btiratsoo · Apr 8, 2018

Hello all

I have an introduction thread but thought I would start a thread in the Series section for my 1982 Series 3 SWB 2.25 petrol. I am completely new to Land Rover ownership and other than travelling in a friends Series 2 occasionally, I am at the mercy of forums like this for information and advice etc.

The basic plan is a mechanical overhaul including a new loom(will see how it goes over the summer), replacement/ repair of interior parts and any welding/ repairs to the chassis and bulkhead for now. I love the condition of the exterior and although marked, all panels are reasonable straight, so no need for major body work.

As can be seen it has push button Defender doors and depending on how I get on and how complicated to change back to Series doors, they may well stay. I would like to eventually get hold of a tailgate and rear window but the door can stay for the moment.

Anyhow, on to the pictures.

btiratsoo · Apr 8, 2018

btiratsoo · Apr 8, 2018

So my first real question is, what parts on the dash are original? The metal plates in the centre look like an after thought and I am assuming the Kenlow fan control switch is as well?

The radio has been binned along with the two terrible speakers and the snakes wedding of wires.

blue beasty · Apr 8, 2018

Everything is front of steering wheel except fan switch looks original.

The plates in the centre looks like a sides of the box fitted for military light switches with the front plate removed. Even has the same trim piece screwed to the front edge.

blue beasty · Apr 8, 2018

Not a great photo but here the military light switch box minus the trim piece on the front of the side you can see

btiratsoo · Apr 8, 2018

Cheers Blue Beasty. The yellow pull switch is for the rear fog and I think the toggle switch is for the reversing lights that have been fitted. The "brake" light doesn't do anything yet, and they other two small indicator lights don't do anything either....yet!

The main dash with the dials in seems to work correctly and other than a tidy up and clean, could well be ok. Someone has tried to paint the speedo outer at some point in its life as there is a bit of paint on the glass.

Rubins4 · Apr 8, 2018

Mine is 82 and has exactly the same centre arrangement in the dash above the radio, same fog light pull switch and mine had reverse lights pulled in here to. I also have the 2 lights but don't know what they are for. The brake light is a tester for the dual line brake set up. I understand there are a couple of different tests that can set up to trigger the light so you'd have to chase some wires to be sure what yours is up to.

btiratsoo · Apr 8, 2018

Rubins4 said:
Mine is 82 and has exactly the same centre arrangement in the dash above the radio, same fog light pull switch and mine had reverse lights pulled in here to. I also have the 2 lights but don't know what they are for. The brake light is a tester for the dual line brake set up. I understand there are a couple of different tests that can set up to trigger the light so you'd have to chase some wires to be sure what yours is up to.

Cheers Rubins. Appreciate it.

Simon Perks · Apr 9, 2018

btiratsoo said:
Cheers Blue Beasty. The yellow pull switch is for the rear fog and I think the toggle switch is for the reversing lights that have been fitted. The "brake" light doesn't do anything yet, and they other two small indicator lights don't do anything either....yet!

The main dash with the dials in seems to work correctly and other than a tidy up and clean, could well be ok. Someone has tried to paint the speedo outer at some point in its life as there is a bit of paint on the glass.

SNAP! ... except mine is an ex fire service tender and Swiss so it doesnt have the military switch but ... i do have the yellow light that only works when im towing to show you that the indicators on the trailer are ok ...

John S · Apr 9, 2018

Later series 3’s were fitted with that centre switch plate for hazard and cigarette lighter and anything optional. Nice looking landy for its age. Mine’s an ‘83 model. Try to get hold of a pdf version of the parts n workshop manual and you’ll be able to identify part numbers. You’ll eventually be able to do most maintenance yourself. It’s basic technology from the 1950’s.

dag019 · Apr 9, 2018

That looks fairly tidy. The centre panel as has been said is original although I am not sure the lights fitted to it are. I have the same brake and fog light, and also hazards on mine, the others are blanked. You would need to try and trace the wires back to find out what the additional. Warning lights are for.

I would definitely be looking to swap back to original doors. They are not expensive even if you buy new and are a very easy fit. I am biased however as I do not like the one piece doors at all, and have fitted series items on my 110 that later had the tops upgraded to military ones.

btiratsoo · Apr 10, 2018

Thanks for all the kind comments and advice. The first battle is an on-going to do with the brake light switch, terrible design! I think I may try a genuine part rather than the chinese copy that came fitted. Failing that I'll swap to a hydraulic one in the brake line. Figured the best way to try and set the one up that is on it is with a meter and check when the switch activates (19 to 25mm of pedal travel according to manual) then connect the wiring. Still hit or miss mind!

Using a meter that is possibly older than the S3!

Also, here is a shot of the full engine bay. As you can see it was blue at some point in its life, which showed up on a history check, so all legit, which is a nice piece of history.

Cheers,
Ben

John S · Apr 10, 2018

Missing the original air filter? Those brake light switches are fiddly; just trial and error to get the right position.

btiratsoo · Apr 10, 2018

Yes, original air filter has been swapped out for some mushroom K and N type thing. Not worried about that yet. Also were the SU carbs OEM fitment? I'm waiting for the workshop manual to show up.

tottot · Apr 10, 2018

SU carb is an after fit. HJN engineering did one.Had one on my 2a at one time,was fine on the road but rubbish off road when landy got to steep angles.
If you like one piece doors with wind up windows you could fit early 90/110 ones that are lift up handle like the series.

btiratsoo · Apr 10, 2018

Cheers Tottot. I am thinking now that we eventually fit the original series doors but would like to concentrate on bits that make it stop and go for now. The Defender doors don't upset me but would be nice to have originals fitted at some point. Having used it for a couple of journeys now, my right leg is right in the way of the window winder anyway so sliding windows make sense!

rob1miles · Apr 12, 2018

SU carbs have good pick up and good economy so if the off road inclination issue is not urgent I would keep it.

Extreedoc · Apr 12, 2018

Rubins4 said:
Mine is 82 and has exactly the same centre arrangement in the dash above the radio, same fog light pull switch and mine had reverse lights pulled in here to. I also have the 2 lights but don't know what they are for. The brake light is a tester for the dual line brake set up. I understand there are a couple of different tests that can set up to trigger the light so you'd have to chase some wires to be sure what yours is up to.

I have a sheet explaining the wiring of the brake failure warning circuitry which helped me to sort mine out when I wired it in; what each wire does etc... couldn't have got it working without. I will be happy to send you a copy if you need it. PM me if you do.
John

btiratsoo · Apr 12, 2018

rob1miles said:
SU carbs have good pick up and good economy so if the off road inclination issue is not urgent I would keep it.

Cheers Rob. It seems to be working fine and haven’t had any problems so far on the few journeys I have done. It’s staying for now.

Extreedoc said:
I have a sheet explaining the wiring of the brake failure warning circuitry which helped me to sort mine out when I wired it in; what each wire does etc... couldn't have got it working without. I will be happy to send you a copy if you need it. PM me if you do.
John

John that is very kind. PM on its way. Thank you.

dag019 · Apr 12, 2018

Extreedoc said:
I have a sheet explaining the wiring of the brake failure warning circuitry which helped me to sort mine out when I wired it in; what each wire does etc... couldn't have got it working without. I will be happy to send you a copy if you need it. PM me if you do.
John

Would I be able to get a copy of this as well please. PM sent

Member

Member

Member

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads