Orb · Jun 21, 2024

Hi all,

Please can you give me some pre purchase advice on this 1981 Series 3 land rover chassis. Do you think that at a new chassis would be appropriate or body removal to fully inspect and repair/treat it to make it roadworthy or something else? Advice greatly appreciated.

marjon · Jun 21, 2024

Firstly welcome

.

I would say thats the tip of the iceberg you are likely to encounter.

Have a search in members projects as there are a couple of series that have gone through extensive welding.
If you don't have space, cant work spanners, cant weld. Then that is not something for you.

I don't know the series but would say it needs a chassis. Others will be along soon to give their views.

J

steve2286w · Jun 21, 2024

Welcome, as above, you need to tick all them boxes, I would go new chassis particularly if you want a project to keep you busy for the next few years, the other bit to look at is the bulkhead for rust which is expensive to replace
What’s engine, gearboxes, axles like my 84 rear axle thought was sound but very thin , bought new for £700.
Have you got ££££ to do the old girl justice, and skills reqd without farming it all out to garages and bodyshops

BikerB · Jun 21, 2024

Dou you like working on old vehicles?
Do you like a challenge?
Do you know how to weld?

If not maybe a Series is not for you

In all seriousness, and while some folk maty be capable and willing to weld that up, it looks like new chassis time as what you can see will be the tip of the iceberg.

ER1C · Jun 21, 2024

Agree..... keep in mind to get in to prep/weld and fabricate you will be 1/4 there of the effort of swapping the chassis anyway.

Orb · Jun 21, 2024

Thank you so far.

Marjon - I have the space, I can work a spanner but can't weld.....yet!
Steve2286w - The bulkhead has been replaced with a reconditioned one and the vehicle was running before being garaged 10 years ago. All the major parts are present.
BikerB - I like working on vehicles and a challenge!

Dash and engine wiring needs completing
Interior needs fitting with new seats
Passenger door needs replacing or welding in several places
Underside of body is rusted with a hole in one of the body cross members
Fuel tank needs replacing

Does anyone have an idea of a fair price I should pay?

marjon · Jun 21, 2024

Your second lot of pics show somebody started and did a lot of work. But it doesn’t take away from the condition of your first pics.

It looks like a whole Series (including boxes

)

I would still say budget a new chassis and class it as a bolted together box of spares, but that’s not how it goes these days.

No idea of price.

J

tottot · Jun 21, 2024

The thing I do not like about the chassis that looks like that is you just do not know what it is like on the inside. However someone who knows metal can tap along the whole chassis listening for good and bad and make an assessment. Scopes are available that link to smart phone today for inspection inside
One leg has been worked on so somebody thought it worth a fix.
Have a look at Mig Welding forum, lots of info for beginners and more.
First thing I bought when I left school in 1970 was a welder [ stick type] [ Do Mig as well today ] One of the best decisions.
As for price hard to judge, a lot depends on where you are but at a guess 2k or under. Do you have an asking ?

Orb · Jun 21, 2024

tottot said:
The thing I do not like about the chassis that looks like that is you just do not know what it is like on the inside. However someone who knows metal can tap along the whole chassis listening for good and bad and make an assessment. Scopes are available that link to smart phone today for inspection inside
One leg has been worked on so somebody thought it worth a fix.
Have a look at Mig Welding forum, lots of info for beginners and more.
First thing I bought when I left school in 1970 was a welder [ stick type] [ Do Mig as well today ] One of the best decisions.
As for price hard to judge, a lot depends on where you are but at a guess 2k or under. Do you have an asking ?

I know the owner who wants to sell it and we are trying to come up with a fair price, £3500 was loosely mentioned in conversation but I think that less than £3000 is more appropriate and more towards the £2000 you mentioned!

Dippypud · Jun 21, 2024

Is your space under cover / secure ?

Does it have electric / water ?

Do you have a sugar Daddy with deep pockets ?

Two out of three of those are a must, the other just means more time and work ...

Optional extra is someone who will make beverages regularly and bring out pasties/sarnies/bacon rolls/ phone the ambulance /put on plasters and give paracetamols...

tottot · Jun 21, 2024

What part of the country are you, it does make a difference, a rough location like county will do.

Orb · Jun 21, 2024

Dippypud said:
Is your space under cover / secure ?

Does it have electric / water ?

Do you have a sugar Daddy with deep pockets ?

Two out of three of those are a must, the other just means more time and work ...

Optional extra is someone who will make beverages regularly and bring out pasties/sarnies/bacon rolls/ phone the ambulance /put on plasters and give paracetamols...

I've got two of the three....

Orb · Jun 21, 2024

tottot said:
What part of the country are you, it does make a difference, a rough location like county will do.

The vehicle is in Essex.

steve2286w · Jun 21, 2024

The station wagon is the best of the series and a lot of the other pics bits look original and decent condition
You can look in LRO magazine but I would have thought £4k or more easy

doriz · Jun 21, 2024

These things might look cool but do not drive like modern vehicles. Make sure you enjoy the frugality of the drive first, lorra time and effort to invest otherwise.

tottot · Jun 21, 2024

Orb said:
The vehicle is in Essex.

Given that between 3k probably about right.

Bobsticle · Jun 24, 2024

Worth replacing the chassis before you start. It’s going to be a money pit anyway so you may as well start spending on the big stuff and getting over the shock early.

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