Where to Find series III

[TeriAnn]

whats the extra panel on the roof I have seen this alot but Unless I am mistaken its dose not look factory. Is it to help with leaks of the make the roof stiffer for cargo??

The sun or Safari roof has been described but not all that well. The aluminum sheet is held off the roof by insulating plastic posts to keep the heat from being conducted down onto the roof sheet metal.

Most, but not all, come with roof vents. Think how a closed up car heats up inside when sitting in the sun. With the top and scuttle vents open the hot air rises out the top roof vents to be replaced by cooler air coming in from the scuttle vents. So it helps keep hot air from building up inside the parked LR. It still gets hot but not as hot.

Meanwhile, I'm on the side waiting for the thread of what to do after you purchase a used Series LR to make sure it is in decent reliable shape.

 

[Lynn]

You know, I was driving to work this AM past the LandRover and Jaguar repair place on Research at about Oak Knoll, and thought, hmmm.

Have you checked with the local dealers and repair shops to see if they know of any 'project rigs' that are available?

Just a thought.

 

[TexasTJ]

I just found this one in Round Rock, Im going to try to swing by and see it after work!

http://austin.craigslist.org/car/680995926.html

 

[Lynn]

I just found this one in Round Rock, Im going to try to swing by and see it after work!

Dang! I bet I can get up there over lunch!

Just kidding.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Thanks for the great info guy.
Im not wanting to Modify this truck I want it to me stock as I can make it. Having driven a lifted Tj all over the Country Im not wanting to get in to all the extra stress a lift and bigger tires will bring in to the Mix!
Alaska Mike I have Driven a couple of Defenders, but there a little out of my price range. I know they rid a little better than the Series Rovers. but I really like the over all size and utility. I know I'm looking in to a Project that will take a couple of year and cost alot to to get rollin, but I am fine with that and can put in the time and the money over the next two years to do the project out right. Having never driven a Series Rover I will try and hunt a friend down to get some wheel time in and make sure what I'm getting into. Hell if I have 8 grand to spend instead of 5 there a nice 109 in austin ready to go now! Might need to hold of and put a little more money in the rover fund.

I am not beyond selling my Tj to cover the restoration but would prefer not to.

Let's look at your stated goals for the vehicle:
"Im now wanting a truck that I can make some long halls in (mostly in Mexico and the Western US)."

That's what I keyed in on. You're talking about an engine (2.25L) that gets 70HP@4000RPM (the V6 is not much better, and has its own issues). A Rover is not a light vehicle (4500-6000lbs is what I hear most often) and has all of the aerodynamics of a flying brick. With a good tailwind, your average Series Rover (non-overdrive, stock gearing) will probably be able to just make 55-65MPH on a flat highway. Add a really tired engine and that becomes a problem. They were designed for off-road travel, not sustained modern highway speeds.

For a NAS vehicle, we're talking about a 35 year old rig that was probably used for off-road or agricultural use sometime during it's lifetime. Since Land Rover was absent from the North American market for a couple decades and parts availability was through a few importers at that time, you can expect there may be some systems that were not maintained during that period unless the owner was dedicated to keeping the vehicle running in top form. They leak oil. A lot. The common saying is that if they don't leak, they're empty. They rattle. They don't seal well. The Prince of Darkness. The list of negatives goes on and on...

So why buy one? I think you know. That mystique is a powerful thing. There's a suprising amount of interior room for such a small vehicle (7 passenger seats in an 88). The history of the marque is certainly a draw, and heads will certainly turn as you drive by. You can fix pretty much anything on it with basic hand tools. There's little that isn't known about them, and you can get pretty much any part for them. I think the description of travel at 4x4freedom.com (http://www.4x4freedom.com/eore.htm) pretty much sums up the stock Series experience for me. TeriAnn's and other sites flesh out much of the rest for me.

Stock or modified is up to you. It's going to require a bit of wrenching either way.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Lynn]

Did you happen to notice this thread?

Interesting coincidence.

 

[Series1Rangie]

Make sure you actually get in and try to drive. if you have a 32'"+ inseam or a long torso, you may have some visibility issues. the s111 have a better designed seat and seat back to accommodate this, but if you are used to your jeep or other american trucks where you and your 10 gallon hat fit, the rover is a bit of a change. also, the outside knee in the top of the door is always comfy after oh 20min or so.

All that being said. I LOVE rovers. They have ALWAYS gotten me where I was going. Almost always late but hey thats part of the fun.

