Wanted: gently used frame Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

DiscoWeb Bulletin Board » Series Rovers - Technical Discussions » Wanted: gently used frame « Previous Next »

Author Message
 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 157
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 11:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

OK, I'm motivated to get another frame. Does anyone know of, or have a used SWB frame with as little rust as possible? I wish I had the money for a new galvanized frame, however, the Disco is getting the lion's share of funds at present.

My rig is right hand drive if that makes a difference.

Javier
 

David Woo (Davidwoo)
Member
Username: Davidwoo

Post Number: 41
Registered: 01-2003
Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 04:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Javaier: am going out to BP this week sometime: I'll have a look at their bulletin board, and ask.
BTW, are you sure your frame is toast? A frame that needs a couple patches and some paint is a lot easier to deal with than a complete frame-off.
DW
 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 158
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 01:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for thinking of me, David...

That's a thought. I'll have Pete in Santa Monica look at to see if it's salvageable. I thought of going all they way so that I won't have to deal with any more frame repairs. I know the front is breaking just behind the very front spring mounts. It's driveableable on the street, I just can't take it offroading. Especially if there's a chance I'll have to get pulled from the front, causing stress, then breaking the frame on the trail.

At this point, I'd like to see what's out there. If a good deal pops up, I want to be ready. :-)

Javier
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2488
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 09:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Javier,

Just my point-of-view, but.... if I was going to have a rover taken apart to the point that I would be putting a frame under it, I wouldn't want to go through all that labor to skimp and not put a new frame under it. Just think about how much labor it takes to swap a frame: do you want to really do that with a non-new frame? That was my opinion on it...

IMHO, FWIW, YMMV.....


-L

 

David Woo (Davidwoo)
Member
Username: Davidwoo

Post Number: 45
Registered: 01-2003
Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 03:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Javier: just got back from BP: no frames on the BB.
DW
 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 159
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 08:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

It's true, a new frame makes sense for the amount of work involved. But I figure [maybe foolishly] that being in 'sunny' Southern California, a used frame with minimal rust should last a long many years still. OK, I'm a CB to boot!

Thanks for looking into it for me, David! BTW, are you still going to SCLR's run this weekend?

Javier
 

David Woo (Davidwoo)
Member
Username: Davidwoo

Post Number: 47
Registered: 01-2003
Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 08:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Yep, still planning on it: just got to get the radiator back into the 2a, then we're set. It was cleaned and rodded, been running hot.
DW
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2499
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 09:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Javier,

I'm a CB too... I'm taking bits from my Series cleaning them up, painting them, reusing them, and they're just little things that if I bought them new I'd have saved a lot of time instead of refurbishing my old ones. But, I have my old ones, I don't have to pay for them, I can afford my own time easily enough.

And, if you could find a nice used frame, sure, it'd be worthwhile to have it galvanized, then build your Series on it.

However, why would someone have a used frame? The thing on a Series Rover that gets to the point that it isn't worth anything, that it is thrown away and replaced, is the chassis. The rear crossmember, the frame horns, the bulkhead outriggers, the things just rot from the inside out. If you've got a good frame, you've got a good Rover. If you've got a good frame, you're probably not taking the thing apart to have a bare frame. If you're going to the trouble to strip a frame, it's because you need a new frame... used frames just don't really come up that often.

Thinking about it, about the only way I can picture someone taking a perfectly good frame out from under a Series would be if they were converting it over to a coil-frame. Otherwise, I can't think of why a good frame would be available. Oh, I suppose that maybe, someone bought one for a project, and abandoned the project part-way through, then you might find a "used" yet really unused chassis.

Anyway, good luck hunting for such. I'll caution you to REALLY inspect any used chassis, given that it's the inside that rots on 'em.... try to find a galvanized one, and you should be alright....

-L

 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 160
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 08:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

You are too right, Leslie... I'm posting on a prayer, lol!

The irony is that less than a year before I bought my Series, I actually met two people who had frames which would have foot the bill perfectly. Believe it or not, both were local and both were practically giving them away.

One guy was aking $500 for an abandoned project with a solid frame. It was in pieces and mostly complete. I didn't go for it because at the time, I could not see myself starting a rebuild with no experience whatsoever. Not that I have any now, but now I have the motivation and a running project.

The other guy was selling the frame off his hybrid project. He bought a Rangie, chucked the series running gear which included the engine, transmission, transfer case, diffs and tires for, ouch, I can't say it... for $1500. Again, the frame was solid. I didn't buy his because at the time I was unemployed. It would have surely cost me my marriage, shared custody of the kids, the house... well, you get the picture.

Like anything else, timing is everything, huh? I feel like the stars were not aligned for me :-)

Oh well, c'est la vie, I'm still praying...
 

Thomas Dahbura (U352)
Member
Username: U352

Post Number: 182
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 09:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Wait-what is the difference between a frame and a chasis. I'll be at MAR so you can slap me there for asking a stupid question.
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2515
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 10:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Are you American or British?

Is it a fender or a wing?

Is it a soft-top or a hood?

