| Author | Message | ||
     michael a. kerr (Ethanrover98) New Member Username: Ethanrover98 Post Number: 24 Registered: 11-2003 |
To all, My wife has kidnapped my 98 Discovery and I have no hopes of getting it back (except for maintenance and repairs) and I am interested in purchasing a Series rig to be my very own and have a few "newbie" questions. 1) Difference between Series II, IIa and IIb 2) What exactly is "Forward Control" 3) Difference in the Series III versus Series II 4) I seem to like the 88", but what advantages to the 109" 5) Did any specific years or models come stock with rear PTO's, if not is it a viable "add on" Some additional facts on me and my intended use of the truck 1) Perform my own maintence and repairs 2) Truck will be a daily driver (less than 10,000 miles per year 3) Moderate offroading several times a month any suggestions or comments would be appreciated and as always I will continue to search the archieves and current posts for more info Thanks......... | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 827 Registered: 03-2002 |
Here are a coupla places that should answer your questions and more: LR FAQ Bayou Rovers BP Have fun! | ||
| michael a. kerr (Ethanrover98) New Member Username: Ethanrover98 Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2003 |
Excellent sites............ Thanks........ | ||
| David Woo (Davidwoo) Member Username: Davidwoo Post Number: 80 Registered: 01-2003 |
Mike Smith has a nice writeup on series trucks, www.eastcoastrover.com. Awhile ago I was inspired by Bayou Jim's site to get a series truck. And can't forget Art Bitterman's site, Guns and Rovers, http://pub145.ezboard.com/bgunsandrovers | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 2820 Registered: 02-2002 |
The above links are the most pertinent ones that come to mind. But, to directly answer your questions: 1 & 2) A Series IIa is often considered the "classic" Series Rover, having several minor revisions to make it a little different than a Series II. A Series IIb is a Forward Control, which is where the driver's seat is over the front axle, with the engine under a binnicle beside the driver (like in a van). You're looking right down at the road, with no hood in front of you (er, bonnet, in Rover terms). 3) To turn a Series II into a III, LR added padding onto the dash (like a Defender dash), and syncromeshed all four gears so you don't have to double-clutch between the lower-gear ranges. Also, the last IIa and the III have their headlights out on the wings instead of on the breakfast (radiator support panel). And, the SIII grill is plastic. 4) Room for more cargo in the back. Also, leads to more leg room in the front by a bit. 5) Not year-specific, was an optional add-on, easy enough to add, if you can find one. As far as your additional items: 1) Good; you would've ended up doing so anyway. Simple vehicles to work on, great to teach someone on. 2) Lower mileage is good, you don't want to beat yourself to death. Well, keep up on preventative maintenence, and make sure you give yourself enough time to catch a ride if you're left standing on the roadside, or at least carry what you need for a roadside fix. Don't tear out of the house five minutes late for an important presentation, the Rover will almost be guaranteed to know and suffer some small niggling failure to make you further late. 3) Good, that's what they're meant for..... -L | ||
| Ken Rountree (Krountre) New Member Username: Krountre Post Number: 31 Registered: 01-2004 |
I'm a disco owner and have run across a '65 IIA that I'm interested in. It appears to have a good deal of work already done. The door post where the doors are hinged is galvenized, so I take it they have been replaced. The window frame appears to have been replaced (since there is on old one in the back of the truck) the exhaust is new and the engine looks clean. My question is that the sign says it is a 3.5L V8. Is this a stock engine for a 65? Sign also states "less than 2000 miles". Considering that it is in pretty good shape, what's it worth??? I'm thinking it must be a new engine with less than 2K on it. No up to speed on SIIAs, but love the look and can't pass up a deal if it is one. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 3105 Registered: 02-2002 |
