Land Rover Series 3 info?

[MrRegieRitmo]

"That's not a Land Rover! It's a Yuut!" anyone?......no?......ok sorry.

[garethj]

In my Boys Book Of Cars, it mentions a straight 6 petrol engine option. Are these common? Any good?

[Guest greenvanman]

In my Boys Book Of Cars, it mentions a straight 6 petrol engine option. Are these common? Any good?

That'll be the 2.6, I *think* that was only used in 12-seater 109" variants like my old one. Mine had been long replaced with a Perkins diesel by the time I got it, so I have no personal experience. However LR folks I hung around with at the time used to say it was generally reliable, but had all the thirst of a V8 without any of the performance.

[Marty]

I cant be alone in thinking sod the Landy, buy a Isuzu or Mitsubushi instead can I ?

[Ratdat]

I cant be alone in thinking sod the Landy, buy a Isuzu or Mitsubushi instead can I ?

Nope. I can see the attraction of owning a very early Landy on the ground of it's vintage appeal but an average series 3 as a practical vehicle.. I don't see the point. There's other vehicles out there that can do everything a Landrover does but with comfort, economy and reliabilty too. I guess it must appeal to people on the grounds of looks alone but that's lost on me I'm afraid.They certainly have character but the trade off in terms of comfort and reliability alone doesn't really make it worth it in my book. As merely an offroad play thing it would be okay but even then there are other 4x4's I'd rather have for that purpose such as a Lada Niva.

[garethj]

If I'm going to have a stupidly impractical car, it might as well be good at something, so a 109 Land Rover can carry the kids bikes, anything household that's big and I think they look good. As I said, having a toy one as a kid has probably affected my judgement badly I reckon a Lada Niva would be too small, but be just as unreliable, uncomfortable and sneered at by everyone else, same as a Land Rover.We've got a family car for usual school runs, shopping, seeing family and whatever else it does for 12000 miles a year. I use a motorbike for getting to work so I've got my fix of speed (180mph), fuel economy (48mpg) and practicality (no congestion charge, filtering through traffic)If I can sell my VW, throw half the money into an alternative and put the rest into the mortgage while still having a fairly stupid car to drive, then all boxes are ticked.I guess the criteria are for 5+ seats, a bit interesting and that's it. We've already got a 1999 Galant so another 'family' car seems a bit lacking in imagination.

[Marty]

Oh no Gareth, each to there own of course - I just feel for off roading there is actually better stuff out there than a Landy, but for driving round in something with that shite Kudos and the "paint it with a brushability and dont give a stuff if it gets dinted in the carparkability" then a Landy is probably the way to go.

[Albert Ross]

The 2625 ioev 6 cylinder was used in 109 variants and FC models, from 1967 all the way until 1979 when it was replaced by the 3528 V8 unit. The 6 was a robust unit in service, but soon got a reputation for poor reliability simply beacause the 2286 4 cylinder OHV units were even more robust. Truth is,nowadays, most of the sixes have been displaced by Perkins Diesels, and the other fact is that most 109s when the chassis snapped, had the good bits ripped out, and the rest scrapped. They are rarer for this reason, and with the 6 being an option not many buyers took up, you will be lucky to find a really good cheap one. Parts are now very difficult to find for these engines, internals are shared with the series 1 IOEV engines which were 4 cylinder. Slanted head face, and pent top pistons make for a very weird set up indeed. Best to stick with the 4 pots, and get a later 5 bearing unit from 1981 or so. Recogniseable by the russet brown colour of the block, and extra webbing at the base near the sump mounting flange.

[Guest greenvanman]

If I'm going to have a stupidly impractical car, it might as well be good at something, so a 109 Land Rover can carry the kids bikes, anything household that's big and I think they look good. As I said, having a toy one as a kid has probably affected my judgement badly I reckon a Lada Niva would be too small, but be just as unreliable, uncomfortable and sneered at by everyone else, same as a Land Rover.

I thought they looked cool too - well, they do! - but I allowed that to colour my judgement and despite many sage warnings against actually buying one, I did. The few things that a Land Rover is good at (other than breaking down, rusting and eventually snapping in half) are also covered by a host of other vehicles, this one for a start

 

 

Apologies go to Albert Ross and Maltelec and everyone else who loves Land Rovers at this point, no offence meant but I can't be objective about them after my experiences

[Albert Ross]

No offence taken. Mines a labour of love. I've had it 4 years this week, and never drivenit!!!! Nearly there with the rebuild though............chuffin thing!!!!!!

[Dead_E23]

Apologies go to Albert Ross and Maltelec and everyone else who loves Land Rovers at this point, no offence meant but I can't be objective about them after my experiences

FJ series Landcruisers command surprising amounts of respect in Land Rover circles, mostly because they're rather good. They're also pretty thin on the ground - could take a while to find a decent example.Toyota make very strong axles, and it's fairly common to see them fitted to LRs as a competition mod.

[Maltelec]

The 2.6 was available from around 1968 to about 1979 in all LWB models. The 1-ton LWB ones usually had them as standard. My mates 1-ton typically gets 14mpg at about 50mph, but then they use a forward control gearbox.Parts for these engines are rarer than the 2.25 engines, but still mostly available. They are good engines and can rev to 5400 rpm where the 2.25 is 4250 rpm.

[garethj]

I like the Landcruiser but the SWB is a bit small and I really can't remember the last time I saw a long wheelbase version

 

I'm sure getting parts for a Toyota is more difficult too. I've done the "wait 2 weeks for parts" game with the Tatras I've owned. By contrast, when I need parts for the VW I've got a selection of online places, delivery the next day and even a few parts from Halfords *shudder*

 

Are there any online catalogues of Land Rover parts so I can get an idea of prices?

[Dead_E23]

Are there any online catalogues of Land Rover parts so I can get an idea of prices?

Absolutely tons of them; you can get virtually any part for any model quick chop and double cheap. Here's one I've used

[garethj]

Time passes, I get my arse into gear and there's someone coming to buy my VW next weekend - deposit taken already This isn't shite money, but otherwise it ticks lots of boxes: V8 GR8 4 DRINKIN 4 STAR, overdrive, good chassis, free wheeling front hubs and pre '73 so road tax exempt. What do you think?http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300227112793

[MrRegieRitmo]

I'd say get this;http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/toyota-landcruiser-amazon_W0QQitemZ130232893416QQihZ003QQcategoryZ18290QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toyota-Land-Cruiser_W0QQitemZ380038954004QQihZ025QQcategoryZ18290QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-NISSAN-PATROL-GR-SLX-WHITE_W0QQitemZ220247806844QQihZ012QQcategoryZ18238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-NISSAN-PATROL-4-2D-SGX-5dr-Auto-Gr-Station-Wagon_W0QQitemZ170230630146QQihZ007QQcategoryZ18238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NISSAN-PATROL-GRANROAD-SAFARI-HI-TOP-7-SEATS-4-2-DIESEL_W0QQitemZ370061555429QQihZ024QQcategoryZ18238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-NISSAN-PATROL-GR-SGX-D-GREY_W0QQitemZ180254047385QQihZ008QQcategoryZ18238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor thishttp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1993-NISSAN-PATROL-GR-SLX-GREEN_W0QQitemZ120275462583QQihZ002QQcategoryZ18238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemor this (best of the bunch)http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-DATSUN-PATROL-LWB-GREEN_W0QQitemZ110263972154QQihZ001QQcategoryZ18308QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhow about this one for something different? Very recent too!http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nissan-Patrol-4-x-4-Commercial-Vehicle-3-litre-TD_W0QQitemZ290237574338QQihZ019QQcategoryZ108851QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemone for the brave...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Land-Cruiser-FJ-40-TOYOTA-FJ40-Landcruiser-FJ-Land-Cruiser-classic-bogger_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em122QQcategoryZ6443QQihZ004QQitemZ140242901517QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

[MrRegieRitmo]

 

FJ series Landcruisers command surprising amounts of respect in Land Rover circles, mostly because they're rather good. They're also pretty thin on the ground - could take a while to find a decent example.

 

Toyota make very strong axles, and it's fairly common to see them fitted to LRs as a competition mod.

