mwgriffiths Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hi guys and gals, I'm new here, the name's Matt Bit of background on me I guess first: I'm 21, at Uni reading Mechanical Engineering and I do a lot of Formula Student stuff through Uni so I know my way around most things bar a mig welder, but that's definitely a skill I'm going to need to acquire Land Rovers have been in my family longer than I have and I've been competing in a lot of RTV trails over the past 3 years in an 86". And now onto the fun/interesting bit. Let me introduce you to my new toy and first car:She is a late '71 2 door (K reg). As for the price, it was advertised online so some of you may have seen it, but I won't go into details if you don't mind This first shot ^ is one of a few taken from the ad, and it is fairly representative of the general condition And her she is arriving home, happy days Just a bit gutted I wasn't around to see it I won't be able to give it a proper going over until next weekend at this rate But to say "It's going to need some work" I think would be the understatement of the year so far The list of problems is long, but I'm not in a huge rush to get stuck in, I want to do it right The end goal is a tidy (but not concours) Classic in its original colour with most of the correct period bits that'll be used almost exclusively for trials, the winter and high days and holidays. Hopefully it'll look totally standard minus a 2" lift, mud tyres and recovery points. That's show and tell over, now for the endless barrage of questions from me First big one is what's the best way to trace as much of this cars history as possible? Are the Heritage Certificates worth getting, what does the Technical Specification include that the regular package doesn't? What will the DVLA be able to tell me about where it went after it left Solihull, the seller mentioned it may have some history with the BBC, is there any way to confirm or deny that? The bulkhead shows signs of Tuscan Blue under the green, if I can confirm that's the original colour that'll probably the colour I'll finish it in. Where is the best place to track down bits like a proper 3 spoke wheel (It's got a newer 4 spoke in at the moment) and the fold down rear registration plate holder thingy and the like? I'm guessing Fleabay, the classifieds here but any recommendations on good sites to buy bits from would be appreciated (assuming that's allowed?) From what I've read, as I understand it there shouldn't be a rear wiper (Not sure where the motor is yet) nor should there be a door mirror, and the chrome rear window slider is correct, can anyone confirm these? Is there anything else there that wouldn't have been as it left the factory, apart from that huge towvbar, which, even if it was standard is coming off! Next big one is what about the seats and seatbelts? I'm guessing they should have been vinyl with the seatbelts built in. Mine are cloth and I don't trust the belts, So what are my options? I've seen very late two doors (and CSKs) with B pillar mounted units, but there seems to be some worry about the strength of the B pillar. Why? Did the B pillar change through the life of the two door in order to allow seatbelt mounting? What about rear passengers, what (new) seatbelt kits should I be looking at to strap them in nice and tight? Told you there'd be a load of questions If you have any of your own fire away (Other than "ZOMG what have you done?" ) Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p76rangie Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I have a 76 and it has the rear wiper. I am pretty sure they all had them. Virtually all the rangies had door mirrors, but from what I can figure out they must have been added later at dealer, etc. It is hard to find a common mirror design used, but the older 2 doors appeared to be reasonably similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi, and welcome to THE forum I am looking at a reprint of the Range Rover launch brochure so I think I can answer a couple of your queries from looking at the pictures.."From what I've read, as I understand it there shouldn't be a rear wiper " - Difficult to see for certain but I am fairly confident that there is one visible in one of the photos. Maybe it was an option? "chrome rear window slider" - Yep - can see chrome in some pics (but not in others so may be an option also?) "door mirror" - No idea when these first came in, but again, at launch they had wing mirrors - you can see the mounting holes in your bonnet. Re the B pillar and seat belts - I used to work on Range Rover seat frames and when they changed to normal belts there were rumours that there was a strength issue in the B pillar. Logically - since the original car had seat-mounted seat belts, it would not have been built with sufficient strength in the B pillars to mount belts there (that would have cost money!) , and later when they decided to move them, they would have had to change the design to strengthen it, as they did in other areas when they first fitted rear belts. Looking forward to following the rebuild - lots of photos please! Roger p.s. PM me if you would like to borrow my reprinted brochure for a while, although, having said that I bet somebody on here would just give you one since they came free with one of the rags recently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Welcome along - always liked the 2-doors, good to see one being restored. If you need good original bits, Martin Toole (Range Rover Recycled Parts, 07885 025872) is a top chap, he knows his stuff and doesn't sell junk (him & his apprentice both have CSK's). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Cheers for the words of support, I think I'll need them I am looking at a reprint of the Range Rover launch brochure so I think I can answer a couple of your queries from looking at the pictures.."From what I've read, as I understand it there shouldn't be a rear wiper " - Difficult to see for certain but I am fairly confident that there is one visible in one of the photos. Maybe it was an option?"chrome rear window slider" - Yep - can see chrome in some pics (but not in others so may be an option also?) "door mirror" - No idea when these first came in, but again, at launch they had wing mirrors - you can see the mounting holes in your bonnet. I think I've spent too much time on range-rover-classics looking at the model year changes and forgetting that it was built by BL, so anything could have happened I see very early cars on there with no rear wiper, I need to investigate mine to see where the wiper motor is located, that'll hopefully give me a clue as to whether the tailgate is new or not. Re the B pillar and seat belts - I used to work on Range Rover seat frames and when they changed to normal belts there were rumours that there was a strength issue in the B pillar. Logically - since the original car had seat-mounted seat belts, it would not have been built with sufficient strength in the B pillars to mount belts there (that would have cost money!) , and later when they decided to move them, they would have had to change the design to strengthen it, as they did in other areas when they first fitted rear belts. Sounds like I'm best off keeping the seat mounted seatbelts then, not sure what to do about the rears yet.... Looking forward to following the rebuild - lots of photos please! Sure thing, here's another from the ad. In this photo we can play the game "spot the difference" where the aim is to point out all the missing and broken bits: Its fun for all the family! p.s. PM me if you would like to borrow my reprinted brochure for a while, although, having said that I bet somebody on here would just give you one since they came free with one of the rags recently... Ah I remember that now, I must have that somewhere..... Welcome along - always liked the 2-doors, good to see one being restored. If you need good original bits, Martin Toole (Range Rover Recycled Parts, 07885 025872) is a top chap, he knows his stuff and doesn't sell junk (him & his apprentice both have CSK's). Cheers for tip, part of me is tempted to wedge some Vogue SE trim in like the CSK because the original is kinda shot as you can see, so he might be good to talk to about stuff like that Lots of bits a pieces to find: the big one is the two part PVC headlining, which has gone AWOL from my motor Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Lookis like a good base to start from - hope you enjoy hunting tinworms your dash looks a lot different to the one in my (potential)'81 3 door model although looking at it, i think mine may have had air con on it originally..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Lookis like a good base to start from - hope you enjoy hunting tinworms your dash looks a lot different to the one in my (potential)'81 3 door model although looking at it, i think mine may have had air con on it originally..... Range-Rover-Classic shows the differences between the dash grab handles at the bottom of of the 1970 article, just before the page break for 1971 as well as listing (theoretically) all the changes for each model year You've got all mod cons there - a cigarette lighter and everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete The Biker Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 The wash wipe was optional from October 1972. This website is a mine of information with old sales brochures etc:- http://www.range-rover-classic.com Good luck Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 I assume the gauges in disco_al's dash would fit in the spare slots in my dash? I fancy keeping an eye on the voltage from the alternator, as well as the oil pressure and temperature as I've had problems with all of those before The wash wipe was optional from October 1972. Cheers for the conformation mate As you can see mine's got a top mounted motor which definitely isn't right, so that's going in the bin One less thing to go wrong / for me to break Like my headlining? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 As you can see mine's got a top mounted motor which definitely isn't right, so that's going in the bin If you're doing a restoration/rebuild, I wouldn't bin ANYTHING until you're completely finished and certain it's neither needed, valuable, or useful for bits. It may be wrong, but it may also donate parts to make the right one work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 If you're doing a restoration/rebuild, I wouldn't bin ANYTHING until you're completely finished and certain it's neither needed, valuable, or useful for bits. It may be wrong, but it may also donate parts to make the right one work. Yes, bin was a bad choice of words the "bin" is an upturned Series 1 wing in the garage with various bits and pieces that look useful in: Why throw away when you can hoard? But my point still stands the wiper is coming out but it'll probably go to a mate or on fleabay rather than in a bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragtag Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi Matt, Congratulations on your purchase. Regarding picking up spares, accessories and update parts, you could do a lot worse than taking a trailer and a wodge of folding to the next Vintage & 4x4 Sortout in early April at the Newbury Showground. Despite the name it is 90% Landrover based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 As you can see mine's got a top mounted motor which definitely isn't right, so that's going in the bin Not sure about the detail but that motor is roughly where mine was on my '90 RRC - were the earlier ones mounted differently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Range-Rover-Classic shows the differences between the dash grab handles at the bottom of of the 1970 article, just before the page break for 1971 as well as listing (theoretically) all the changes for each model year i was looking at the four rectabgular holes along the dash, just below the auxilliary gauges, i think it's an add on air con system, although not entirely sure. the glovebox doesn't appear to exist either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q-rover Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Have a look here. In noggie speak, but pictures are readable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSIIA Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Have a look here. In noggie speak, but pictures are readable. An interesting read, but be warned there are 66 pages of it! Microsoft Translator did a passable job of translating the pages from Norwegian to English - although it auto detected Danish > English on the first pass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Or just read in English on his web build site here http://www.ronjacob.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi Matt, and welcome to the mine of information that is LR4x4. Yes, I saw that on the web, glad it's found a good home. As for the door mirrors, I used to drive a mate's 1973 M plate model, and that hand round chromed mirrors on the corners of the wing. I have a feeling the N/S one may have been an option, but the hole was always there with a grommet in if the mirror wasn't spec'd. Every 2-door I have been in had seat mounted safety belts, the earliest were not even the recoil type. I don't know if later 2 doors were changed, but if they did, I'd expect the belt to have got tangled up every time someone climbed into the back. As a kid, my Dad's mate had a 1970 J plate and we used to clamber in via the gap between the front seat (pre-cubby boxes), far easier than wrestling with the heavy seats I was going to point you to Ronnie Jacob's site, but I've been beaten to it. He has posted on this forum in the 'show me yours' thread. I can't find the thread myself at the moment, bluddy typical! If you are ever losing inspiration, have a look there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'm about halfway through Ronnie Jacob's thread with Google translate doing a good job of making it readable It looks stunning, I love the colour of his, but Tuscan Blue is the original on mine and almost as awesome, so that'll be what I paint it.... Eventually YCX 348K, second from bottom on that page is also an inspiration, even if I don't like the colour Seats and seatbelts are virtually the only area where I don't have a plan for how to proceed now The vinyl originals are long gone, but I'd love to get some Does anyone offer a re-trim kit for vinyl seats? My doors look to be beyond repair Anyone know of any good condition second hand doors going spare? In better news I've decided there is an angle where it doesn't look like a complete shed Apologies for the awful photos, most are off eBay, some are off my parents old compact, next weekend I'll go and get some proper shots of her with my SLR so we can all wonder together quite what I've gotten myself in for I'll hopefully be able to start on the project properly then too First job will be to get rid of that plough on the back then an oil flush, over fill and drain, new battery and we'll see what's what under the bonnet - I'm not expecting anything really, partly because I want an excuse to tear the engine apart and have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Exmoor Trim could be your friends for a re trim - either that or a trawl through the yellow pages. another alternative will be to look at the car restorers section as well, and give them a call, or go see them, they maybe able to recommend a company that does a good job. is it just the camera angle, or does that rear wheel in the above shot look like it's leaning inwards at the bottom?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 is it just the camera angle, or does that rear wheel in the above shot look like it's leaning inwards at the bottom?? I think (hope) its the photo. Suspension will be getting a complete overhaul anyway when I lift it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyRon Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I'm about halfway through Ronnie Jacob's thread with Google translate doing a good job of making it readable It looks stunning, I love the colour of his, but Tuscan Blue is the original on mine and almost as awesome, so that'll be what I paint it.... Eventually Good luck with your Range Rover-project! I will definetly follow this thread! And Rosamond's website will be updated soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will C Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 You're a brave soul!!!! I've had a long standing ambition to do a two door myself. But I worry too much about having no reference points left when finished cutting away all the rot. I shall follow your progress with interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I will post some pictures in the next day or so of the one i`m involved in, nut and bolt resto.... that should give you some oomph to get stuck in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwgriffiths Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 I've had chance to tinker a bit this weekend, but nothing too in depth. The list of things I've found that are in good/working condition are: The battery (Just bought a new one) The second lower tailgate that came with the motor The wipers work slowly The handbrake The chassis is OK because it's been re-chassis'd before And that's all I've found so far There are some bushes coming for the starter this week, so hopefully that'll come back to life, then next weekend will be spent seeing it we can make this beast crank I'm also tempted to do some highly superficial work on the bumpers and tow bar to make me feel better Good luck with your Range Rover-project! I will definetly follow this thread! And Rosamond's website will be updated soon! I will post some pictures in the next day or so of the one i`m involved in, nut and bolt resto.... that should give you some oomph to get stuck in. Thanks for the support! Any ideas where I might find two new doors? You're a brave soul!!!! I've had a long standing ambition to do a two door myself. But I worry too much about having no reference points left when finished cutting away all the rot. I shall follow your progress with interest! Brave or foolish? Right now I'm thinking the later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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