Hi there,

I have always fancied owning a Range Rover since they first appeared but never quite got round to buying one - until now!

As I already have a car, (and a Jeep Grand Cherokee), I couldn't really justify anything too grand, (expensive), so I have taken a big gamble by buying a bit of a wreck - at a very realistic price, (it was actually £10 cheaper as I found a tenner in the back seat pocket as I was removing lots of rubbish from the inside)!!

I am now the proud owner of a 1996 4.6 HSE that had been used for some basic 'off roading' as well as a general purpose 'van'!

The bodywork is straight, (no dents or dings), but there are a multitude of scratches all over and the inside currently smells like a pig farm, (and it doesn't look that much better either)!

But it drives, it doesn't overheat, the gearbox, steering and brakes are ok and it has a years mot!!!!

In addition to the above if also comes with smart alloys with excellent off road tyres, all round, as well as a set of decent road tyres and it also comes with the BCU Sync mate!

I have done quite a bit of research on the breed and I am fully aware of some of the main issue, (such as the BCU Immobiliser issues, head gaskets, headlining, air suspension, etc), and, secretly, I am looking forward pitting my wits against some of these issues - should I encounter them!

My first plan of action will be to give the beast a good clean outside and underneath and then clean out the engine bay.

I will then strip out the interior (seats, fittings, trim, console, etc), in the hope that I can clean up the carpets, (jet wash and lots of disinfectant), and most of the trim to get rid of the stink and make it a little more pleasant to sit in.

The immediate issues are a stiff gear change, (auto), which is also out of alignment so I suspect that I will be removing the actuator rod, cleaning it up, and then aligning it where it fits to the actuating lever on the side of the box.

As an electronics engineer I should not find any of the electrical issues to be a problem and hope to post my experiences in the hope that they will assist other forum members.

Always to assist others too - especially anything to do with electrics/electronics!

Many thanks to all members for making this a very informative site.

Welcome, please put up pics.

hope youve taken before pics..always nice to see how it was ..and what you have done to make it up to standard you want...

Many thanks for the welcome.

Please do not expect too much too soon!

I have taken some pictures already and I have already started to strip the interior - just wondering where the hidden fixings are to remove the centre console base, (I have removed the cosmetic side panels, window switch and HIVAC panel)!

Just to show how neglected she was - I found a mouse nest under the stereo behind the shift lever!

Initial plan will be to make interior 'inhabitable', clean and odour free so that I can then undertake a thorough road test.

Stage 2 will be the realignment of the transmission lever.

Stage 3 will be the ressurection of the exterior bodywork, (I am hoping that wet sanding and copious polishing will being her back to an acceptable level).

She has the infamous sagging headliner issue, (which I may remove - just to see if it is recoverable), and a small area of rust under the rear screen

I will br keeping an eye out for replacement trim items and I have yet to decide whether the seats are recoverable - once I have scrubbed them.

Regards.

mouse nest you do understand all work must stop unless said mouse has breeded and you must report it to the save the mouse brigade, i did read a country house restore was put on hols for 3 months has it had a rare owl nesting....owner said he didnt give a ..hoot...but law did..lol

Hello and Welcome

Unfortunately the 'inhabitants' had expired otherwise I would have fully complied with the European Rodent Re-Patriation Agreement and duly completed the required documentation, (in triplicate), before relocating them underneath one of our hedges!

I have appended one of the first pictures, (albeit after I had washed it), just to give you an idea of what I have to work with!

I suspect that I will be the author of many more posts, (pleas for help), although I also hope that I will be able to assist others once I have begin the steep RR learning curve!

I hope to have all of the interior removed, (by close of play tomorrow), so that the 'fumigation' process can begin, (copious amounts of disinfectant and bleach all over - especially the carpets)!

I have restored a number of classic Japanese motorcycles -- but fancied a slightly more challenging project this winter - the other picture, (in my previous post), is my Suzuki GT750 Kettle!