1972 SIII upgrades?

[clearcut]

I used the Exmoor floor mat material I also put new material on the bench seat.. It the bar on the seat pointed in the right direction.. When turning down the seat seat, it run into the seat belt posts

thanks

josh

[stomper]

I learned this trick from a state trooper. they use it on the vynyl floors in the back of the cruisers, so that they clean easier, and the smell of vomit doesn't linger after.

[jac04]

I used a couple of coats of mop and glow floor wax on mine.

Interesting. I may have to try this, since I use this matting in strategic places around the kid's playscape.

[stomper]

I used a couple of coats of mop and glow floor wax on mine. It pretty much resolves the black transfer issue when it is new. The off gassing issue never seemed to be a problem unless the truck was cooking in the sun for a long time. It vents off quickly with all the air leaks in the vehicle.

[Jim-ME]

I must have gotten lucky as I did not experience any smell or the mat turning stuff black problems.
Jim

[jac04]

The only problem with the one I bought and cut for my 88 was the smell.

2 problems that I have had; 1) the smell, and 2) they will turn stuff black (like your hands & knees if you crawl on them).

[TravelinLight]

Horse stall mats work very well as Bill stated. They are for less expensive than the acoustic mats that are sold for Series trucks.
Jim

The only problem with the one I bought and cut for my 88 was the smell. It took maybe a year not to have the strong petroleum smell to it from the manufacturing process. Nothing ever damaged it though. Engine blocks, dogs claws, spills, or anything.

I'll second the GnR board as well since there are a lot of members from CO which is not too far away.

[sleam]

Hey Thom, in NM, you need to start telling us your ideas too since you have a 72! There's someone in Cedar Crest with the same year and he's going to come up in Feb for the Saturday Social at the Shaft. Feb 28th. Come on, spread the wealth since you've had yours for 15 yrs or so now...thanks

[Jim-ME]

Horse stall mats work very well as Bill stated. They are for less expensive than the acoustic mats that are sold for Series trucks.
Jim

[sleam]

One thing that does help is what they call in the upper crusty world of the horsey set a "stall mat". You get this at a place that caters to nags (horses) or your friendly Tractor Supply. It's more or less a 1/2 inch thick sheet of recycled rubber. Cut it to fit your rear load space, and buy a second one to make front mats with. The remainder you can use as a welcome mat that will never wear out.

In the meantime while you wait for Brother this is awfully tempting, no?

http://www.defendersource.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58960

I'd offer 17,500 and see where that got me.

Well, want to buy it for me?! In the meantime, I'll check out the stall mat at the local Tractor supply in Santa Fe. Thanks!

[o2batsea]

One thing that does help is what they call in the upper crusty world of the horsey set a "stall mat". You get this at a place that caters to nags (horses) or your friendly Tractor Supply. It's more or less a 1/2 inch thick sheet of recycled rubber. Cut it to fit your rear load space, and buy a second one to make front mats with. The remainder you can use as a welcome mat that will never wear out.

In the meantime while you wait for Brother this is awfully tempting, no?

http://www.defendersource.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58960

I'd offer 17,500 and see where that got me.

[sleam]

Yeah, i have to say I love all the feedback. I've checked out the local groups suggested above and should hear back from them at some point. Good idea to contact other Brit car groups,not just Rovers. (Darbsclt = thanks!)
I have skinny tires so that's good.
I took out the back cushion and am using a cushion which gave me about an extra 4" leg room so my knees aren't as bent, more relaxed. A temp solution but it works for now!
Thanks everyone - this is great!

[cedryck]

Love reading some of the replies here, I love series trucks because they are slow, loud, and require attention.

[sleam]

Lastly, you are probably a candidate for an updated version of what you are driving now. That is, a Defender. They don't have to cost 40 large. They can be had for way way less if you are willing to do your own digging around and think outside the box so to speak. Case in point, my friend found one on ebay UK for about $3000, flew over and drove it to the dock. Cost him about 1500 to get it to Baltimore. Another couple hundred to get it thru inspection and registration and now he has a beautiful well sorted 90 to drive around. You just gotta know what to look for. There are also tons of them in Costa Rica, Honduras, etc.

Trying to get my brother in the UK to give me his Defender but I think i have to wait a few years! Let him fix it up even more as he uses it as a daily driver, about 10 miles a day, so not too much, diesel, LWB, rack etc...I'll remind him that I turn 50 in a couple of years! A great present from a big brother, right?

[o2batsea]

After thoroughly dynamatting and adding sound deadening mats to my truck the results are...well...not much difference.
Dynamat in roof, doors, floors. Full bonnet dynamat and hood liner. The diesel overwhelms it all.

Carry your AAA Super Triple Diamond Level 20 Executive Class Unlimited card with you.

I can't speak to making gear changes easier since you already have the full synchro gearbox. You skipped right past the whole double declutching thing...
As for steering, it's possible to add power steering, using what's more or less all Rover parts. It requires some custom fabrication but it's not that complicated a thing. It makes the truck way more livable. It does away with the kooky push-pull longitudinal arm business and the chassis mounted bell crank madness.
Heat improvement is a snap. Call up RN and ask for them to send you one of those nifty Mt Mansfield heaters. Fits right up to your vehicle no problem and can cook a whole turkey as you drive.

If you are in NewMex, you are fortunate to be in proximity to one of the best Land Rover people on the planet; Rob Dassler.
A trip to his digs should be on your bucket list to discuss all these concerns of yours. He can do all that stuff and it will be done right!

You should also pay a visit to TeriAnn Wakeman's Expedition Land Rover pages.

Lastly, you are probably a candidate for an updated version of what you are driving now. That is, a Defender. They don't have to cost 40 large. They can be had for way way less if you are willing to do your own digging around and think outside the box so to speak. Case in point, my friend found one on ebay UK for about $3000, flew over and drove it to the dock. Cost him about 1500 to get it to Baltimore. Another couple hundred to get it thru inspection and registration and now he has a beautiful well sorted 90 to drive around. You just gotta know what to look for. There are also tons of them in Costa Rica, Honduras, etc.