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MTB
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 04:56 am: | 
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Now that the Disco is paid off. I want to get a Series. What are the pro's & con's on a IIa and a III(88"only). I am leaning towards a diesel but not 100%, I do have a dream to drop a 200tdi in it someday. Is the transmission, T case and diffs the same in both. Does one have stonger parts. will one fit a 200tdi better.
Is there any year I should stay away from.
Sometimes I see some with hand throttle's what exactly is it. Do they have gas pedels and a HT or is it just one??
And should the rails and exterior trim be galvenized to be original; I see alot painted.
Thanks guys now comes the fun of finding the right one for me  ( I love that Pastel Green)
Michael B. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 08:47 am: |
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The earlier IIa's are considered the "prime" of the Series Rover... headlights are still inboard on the breakfast, gages in the center on the dash, little plastic, etc.
The late IIa is mostly the same, with the big difference being that the headlights are moved out onto the wings... it casts the light better there, but looks different than the earlier ones.
The SIII moves the gages from the center of the dash to in front of the driver, and adds some padding on the dash. Also, the SIII transmission is synchro'd in the lower gears, too, so you don't have to double-clutch the way you do in the SIIa. Some say the IIa transmission's gears are a little stronger than the III, but only marginally so...
'59-'61 would be a SII; '61-'69 would be a SIIa; '70-'71 is a late IIa; '72-'83 is a SIII.
'74 was the last year for ones imported to the US by Rover. Basically, you pick what you like... there aren't "good" or "bad" years per se, just the different groups... some would consider a SIII "bad" compared to a SIIa, some like the late IIa best, some are happier with a SIII as a "poor-man's Defender".
A hand-throttle is an additional throttle than can be engaged to encrease the RPM. It is usually used to keep the RPMs up while stationary when winching, but can be used as a "cruise control".
The trim was originally galvanized. Many have been painted over, either to match the body's repainted color, or with hammerite which simulates a galvanized look.
Pastel green is a common color, you should be able to locate a nice one in that color.
Also, think about LHD versus RHD.... if you're open to either, then you can get the best one you find; sometimes, you might run into nice RHD, but if you insist on LHD, you have to keep looking longer... something to consider...
Good luck!
-L |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 04:40 pm: |
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Don't forget the demise of the beloved wire mesh grill, Leslie...
My recently acquired 66 SIIA has inbound headlights, and I must say I like that better than the 70 SIIA or 72 SIII I've had. (Although for some reason I like 109s with the outbound headlights better.) You can get used to shifting the SIIAs, but the SIII synchro boxes are definitely easier to drive. 66 or older are positive earth (which means all electrical is grounded on the positive side, not the negative) and you'd probably want to switch that so you could use modern lights, accessories, etc. (Plus not blow up your battery when you go to jump start it!)
The SIIIs don't have as "rustic" a feel as the earlier trucks on the interiors, mainly because of the plastic dash and moved instruments. The dash on a SIII is very similar to a Defender.
There are folks firmly in one camp or the other, but as Leslie said the IIAs are considered the most "classic" of the rovers.
And also, as Leslie said, RH trucks can be more truck for the money, as I just found out with my 66. A little tough getting used to highway driving with RH, though!
If your up for the adventure, think about going to England and getting one. You could get one with a 3.5 petrol or 200 tdi already in it, fairly cheap. I keep telling myself that's what I'm gonna do... next time. Look in the backs of the rover mags, and compare to prices on LRX. (conversion to pounds is basically 1.5 I think right now)
Anyway, end of the day rambling.
Good luck. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 08:49 pm: |
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lol.....
Yes, the SIII has the plastic grill.... it seems to be popular that if you can find one of the late IIa grills, to swap 'em....
A lot, if not most, of the positive earth ones have been converted to negative earth.... and if not, it's a 2-minute job, and well worth doing.
FWIW....
-L |
LR Max
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 09:17 pm: |
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One thing that I would like to add is that I think a RHD vehicle would be good since you aren't right over the exhaust pipe! I don't have a heat shield on my 109 (yet) and it gets blazing hot on the LH side. But when I'm on the passenger side it is a lot cooler. Also the gas tank filler will be on the same side.
Just thought I would add that thought...
Max T. |
MTB
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:40 pm: |
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Thanks guys. now the fun of IIA or III; I am leaning towards a 67 IIA (year I was hatched) RHD I like the classic looks in and out. the III dash is the only thing that bothers me it is nice but looks to modern.
At least I am not in a hurry to buy,(not true) Hopefully I will have common sense and take my time.
Thanks agian |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 11:41 am: |
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The last of the early IIAs are great. I kind of liked having a truck from the year I was born, also. But mine was a 72 SIII, and I really had just bought it to re-sell after rebuilding the engine.
