starting on my IIA.

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
First off, I am going from a Classic to this so it is a bit of culture shock :D

I spent the weekend cleaning it out in bits, as the truck sat for almost 4 years. The gas tank has been swapped, the car has been rebuilt. I need to swap the tires, it has some odd swiss thin old ones. It has the Series rims, but I also have some 15" GRC wheels with less back spacing I would like to use. I need something much more road friendly. I will not be wheeling this, but they should work in snow and such. I was considering the BFG A/Ts in a 33x10.5. Thoughts and opinions?
 

DiscoJen

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2004
3,652
0
54
The Lou!
Sweet, a noob for me to eff with. ;) Glad to hear you are starting to work. It seems like all the threads on here are from me needing help so it'll be great to have another poster. And maybe I can even share some of my learned knowledge instead of always being the one begging for help. LOL

BFG's, really ya can't go wrong there. I can't really comment on the width as I run tall skinny tires.

Keep us posted as you progress!
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
I had that same size on my RRC for a while in a Mud Terrain, the size worked well. I am just wondering if it will rub with less backspacing. Are there any other forums for Series trucks beside Guns and Rovers that you would recommend?
 

apg

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2004
3,019
0
East Virginia
10.5" tires are a lot of 'meat' for the 2.25 lump to try to spin, as the Rover seems happier on taller - but skinnier - tires. Unless you are changing the gearing, engine or whatnot, 7.50x16 are big enough. That's not too far from 235x85....
 

Wander

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2010
187
0
Greenville, NC
RoversNorth Forum is a good place to get specifc series info. I have the 235/85's and would recommend them, don't want to tax that power house of an engine or the 10 spline axle's. I've been in all kinds of crap with my IIa and the 235/85's have been just fine. Mine are an English retread (Colway) that have a BFG tread pattern. You are surely in for a culture shock but maybe in a good way-a series is so damn simple and direct. Powerful-no, simple yes, comfortable...well no but way more fun. Is your's an 88 or 109?
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
it is an 88. Mud Terrains are overkill for this truck's use. I am almost tempted to go even more street friendly but too many choices. Now I just need to get all the gages working, so far none.:victory:
 

Wander

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2010
187
0
Greenville, NC
The speedo is cable driven, check the senders on the other. If the gas gauge is out check the sender, mine was stuck due to the gunk. A major cause is often dirty or broken grounds. Not too many of them so it shouldn't too hard to locate.
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Speaking of electronics, what are the two lead connectors on the top left for, testing what? I will try to pull that whole panel today and start checking. I know the fuel level unit in mine was shot and I have sorced another, just need to get it in.
 

Wander

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2010
187
0
Greenville, NC
Those are for a radio or work light or some other 12v type device.

When I pulled my sender from the tank I thought it was a goner as well but some time with PB Blaster, sand paper and silicone lube cleaned it up and got it working again, the problem was all the crude of 46 years had seized it at half mast. It cleaned up amazingly well. While your messing with the tank you might want to consider installing a feeder tube with a return valve if yours does not have it already. I've got a webber carb and I have trouble when the weather is hot with it dieseling and having unspent fuel in the bowl, a return line back to the tank would allow that unspent fuel to return and solve the issue. Mine also has an electic fuel pump (PO added this) I debated pulling it off but it works so well I just put a new one on since the old one was clogged-cheap low pressure pump you can get an any auto parts store. Very nice looking and complete IIa!
 

DiscoJen

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2004
3,652
0
54
The Lou!
Be sure to check behind your dash for loose connections/rotted wiring for your gauges. You'll usually find a rats nest of a mess in there. Clean up your other fuel sender and put it on the shelf as you'll probably be able to get it to work again and then you'll have a good spare.

As far as other good forums, I also like Rovers North. I'm Seriesshorty over there...DiscoJen is my evil alter-ego. You definately note the difference over there and you'll see how "tame" I am on RN compared to here. :smilelol: But lots of good guys with tons of knowledge. Greenmeanie, SafeAirOne, Yorker, Scott...several others that I mainly recognize from their avatars hehe, are all great sources of info on the IIa. I often find myself searching through threads where they have responded. RN also seems to have folks in the Series section regularly so sometimes you'll get a quicker response there than here.
 

apg

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2004
3,019
0
East Virginia
RVRSRVC said:
Umm, no electronics, only electrics, unless you count your mobile phone and ipod!

Roger, that. The ETM for the Disco is 3" thick and six or eight pounds. The same info for the Series Rover is a one page schematic....
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
more questions...
options on mounting a radio besides a center console? Anything available like a defender setup?

is there a source for the handle that opens the vents? My passenger side knob is broken off, did not see anything in the obvious places (AB, RN...)

Has anyone roll painted a truck? The blue is going, I am painting it that cream color, I forget what the LR name is for it.
 

DiscoJen

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2004
3,652
0
54
The Lou!
Today is your lucky day Chuckaroonie. I have an extra set of brand spanking new vent handle knobs (just the black knob piece). PM me your addy and they are yours.

Roll painting, brush painting, heck even mop painting are not unheard of on a Series truck. I used Citrus Stripper on my truck to get down to the original military green that was on it. Etch primed over it it and used almond rustoleum spray cans. The bulkhead and wings I brushed on silver rustoleum hammered paint. The frame is black rustoleum hammered paint. It's not pro quality, but it looks pretty ok and I won't be crying over trail scratches and parking lot dings. Just grab a spray bomb and touch up any scratches.