The evolution of L200 NB

[nickburt]

2004 Mits L200 Warrior.

Bought at 6 months old in Feb '05 as a family tow car and for a bit of green laning.

This was how it looked in Mar '05, just two weeks after we bought it.

Over the years it's been somewhat modified. I dread to thnk what it's cost, both in mods and adding kit as well as rebuilds of one sort or another.

There's still mods going on, but this is it on a trip last June:

For now, here's a link to a photo album of some of it's life. The phot album is a work in progress and (hopefully) will be added into a web site about the truck (if I ever get the time).

 

[nickburt]

Just found a picture of it in 2010 that I'd forgotten about. There's a green lane called Walna Scar Road in the UK's Lake District that is considered by many as one of the best tracks in the country, climbing over a fantastically scenicmountain pass.
The track was closed as a vehicular right of way for many years, but an appeal resulted in it being re-opened in 2010. Unfortunately, the appeal was over turned later the same year and the track is now permanently closed to vehicles.
During the few months it was open in 2010, a couple of us from the L200 Owners Club took the oportunity to drive it one summer evening. We were not disapointed by the views.
Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have (at the moment) of that trip, but it's a great shot of the truck in what's known as the "Scar Gate" just before the summit.

 

[nwoods]

Very cool! Bummer about the trail.

 

[nickburt]

Very cool! Bummer about the trail.

Thanks, and yes, more and more here in the UK are getting closed.

Love the SmugMug website - some great photography on there.

 

[nickburt]

Been doing some work on it over the holiday - total front suspension and steering rebuild - all new bushes, ball joints, steering box etc...

Drivers side with new steering box fitted

Passenger side with all stripped out

Pile of bits, some new, some existing to be cleaned up

Think these poly bushes (SuperPro) were ready for swap out (120,000 miles of hard use) - yet little movement could be found before strip out.

Wishbones etc... cleaned & painted up ready for refit

 

[nickburt]

Found an old photo from June 2011 - the OME suspension getting a bit of exercise

 

[nickburt]

New (to me) rear bumper being fitted up - a few mods to do to it.
Swing away locking handles don't work with an adjustable height slider fitted, so need reversing.
Rear number plate panel to be removed to make way for a rear winch tucked in behind the bumper.

Also got hold of another roof tent just before Christmas, so it's now going to be a 2 bedroom L200

 

[nickburt]

Found another old picture, this time from July 2005 ............ how shiney :ylsmoke:

 

[Sabre]

That's a very smart looking L200; we here in the States are envious! :drool:

It's very cool to see its evolution from a mild greenlaner to a serious expedition truck. Well done! :luxhello:

SmugMug is indeed amazing. Did you know that it's owned by the same fellow who created Adventure Rider?

 

[nickburt]

Thanks for the comments. It's been a work in progress and change for 8 or so years now.
Not sure what to do next, except go on enjoying the use of it.

 

[haven]

Here's a link to the L200 Owners Club that nickbert mentioned
http://www.l200.org.uk/

 

[nickburt]

Here's a link to the L200 Owners Club that nickbert mentioned
http://www.l200.org.uk/

Thanks - should have added it to my signature - now done

 

[nickburt]

Front end rebuild still ongoing (don't seem to get as much time per day as I'd like !!!

Quick tot up, (rounded up/down to nearest £1) - think I've remembered everything

SuperPro bushes (kit)	TBR (discounted - should have cost - £200)	£160
Bottom ball joints (pr)	Mitzybitz	£28
Top ball joints (pr)	Mitzybitz	£26
Wheel brgs (pr)	Milners	£24
Wheel brg seal (pr)	Mits	£32
Upright knuckle seal (pr)	Mits	£32
Upright needle roller brg (pr)	Milners	£24
Lower wishbone rear bush bolt (pr)	Mits	£20
Steering Box (recon)	L200 Owners Club	£250
Pitman arm for steering box	Milners	£18
Idler arm	Milners	£53
Track rod end kit (pr)	Milners	£64
Black Diamond drilled & grooved discs (pr)	Crest Motorsport	£147
EBC Greenstuff pads (set)	RiceRocketUK	£74
Bump stops, upper wishbone (2pr)	Milners	£24
Front drive shafts (pr)	Milners	£293
Consumables (grease, brake cleaner etc...)		£15
Grand total		£1284

Not yet accounted for:
2No BFG ATs (275/70x16) - approx £180 each
Tracking and camber checks

 

[JamesW]

Thats a really nice L200 I must say. Have you looked into the GKN overdrives you can get to make up for them being very low geared for cruising,it might save you a lot of money if you're doing big milage of just cruising.

The back bumper is mad too,where did you get that?

 

[nickburt]

Thats a really nice L200 I must say. Have you looked into the GKN overdrives you can get to make up for them being very low geared for cruising,it might save you a lot of money if you're doing big milage of just cruising.

The back bumper is mad too,where did you get that?

Thanks for the comments.
I have a GKN overdrive, but it's in need of a refurb, so not fitted at the moment. It whines a bit and keeps breaking the speedo cable extension - although there is a company who is supposed to be make a modified version - stilll waiting though !!
The GKN is great for motorway work, it drops the revs from 3000 to just over 2000 at 70 mph.
GKN stopped making the L200 version of the overdrive several years ago. Subsequently, all their stock was taken over by another company, who only seem interested in selling new ones and not doing refurbs of old ones!

The back bumper was picked up secondhand off another club member. It's an ARB - quite a rare version though.