Romahomepete

The screw and half nut on quick release vices is always the weak point and the half nut wears and the spring blade loses its tension. They can be repaired if you know what you are doing but I was trained to keep away from quick release models. Peter

Put your request on the S1 and S2 club forums and the various facebook pages. It may seem odd that but a lot of S1s and S2s (mine included) have S3 boxes in. Peter

It involves a bit more than that. With older vehicles they may ask for proof that the vehicle exists even if it is on the database They require "proof", home market vehicles not on their database are easy but at the moment I am dealing with a 1961 vehicle first registered in 1981. Where had it been for the first 20 years? it is not ex mil nor does it appear to have been exported. Fortunately as the S2 club is involved they will accept a club inspection (we are authorised by DVLA to inspect) otherwise it would have been an inspection by SGS who only look for numbers. As said before they now require evidence (usually photographic but it can be a rubbing) of the chassis number stamped into the chassis. They are obsessd with vehicle fraud. Even without a chassis number the club can date a S2 to within 3 or 4 months due to the number of changes that were made and have been recorded in the club archive, however DVLA still require the chassis number for dating purposes. Plus their web site is contradictory which does not inspire confidence. I know from the cases that I have dealt with there are things that were accepted 12 months ago that they will not accept now. What got through in the past may not get through now. I am watching with bated breath, there is someone on facebook who is building a lightweight on a coil sprung chassis (range rover I think he said). No documents or identities for either donor vehicle and when complete he intends to sell it. The purchaser will have no chance. Peter

I am sure you could build a vehicle using Land Rover running gear and other parts and mod it to pass an IVA just like any "kit car" but DVSA say that even the last of the defenders would not pass an IVA in standard trim. Their words not mine. I have friend who builds kit cars on Suzuki Vitara running gear and he can get them through an IVA but he puts a lot of effort into the mods Peter

Imported Land Rovers unless unless you can prove the build date will be required by DVLA to have an IVA (as per new vehicles) and according to DVSA they will not pass. As I said in my last comment They interpret the rules differently each week. We used to be able to get S2 land rovers registered with DVLA without a chassis number,( they would provide us with a number to stamp in). Two and a half years ago they unilaterally decided that no chassis number then it would have to be Q and an IVA. I have posted in the military section a copy of a letter from DVLA about not being able to exchange a Q plate for an age related. Over the years we have been successful with that but it is no longer allowed On various forums people quote how successful they have been in dealing with DVLA but I am talking about what it is like now. Peter

DVLA will want a bit more than a UK VIN for an imported vehicle. They will require a NOVA certificate and if they are being awkward proof of the original export. I deal with DVLA on a weekly basis on behalf of the S2 club and the rules can be interpreted differently on each occasion Peter

My information came direct from DVSA!! They conduct the tests!!. So they must be wrong. Peter

I have it on good authority that no land rover of any description including the last defenders will pass an IVA. To register it with DVLA you will need to prove the build date and identity, they will want a VIN as that is what they use to "in their words age " a vehicle, it has to be stamped in the chassis. Within the S2 club we have had problems registering imports that left the UK as CKD kits as it is very difficult to prove a build date. The date the kit left land Rover or their agents in the UK is not accepted as the build date nor is a heritage certificate although an authenticated copy of the relevent page from Glass's check book is (if you can get the page authenticated). There is no club to support you. The S2 club is only authorised by DVLA for S2s and S3s Peter

Found the copy of the letter, This is a scan with my information removed Peter Q registration changes Nov 2017.pdf

I forgot to say I am sure that the information is on the DVLA web site and if you cannot find it then a quick phone call will generate a response from them Peter

I think I perhaps made an error in saying all car clubs. I will try to find it but as far as I know it was only sent to clubs that are authorised by DVLA under the V765 scheme to inspect vehicles. Peter

With the current climate at DVLA you are stuck with the Q plate and all that goes with it. When Qs were originally introduced it was because DVLA were not 100% certain of the age (nothing to do with availablility). Within 12 months of registering. if you were the person who registered it and you could provide documentation (not a heritage certificate) you could apply for an age related registration. However DVLA got very lax and anyone who had a Q reg who could provide the proof of age would get an age relate plate. About 2 years ago DVLA tightened this up again and decided to apply the rule to the letter (along with a few other things that affect vehicles not on their database such as no stamped in number on the chassis no registration). I have a copy of the letter that they sent out to all car clubs. They are apply ing the Q plate rule rigidly. Peter

To fit an exhaust assemble loosely and tighten from the manifold as that is the critical point. If you start anywhere else you end up putting stress on the manifold. Peter

I am sure you would be best using the standard studs and double depth brass nuts. They will always come undone in the future. If your existing studs are corroded replace them with new ones. Peter

Do you mean a nut splitter? When refitting I would use deep brass nuts, it makes it easier to get off next time. When refitting hang the whole system loosesly and start to tighten from the front Peter

The stainless system on our 58 has been on for over 30 years, the only problems so far have been the mild steel hangers. We will have to replace the mild steel joining flanges this year (I have some stainless ones ready). I reckon it has been good value. hawleys of Sheffield custom made a stainless system for our Berlingo camper and it is a superb piece of workmanship. Peter

Surely if it has a UK number plate it is already on the DVLA database. www.gov.uk/get-information-from-dvla Peter

Did you notify your insurance of the accident?

Per chance I have collected a belt driven vac pump as a spare. It is from an FX4 taxi when tthey fitted LR engines. It came with the mounting bracket. Standing at the front of the engine looking towards th bulkhead it fits on the right hand side of the engine bolting to the timing cover and the manifold. When I get it cleaned up I will take some photos. Peter

I think the main thing that killed the defender was build costs. I did the land rover tour at the end of production and it was expkained that building was very labour intensive. They compared the number of man hours yo build a defender bulkhead with the pressing costs of a range rover bulkhead. The problem seemed to be that to automate many of the procedures would require a complete redesign. I think all the other reasons for the end of production were red herrings. Peter

I find the Craddock listing interesting as it is the same as the peugeot pump that I have. Land Rover must have discovered for themselves that the butterfly valve didnt work. Looking from the front of my engine the vac pump is fitted high up on the left and the alternator high up on the right on home made brackets, as said before it is an ex mil 5 bearing diesel with double pulleys, one belt drives the alternator and the other drives the vac pump. The engine is fitted in a 58 with single line brakes and a remote in line servo. Peter

I have a Peugeot belt driven vac pump on my S2 diesel. The engine is fitted with double pulleys (being ex mil). The mounting bracket is home made. It is mounted on the opposite side to the alternator. The flappy butterfly valve thing that Rover fitted tended to seize up plus you need a vac tank for it and the often rust out. Peter

These vehicles are too early to have a VIN. It has a chassis number that should be stamped on the outside of the front dumbiron above the springhanger. The same number should be stamped on a plate fastened to the bulkhead under the dash just in front of the red lever. This plate wasnt moved to the front near the radiator until the Series 3. We have a very similar vehicle that is the same age and it has had its engine replaced with a sililar engine. We also have a 58 that started life as a petrol but gained a similar engine about 20 years ago. Peter

Tony Wood The Welding Wood on facebook makes repaiir panels for the bottom of the rad panel. They are excellent. He can also be contacted through his wife on the S2 forum. She goes by the forum name Landy Widow. Peter

Lap belts on sideways (inward facing) seats are dangerous. They can do a lot of damage to the pelvic area in an accident. (They are now not allowed in motorhomes and so are called luggage retaining straps.)