maxcribbin

maxcribbin

Banned
Hey everyone!
Ive recently bought a series 2 1962 88" 4CYL Land Rover.

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to fit a defender style front end to a series 2a?

The head lights are on the centre of the grill... would they have to be relocated to the wings?

Thank you
Carl :)
 
Why would you want to do a thing like that? :confused:

I have seen Series 2s with lights in the wings (usually with the originals still in the grille) and it looks like a simple job of replacing the wings (or wing fronts) with 2a jobbies. It looks a bit strange though - the Series 2 looks RIGHT with the lights in the grille, and if the car was made that way you don't need to move 'em for it to be road-legal in GB.

Gareth, the Earl of Essex :p
 
sorry. mine is a series 2.. not a 2a
the lights are in the inside by the grill.
the 2a has them on the outside (the "wing ends")

the defender front end has no "gap" in the middle.
which is what i want.
any ideas?

thanx
Carl.
 
Change the bonnet and wings, fit a Defender front panel and grille, leaving your original one in place. Fabricate a bonnet release as the defender is cable operated from inside the cab.

Can I ask why you would want to though? Do you need more space for an engine change or do you prefer the looks of the Defender?
 
I'll swap you if you want I've got the late 2a lights in the wings like s3, I think the early ones with the lights in the grill are better lookin. do you have the split windscreen??? you would have to change that too. best just get a duffender init???:rolleyes:
 
Strange indeed, I wish they'd kept the SII lights in the SIII as it just looks so right. Seems a shame to see another SII chopped :(
 
I think the original change by Land Rover was made for the benefit of the export to the States around 1969 or 1970. The powers that be over in the states insisted on wing mounted lights. Hence the change.

Regards WP.
 
I read it was to meet new Australian lighting regulations.

But in doing so, they lost their BBQ-able radiator grill!

To me Series 2 are the definitive lights of Landies - swapping a flat front on is so late 20th century, and it will be obvious to all that it isn't a defender.

Just my 2pence

Ian
 
at the end of the day its all down to personal choice,there is a possibilty that the lad would like a defender but cannot afford one so if he wants to change the front end then fair play to him, he asked for fitting advice not personal opinion, i am not getting ****ty but just stating the point of this post and the point of a forum, yes some people don't like the defender front and some people do, but all he wanted was to know if its possible to fit a defender style front.

in response to the question yes its possible, you will need wing fronts, defender bonnet asnd defender front panel, plus some wire ;)
 
In the words of a landy owning trainee priest friend of mine.

Make a 2a look like a defender?
Blasphemer, die heretic scum die.

Ok if you are putting a F*** off big engine in.

He is quite passive really :)
 
yella disco said:
at the end of the day its all down to personal choice,there is a possibilty that the lad would like a defender but cannot afford one so if he wants to change the front end then fair play to him, he asked for fitting advice not personal opinion, i am not getting ****ty but just stating the point of this post and the point of a forum, yes some people don't like the defender front and some people do, but all he wanted was to know if its possible to fit a defender style front.

in response to the question yes its possible, you will need wing fronts, defender bonnet asnd defender front panel, plus some wire ;)
Click to expand...

fair point...well presented...

The great thing about landies is they are so easey to personalise. he should do what he wants to his series...:)
 
Hey up Mr M. Cribben are you still there, Helloooo, Achemm, HHHHEeeelllllloooooo, are ya there lad.

If it means anything to you I agree with all the posts posted so far. Apart from the priest one. I don't agree with priests I don't. Unless there the ones you use to kill salmon with.

So wot ya going to do then.
 
My Series III that I got recently has a Defender front end - it's just a panel that sits between the wings, and has the longer Defender bonnet. It has two quick release rubber bonnet catches to get around the fact it doesn't meet up with the original bonnet release.

Whoever did it had a sense of humour - it has a 'pretender' decal where the Defender logo would be - hence I've christened her 'Chrissy' (70' kids will get that). :D

I'm still toying with putting it back how it should be....lot's more to do first though! :)
 
WHY - Because it's a classic design.

WHY NOT - Why would you want to kill one of it's most distinctive & classic features.
 
must admit that i do love the defender shape over the series.
but the series is truly a great design icon. it is a shame to change it.
best bet is to own one of each!

(with a disco in the driveway of course)

its no wonder she thinks im feckin nuts.
 
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