Is it a hood or is it a bonnet?

Is it a frame or a chassis?

:-)


-L

 

gp (Garrett)
Senior Member
Username: Garrett

Post Number: 2319
Registered: 10-2001
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 07:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

and remember to pronouce it...."shashee"
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2516
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 07:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Very true! Not "Chas" as in "church", but definitely a "Shas" sound.... "shass-ay"....

-L

 

Gary Grey (All4s)
New Member
Username: All4s

Post Number: 8
Registered: 08-2003
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I have one contact me
 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 161
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 07:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Gary,

I just emailed you at the account in your profile.

Javier
 

Gary Grey (All4s)
New Member
Username: All4s

Post Number: 10
Registered: 08-2003
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 09:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

javier I have replied to oyur email (same day service )
 

eric w siepmann (Cdn001)
New Member
Username: Cdn001

Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2003 - 09:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Javier,

Did you try British Northwest? He had several frames and offers a galvanizing service as well. Plus he is established, a series rover fanatic, and a good general resource. He helped me find a great mechanic here in Chicago. http://www.land-roverco.com/ is his site. Actually very infomative and cool site.
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2698
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 12:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Eric,

I don't know Kellogg flakes myself, however, I've not yet heard of anyone say that he was anything if not overpriced....

Yep, a quick look at his site, and everything is still priced as if it's made of gold.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not equating him to British Bulldog or anything, he actually has inventory and, some people don't mind paying a lot for some things if they can afford to do so.... I, and many others, just can't afford to get parts from him when we can get the same things from elsewhere for much less.....

If there's something he's got that no one else has, then, there'd be a reason to consider it, but, I've yet to find something I had to have that I couldn't find for less at other places....


FWIW....


-L





 

eric w siepmann (Cdn001)
New Member
Username: Cdn001

Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 02:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

I agree wholeheartedly. He caters to the ECR level of clientelle. I like your nickname for him though. He is a real character to speak with. You should read his book on purchasing a rover. He truly is a very informed and rover saavy guy indeed.

Rovers down South is the place to go for that hard to find geniune part a good price. Last I c
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2705
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 04:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Uncle George is a GREAT source. However, his price is his price, it can sit and rot before he haggles, lol.... :-)

David Gage at the Thatched Roof Garage is always my first stop for Rover-related bits... and, usually, my first stop after work before heading home, too.... :-)


-L

 

eric w siepmann (Cdn001)
New Member
Username: Cdn001

Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 05:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

I wish I had that problem myself. My search for a Series 2a continues. A lot of overpriced junk to sift through, shady sellers on e-bay/LRX, and real nicely restored rovers I wish I had the money to buy. But as they say, a series rover is built, not bought.

EwS
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2706
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 06:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Eric,

What are you lookin' for? 109? 88? softop? 5-door?

Do you want something in the "solid yet cosmetically challenged, affordable, so you can drive it while making it pretty" range?


-L

 

eric w siepmann (Cdn001)
New Member
Username: Cdn001

Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 06:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

I am looking for a LHD NADA 88. Doesn't have to run as I am planning on restoring it to factory new over a 5-7 year period. I would like it to complete as possible and as unmolested as possible (no drastic shade tree welding cutting or modifying).

I am looking at no more than $1,500 to start. Everything else can be sourced, which will be half the fun IMHO.

The broad strokes of my plan:

Get a wreck.
Strip it, replace the entire rolling chasis (axles, trannie, t-case, engine, and frame)
Have a pro restore the body - liking ECR or David at Cooper Technica
Get her running in a ST style and then decide if I want to wheel her or not.

I found a guy here in Chicagoland that did just that and had a really cool site, but I can't find it anymore. He did a really nice job as well.

EwS
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2708
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 09:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Okay..... I tried posting this Saturday, and Sunday, seems to be having a bit of posting issues... Let me try this in parts:

PT1:
For $1500 or less, it's gonna be non-running parts truck, but, if you're gonna be replacing *everything* anyway, you're right, you want to keep the initial price down.

Are you planning on rebuilding the engine, etc., yourself (or have 'em done locally), or, are you already planning to just go with "new" (ie, nice remanufactured ones) and bolt 'em in, and then have the old stuff to rebuild at lesiure?

A bit of advice: just replace the doors, don't bother trying to rebuild the door-frames then skinning them. The cost of the labor involved, even if you do it yourself, isn't worth it...

Let's see.... if you're going soft-top, and the rolling chassis is gonna be all new...

You'll need a rear tub, a bulkhead, a breakfast, wings, a seatbox, and a bonnet. Yeah, there's lots of little bits that having a truck to scavenge off of would be helpful, like the engine mount brackets or the steering column or the dash gages, but, there are lots of BBS and folks with parts trucks that can supply a lot of those things....

Actually, there's not anything that *really* needs to be sent off, depending... you can find a bonnet easily enough, and, there are lots of breakfasts floating around that a little sandblasting and welding would have in tip-top shape. The wings, well, you can buy new SIII wings cheap enough and swap the IIA front-panel into it. The rear tub, you can buy new sides, flooring, and get it into shape easily enough. Just cut off all the cappings, have them galvanized, then rivet 'em back on... Oh, a tailgate, those are available new.

