By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 10:49 am: Edit

Ok, I am showing my ignorance here. I can identify a Series I, but have no idea how to tell a II from a IIA or a III. Anyone care to elaborate?

By Ron on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:08 am: Edit

Series II:

Usually had amber side indicators rather than clear. Early non US only running lights no turn signals (optional). Vent actuators were knobs rather than levers in the SIIa. Horn button was on a stalk rather than in the center of the steering wheel and the turn signal was a white lever on the dash rather than a stalk. Very early SWB ones had the 2L petrol (early 58 88s) like the SI and all SII diesel were 2L rather than 2.25 (same block though so tough to tell unless you know what you are looking at). SII and early early IIa have a "starfish" water pump. Gearbox and T-case had different ratios in SII. SII had flat front apron panels with a galvanized strip in front rather than the later flat w/o galvanized strip or curved front. Other minor detail differences (brackets, metal thickness) also you can check date codes on everything if you are picky (wheels, rads etc although these all can be swapped). Another easy way to tell is that SII have the steering arms on top of the axle rather than underneeth.

SIIa:

62-69 basically an SII but without the detail differences mentioned above.

67 on you get only one wiper motor. Also NADA 6 becomes available

Late Series IIA 69ish-1971 lights move out to the wings, first of these called bugeyes have no surround just lights cut into the fender and a somewhat unique metal grill. After that you get the full trim on the wing lights and a differnt metal grill. Interior panels come in around this time.

SIII plastic grill, more car like interior plastic, syncro tranny on all forward gears (very very late IIa also had this tranny).

Cheers
Ron

PS I like the SII if you could not tell, if anyone has unique SII parts they want to sell and go to a good home give me a shout as I try to save them and pass them to those in need.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:15 am: Edit

I'm not as aware of the Series II to IIA differences. I think most of the differences are on the dash, steering linkages, and under the hood

Early IIA has head lights on the grill (inside the wings) and turn & driving lights on the wings. Transitional and late IIA's still have the metal grill, but lights are on the wings. III has plastic grill, lights on the wings, and a plastic dash.

There are more differences, but that's a rudimentary start.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:16 am: Edit

Oh, and Ron's full of it. Early IIA's are the better truck... ;-)

By Ron on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:26 am: Edit

Early IIA's are the better truck...

Ya sure, thats what they all say. Jeff is right as parts are a bit harder to find for the SII and the SIIa tranny is a smidge tougher not to mention the 2L Diesel being a complete dog (two of the last runners in the world were in my friends two trucks and both died within a month this year), but overall build quality was a bit higher in the SII and some metal was thicker which does help out and the wierd turnsignal is way cool.

Ron

Will trade SIIa parts and cash for SII parts

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 11:39 am: Edit

Just being a PITA.

All else being equal, I love the box on wheels look of the Series I. The IIA is nice because of parts availability. That being said, the III will have support in, especially in the UK, for a long time to come.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 12:45 pm: Edit

Axel,

Go here: http://www.fourfold.org/LR_FAQ/FAQ.2.Ident.LR.html

That should be a good start for ya...

Oh, and for the pics: http://www.ovlr.org/LRtypes.html

Or better, go to the beginning: http://www.off-road.com/LR_FAQ/


-L

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 01:37 pm: Edit

Thanks, some good info there. I always liked series Rovers, ever since I saw Daktari as a kid....

By Aardvark on Tuesday, September 04, 2001 - 04:13 pm: Edit

Couple other differences on the SII versus others.

Sills are wider on sII (if you still have yours on-mine came off a while ago.)

Engine bearing are narower on the SII engine Unoptainable stateside, but can still be sourced in England.

But no matter what Series you have-all are a blast!

By Anonymous on Thursday, September 13, 2001 - 11:35 am: Edit

Best way is from the chassis number. Quoting direct from the Series II Club website....

The easiest way is the chassis number as the Series Two had a nine digit number that included the year of manufacture as the forth digit. Series Two chassis numbers started with a 1. Series IIa chassis numbers start with a 2, and comprise of 8 digits.

141 0 02546 is a Series Two, 88” petrol, 1960 build, car 2546.

241 02546a is a Series IIa, 88” petrol, 2546th built since start of IIa production.

HTH

Stig