| Author |
Message |
    
Bob Foster (Coppertop)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 11:26 pm: | 
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what years work better than others, where is the best place to look, is 2 door gonna be harder to find, and what is a decent price?
I've got a disco II that I love, I just need a project!! |
Paul Grant (Paulgrant)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 03:10 am: |
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I think you'll find it all but impossible to find a 2 door any newer than 1985. That was the year the Feds changed the rules for importing and "federalizing" cars. Almost all of the 2 doors I've seen here in the states have the "agricultural" L95 4 speed manual transmission with an integrated transfer case. The ideal set up, as far as I'm concerned, would be an '85 2 door with the L77 transmission and LT230 transfer case. That car, like any 2 door you're likely to find, would have dual Stromberg carbs unless someone dumped them for an Edelbrock/Holley combo (fairly common). Cars from this vintage are awesome offroaders straight out of the box but as you know, there's always rom for improvement.
Good luck on your quest. |
paul londrigan (Neversummer)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 11:40 pm: |
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Once again finding the Paul's in the same post on Grey Markets! Yes it is going to be hard to find a two door rangie. If you are looking for one however try and find one with an LT-77 or better, I have an LT-95 in mine. It is ok for what it is, but I would really prefer somethin a little more in terms of a transmission. The strombergs leave a little much to be desired for me, don't tell the other paul I said that, I'm pretty sure he loves his to death. If you really want a 2-door you are probably going to have to look long and hard, but the 100 inch wheel base is clutch! |
Bob Foster (Coppertop)
| | Posted on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 12:31 am: |
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What about a SWB? That should be easier to find. What years are better than others? |
paul londrigan (Neversummer)
| | Posted on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 12:42 am: |
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yes an swb would be alot easier to find. try and find a hunter edition. steer clear of anything with air suspension. I would say any rangie with an LT-230 transfer case in there, I think that was 87 and 88, maybe 89. I may be wrong I think I am. But look for one of those. |
Paul Grant (Paulgrant)
| | Posted on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 04:44 pm: |
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An NAS RRC from 1987 or 88 would be my first choice if I were plannng on building a dedicated rig for the trails. The principle reason, as Paul said, is the LT230 transfer case which inables you to manually lock the center differential. After 1988 Land Rover went with a Borg Warner viscous coupled transfer case that automatically 'locked' the center diff as slippage occurred. While that system is superior to the manual one in most cases, when you really need the immediate added traction that a locked center diff affords you, nothing beats the old LT230. Albeit, the LT230 is a much louder unit with an annoying, ever present whine thanks to its gear driven design (but still better than the LT95 4-speed w/ integrated trnsfer case).
The '87 and '88 also have a 4-speed ZF automatic which are far better for off roading than any 4 or 5 speed manual could ever be. I know that sort of comment might not be too popular with some LT77 or R380 guys but I've driven sticks and autos off road and when things get sticky, an auto gives you a little more room for comfort. Just two weeks ago I was getting hung up on rocks and having to employ the clutch, accelerator and emergency brake all in perfect unison and it gets a bit tiring after awhile. With an auto the whole affair would have been much simpler.
Another advantage, to my mind, with regard to these '87's and '88's is the absence of the ABS braking system. In many situations, off road ABS won't help and in some it can even be a hinderance. And, this isn't even taking into consideration the cost of parts for this complicated addition. ABS was available in NAS Range Rovers from late 1990 on.
I almost for got, one other advantage for these Rovers is the fact that they don't have any sway bars to inhibit articulation. This is a big plus for any serious off roader. Granted, there are kits to inable you to quickly dsconnect them when they're not needed but if you're building a dedicated trail rid who needs sways?
One drawback with these earlier models is that their axles are ten spline. That means that if you want to use lockers or bigger tires sooner or later you will need to junk these in favor of the later 24 spline versions because snapping axles like toothpicks gets old fast. It's not hard but the costs add up when you factor in CV's, diffs and axles but hey, it's only a toy, right? |
Jeremy Katka (Jkatka)
| | Posted on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 07:47 pm: |
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http://www.qsl.net/w2emt/newaustin.htm if you are looking for a 2door thought this might intrest you.
JK |
Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor)
New Member
Username: Nosivad_bor
Post Number: 9
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 11:30 am: |
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i feel the best bet is to get an 89 and swap in the LT230 if you feel the need. that way you have the more poweful 3.9 engine.
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Bill Malloy (Wam)
New Member
Username: Wam
Post Number: 12
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 04:58 pm: |
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Try Rovers West in Tucson. They had a lhd 2-door a few years ago when I stopped there to look for parts for my '74. I would have stopped there today but their address wasn't listed any more but you can get their number from 411. If they have it and you want me to check it out let me know. The only advantage to the older chassis like mine is smog compliance when doing engine mods. And of course the exclusivity of the 2-door body. |
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