rob1miles said:
I honestly can't see the point of restomoding a Series. Some vehicles lend themselves to it, usually those that are already low and quite fast. But a Series? All the things that are the essence of a series are the things that the restomod gets rid off. Why not just 3 print a Series body over a Range Rover? My point remains the same - restom OK, but why start with a Series?
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Why not? You points are valid for any vehicle if you don't happen to like restomods. But the Series is a good platform, so long as you understand its limitations. And if you are wanting to replace everything and no longer have a Series, then yes. Use a different vehicle.

Not really sure what the op has in mind. If he wants to slam it to ground on 20" alloys. Then that is not my thing at all, it would look dreadful. But if he wants a capable 4x4 with a bit more poke and a better sound track. The Series can easily do this.
 
My impression was that he wants to restore a series but put a 3.5 v8 engine in and keep every thing else more or less standard. To me this perfectly acceptable seeing as later series had V8 in some special editions. I have seen a couple of series for sale with v8 engines shoe horned in and they have looked like right abortions.

Col
 
That's
OK, but that's not a restomod. A restomod has a modern "crate" engine, usually ECU controlled, modern suspension, brakes and steering. Its is designed to look like the old vehicle and drive like a completely modern one. Usually the body is the only part retained. A Series with a different old engine is not a restomod.
 
According to Google:

"A resto-mod is a classic car that has been restored, but modified with modern parts and technology."

So a Rover V8 running EFI would probably qualify to the definition. Even more so if you then fit disc brakes (several options for doing this). And something like some nice parabolic springs and modern dampers. You could even fit PAS or EPAS.
 
300bhp/ton said:
The rover V8 is a nice engine tbh. Not the most powerful, but plenty in a Series. Assuming you want to keep it being a Series.

I know a number of people with V8 Series vehicles. There should be loads of info online if you Google.

The 3.5 is/was a common fit engine as there were loads about at one time. Although the RV8 is getting rarer and more pricey these days.

Most 3.5's are carb with 137-155hp (claimed). Come from Rover cars (P5, P6, SD1), also found in Range rover Classics and EFI ones in Disco 1s and RR's. Used by Triumph TR7 and MGB as well as TVR.

The 3.5 is the least powerful RV8. Although can get to 200-230hp with some simple mods.

3.9 is all EFI, although many run carbs on them in a Land Rover. 182hp rated. Which is a good power level for a Series. Any more than this and the drivetrain is unlikely to cope very well.

3.9's found in Disco1, Range Rover Classics. Early ones use vee belts like the 3.5, latter ones are serpentine belts.

4.0/4.6 are the last development of the engine. Cross bolted mains, different oil pump, serp belt. The 4.0 is actually the same displacement as the 3.9, just branded as 4.0, these are in Disco2's and p38a's. The 4.6 is only found in the p38 in the UK.
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many thanks for the info, want the look of the series, prob the 88 and keep away from old electronics so 3.5 or 3.9 running carbs.
 
rob1miles said:
That's
OK, but that's not a restomod. A restomod has a modern "crate" engine, usually ECU controlled, modern suspension, brakes and steering. Its is designed to look like the old vehicle and drive like a completely modern one. Usually the body is the only part retained. A Series with a different old engine is not a restomod.
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A bit like a boob job and face lift on some old slapper then.

Col
 
If you really want to turn a Series into a Defender there's any number of them on e-bay. But do we really need any more of them?
Here's one you can buy ready made. With all that time you've saved you can while away your evenings thinking about how you are going to have to lie to the MOT and DVLA to keep the historic status and free tax or get a Q plate.
Look how carefully this "restomod" conceals its Series 2 heritage with its coils, discs, V8, what wonderful upgrades. Look how they have even "restomodded" the split screen. How splendidly updated and desirable. You could even forget you were driving a Series; "wow its just like a Defender" you will muse to yourself.
How fellow Series owners will admire and marvel at your wonderful modern touches..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-rover-series-2a/265053296261?hash=item3db6685685:g:iSMAAOSwf3pgFvZg
 
rob1miles said:
If you really want to turn a Series into a Defender there's any number of them on e-bay. But do we really need any more of them?
Here's one you can buy ready made. With all that time you've saved you can while away your evenings thinking about how you are going to have to lie to the MOT and DVLA to keep the historic status and free tax or get a Q plate.
Look how carefully this "restomod" conceals its Series 2 heritage with its coils, discs, V8, what wonderful upgrades. Look how they have even "restomodded" the split screen. How splendidly updated and desirable. You could even forget you were driving a Series; "wow its just like a Defender" you will muse to yourself.
How fellow Series owners will admire and marvel at your wonderful modern touches..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-rover-series-2a/265053296261?hash=item3db6685685:g:iSMAAOSwf3pgFvZg
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Yes, as its a "modified Range Rover chassis" it is therefore not a 2a, the DVLA points system relies on the chassis for the first 5 points, the change of transmission and axles will also deduct points. This would be better ( and more legally) marketed as a Range Rover.
 
I posted that link to show what a wonderful idea a restomod Series is, how it would look with the mods that people have described; better brakes, engine, transmission, axles, discs etc and to show that rather then go to all that work to build your own you get one ready made for the bargain price of £4000, right now, on e-bay.
I can see one problem, how you make sure that when you turn up in your Series "restomod" you don't get mistaken for someone driving a Series / Defender ringer, but perhaps that's just me lacking "vision".
On the matter of the wonderful restomod I linked to; it just shows the level of detail that not only did they change the chassis, engine, transmission and axles but they changed to body too. As a final detail they kept the "period" registration plates and V5 as tribute to the original.
I've persuaded myself, yes the world really does need more Series tastefully updated like that. "Registered like a Series, drives like a Defender".
 
rob1miles said:
I posted that link to show what a wonderful idea a restomod Series is, how it would look with the mods that people have described; better brakes, engine, transmission, axles, discs etc and to show that rather then go to all that work to build your own you get one ready made for the bargain price of £4000, right now, on e-bay.
I can see one problem, how you make sure that when you turn up in your Series "restomod" you don't get mistaken for someone driving a Series / Defender ringer, but perhaps that's just me lacking "vision".
On the matter of the wonderful restomod I linked to; it just shows the level of detail that not only did they change the chassis, engine, transmission and axles but they changed to body too. As a final detail they kept the "period" registration plates and V5 as tribute to the original.
I've persuaded myself, yes the world really does need more Series tastefully updated like that. "Registered like a Series, drives like a Defender".
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No you are being a bit of a dick really and straying well far from what the op asked about or subsequently posted.

Btw you can fit discs to Series axles. Parabolic springs are not coils. And V8’s have been shoved in Series vehicles for over 50 years. And even sanctioned in the USA as a dealer mod.
 
Fair cop, but why not? And not that far. What's the difference between that "Series reg plate/Defender vehicle" and a restomod?
There's a guy on this forum about to make a slammed Series out of the remains of a Series and a P4, now that makes sense and its fun, Yet another Series with more modern engine and running gear? Really?
My beef its not with restomods, its why pick on a Series and make it into a modern 4x4?
 
When I first got my series, I had been looking for ages and seen lots of modified landies and some of them appealed to me because usually they retained the ruggedness as of a landy but had the usability of a more modern vehicle. However when I eventually bought a 109 station wagon, I couldn't bring myself to make any major mods. I did put electronic ignition on it and a smaller steering wheel and modern defender steel wheels but that was about it. Driving it for the first time was a revelation and not in a good way. What it had in abundance was character and I didn't want to ruin that. As the usual batch of classic cars get harder to find and substantially more expensive, people are now looking at old series landies with a view to restoring them to original. I'm seeing adverts for good restored series 3s asking £20k+ I doubt many go for that but there is no doubt the values of untouched ones are going up. I paid £2500 for mine and I've probably spent another £1500 on it in just repairs and wheel/tyres but it's now worth more than it has cost me. If I had spent God knows how much for a ton of modifications it would probably owe me more than what I'll ever get back. I know some owners don't need to think about resale values but it is a valid point for many others.

Col
 
Sounds like a great idea. Anything is possible.

It does amuse me that people suggest a V8 with leaf springs is a ridiculous idea..... Toyota have produced V8 leaf sprung vehicles for years, very successfully, all around the world.
 
Lanydan said:
Sounds like a great idea. Anything is possible.

It does amuse me that people suggest a V8 with leaf springs is a ridiculous idea..... Toyota have produced V8 leaf sprung vehicles for years, very successfully, all around the world.
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Land Rover built one of the best 4x4s ever, using a V8 and leaf (parabolic) springs, the 101 Forward Control. The Stage 1 109, a great vehicle, along with factory built 88 V8s prototypes. A V8 and leaf springs is not a bad idea in itself, if designed in from the start.
 
justin king said:
please don't hate me!!
i'm a very bored engineer at present and need to get the brain working. i have a 2005 TD5 double cab as a daily driver fully restored.
i like the series 3 look and thinking of getting one to restore ground up BUT want to put a semi modern V8 petrol in it. poss a lexus v8 as wiring and ecu is very simple. who and what has been done in the past. what conversions required to manage the drive system etc.
many thanks for a point in the right direction.
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but why?there are so many modern cars speeding along like there no tomorrow .why do you want to be one of them? why make a monster ? the 1990s was the time for that,there is not many series left ,there is nothing like a 2.25 ,with a few mods , chugging along
 
wireman said:
Yes, I've been lucky enough to own two in the past, a RHD GS and a LHD FFR. Loved them both, I wish I could afford another. I noticed a project sold on eBay recently for £11000!
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Theyre not the easiest to drive though are they?...roads round here dont have potholes they just chuck a pile of tarmac in and wait for traffic to flatten it down so theyre covered in bumps and the bends are so tight that people cut corners and the result is loads of gravel just as your turning...on bargrips can be challenging on the polished tarmac...not been out in the rain yet...lol...
 
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