With overdrive 75 on the highway is not unheard of. 'course if you are on an expedition hopefully your not in that much of a hurry. just avoid a s1 disel. slowest vehicle i have ever driven. edit second slowest there was a 2dr ford falcon with 3 on the tree that was pretty slow.

As far as parts go, keep your eyes out for deals, and look here for great info on purchasing and maintaining your ride. http://www.fourfold.org/LR_FAQ/ I believe some of the members on Expo now contributed to the FAQ

Best of luck, its not a vehicle its a lifestyle choice.

Mike

 

[TeriAnn]

A Rover is not a light vehicle (4500-6000lbs is what I hear most often)

My 109 Dormobile is very heavy for a Land Rover, an old winch that weighs over 150 lbs, Salisbury (dana 60) in the rear,lots of internal fixtures including 2 kitchen sinks, 3 fuel tanks, a stainless steel built in water tank, & a 5 gallon built in propane tank, heavy BFG 255/85R16 MT tyres, & more. With three tanks full of fuel, the water tank full, refrigerator fully stocked and all the camping gear loaded, she comes in at 5790 pounds. Its about as heavy a Land Rover as you will see that isn't lugging around an old 6 or 8 cyl cast iron diesel engine.

Here are the factory specs for Series III Land Rovers. These are standard models, wet with 5 gallons of fuel:

88 regular = 2953 lbs
88 diesel = 3097 lbs
88 station wagon trim = 3281
(pretty much all SIII sold in the US were station wagon trim)

109 two door = 3301 lbs
109 two door diesel = 3471
109 5 door station wagon = 3752

Consider those base weights before you start adding accessories, armor, gear & other do-dads.

and has all of the aerodynamics of a flying brick.

Old style Minis were often referred to as flying bricks. Maybe best quoted as the aerodynamics of a bread truck. Bread trucks don't go as fast as flying bricks.

With a good tailwind, your average Series Rover (non-overdrive, stock gearing) will probably be able to just make 55-65MPH on a flat highway.

Series Land Rovers are geared to cruise highways at 55 MPH. 50-55 keeps the engine RPM in the low mid 3000 RPM range where the engine is quite happy. If you get a Series Land Rover, figure you have a 50-55 MPH cruise vehicle that wants long freeway on ramps. If you can't live with that you either need an engine transplant or a different vehicle.

You can go 65 but the engine is turning in the high 3000 RPM's isn't providing the best fuel economy and the body is providing a lot of wind resistance. The taller gears of an overdrive can get you up to around 75 MPH, but the engine has a much harder time pushing the taller gear and of course the wind resistance is a lot higher.

I once drove my Land Rover from California to New York in a hurry (SIII petrol 2.25L engine). It was doing 65 or 70 on the interstate when conditions permitted in fourth over. The accelerator pedal was on the floor to drive at those speeds. It is doable in the flat lands without headwinds but I went through a lot of fuel maintaining that speed.

Series Land Rovers are not for people who like modern cars. Drivers need not apply. They should go on to a newer coiler of some kind.

Series Land Rovers are more for people who feel a need to participate in classic motoring. Where the experience of just getting from point A to point B is important. It also helps to have a slight masochistic streak in your personality

Driving one is not a spectator experience. You participate in classic motoring and the experience has more in kin with that of driving an early 1920's vehicle than a new truck. They are under powered, loud, the steering can become an important part of your daily fitness programme, the suspension can range from semi modern truck like with parabolic springs to buckboard like with old leaf springs that have their leaves rusted together.

You experience the environment that you are traveling though. When the trail gets rough you feel it, when its hot outside, it is hot inside, when its cold outside you are cold inside (unless you have good seals, body insulation, high temp thermostat & Kodiak heater), when it rains outside you get wet and when its dusty outside you get dusty.

Driving a Series Land Rover is a participant's activity where you experience the terrain you are driving though, and you can never be in a hurry. It is best to plan stops at every rest station and scenic lookout so you can stretch your legs and smell the local roses.

If you consider yourself a driver who needs to push the envelope in complete comfort this is not your vehicle. A series Land Rover is more for motorists who wish to participate in act of traveling, the world that you travel through and are seldom in a hurry.

 

[stevenmd]

Series Land Rovers are not for people who like modern cars. Drivers need not apply. They should go on to a newer coiler of some kind.

