New Lightweight Owner

[roverlandpark]

Just wanted to say hello as I have just purchased a Series III Lightweight. The plan is to make some minor upgrades to the Rover and keep it running until I can get to a proper restoration.

As for the minor upgrades, I'm considering the following:

1). Upgrade to Defender style side mirrors
2). Inertia seat belts
3). Identify and mitigate rust issues
4). Odds and Ends to keep it running...

Picture below... BTW, for those of you who are interested this was Les's former Lightweight...

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs239.snc3/22638_307304431357_674181357_3377105_5823460_n.jpg

[Wander]

Sounds like a good plan and plenty to keep you busy.

Are you thinking of using a 3pt or lap belt set up? I'm in the same boat with my IIa.

I like the patina of the finish-it looks very battle worn.

[jac04]

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me. I just finished a complete refurb of a late SIII Lightweight, and I have learned more about them than I ever wanted to know.

FYI: The brackets you need for the Defender mirrors are MRC2863. You can use them with any of the Defender mirror arms.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/MRC2863.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/MRC2863withmirror.jpg

Also, here is a picture of the factory inertia reel seatbelt set-up for reference:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_1721.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_1723.jpg

Brackets attaching bar to chassis:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_1701.jpg

[roverlandpark]

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me. I just finished a complete refurb of a late SIII Lightweight, and I have learned more about them than I ever wanted to know.

FYI: The brackets you need for the Defender mirrors are MRC2863. You can use them with any of the Defender mirror arms.

Also, here is a picture of the factory inertia reel seatbelt set-up for reference:


Brackets attaching bar to chassis:


Thanks for the part number on the mirror adapters. BTW, do you have a part number of the bracing that's behind the seats? I've seen them on other Lightweights, but don't have a clue as to what they're called.

[jac04]

Here are the part numbers. I'm not sure if they are available any more.
Part Numbers:
MRC8692 = Seat Belt Frame
MTC1306 & MTC1307 = Seat Belt Frame to Chassis Brackets (RH & LH are different)
MRC9885 = Tie Bars, 2 required.
MTC4090 = Seat Belt Inertia Reel Mount, 2 required

[derekchace]

Jac04,
Were did you find the SLR rifles mounts? I have been having major issues finding a set.

[jac04]

^^ I was lucky, my vehicle was very complete and had the SLR mounts.

[siiirhd88]

There are a set of NOS gun mounts for sale on ebay, mounts only, no supports. The auction # is 270217570266. The supports that the mounts are attached to look like 109 pickup or 3 door front seatback supports.

Bob

[roverlandpark]

Here's an updated picture of the Lightweight. I have about 95% of the old paint removed. The factory finish is in pretty good condition. I was going to work on the Rover today, but SWMBO had other plans. I did manage to get in an hour's drive around town.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DrwjepRAujE/S4s1zQDYwbI/AAAAAAAACJY/_HCizrJcHB8/s912/DSCN1292.JPG

So far, I've noticed there's a lot of work to do... What else is new? Once the military paint is gone, I'll be polishing and waxing the factory finish. Then I'll add the new Defender Mirrors, the new rear view mirror, the new tailgate license plate frame. I then will be working on the near endless of repairs...

In no particular order...


Repair crankcase oil leak
Repair gearbox oil leak
Treat surface rust on bulkheads and install new seal between the two
Install new gaiters on swivel balls
Add canvas tie down on rear
Repair door catches on both sides
Re-key door locks
Find and weld missing canvas tab
Replace missing engine shield
Replace tailgate hinge pins
Repair tailgate bracket
Install pioneer kit
Install missing clips from grill
Install heater
Patch one outrigger
Align doors
Replace door seals
Repair lower door frames
Treat surface rust on bulkhead
Replace wheels and tires with original spec items
Re-install original headlight assemblies
Repair damaged body panels
Add second seat bench to tub
Install High Ratio Transfer box
Add seat-belt rail assembly
Add bushing for gear lever knob
Replace bumper with correct spec item
Replace foot wells
Replace battery
Replacing missing fasteners


And a about half a million other things that I'll find when I start working on these items. I'll be making a few more updates as I start knocking things off the punch list. It will be slow for now as I'm slowly gathering parts and repairing what I can. If it get's a bit overwhelming, then I might just consider taking it completely apart and beginning from the frame up.

[jac04]

Have fun! Wait until you find out how many of these parts are NLA - like the door seals, vent seals, bonnet cloth strip, license plate holder for the tailgate, headlight parts ... unless you already have all this stuff in good shape.

Your vehicle looks very similar to mine. Over the factory paint I found one layer of sprayed-on green paint and the rest of the layers were brushed-on. The sprayed-on green paint was the most difficult layer to remove.

My vote is to start with a bare chassis and build it up from there.

[Les Parker]

The vehicle is looking good, with the factory paint finish now showing !
I trust the box of extra parts and goods will come in handy.
I have a used seat belt bar I can send out for you and some other bits and bobs, please PM me and we can sort this out.

:thumb-up:

[roverlandpark]

Have fun! Wait until you find out how many of these parts are NLA - like the door seals, vent seals, bonnet cloth strip, license plate holder for the tailgate, headlight parts ... unless you already have all this stuff in good shape.

Your vehicle looks very similar to mine. Over the factory paint I found one layer of sprayed-on green paint and the rest of the layers were brushed-on. The sprayed-on green paint was the most difficult layer to remove.

My vote is to start with a bare chassis and build it up from there.

Yeah, mine had the difficult layer of paint as well. The stripper would make it pebble up, but you really had to apply some elbow grease to get it off. This is the last bit of paint I need removed on the driver's side. Then I need to take the grill off and get the radiator support stripped. My wife will be happy when the garage stops smelling like oranges.

You are also right on about the parts. So far, I've found that our hosts provide some of the regular Series stuff and the rest comes from the UK. The exchange rate and shipping fees are really hitting my pocketbook.

For now though, I'm content on mitigating any serious issues. Summer is right around the corner and I can't wait to enjoy the Rover on some scenic drives in the area. I think I'll get serious about the frame-up restoration next winter.

[Papa Romeo]

Jac 04-

I've currently got no seats in my lightweight- I've been using John Deere lawnmower seats as a sub. I'd like to mount frames and cushions like you've done. What parts do I need? Any trick to maintaining fuel tank access? Mine is an FFR, so only need driver/passenger. Thanks. -PR

[jac04]

It looks like you may have the older type of seatbase where the seat bottom cushions were mounted directly to the fuel tank covers. PA Blanchard may still have the correct seat backs & bottoms available. The seat back cushions & bottom cushions are Lightweight-specific. The bottoms are part number 349172 and the backs are 346089.



Lots of info here:
http://www.land-rover-lightweight.co.uk/Seats.html

[Papa Romeo]

Thanks, I'll look into what you've suggested.

[jac04]

Also, I just checked the Lightweight parts CD and it didn't list the seat bottom brackets. I don't know why.

[xsbowes]

I used regular seat rails and deluxe seat cushions with the older seat box. The base is screwed to the coverplate.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2073/10249131/23897964/398629602.jpg

[jac04]

^^Stacy- A little OT, but what shift boot are you using? I like it. My kids love playing around inside the Lightweight, but someone always seems to end up with grease on them from the shift lever.

[xsbowes]

PO put it on, not sure what it is from. I'll look to see if there are any markings or numbers.