RRC LWB questions

knewsom

knewsom

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Jul 10, 2008
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La Mancha, CA
So here's the deal. I've been doing a lot of fabrication and prototyping work over the last year and a half, and it's looking like I'm going to continue doing that in addition to periodically doing film and TV work... My Disco is a champ and I love the shit out of Black Mamba, but she's kindof a pain in the ass when it comes to hauling plywood (have to tie to the roof, so more than three or four sheets can get dicey). Steel isn't so bad because I usually deal with smaller pieces, but for long pieces, having a tailgate would be reallllly nice. ...so I've been seriously considering selling it and picking up an RRC LWB instead.

Has anyone with one carried plywood inside with the seats down? How well does that work? Does it fit? How far off the back would a 4x8 sheet stick out? Could you carry metric (61" square) inside? At an angle?

I've also been thinking about getting a pickup instead since it would just seem to be more practical, but I can't find any I like, except early 2000's four door tacomas, but they're spendy, I don't exactly LOVE 'em, and truth be told I'd just rather have a ROVER. My D1 has been proof enough for me that they can be plenty reliable.
 
knewsom

knewsom

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Jul 10, 2008
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La Mancha, CA
...among other things. I'd also really like to be able to sleep inside my truck comfortably. The only complaint I've ever had about the Disco is that it's too short.
 
R

RBBailey

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Jul 26, 2004
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I love LWB RRC -- pretty much one of the best cars I've ever driven.

You MUST get a full length roof rack. And you must get a lift. And you will want an LT230.

But you must also promise not to go all Netjaws on us and bastardize the pour thing. We will have to do an intervention.

EDIT: And most people carry plywood like once every few years. Are you like starting a plywood delivery service or something? They have these things called "trailers" you could try.
 
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knewsom

knewsom

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Jul 10, 2008
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La Mancha, CA
I live at the beach. While I do have a house, with a garage and a parking space, the garage was likely built for a model T, and I'm sure as hell not going to give up my parking space for a trailer. Also, trailers are a pain in the ass. I buy plywood every couple of weeks. Sometimes bigger lumber than that, but nothing that would justify a trailer. I'm just tired of putting 100+ lb pieces of wood on top of a 7 foot truck, tying it down, then taking it back off. I suppose its really not that big of a deal, but combined with the other stubbiness problems with the disco, its starting to make sense.

I'm just not positive the Disco is my "forever" truck, and I'm thinking maybe the RRC would be.

so can it fit a sheet of ply? Anyone? Beuller?
 
Tugela

Tugela

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May 21, 2007
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Seattle
I miss my RRC. If space and budget allowed I'd get another in a second. It's my all time favorite Rover. You should do it. Get Elias to find you one and rebuild the engine for you. One thing you might miss about the Disco is the interior height, especially in the back of the truck. The stepped roof creates noticeably more space and the RRC load space does not hold as much, especially with the spare wheel in there. The only gain in space in the LWB is in the rear seat legroom, loadspace is the same as SWB. With rear seats down/out you'll do much better. Suggestion about roof rack is good, a lift is OK, the Borg-Warner TC did just fine for me. It's primitive technology by today's standards, but the simplicity is nice. And the RRC seats are more comfortable than the Disco's. Part out the Mamba and wait to find a tidy truck.
 
R

RBBailey

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The Disco is a pain to get stuff like that on top of. Especially with the extra height of the lift and roof rack. Have you thought of some kind of system that would simply make it easier to carry the plywood when you need to?
 
knewsom

knewsom

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Jul 10, 2008
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La Mancha, CA
why on earth WOULDN'T I want an RRC LWB...? All I can see are benefits - better towing, more cargo room, bigger back seat lower roof top (not to mention flat)... It dies what my disco does plus I can haul plywood inside it, I can put my longboard in it, and I can sleep in it. Seriously, where's the downside?
 
mgreenspan

mgreenspan

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Feb 28, 2005
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Briggs's Back Yard
You want to buy a new truck to be able to easily haul plywood. You've thought about a pickup but the only ones you like are four door Tacomas which don't have a large bed but I guess your plywood would angle out or dangle out. Why not be smart and get a really beat up 2 door Ranger or similar. Crap condition, no aircon, no frills, 2 wheel drive. It will be cheap and you can get rid of it like you never owned it when your plywood carrying phase is passed.

If what you want is something different than your Discovery because you're sick of it, admit that. But don't kid yourself and act like going to an older Rover product that you can't guarantee the condition of because you haven't owned it and worked on it is not a step backwards. It sounds to me like you should be shopping for an Ford Excursion to replace your Discovery. You can sleep in that with like four other people, fit probably 10 long boards, a million pieces of plywood, tow more, and have an even bigger back seat.
 
eliaschristeas

eliaschristeas

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Jul 6, 2006
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Beverly HIlls
kris - if you have the space, keep the mamba and buy a LWB as a work truck... something stock... something decent.... something you dont care about if a corner of a plywood sheet gouges your interior panels.... honestly, i've seen several LWB's out there lately that have been in the $800-$1500 range and would be PERFECT for you... look for one typically needing headgaskets, pick it up for the equiv. of a large sunday costco bill and lets get it running!
 
Blueboy

Blueboy

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Apr 20, 2004
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Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
I've carried plywood sheets in the full length Brownchurch rack w/o any issues. Personally try to keep the interior clean and not fuck up the leather as it is still in pretty good shape frt and rear.

All earlier Rovers should be able to fulfill the U in the acronym.
 
jymmiejamz

jymmiejamz

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Dec 5, 2004
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Los Angeles, Ca
Stop bring a pussy and buy a Defender HiCap pickup.

A Hannibal roof rack works well for plywood. A Safety Devices rack is about 5mm to narrow for plywood.
 
p m

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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knewsom said:
why on earth WOULDN'T I want an RRC LWB...? All I can see are benefits - better towing, more cargo room, bigger back seat lower roof top (not to mention flat)... It dies what my disco does plus I can haul plywood inside it, I can put my longboard in it, and I can sleep in it. Seriously, where's the downside?
Click to expand...

There's less cargo room in an LWB than in a D1, believe me.
Back seat is the same.
You can sleep in a D1, too.
Longboard and towing arguments I can buy. Plywood... no. You can buy a folding trailer at Harbor Freight for a couple of Ben Franklins, use it whenever you need it, and put up against the wall in the garage when you're done.

Don't get me wrong - LWB is by far the most comfortable highway-ride Rover of that vintage. So...
Elias' advice is almost spot on - for a person with a garage. However, I've seen so many "surfer specials" that I don't think I'd buy a truck with a blown head gasket; fat chance that everything else is just as fucked up as the motor.
 
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