I thought those were BJs!?

 

Google FJ & you get this rather hideous bloated contraption!

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_FJ_Cruiser

[Dead_E23]

On the other hand... (actually, that article refers to them as 40 series, so it still looks like I'm wrong). I'll leave Googling 'BJ' until later, otherwise I won't get out for my Sunday afternoon stroll.Anyway, I know nuffink about Toyotas. What I do know is that I've just spent most of the afternoon getting filthy underneath my Land Rover fitting a new exhaust ready for the MOT. I also made a proper mess of a white towel whilst getting cleaned up, so I expect there may be harsh words from SWMBO when she notices it. Can't see that coming out in the washing machine, somehow.

[garethj]

So basically, Reg, you're saying "get a Land Rover"? Reading between the lines I don't need it for this 4x4xfah nonsense, which sounds like something Arkwright would say to Granville. The white Nissan Patrol (with UN markings FTW!!1!) looks alright but otherwise old 4x4s are just a bit council estate chic for me. An old Land Rover is just a bit more honest, and should be simpler when it goes wrong.I can also get 2 adults, 3 kids and a load of pushbikes in it or on it without any problem or worry about getting the inside dirty. The only worry is that I can't fit it in my garage so mindless vandalism is a concern, but that's the case with almost any car which is bigger than my old Volkswagen.

[MrRegieRitmo]

So basically, Reg, you're saying "get a Land Rover"? Reading between the lines

My god man, however could you tell??

[Timewaster]

Googling 'BJ'

Are you sure that is wise?!

[Dead_E23]

Are you sure that is wise?!

[gtd2000]

Can't say I'd ever consider owning one. Drove them daily during the 6 years of my life when I wore green clothes to go to work.Always thought they were totally over-rated, uncomfortable, unreliable and out of date - and that was 20 years ago!I've been more impressed in a Suzuki Vitara than I ever was in in any form of Land Rover, although I did feel pretty cool driving a G101 back in '86.

[Guest greenvanman]

 

[Ross_K]

I still love the Toyota J40 (Never saw the attraction of the Land Rover myself).The FJ was the petrol version, and the BJ was the diesel.The new FJ Cruiser thing looks like a cross between a Hummer and one of those Nissan Cube things. Here's one for sale. €50000? Please... http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... ID=1048153

[Albert Ross]

I wouldn't touch that 109 V8 conversion with yours mate. Chassis looks cobbled together from a donor, and the SW never had the extended hangers from the factory, special order or not. It was always the Basic models, so avoid it like the plague.If you really want one, make one! Buy a broken chassised 109 Series 2a with a V5, put a brand new Richards Chassis underneath it, with mounts for your chosen engine, keep it tax free, and have a ball!

[garethj]

I wouldn't touch that 109 V8 conversion with yours mate. Chassis looks cobbled together from a donor, and the SW never had the extended hangers from the factory, special order or not. It was always the Basic models, so avoid it like the plague.

I think you're right. Shame really cos it's tax exempt too.

If you really want one, make one! Buy a broken chassised 109 Series 2a with a V5, put a brand new Richards Chassis underneath it, with mounts for your chosen engine, keep it tax free, and have a ball!

Hmmm, I've done the "build it from bits" thing in my youth but as a 109 is bigger than my garage there's a limit to what I can do to build my own, especially as mechanically competent mates are harder to come by then when I was 18 Other than ebay, any other ideas of places to look?

[MrRegieRitmo]

What about a Benz G Wagon? Old? check rare? check interesting? check shite? pretty much tough as nails? checkOnly problem is I can only find one on the bay & it's surprisingly expensive! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-MERCEDES-BENZ-G-WAGON_W0QQitemZ250248735638QQihZ015QQcategoryZ9855QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemCheck out that interior though!

[Albert Ross]

G wagen= steel body+British climate + Migwelder and gloves. Absolutely awful for rot in all sorts of places. Great running gear, but just not good enough I don't think. I am rebuilding my 109 in the Garden BTW, and Maltelec is doing a Forward Control in his garden, so don't bring up the "no space" excuse!

[Milford Cubicle]

Yow! They are mega-bucks for such a primitive vehicle.