Basically, you need to find a vehicle with a shot frame (which will mean the bulkhead will be bad, too), but has a good rear tub and wings.

The bulkhead, well... it's the part that would make the difference between a $500 truck and a $1500 truck, all else the same....

It'd sure be a project, that's for sure...
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2709
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 09:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

PT2:

Another thought....

You could spend $4k and get a solid running truck. Something that you can strip and sand, paint it well, put a new interior in it, and have a good vehicle for a lot less money or effort... Just a possibility.....

Do you *have* to have a LHD? If you really want a LHD, they're out there, you can find one if you're patient enough, but, a RHD is usually easier to find. Don't get a RHD and convert it, that's more trouble than it's worth, it'd be better to hold out and get what you want, but....

RHD vehicles are a bit easier to work on, you've got a little more room behind the wheel, it's easier to reach the 4x4 levers, and, it's a lot of fun to have the dog sitting in the LH side while driving down the road.... :-)

Anyway, I know of some solid trucks, but, they're mostly RHD $4k+ ones.... At the moment, I can't think of any off-hand that are that bad off to be a sub-$2k truck...

I'll check around though, I might find something, we'll see....

Oh, ask Ike Goss, he might have something tucked away that would do what you need.... or, know of where such is.... or, Ron Brown, maybe...

FWIW....

-L
 

Javier Velador (Jvelador)
Member
Username: Jvelador

Post Number: 164
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - 04:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

You forgot the added bonus of a RHD Series... your feet don't get as hot :-)

At this point, I don't want to pay a premium for a frame if I can get a decent one locally. Since it's a running restoration project, I'm not in as big a hurry.

Thanks for the info, though, Eric.

Javier
 

Gary Grey (All4s)
New Member
Username: All4s

Post Number: 16
Registered: 08-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I have a frame email me
gary
 

eric w siepmann (Cdn001)
New Member
Username: Cdn001

Post Number: 35
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 08:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Leslie,

I actually was looking through the RN catalogue with your points in mind. It will be an expensive endeavor. Looks like it would cost around 30k plus in parts to replace everything. I was thinking a soft-top would be cherry in the summer.

Maybe a 4-5k rover is the way to go here.

I hope to do everything myself except the painting. I want a pro job there.

What have you done to your series? I keep running across these odd ball sights with horrendous advice and rebuilds. There was one sight abouty a guy in chicago that did a real nice job and all himself but I can't find it! He used a new fram and an ex-mod long block with a turner head. The only series I have seen in Chicago was an Ex-mod 109 awhile back.

I love series 2's. One of the most beautiful trucks every made. Still looking and hopefully will have enough capital to pounce this spring.

Thanks for your advice and experience,

EwS
 

Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
Dweb Lounge Member
Username: Leslie

Post Number: 2775
Registered: 02-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 10:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Eric,

When I first was bitten by the Series bug while I was a broke undergrad (as opposed to now, a broke guy with a lot of student loans, lol...), I'd sit make make lists of bits needed from the RN catalog, thinking that somehow I could build a Series cheaper than a Defender would cost to buy..... I'd usually give up once I crossed the $30k mark, which was invariably every time... to buy everything new, it's expensive.

If you can find a decent, *complete* vehicle, perhaps getting it cheap because it needs a chassis, then you can use as much as possible, and replace what you *have* to replace.....


What have I done to my Series? lol...... I ripped it apart. Literally.... Pulled the hard-top off, pulled the wings off, took the engine and transmission out as a unit and set it on a pallet, junked the doors, removed the rear tub and the seat box, got the axles out from under it, hacked the rusted bits of the old chassis up and tossed them into the scrap bin.....

I wire-brushed the axles off and painted 'em, bolted them under a new galvanized chassis with parabolics, put the engine/transmission back in on new mounts, painted the engine, ran a new rear wiring harness, ran new brake lines, ran a new exhaust...

I've cut out one of the footwells of my bulkhead, had the entire thing sandblasted, along with the breakfast, stripped the rear tub (well, a replacement rear tub, given that the original was eaten up with a LOT of corrosion), and stripped the wings, too. I've also undercoated the tub, and put it back onto the chassis.

I'm now to the point that:
a) I need to weld up the replacement bits into the bulkhead and reinstall it
b) I need to sand/prime/paint the doors/wings/tub/bonnet/etc.
c) I need to run the front wiring harness, and start assembling the dash/pedals/heater/steering/etc.
d) and so on and so forth......

A lot done, a lot left to do....



Anyway......


Look at www.bayourovers.com and see what all Jim's done. Hang out here and at Art's Guns and Rovers board.... ask lots of questions....


The long and short of it is, Series Land Rovers aren't about practicality, they're about passion. You can't justify one, honestly, an old Ford pickup makes as much sense, if not more so. But, there's something about Land Rovers that'll hook ya... and if the Rover bug's bit, then, you do your best to cope with the disease.... :-)



-L


Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration