Defender Series IIa - advice

[c2R]

Firstly I'd just like to say hello to everyone - I'm new here, though you'd probably already gathered this!

I'm looking for a bit of advice really...

...at the moment, I don't own any Land Rover at all - however, I'm saving up the pennies to buy one as a second vehicle. I've got a friend thats got a Defender 90, and it is an excellent vehicle to drive, both off-road and about the countryside. But then, you already knew that!

I'm thinking of getting a diesel Series IIa with LWB; and what I really want to know is this

- what do I look for on buying one?
- what sort of price am I looking at paying for one in reasonable condition?
- are they available in LHD?
- I've heard about long range fuel tanks - what is their capacity, and are they easy to obtain/fit

If anyone could answer these for me, and/or point me in the direction of a lengthy FAQ on everything I'd be much obliged!

Many thanks,
Chris.

[andyb]

If anyone could answer these for me, and/or point me in the direction of a lengthy FAQ on everything I'd be much obliged!

There is an LR FAQ here.

HTH

[Lighting90]

Right, simple areas to look, bulkhead, at the top esp, near the front corners. The chassis needs to be checked, and then the normal mechanical checks on the engine, gear box and transfer box.
It depends how much you can do yourself and what condition you wish to buy it in. If you are a master whizz at welding, then chassis is not such a problem, but the mechinicals might be, likewise if you are mechanically minded, then the chassis must be perfect, even if the engine sounds a bit lumpy...
With regard to prices, I always look through the magazines, both at the private sales and the garage sales, that then gives you an idea of the costs from one extreme to the other.
LHD is no problem, esp if you go for an ex military landie, and then that would most likely have the long range tanks fitted, though you could ask in the military forum section.
Buying additional tanks would not be a problem, you just need to know where the ones are fitted on the one you buy, either under the seats or at the rear. Then you can buy the other one to fill the empty space. See Paddocks or DLS for getting a rough idea of prices.

You should have in mind what you want to use the vehicle for before you go looking, as that also has a bearing on the condition. Some bits you might want to change, for instance.
Hope it is of help

[ROB 110 HICAP]

Out of interest, why are you after LHD? Planning a long trip abroad? LHD usually affects insurance rates and must be declared.

Rear cross members, outriggers and foot wells are other rust zones, take something small and hard (don't get excited) and give all rusty looking or freshly painted chassis components a good bang.
Give propshafts a shake to check for bearing play.
Turn the steering to full lock and see if the chrome spheres are rusty or pitted allover, expect a bit though.
Springs will probably look tatty, but see if the angle of the shackles is greater than 45degrees from vertical. If so you would probably want new springs. Also does it sit square left to right or settle more to the back.

In the front of Parkers Guide there is a reasonable idiots guide to buying used with general things to check, worth a quick read before you look.

Check all gears pull in forward and reverse (many people forget) in high ratio. If low ratio works you'll be screaming the nuts off it in first and be going pretty slow and it should pull off cleanly in second low ratio.
Happy looking!

[c2R]

Originally posted by various people!

Out of interest, why are you after LHD? Planning a long trip abroad? LHD usually affects insurance rates and must be declared.

I'm actually after Left Hand Drive because I prefer them - I'm much more at home with sitting on the left of the car, and changing gear with my right hand. I've driven LHD vehicles for about twenty times the distance I've driven RHD ones; and bearing in mind I do about 25,000 miles a year, that adds up to a lot of miles.

That brings me on to the next point...

You should have in mind what you want to use the vehicle for before you go looking, as that also has a bearing on the condition

I'm currently driving a LHD Renault as my main car, and want the Land Rover as a fun/second car for summer use; and also to get me about on the couple of days every decade where it snows and 4wd is required to get to work! Therefore I'm going to be keeping the Renault, and swapping sides of the car all the time would be annoying... (and, on the plus side, my Renault won't ever have to go off roading again - I don't think it's good for it; though it does provide amusement to people in their four wheel drives down the green lanes!)

I'm also better at the mechanical side of things, and don't have a clue about welding, so I'm looking for something with good chassis, but doesn't need to be so perfect mechanically.

Thanks for all the advice this far, I'm quite lucky to have stumbled upon this group - you all seem fairly friendly, as well as very knowledgeable

My main problem is that the search this far hasn't been going well, I've been scouring dealers and the local paper, but most of the ads seem to be for swb defenders of the late 80s in RHD; can anyone recommend any good dealers/specialists that might have the sort of Land Rover I've been asking about?

A final question before I retire to bed... are there any principle differences then between ex-military Land Rovers and standard Series 2a variants? I noticed they'd got their own forum, so I'd surmised that it might be a slightly more significant difference than just a standard vehicle but owned by the army in a previous existance!

Many thanks,
Chris.

[Null Byte]

Military varients have a slightly differnt chasssis, a lower compression engine and a convoy lightinng system.

Some may be 24Volt which, although a better electrical system is flipping expensive for parts.

Oh, and the body will be trashed as pongos arn't to carefull about how they drive them.

Other than that they'll be more or less the same.

[Lighting90]

Not all are trashed, there are some good ones about...
See Da Bomb... he has quite a smart 109 and I think it cost him about £1500 or there abouts... but then Null byte is a cynic or something like that..

Try Blanchards, they might have something.. I will look up there e-mail address if you want...

[c2R]

Originally posted by Lighting90
Not all are trashed, there are some good ones about...
See Da Bomb... he has quite a smart 109 and I think it cost him about £1500 or there abouts... but then Null byte is a cynic or something like that..

Try Blanchards, they might have something.. I will look up there e-mail address if you want...

Yes please - it'd be most appreciated.

Chris.

[Lighting90]

The web site is https://www.pablanchard.co.uk/index.htm

There are others as well, I will try and find the names

Could try John Craddocks as well,

best of luck in your search

[OldFart]

I really fancy this one....

[ammiescot]

Mmmm a Carawagon wouldnt mind one of them myself

[OldFart]

Originally posted by Null Byte
Military varients have a slightly differnt chasssis, a lower compression engine and a convoy lightinng system.

Some may be 24Volt which, although a better electrical system is flipping expensive for parts.

Oh, and the body will be trashed as pongos arn't to carefull about how they drive them.

Other than that they'll be more or less the same.

More or less the same ?

Sorry have to disagree there, the MOD options offer many different variants, build is usualy better quality, and many items of heavier duty.....all in all much better value for money

[OldFart]

Carawagon is sold, and they cant get anymore


Howz about this one then :-

Restoration/rebuild project ,Series I, 80", 1950, Chassis Number R06101605, Engine Number 57103054, (1955), Runs and drives, complete with windscreen, hood and frame, good chassis, registration number AAS 661.

[Lighting90]

hmmm, tempting me are you???

[Newsreader]

Hi c2R,

You really need to think about how much you can spend on one - there are so many models / variations around that oyu need something to focus your searching.

I've never bought from dealers cos I prefer to pay less and take my chances, but I've heard people say good things about Land Rover Centre Huddersfield and they have a left-hand drive section

Also, Witham Specialist Vehicles sell off ex-MOD Landies and have some LHD 90s for sale I think.

HTH
BErnie