Series IIA Rebuild

[cmcgahagin]

I'm getting ready to finally start my IIA rebuild project from the ground up. I plan on taking plenty of pictures to document how things were connected "before" and bagging/labeling pieces so that I'll have a clue where they might belong during the rebuild. I'm not a serious mechanic but I'm not afraid to tear things apart either. Since it's a project I'm looking at a 2-3 year time frame, my wife says 4.
The reason for starting this thread. If you had two recommendations to give me, what would they be? Don't worry about hurting my feelings!

[Mercedesrover]

If you had two recommendations to give me, what would they be? Don't worry about hurting my feelings!

1) Sell your Land Rover
2) Buy a Toyota

You asked.

[cmcgahagin]

Sorry, I already have an '10 FJ. The rebuild is still a go.
:-)

[Mercedesrover]

You'll have fun.

Seriously though:

If this is your first Rover, label and catalog everything you take off and don't forget where you put it all.
You're better of fixing/rebuilding existing parts than buy new. Many new parts are of poor quality.
Remember it's an old Rover. Don't try to make a Rolls Royce out of it and you won't be disappointed.

[SafeAirOne]

And listen to your wife. She sounds pretty rebuild-timeline savvy, though I usually double the amount of time I initially figure a task should take, just to be safe.

[albersj51]

I'm 19 months into mine and nearing the end (I hope). My advice:

1. As stated, bag and tag everything and put them some place you'll remember.
2. Take a TON a pictures from several different angles so that you can reference them later to ensure everything is back together correctly.
3. Any modifications/upgrades should be considered and decided upon before you start. I've gone down several rabbit holes and spent money I didn't need to, because I would think, "while I'm here I might as well...". If you know what you want to do and stick to it, you'll finish faster and less broke (either way, unless your rich, its going to hurt the wallet!).
4. Things like nuts, bolts, screws, etc. If you can note how many of each you need, you can order them in bulk from places like McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) for a good price. Going to the hardware store will eat into your budget.
5. Maybe most important: With few exceptions, you're better off going with the best quality you can afford. Also, avoid thinking, "while not for a Rover, I can make this work and its 1/3rd the price!". In the end, it will cost more and take more time unless you're an expert fabricator. An example: The EZ Wiring harness I got, good quality nicely labeled, etc and WAY cheaper than British Wiring. However, after all of the extras I needed to get, the price difference, while still there, is less significant and its taking me significantly longer to complete.

Best of luck!

[cmcgahagin]

No, she's just more negative. I'm going to work it in sections and try to keep forward momentum and most importantly try and keep it fun, though I'm sure there will be times that it will be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[cmcgahagin]

3. Any modifications/upgrades should be considered and decided upon before you start. I've gone down several rabbit holes and spent money I didn't need to, because I would think, "while I'm here I might as well...". If you know what you want to do and stick to it, you'll finish faster and less broke (either way, unless your rich, its going to hurt the wallet!).
4. Things like nuts, bolts, screws, etc. If you can note how many of each you need, you can order them in bulk from places like McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) for a good price. Going to the hardware store will eat into your budget.
5. Maybe most important: With few exceptions, you're better off going with the best quality you can afford. Also, avoid thinking, "while not for a Rover, I can make this work and its 1/3rd the price!". In the end, it will cost more and take more time unless you're an expert fabricator. An example: The EZ Wiring harness I got, good quality nicely labeled, etc and WAY cheaper than British Wiring. However, after all of the extras I needed to get, the price difference, while still there, is less significant and its taking me significantly longer to complete.

Great ideas! I was considering figuring out which sizes of hardware I was taking off and then buying them in quantity.

[TedW]

Another helpful hint: Think twice ( maybe three times) before you throw out a part because you think it's too rusty / trashed / etc.

There are many parts I trashed early on and now realize that they were salvageable - and they aren't being made anymore.

[superstator]

Another helpful hint: Think twice ( maybe three times) before you throw out a part because you think it's too rusty / trashed / etc.

There are many parts I trashed early on and now realize that they were salvageable - and they aren't being made anymore.

+1. Made that mistake more than once.

[gudjeon]

Keep things organized in an ****-retentive Sheldon style. Do not throw out anything until you you are done and satisfied with it. I eventually sold some series 1 stuff back to England and around the world.

[bfishel60]

Video the dis-assembly of parts.

Cheap plastic food containers with lids for storing instead of ziplock bags.

Bill Fishel

[cmcgahagin]

I appreciate the number of inputs. It appears cardinal rule #1 is: Don't throw anything away!

[Myron]

I told my wife 2 years, and it took 4. I thought I could get by with my rotten old tub, but once off the truck, it wasn't feasible. Bought a parts car and still needed to have the donor tub substantially re-fabbed with new quarter panels. This is very expensive work if you don't do it yourself. Lesson: budget 3-4 times what you think the worst case scenario is.

Now for the disappointing part of what I have to share. I thought that once I had gone through the Rover for good and for certain, I would have a reliable, leak-free vehicle for at least a little while. Unfortunately this has not been my experience. I'm only 4 years from getting it back on the road and this spring and summer alone I have had three leaking wheel cylinders, perished valve cover gasket, two bad hub seals, etc., etc. Just get used to it, or sell it and buy a Toyota (wait, you already have one - maybe you should have your head examined ;-).

Best of Luck,

Myron

[cmcgahagin]

Myron, Thanks for the thoughts to ponder. I hope things improve for you.