No, a V8 is NOT stock for any '65 Land Rover. The Series III Stage One 109 from circa '79 would be the earliest Series with a V8, excluding one-off prototypes, etc. Although the Range Rover was slated for a V8 from its inception in '70, I don't know when it really first had it off the top of my head.... I'd agree, most likely it's less than 2k on the odo since the engine swap. What's it worth? Couldn't say w/ the info given. The key things to the value of a Series are the condition of the chassis, the bulkhead, and how complete it is.... It might be a $1k parts-car, it might be a decent $5k driver, or, you might be looking at someone's $25k restoration.... Need more info..... -L | ||
| Ken Rountree (Krountre) New Member Username: Krountre Post Number: 32 Registered: 01-2004 |
I'm going to call tomorrow to get more info and hopefully an appointment to look at it. I'm thinking the $5K driver category. I'm concerned about the engine swap. The metal looked pretty good, but it was dark and I'll feel better checking for rust in the daylight. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 3106 Registered: 02-2002 |
On tha chassis, check the outriggers, the front frame horns, the rear crossmember. On the bulkhead, check the footwells, the door pillars (what it sounds like you said was replaced already)..... The engine swap doesn't make it more valuable, if anything it would be less. Unless, you planned to do the same swap anyway, thus it's worth it since it's already done..... Good luck..... -L | ||
| Alex Scolnik (Alex_scolnik) Member Username: Alex_scolnik Post Number: 48 Registered: 09-2003 |
Check the bulkhead footwells really well. The previous owner of my car had disguised some fairly large holes with silicone. Good luck! Alex | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Senior Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 325 Registered: 05-2003 |
M. Kerr - My second car was a '69 IIA. I bought it at 54K miles and drove all over the Western states, to 110K miles. The two things I did was add a Rochester carb - you can get the correct one thru British Pacific(check their website) and a Fairy Overdrive - I would get the Rover Drive from Wise Owl in Canada(the same place that developed Rocky Mountain parabollic springs-which would have been the 3rd thing I would have done) The only thing that failed, consistently BTW, was the Lucas generator. It has an oilite bushing supporting the rear of the armature, with a felt pad you have to oil! O.K., that's the 4th thing I should have done...replace that 1937 generator with a good alternator. There are several write-ups on the web detailing this enormous improvement. Everything else seemed bullet-proof - even the axels! If you get it, do all the above and get some new rear axels from Great Basin Rovers, or at the very least, some new genuine's. Don't get off-brand axels, as it is difficult to attest to their quality. It may have come from some back-yard factory of a bunch of metal bangin' Pakis. | ||
| Sandy Grice (Apg) Member Username: Apg Post Number: 50 Registered: 02-2003 |
Lots of good info in the posts so far. The Series Rover can be viewed as an adult Erector Set: everything comes apart, unbolts and can be fixed readily (and cheaply) by the reasonably adept DIYer. It's never over in a Rover. As for price guidelines, a grand gets you a burnt- out hulk suitable for (profitable) parting out. $4k will get you a rough but driveable vehicle. Dings and dents from 30-40 years of use, but a daily driver nontheless. Double that and everything outta be clean and straight. Over $10k and it should be concourse-clean and bright. I've driven Rovers for over three decades. Given the prices for 10 year old Discos and 32 year old 88s, guess which one is worth more today? Cheers | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 771 Registered: 02-2003 |
Bayou Rover is most def one of the best resources I have found for teh series trucks... I had a series II for a week but had to sell it due to extinuating circumstances....... I have revived my rober obsession so its all good... | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2003 |
That site is frightening. It's like watching surgery from the turn of the century. Those poor, poor rovers..... EwS | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Senior Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 321 Registered: 08-2003 |
Eric - do you mean Bayou Rovers ? Anyone hear dueling banjo's yet ? Hey who mentioned squeeling like a pig  Jeff | ||
| eric w siepmann (Cdn001) Member Username: Cdn001 Post Number: 106 Registered: 12-2003 |
Yes! I not knocking anyone for their efforts, but damn, that site is bereft of any useful info at all. Unless you're a cheap ignorant fuck.... EwS |
