Landrover17H

I had it that the 'Grenadiers' were purely a regiment within the British Army, but wasn't sure. There's a bit more to it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenadier Anyways, a great name for a vehicle, so much so, I'm not sure why it hasn't been trademarked before. Thus the supermarket own-brand is set to be the Fusilier?

Here I can't quite see this, yes that's a big part of it, but something else is going on too. Surely Shirley, if that's all there is to it, 2.25 3MB deseasel lumps will be found just as pricey, and they're definitely not. Would I be right in saying, more were made 'original' with diesel, hence demand to set classics back to their 'original' diesel should keep prices high? Currently, those equivalent 3MB diesels fetch not much over their 'weigh-in'. But... "It'll be anything with an internal combustion engine soon, you wait." about sums it up.

i do take your point, make hay whilst the sun shines - cheap grunt still lies with the standard-swaps, and knowing very well where these land. So what? At that point, the guts from what will be a tired 10-12 year old Nissan Leaf or summint takes its place. This, or something like it, becomes the new standard-swap.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, and I'm sure that for many throwing a TDi in is the way to go. Let's not deny, if it's instant-gratification you're wanting; for quick, relatively easy and cheap, noisy grunt, the things are broadly unbeatable. But the OP did pose the question, a question left unaddressed... "fit or sh#t?" To my mind, in the short-term, ie you're thinking the next 2-3 years - I say "fit'. But the tide is turning. It'll likely take a while, and none can say when, but with a TDI, you're standing between a dog and a lamp-post. The writing is on the wall - you will be p*ssed on. it's happening now in the new car market, deseasal sales are down, the world is steering another path. This won't happen tomorrow, and because diesel will be running anything over three tons for a long time yet, diesel will aways be obtainable. You might have to go to a HGV filling-point, but you're set to get diesel even 25 years from now. So fuleling won't be too hard. Nope, that isn't the real issue... The issue is perception. Already 2.25 petrol lumps are going for premiums. As the current glut of diesel vehicles leaves our roads for the scrap-plie, the powers-that-be will quietly creep the rest away too. A TDi leaves us with the right vehicle with what is percieved to be the wrong engine. That point is set to happen far quicker than its practical reality. A TDi is thus the wrong engine, not for any reasoned or un-reasoned argument. It is wrong becuase 'they' say it is. Forget it, you don't get an opinion. Hence if you're looking long-game, it comes out again. Its replacement will get ever costly. The only question unanswered, is when. So... "fit or sh#t?" Don't forget, when the clock strikes 12, until then... "Cinders, you shall go to the ball... "

Can't tell you I like 'Landy' either. Usually written 'landy' to put emphasis on the laziness, but there it is. My point entirely, and you didn't buy an Defender then, and nor did I. This new Grenadier (Grenny?) is just another 4x4. This one priced as a pram; spec'ed for commercial users, it won't be the likes of us to buy it either, so who?

If I was to buy it'd be a 109/110 SW, but I won't be buying any. Which rather brings me round to my point. I wonder who will buy the things... it won't be trad-LR owners like myself, or those running the bulk of coilers now. It won't enter the 'pram' market on price or spec. Yet it seems they're making a vehicle for me - simple, or simpler anyway. Modern 4x4 are sold in the mum-wagon mode. If you really want a 4x4 mum-wagon, 'come-shopping-trolley', the market's full of them. Commercial users are catered for by a heap of cheaper Jap alternatives. I can't see the wallet-chavtastic running these either. They take one of LR's prams and spatter it with shonk. The market for new 4x4 divides as: 1) Commercial user running Jap offerings 2) Prams at varying price points. 3) Wallet-chavs looking for drug-dealer cool? Who's left? The Grenadier is akin to the Santana PS10, in that it was a 109/110 look-a-like. The PS10 didn't sell, yet in some ways it was a better vehicle. Trad. owners will tell you LR should stay 1968 simple, but that doesn't sell vehicles. The bloke that 'says' he wants it fix-at-the-side-of-the-road-rugged is a blow-hard, and isn't going to buy a 'Grenny' anyway. Forget which body-shape; the real question is, how many here, will actually buy one?

Self-park? Are you sure... I mean, mine runs one up, one down. I switch things off, to catch it such that the 'up' is passenger-side. Done it for years? The idea these might also self-park is like space-age thinking to most of us. No one believes me, but I overtook a car once. Are you sure you've got the right vehicle? Have another look. It's a Jaaaaaaag isn't it? Say it is.... It is isn't it?

You are? Really? You've a long wait. As it stands, I've been finding ever more ways to have sex with it. 30 years you say? Poor you. Everyday, a beard is harassed and abused, together we can stop this..... Very nice by the way. Well done you. That’s a hard thing for you to do, and you’ve done it. You ARE going to be so much happier. It’ll be nicer for you now it’s all out in the open.

But the thing is, the ultimate hilarity add-on for any vehicle, is one we don't need to source as an accessory. Can't be many vehicles that still had one on showroom floors in 1982. I don't know about you, but done right there's not much with more comedy potential than a starting-handle. Lest I remind you, and those that sit before me are like leftovers for back alley mongrels. I alone sit upon the high seat, to which all others must kneel. For it is written, I... yes, yours truly own a Smiths Oil Check.

Thank you all. And thanks for a quicky precis of the H&S issues. I do remember getting arc-eye back in the day, and had forgotten how quick it happens, and how long-lasting its effect. A salutary reminder. He'll be done-up to-the-nines in kit. He's given free-licence for almost anything, which means he doesn't actually bother. This actually brings it better, ie he's extremely respectful for with knowing when he simply MUST do as bid. What to be doing and WHY! He's left on trust, which instills him a self-belief. His DT Teacher has worked this out too, and unlike the other kids, just lets him get on with it. But on the broader point, where are we going to get the next generation of engineers and the properly skilled? I knwo a college lecturer near me. He trains Motor Mechs, and was telling me most in his classes are sh*t. I put this question to him: "How many in the class of thirty would you be happy to be let loose on your car?" He said, "One, maybe two of them" And the other 28 are snapped-up by a dealership near you. They're in short supply. Frightening isn't it?

Thanks gents, I'll keep you posted. This boy has been brought into this world, with as far as I can manage, a childhood closer to our generation's than his own. Hence with another boy, he's built go-karts and tree-camps etc, and gone for miles on his bike. All aided and abetted by me and a like-minded father. Sadly aside from his friend, I've not seen boys of his generation do this. His mother used to fight this, yet finally sees the light. It took some convincing, but she now finds virtue in cuts and grazes, torn trousers, and bruised-knees. They are the by-product of what else goes on. She and another mother finally grasps the mantra... "He's a boy, he's supposed to be filthy." No 'Trendy Wendy' Health and Safety, star-chart sh*t for this kid, (and god-luv-him, his friend). Most adults couldn't fix a puncture on a bike, this boy was doing his at 10-11. Sadly the majority of kids aren't even allowed out. I just don't get it. A tiring day is sorted by early-to-bed and a bath. In short, this I vow... and I don't need to push it on him - by his fifteenth birthday, he'll be welding to equal a few of you. As I said, will keep you posted.

Agreed, coils don't draw much, 5 Amps at most, closer to 2-3 Amps. Pretty much anything you've got will do. The bigger issue with so much of the stock Series wiring loom is that most sits across four stonking great 35 Amp fuses. This is plain daft. 35 Amps has cooked many a Series loom and keeps a well-known replacement loom supplier in business. Put the 35Amp fuses down to 25Amps. And carry a few spares. Everything will still run, or should. 25Amps is still too much, but next fault, you loom has a fighting chance. Worst of all, White-side, thus ignition side of the loom has no real fusing at all. I by-passed the stock fuse-box, put in three fuse-boxes such that every section, from heater-motor to interior-lamps, and my add-ons, has its own fuse. This was a lot of work.

The icing on the cake comes when I've found anything by Ronco , K-Tel, those '-O-matic, 'As seen on TV' items of wonder. You know the sort of thing... the K-tel LP flipper, or the Ronco Buttoneer should do nicely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ja3NxeLhWg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAOPkjRFM24

Yes, against my usual stance, I'm coming round to the idea of buying new and taking the hit. Simply because, not welding myself, I could easily buy a dog of a thing and not know it.

Yes, whilst I'm in there it won't be much more effort, so makes sense.

Thanks gents, it occurs to me to buy a Clarke cheapy too. I don't relish finding more than £5-600 because from your words, it's clear, ancillaries too, it won't end there. If a Clarke 130EN can be had for a fraction, and kinda does the job, then I wonder. Only buy good, buy once is my usual rule.. As I said, my concern was buying utter shonk would limit him before his ability does, but you all seem to think you can learn well enough on quite basic stuff? Minded to this being a 14YO's Xmas prezzy, there's all sorts of safety issues here, but I'm not worried. Agreed it's a fair distance away from angle-grinders and blow-lamps, yet he manages that stuff better than many an adult. My only concern is here, I don't weld, so can't truly guide him. But we'll get there. The way I see this, he has more years to learn... It hurts now, but truth is, this stuff seems to hold its price. If I spend £500 on new stuff, it's worth £2-300 next week. If I buy used for the same, it'll be worth what I paid, and if I buy 'right' likely £800 when new, so better anyway. I've started early. If I can't find a used bit of kit, the back-up plan is to follow your words and get him one of these...

You could be over-thinking this? I've not got anything more than the indicator end to mine. The dipstick-proper hasn't survived. But clearly, it's a pipe for a dipstick, with markers and maybe a star-lock washer? Use as you like, use as you would any other, or not? Maybe do as I see it, cobble one into the transfer-case using the Roverdrive/Roamerdrive gadget; or just below the oil-line, put a bulkhead/ elbow-fitting on the crankcase. Run nylon-tube from there. Thing is, now I've studied this thing, to call it 'shonk' is not truly fair. I'm miffed. it's quite clear it'll do what it says it'll do. I like the way the blurb simply assumes the buyer has a file! I mean, (stands back) can you imagine it? The thing is, it's not even in question, they know the buyer has one. You can't currently buy self-assembly 'anything' without the manufacturer, for fear of returns, forced to supply the Allen /screwdriver or whatever to the "I'm entitled" buyer. Another world...

Jeez? Have you seen the prices for Fairey rebuild parts on the Bay of E? You'd ready to pay Roverdrive prices anyway. That's a long way from £30 odd? Mine's still quieter than the worn Fairey I had. And when we've ebuilt our Fairey, what have we got exactly? There's some things about LR ownership I just don't understand. It's at this point I should talk to you about a Smiths Oil Check? Did I mention I've got a Smiths Oil Check? Did you know I've got a Smiths Oil Check? I might have said.

And more...

The Smiths Oil Check Install - For the bloke with Hush puppies, red-trousers and a gold-plated 3-iron....

Well I bid on this to £560 and still DIDN'T win. These things hold their prices don't they? I march on...

Ah, I did wonder. There's talk on other forums of the early Roverdrive and mine (2003ish) must be among the first, being superior which I did question. Fitted now, but when I bought mine, there was no option for the finned transfer cover etc. Manufacturers are going to find cheaper production methods where they can, we all would, but this is another of those short-run items. Hence any shortcut won't really be worth the trouble, thus I was thinking tweaks will be made with qualified hindsight. I've had a Fairey, and by comparison the Roverdrive is a peach. New bearings and... on the transfer-case, a Smiths Oil Check... how could we not?

Interesting? Dunno, I'm told I have a god-given talent. Nobody ever dared question my ability to spot mediocrity; standing waist-deep in grey-mist, before. Some have it, some don't. Tea's a 'kin religion in my book. If you'll pay £3.50 for coffee because the seller makes you suck it thru' a slot, that's an IQ fail in itself. "Thank you Sir, you are an utter cnut, that's £3.50 please".

The wide milly version of the civvy item blocks air-vents which I wasn't keen on.

I think i've shown it before, but I finished-up with this. Whilst it's work-in-progress, (need to get matched gauges etc), and it's very Series, I'm not sure in practical use, it's as good.