NickDawson
06-15-2011, 09:44 AM
Hey folks!
Long time no post. I've enjoyed catching up on the board by reading some threads this morning. Sounds like a lot of familiar conversations - I've missed them.
The good news (knock wood) is that my III is plugging right along. She starts and runs pretty well these days. I started graduate school in January and in addition to my full time job have been pretty busy. Since the rover has been ticking along, I decided not to fiddle with too much and just count my blessings.
Well, I've got the itch again. I'm sure I'll regret even thinking these thoughts...my Rover has a sick sense about my interest in the cosmetic and will often react violently. Nevertheless there are some things I'd like to work on and I need some advice about sequencing and execution. And besides.... I can get a lot of my graduate coursework on audiobooks so I can kill two birds with one stone, right?
Here's the most pressing mechanical concerns:
Brake adjusters - the front left (passenger side for mine) is rusted solid and stripped. I can probably use a torch and some BP blaster to get it out, but it won't go back into service. I have a line on some new adjusters. This 88" has a 109" front end. Anything I need to know about that operation? The bible makes it look fairly straight forward. Right now, its drivable by me, although stopping at high speed requires a strong mental exercise and physical adjustment of the steering wheel. Not reallllly safe...
cracked exhaust manifold - hasn't been a real mechanical problem other than it won't pass Virginia inspection. I know the studs are going to snap...just know it. Any concerns about just letting it be for another year or two?
kock in the rear diff? - a mechanic seemed to think my rear diff had slack and the knock when first engaging 1st was the sign it was going out. That was over a year ago. Is that just drivetrain slack I hear? My inclination is to ignore and then when it does go out, put a detroit locker back there.
Which brings me to what I really want to do... some spit and shine work
something about the ride - this could also go above. I know its a series rover and I love the bumpy ride, but mine at times feels outright dangerous the way it bounces all over the road. It has parabolics (from the UK, so who knows) and new procomp shocks (from our hosts, installed by me last year). When I hit a pothole it almost feels like we're going to lose control; like the tires aren't making good contact for a split second. If its normal, I can live with it. If its something which is easily correctable, I'd get right on it. 32"ish BFG ATs at 25-30psi
inside floor board touch up and paint - got a little rust (I know, scary!) on the tunnel cover and floorboards. I'd like to find a way to stop the rust - some kind of sealer? and then get a tunnel cover to match my defender style rubber floor mats from our hosts. Any thoughts?
inside trim and seats - what I really want! Tired of bare metal doors and the basic bench seats. I'd like to put in two high back seats and get the door trim kit from our hosts. Obviously a low priority considering the brakes, etc. Just adding to the list for thoughts and considerations.
rear cargo area plan - same as seats. Would like to put down diamond plate. Easier than getting serious about the corrosion holes in the existing bed.
There you have it - my update and burning desire to get my hands dirty again. What do you think? How would you order things and what might you do differently?
Looking forward to catching up with everyone!
-N
Long time no post. I've enjoyed catching up on the board by reading some threads this morning. Sounds like a lot of familiar conversations - I've missed them.
The good news (knock wood) is that my III is plugging right along. She starts and runs pretty well these days. I started graduate school in January and in addition to my full time job have been pretty busy. Since the rover has been ticking along, I decided not to fiddle with too much and just count my blessings.
Well, I've got the itch again. I'm sure I'll regret even thinking these thoughts...my Rover has a sick sense about my interest in the cosmetic and will often react violently. Nevertheless there are some things I'd like to work on and I need some advice about sequencing and execution. And besides.... I can get a lot of my graduate coursework on audiobooks so I can kill two birds with one stone, right?
Here's the most pressing mechanical concerns:
Brake adjusters - the front left (passenger side for mine) is rusted solid and stripped. I can probably use a torch and some BP blaster to get it out, but it won't go back into service. I have a line on some new adjusters. This 88" has a 109" front end. Anything I need to know about that operation? The bible makes it look fairly straight forward. Right now, its drivable by me, although stopping at high speed requires a strong mental exercise and physical adjustment of the steering wheel. Not reallllly safe...
cracked exhaust manifold - hasn't been a real mechanical problem other than it won't pass Virginia inspection. I know the studs are going to snap...just know it. Any concerns about just letting it be for another year or two?
kock in the rear diff? - a mechanic seemed to think my rear diff had slack and the knock when first engaging 1st was the sign it was going out. That was over a year ago. Is that just drivetrain slack I hear? My inclination is to ignore and then when it does go out, put a detroit locker back there.
Which brings me to what I really want to do... some spit and shine work
something about the ride - this could also go above. I know its a series rover and I love the bumpy ride, but mine at times feels outright dangerous the way it bounces all over the road. It has parabolics (from the UK, so who knows) and new procomp shocks (from our hosts, installed by me last year). When I hit a pothole it almost feels like we're going to lose control; like the tires aren't making good contact for a split second. If its normal, I can live with it. If its something which is easily correctable, I'd get right on it. 32"ish BFG ATs at 25-30psi
inside floor board touch up and paint - got a little rust (I know, scary!) on the tunnel cover and floorboards. I'd like to find a way to stop the rust - some kind of sealer? and then get a tunnel cover to match my defender style rubber floor mats from our hosts. Any thoughts?
inside trim and seats - what I really want! Tired of bare metal doors and the basic bench seats. I'd like to put in two high back seats and get the door trim kit from our hosts. Obviously a low priority considering the brakes, etc. Just adding to the list for thoughts and considerations.
rear cargo area plan - same as seats. Would like to put down diamond plate. Easier than getting serious about the corrosion holes in the existing bed.
There you have it - my update and burning desire to get my hands dirty again. What do you think? How would you order things and what might you do differently?
Looking forward to catching up with everyone!
-N