Series Land Rovers are more for people who feel a need to participate in classic motoring. Where the experience of just getting from point A to point B is important. It also helps to have a slight masochistic streak in your personality

Driving one is not a spectator experience. You participate in classic motoring and the experience has more in kin with that of driving an early 1920's vehicle than a new truck. They are under powered, loud, the steering can become an important part of your daily fitness programme, the suspension can range from semi modern truck like with parabolic springs to buckboard like with old leaf springs that have their leaves rusted together.

You experience the environment that you are traveling though. When the trail gets rough you feel it, when its hot outside, it is hot inside, when its cold outside you are cold inside (unless you have good seals, body insulation, high temp thermostat & Kodiak heater), when it rains outside you get wet and when its dusty outside you get dusty.

Driving a Series Land Rover is a participant's activity where you experience the terrain you are driving though, and you can never be in a hurry. It is best to plan stops at every rest station and scenic lookout so you can stretch your legs and smell the local roses.

If you consider yourself a driver who needs to push the envelope in complete comfort this is not your vehicle. A series Land Rover is more for motorists who wish to participate in act of traveling, the world that you travel through and are seldom in a hurry.

I got goose bumps reading this part. This is exactly why I want a 109 (or 110 will do too).

 

[Series1Rangie]

Series Land Rovers are more for people who feel a need to participate in classic motoring. Where the experience of just getting from point A to point B is important. It also helps to have a slight masochistic streak in your personality

Driving one is not a spectator experience. You participate in classic motoring and the experience has more in kin with that of driving an early 1920's vehicle than a new truck. They are under powered, loud, the steering can become an important part of your daily fitness programme, the suspension can range from semi modern truck like with parabolic springs to buckboard like with old leaf springs that have their leaves rusted together.

You experience the environment that you are traveling though. When the trail gets rough you feel it, when its hot outside, it is hot inside, when its cold outside you are cold inside (unless you have good seals, body insulation, high temp thermostat & Kodiak heater), when it rains outside you get wet and when its dusty outside you get dusty.

Driving a Series Land Rover is a participant's activity where you experience the terrain you are driving though, and you can never be in a hurry. It is best to plan stops at every rest station and scenic lookout so you can stretch your legs and smell the local roses.

If you consider yourself a driver who needs to push the envelope in complete comfort this is not your vehicle. A series Land Rover is more for motorists who wish to participate in act of traveling, the world that you travel through and are seldom in a hurry.

Hallelujah

That is rovering all of them, including the coilers, i may be faster (slightly) but in all else it is true.

This is not a spectator sport.

MIke

 

[Alaska Mike]

88 regular = 2953 lbs
88 diesel = 3097 lbs
88 station wagon trim = 3281
(pretty much all SIII sold in the US were station wagon trim)

109 two door = 3301 lbs
109 two door diesel = 3471
109 5 door station wagon = 3752

Consider those base weights before you start adding accessories, armor, gear & other do-dads.

Thanks for the correction. I must have been looking at max GVWR or something. Still, it isn't a Geo Metro (thank goodness).

Old style Minis were often referred to as flying bricks. Maybe best quoted as the aerodynamics of a bread truck. Bread trucks don't go as fast as flying bricks.

I was being kind.

Series Land Rovers are geared to cruise highways at 55 MPH. 50-55 keeps the engine RPM in the low mid 3000 RPM range where the engine is quite happy. If you get a Series Land Rover, figure you have a 50-55 MPH cruise vehicle that wants long freeway on ramps. If you can't live with that you either need an engine transplant or a different vehicle.

You can go 65 but the engine is turning in the high 3000 RPM's isn't providing the best fuel economy and the body is providing a lot of wind resistance. The taller gears of an overdrive can get you up to around 75 MPH, but the engine has a much harder time pushing the taller gear and of course the wind resistance is a lot higher.

Since most Series are getting a little long in the tooth, there is a greater chance for the engine to be tired. That's what I was getting at. My friend's SIII 88 only gets above 45MPH when it's being towed. Mashing the pedal to the floor makes it louder, but not much faster. A fresh engine would help, but not to the degree required by busy freeways. A fun little putt-putt off road, but not a race winner. The added maintenance requirements and the relative expense for parts (North America) make engine swaps look a little more interesting to those into long-distance travel. Of course, if practicality was an issue, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Series Land Rovers are not for people who like modern cars. Drivers need not apply. They should go on to a newer coiler of some kind.

