Got any more details on the offroad breakdown cover? I'm with Flux and I'm covered insurance-wise off road as long as it isnt a competitive speed event, and I have breakdown cover on the road...
If its £300 for the conversion for the stubby version then I think its worth it. I think you would regret getting rid of the series front end. The Stage One suggestion would be a nice half-way house though.
I wouldnt be worried about a couple of posts mentioning a possible method. The information is going to be out there somewhere anyway. Every car will have a weak link built into it for legitimate reasons to it can be got into by people like the AA when you lock your keys in it!
I for example know how to get into a certain mid-sized family car, and it involves a similar method to the above.
A steering damper shouldn't extend if left, as that would mean its constantly trying to turn the steering.
Lots of people run without a steering damper with no ill effects so if its off then it can be eliminated as a cause of the vibrations.
Oil temp what I think what TJ said caused the gearbox failure in his 130 James.
If the cooler already in the rad isn't suitable... how about one of the RRC 'bog-brush' coolers?
Its LR series... they mention 'We aim to dispatch all orders within 5 working days' on their website, and In my experience they take their time over orders