One thing that bugs me a little about RHD is that the gas tank and driver are on the same side. LHD distributes weight better. In the older suspensions, you really feel the lean on the right hand side. |
Javier Velador (Jvelador)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 12:54 am: |
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Michael,
I chose a '66 IIa for two of the reasons you mentioned, the year I was hatched, and RHD. I saw quite a few in person and online, but I was pretty much convinced which one I wanted.
From there, it was a matter of locating one. This is the part that requires alot of patience.
Take shipping into consideration, chances are good the the one you really want is way on the other side of the continent. I got lucky, mine was 10 miles away, and pastel green
Don't buy based on pics alone. If possible, drive/fly to see it. I know in one instance where the seller did his best to honestly describe the rust situation. Well, when the buyer saw it, he threw a hissy-fit because he felt he'd been had.
One man's "piece-of-cake, bit-of-rust" is another man's "total frame swap candidate".
It's better to spend a couple hundred to fly and see it, then to be stuck with a $5000+ car in your driveway that you can't sell.
Speaking of which, where are you located?
Javier |
MTB
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 04:23 am: |
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Javier I am in PA. as much as I would like to get a 67(damn we are getting old) I feel I will be better served with a later IIa 70/71 due to the plan of swapping the engine. 67 with the inbound headlights could give me to much trouble mounting the intercooler for the 200TDI. My main goal would be to keep the outer appearance stock and the inside stock except for maybe the seats. As for the mechanicals whatever I need to do as long as the $$$ is there. All of that depends on the condition of the IIa.
"Patience" I have it. if I don't find one towards spring than ???? but I feel I sould not have a problem, traveling is no problem I will not buy without seeing it first, but I would like to drive it home if possible.
The reality of driving it home well, I am dumb but not stupid after the mods I would not hesitate to go cross county.
Thanks for your reply and hopefully I will use my commonsense when it is time. Thanks again to all of you. |
Tom P.
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 10:53 am: |
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>67 with the inbound headlights could give me to
> much trouble mounting the intercooler for the > > 200TDI.
MTB,
You may have to go with a Defender front clip to fit all that. Are you in the R.O.V.E.R.S. club? A club member will have his late IIa 109SW, with intercooled 200tdi, stateside by the end of the year (not for sale, BTW). You should look at it...
Tom P. |
MTB
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 08:34 pm: |
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Tom yes I am in R.O.V.E.R.S.(silent member) I will post on thier new BBS and see what I come up with. Looking on ECR site they put a 300TDI in a series they said it was tight but can be done; But would have had problems if it had inbound headlights. I am thinking worse case I would need to remove the fan and replace it with a thin electric fan ???? from everything I have read here and other sites is that it can be done so I will consentrate on looking for a IIa right now.
So for right now I am dropping the 67 IIa unless I find out otherwise(insalling a 200TDI)
thanks for your reply |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 09:53 pm: |
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Get the best Rover for the money, IIa or later....
It's easy enough to add the outboard headlights, just change the front panels on the wings, and if you want it to look neat you also change the breakfast to a SIII one, too....
-L |
MTB
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 10:16 pm: |
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Leslie that is the main goal "the best rover for the money" I want to keep the IIa original on the exterior for it's year.(but I will change my mind if I would come along a sweet deal) |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 12:16 pm: |
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very silent member you punk MTB!!! haha. but then again i may bag out on the trials event in a week or so. ugh.
i want a series too. |
Ron
| | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 03:19 pm: |
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ROVERS will be YOUR best source. Tom B always knows where a couple are and someone has seen the truck if it is somewhat local.
The 200TDi will fit with or without the headlights in the breakfast. Might consider a new/custom frame (with the correct 200tdi mount) and buy a truck in need of a frame and do it "right" . . . that would be a sweet rig. 200TDi stock •••••• ashcroft T-case. Too bad 200TDi are still hard to find and expensive.
PS SI and SII rules After 59 they all went to pot.
Ron |
MTB
| | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 08:22 pm: |
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GP "PUNK"  someday I'll get to an event; this has been a bad year health wise for my better half. Plus I still want that shot you owe me.
Ron thanks I'll have to e-mail Tom sometime. You are mistaken about SI & SII Rules; anything I own Rules so far that is 96Disco everything before and after went to pot; atleast until my next rover. Thanks LOL |
the Big daddy
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2002 - 05:51 pm: |
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Garrett....
You need to learn to drive b/4 getting a series... Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. Are you feeling the love ?
Big Hugs |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 05, 2002 - 11:27 am: |
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Garrett-
If you change your mind about the trials and end up going, I'll see you there...
Driving the disco, not the series!
Enoch |
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