Series Land Rovers are more for people who feel a need to participate in classic motoring. Where the experience of just getting from point A to point B is important. It also helps to have a slight masochistic streak in your personality

Driving one is not a spectator experience. You participate in classic motoring and the experience has more in kin with that of driving an early 1920's vehicle than a new truck. They are under powered, loud, the steering can become an important part of your daily fitness programme, the suspension can range from semi modern truck like with parabolic springs to buckboard like with old leaf springs that have their leaves rusted together.

You experience the environment that you are traveling though. When the trail gets rough you feel it, when its hot outside, it is hot inside, when its cold outside you are cold inside (unless you have good seals, body insulation, high temp thermostat & Kodiak heater), when it rains outside you get wet and when its dusty outside you get dusty.

Driving a Series Land Rover is a participant's activity where you experience the terrain you are driving though, and you can never be in a hurry. It is best to plan stops at every rest station and scenic lookout so you can stretch your legs and smell the local roses.

If you consider yourself a driver who needs to push the envelope in complete comfort this is not your vehicle. A series Land Rover is more for motorists who wish to participate in act of traveling, the world that you travel through and are seldom in a hurry.

I agree 100%.

 

[TeriAnn]

Hallelujah

That is rovering all of them, including the coilers, i may be faster (slightly) but in all else it is true.

So you are telling me that a coil spring Range Rover, with air conditioning, better door seals, body insulation, pollen filter on the cabin air intake, optional heated seats (?), electric seats, electric roll up windows, wiper blades on the headlamps, jillion speaker sound system, power steering, 4 wheel disc brakes and mega plush everything provides essentially the same experience as driving a stockish Series Land Rover except they are faster?????

I don't mean to be starting a green oval vs black oval ruckus but there is a reason I coined the term "Plushmobile" back around 1994. And I have a problem conceptualizing the idea that a Range Rover provides the same driving experience as a 40-45 year old Series Land Rover. I guess I need a more ehansed version of imagination.

I would have guessed that a P38 or LR3 or even a Range Rover Classic would provide a few more environmental comforts than a SIIA. I would have thought the plushies were just that and provides a smoother more comfortable ride.

 

[gjackson]

I guess I need a more ehansed version of imagination.

Don't forget that the first Range Rovers had none of what you mentioned save the 4 wheel disks. The seats were vinyl. We had one in RSA and while it was not the same to drive as our Series III, it still had a lot of classic Land Rover about it. IMO when the first Rangie popped out of the oven, it wasn't very plush.

cheers

 

[Martyn]

Don't forget that the first Range Rovers had none of what you mentioned save the 4 wheel disks. The seats were vinyl. We had one in RSA and while it was not the same to drive as our Series III, it still had a lot of classic Land Rover about it. IMO when the first Rangie popped out of the oven, it wasn't very plush.

cheers

Graham

I'd agree with you on that one 100%. Sort of like sophisticated farm machinery.

 

[TeriAnn]

Don't forget that the first Range Rovers had none of what you mentioned save the 4 wheel disks. The seats were vinyl. We had one in RSA and while it was not the same to drive as our Series III, it still had a lot of classic Land Rover about it. IMO when the first Rangie popped out of the oven, it wasn't very plush.

If I were go get a not Defender coiler, I would look for an early 2 door range Rover Classic with hand crank windows. I hitched a ride in one for some greenlaning in Surry. Except being a bit wide it seemed OK. It kind of reminded me of riding in a Bronco. The Rangies imported to the US starting around '89 appear to be a whole lot more refined. Please don't get me wrong. I mean no negative connotations on the concept of refined. Just different.

The only other Land Rover coiler I have ridden in was an early US spec D90 that was the poster child for Safari Guard parts.

If I were to ever get a second Land Rover product I would want to build it from a pile of parts. Start with a rolling 101 forward control frame, lengthened to a 120" or so wheelbase, convert to a 6 cylinder in line turbo diesel, one of the newer six speed gearboxes, a widened Series IIB cab and a custom pop up camper back end. Anyone's guess if I would fit a slide out in the rear side but you could bet there would be an inside shower and interior heater.

When I was a girl, my peers and I fantasized about homes they would like to live in when they grew up. My fantasy was a modern gypsy wagon with polished wood beams, some gingerbread scroll work, bright paint, a small wood burning stove. A pair of draft mules up front, a chicken coupe with a couple hens on one side, a planter with some herbs growing on the other side and a small milk cow tied on behind.

I think if I had a way to make a decent living, I could have been happy roaming BLM land in a modern gypsy wagon. But somehow I keep coming up with less self sufficient variations on my early theme.