Recommendation for a good shop in central VA, preferably in the Richmond area

[rof]

Hello all,

Well I finally got my new to me series home on friday. Spent most of Saturday poking around and trying to figure out what was what. There is an issue with the left front brakes, but believe I have that figured out. Took off the brake hose to that wheel and it is basically completely blocked, so ordered new set of hoses. (from Rovers North, who else?)
Imagine my shock when Rover of Richmond told me that they don't even have listing for parts for anything before 1987. So much for shopping at the dealership.
I also found some dreaded rust. I don't think it is bad, but need someone with more experience to look at it and tell me for sure what I need to do. I think what I need are the bottom parts of both door frames (A pillars) and the floor panel for the right (drivers side) of the bulkhead. I have read that all of the above can be replaced with the bulkhead still on the truck, which would be great. The problem is that I don't weld. Or to be more specific, I don't attempt to weld anything that has to look good.
So with the immediate needs in mind as well as finding a source for work beyond my abilities, advice, support, etc, does anyone have any suggestions for who I should contact? Would be nice to find someone in either the Richmond or Williamsburg area. I live between Richmond and Williamsburg.
Thanks,
Wayne

[o2batsea]

I hate to be a downer, but the reality is that the bulkhead needs to come out to properly repair the rust. Any in-place repair will be a delay of future repairs that may be even more extensive and painful.
The best source for original quality repair pieces is Pegasus Parts in the UK. They have the door pillars and the floor that are exact reproduction. I wish I had bought from them, but I settled for the Rover's North parts as my bulkhead was already a bodge. The RN parts are of mediocre quality (I had a huge fit problem on the left footwell, and it's not cz I suck at metal fabrication and welding).
Anyway the bulkhead isn't too much of a pain to remove, it's just fiddly.

I know there are tons of LROs in your area. Start with ROAV and see what they can tell ya.

[scarter]

I know you're down in New Kent, but British 4 x 4 specialties, Trevor Griffiths, is 115 mi. north of Winchester near Hershey, pa. He can do what you need, and has the shop for it. I've had good work done there and can recommend. 410-227-2523

[CRiordan01]

Wayne -

I'm in the Richmond area and have had some success with nearby shops working on my Series III. I haven't had to go to anywhere (yet) for welding / rust repair, but I would be happy to share some mechanic contact information as they may be able to point you in the right direction. One shop in particular out in Powhatan (Rte 60 west of Richmond) has a pretty steady stream of Series Rovers that may be able to help you out. The shop name eludes me at the moment, but I have their business card in my rover (for the eventual tow); I have talked with the shop owner and he definitely knows Series vehicles. PM me with contact information and I will get you a list of the shops I have used.

By the way, I had the same experience with Land Rover Richmond; they only work on, and know, recent Landys.

Glad to hear of someone else in the area.

Cheers.

[rof]

Thanks guys,
Actually I posted a similar request on the ROAV site and got about 25 views, but NADDA for responses. I will be in touch with you Cory and thanks 02batsea and scarter, I will contact the folks you recommended.
This is my first series and it is a CSW, so I want to keep the truck in good shape and want it right. I appreciate you taking the time to post.
Thanks again,
Wayne

[bmohan55]

post up some pics of the rust, if not too bad i know of people who sucsessfully replaced the bottom (under the hinge) without disassembly.

[thixon]

If you do in fact need new floor pans and door posts, you will need to take the bulkhead off the frame at some point. You can actually complete those repairs with it still bolted in place, but you need to disassemble so much of the truck anyway that taking it off just makes it easier. You'll have to paint it after the repairs as well.

The panels that Rovers North sells are fine. Any reproduction panel for any car I've ever worked with (healeys, triumphs, rovers, cobras, the list goes on) always require some trimming and bumping to get them to fit perfectly. Sometimes you get lucky and they don't need much, sometimes you don't and they need a lot. 02batsea wasn't so lucky with his I guess. I always chuckle when people come to me needing some body work done, and insist on using "NEW" reproduction panels instead of used panels in good shape. Both require fitting, no ifs ands or buts. Many times, a good used panel fits up much better than the reproductions.

I do this kind of work, and would be glad to take a look at your bulkhead if you don't find a shop you're comfortable with in your area. The only caveat is that I'm in GA, so you'd have to bring it to me, or ship it to me. If you want to talk about it email me at tdhixon@gmail.com. I'm actually reworking a bulkhead for a member of this board now that needed similar repairs to yours.

Thanks,

Travis.

[rof]

Thanks Bob,
Here is the pic of the left side. It appears that the drain hole got stopped up and the water just collected there.

Also pic of the floor on the right side, (drivers side). On that side the bottom rusted out of the post and got some of the mounting bracket as well as the sport shown in the pic.
Wayne