. Do you think it would be worth putting in a V888 to find out more about any changes that have been made to the vehicle?
 
Series 2a chassis is box welded along all four corners, series 3 chassis a left and right pressing with join along it's center on top and bottom. This does not apply to LWB models.
 
Definitely series 2a then, many thanks. Have been trying to find any other identifying numbers. Tried to prise off repair plate where chassis number should be though sadly all that is behind is rust and lots of it. Will post photo when I'm not late for work>
 
I have put in a v888, I think it's a great idea for all older vehicle owners to do and for £5 and a first class stamp it is well worth it. Not sure what info I will get but let's see
 
ok you say it's an 88" and we have someone here trying (mistakenly) to tell you the difference between 2a and 3 chassis construction...

ALL 88" chassis were corner welded as were ALL 2/2a 109 chassis, ONLY the S3 109 chassis became channel pressings with a centre weld

there are subtle differences on the 88" chassis through the production years but being as yours is a LATE 2a it will be very similar to the S3 chassis, the only point of difference i personally know of on a late 2a chassis to the S3 chassis will be a web (or lack of for the S3) on the nearside of the bellhousing crossmember, this was removed from production to allow clearance for the horizontal clutch slave cylinder

now there is a little problem with using this as an identifier if the chassis has been changed due to an accident in the mid 70s onwards, if a factory replacement chassis was fitted under an insurance claim it would then most likely have got a S3 chassis fitted as S2/2a chassis were no longer in production

your motor is over 40 years old, anything and everything could have been changed by now by anyone, unless you're trying to rivet count i wouldn't get too excited about digging into it

if you REALLY want the chance of identifying what you have i'd suggest you join the Series 2 forum as over there you'll find the folks that'll identify things pretty accurately rather than misinformation (no offence intended to the folks here that DO actually know thier stuff)

i hope that helps

p.s.
a few pictures go a long way to helping identify what you do actually have, even i might be able to help out

p.p.s.
you could even own a S3 that has been dressed to look like a 2a, 99.9% of the parts are easily swappable
 
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