looking at a III - any advice?

[Eric W S]

Looks like a 6,000 mistake to me. The breakfast is from a Defender. Why? The 2.5 fits without it. The paint looks like hell. I'd be concerned about what other corners they have been cutting. Diesels are usually described as slower, but I have driven a few fresh rebuilds that were really nice.

Find another truck. The classified's here are a good place to start.

[SafeAirOne]

The breakfast is from a Defender. Why? The 2.5 fits without it.

The 2.5 fits without the longer engine bay, but you get the benefit of the 90/110 radiator with more surface area over the SIII rad. As I found out, this is important in desert operations in loose sand and during long steep hill climbs in hot weather. Also, you get to use one of the most important components in the cooling system: the original fan shroud to maximize cooling efficiency.

The 2.5 plumbed to an SIII radiator without a shroud works, but during the above conditions, you must stop occasionally-to-frequently to let the engine cool. Ask me how I know...


EDIT: Looking at the photo, I'm pretty sure plumber's strap hangers were not originally used for upper radiator supports, though I could be wrong.

[bmohan55]

Regarding price - is it reasonable to find another series III in decent shape in that price range? $6000[/quote]


Yes, if you look long & hard and get lucky...but perpare to add to that amount. After a long search I found my '72 S3 88 on e-bay for $6251 last October. I've put about $2,000 into it since then and now it's a good running truck. I am not much of a mechanic but with the help of this board I have been able to do all the repairs myself. I don't have anywhere near the knowledge and experiance that most on this board have but my newbie advice is to keep looking, and prepare to pay more than 6K (either at purchase or down the road in repairs) to get a trustworthy truck.

BTW, if you find a truck outside the area I could assist you in arranging very affordable transportation.

[bmohan55]

Just noticed you are in Richmond...I'm in Chester. PM me if you would like to see my Series or if I could help you out in any way.

[Tim Smith]

Everyone seems to be pointing you in the same direction I would. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd bet that the seller (if he's the one who imported it) is making a hefty profit on this truck. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just thought you should think about it before getting too excited.

In the UK, you could probably find a truck like this all day long for about $2000 after the dollar conversion. Shipping and importing wouldn't make up for the rest of the price. Heck if you are into right hand drive, then get yourself one of the Land Rover mags and find a couple that you like and do the math.

UK trucks tend to be farm hands that, as has been mentioned, get cobbled together every year to pass MOT. Some of them that we see can't even pass MOT and just get shipped over here because buyers don't know too much about them and buy with their heart instead of their head.

I also wouldn't put too much stock in the mileage of the truck. These things are old enough that a genuine 20,000 mile truck could be an absolute money pit if it were not cared for. The other end of the spectrum is something like Jeff's truck that although it's his daily driver with hundreds of thousands of miles on the clock, it's well maintained and probably is one of the better examples of a series truck out there.

One point that I thought should be clarified. You were asking about the center diff and I think Jeff was thinking about the front and rear diffs. While the front and rear did not come with lockers as standard, the center diff is not really a diff and once you are in four wheel drive the front and rear output shafts are locked with each other. Thus, it is highly inadvisable to drive a series truck in four wheel drive on dry pavement for extended periods. Just thought it should be mentioned.

Spend some time. Keep an eye on ebay and lrx.com as well as the forums such as the for sale section here. Ask questions. If you do get the right one, you'll have a blast.

Good luck!

[galen216]

I'm a ROAV member in Virginia who has owned a British imported truck and a North American SIII.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have. So far you been given good advice.

FWIW I paid about half that price for both my trucks with minimal searching.

EDIT: I am curious as to your statement that Disco's hold their value. What years were you looking at? I paid less for my Range Rover Classic than my Series. But I would sell the RRC in a heartbeat and the Series will never leave so I think you are on the right path looking at Series trucks.

[MSmyth]

I was in a similar situation as the OP till a couple weeks ago, having had a Series experience earlier in life (didn't buy it, but I wanted to) and have been looking for the last year or so for my dream rover. After a lot of research, I ended up buying one overseas, which is being shipped within the week. I hope Jonathan doesn't mind me linking to his web site, but he has made the purchase very pain free, and has been very open about answering my questions.

Many, or most, would never buy a vehicle over the 'net, but this will be my third purchase with the previous two transactions being flawless. I've done my research (thanks to this and many other rover web resources), asked the important questions, and above all was patient in not buying till my needs were met and more importantly felt confident in the seller's integrity. I ended up getting this:

http://www.churchill-landrover.com/CHURCHILL%204x4%20stock.htm

for thousands less than other 5 door 109s I've evaluated here in the states, even including shipping. Could it still have problems? Absolutely. But it is original and unmolested, has a good maintenance record (new springs and rebuilt transmission, original paint), newer tires, and although the frame has had a couple repairs, they are reported to be sound. Jonathan Churchill has been fantastic to work with and I trust his evaluation.

Once I take posession at the Baltimore docks, I'll be able to give a first-hand report (I'm doing the importing myself). If you decide to go down this route and I can help based on my experience, just let me know.

[Jeff Aronson]

Since Land Rover stopped exporting the 109" to the US sometime around 1967, you've taken an interesting route in getting an '81 109".

The LWB model never sold well here because of cost [around $4,000 in the 1960's]. The station wagon models are rather rare and the ex-MOD or NATO 109's came without the 5-door's seating and interior "luxuries."

Keep us informed about your importation experience and post some photos when it arrives.

Jeff

[MSmyth]

Will do. I'm real curious about the customs procedure.

My absolute first choice would have been a 2 or 2a, but I found out early on that financially I might have to compromise and go for a Series 3 to meet my requirements... there aren't many original ones out there for what I had put aside for this project. I was looking for a weekend driver 5 door 11 or 12 seat safari, sound in all aspects but no trailer queen, 99% original, and I think I've done pretty good. Now down the road (as long as this is a good experience for me) I'll be looking for a Series 2 soft top '88 project. After all, I've got one more space open in the garage.

Since Land Rover stopped exporting the 109" to the US sometime around 1967, you've taken an interesting route in getting an '81 109".

The LWB model never sold well here because of cost [around $4,000 in the 1960's]. The station wagon models are rather rare and the ex-MOD or NATO 109's came without the 5-door's seating and interior "luxuries."

Keep us informed about your importation experience and post some photos when it arrives.

Jeff

[leafsprung]

although the frame has had a couple repairs, they are reported to be sound.

This is generally why british trucks get a bad rap. Even the good ones have generally seen serious rot in the past. If the frame has repairs, normally the firewall and t-posts will have had them as well. Their idea of whats good is much different than ours. The best rovers come from dry or salt free climates. Unfortunately england is wet AND salty and if youve ever been there you know that there are 100 ratty land rovers for every decent one. Generally speaking trucks from the western US are the best there are. CA/WA/OR/AZ/NM/TX/NV/WY/MT/CO/OK I recently pulled home a 53 that had been sitting for 20 years never washed or repainted and there wasnt a rust hole in the entire truck. And 90% of them are like that. Salt kills rovers.

[NickDawson]

Once again let me thank everyone for their time and insight...and for crushing my dreams you heartless heartless people!

Kidding aside, I am very glad I thought to inquire here. I have learned a lot in just a few short days.

I think the frankenrover in question is probably not the right one for me - although it does fit the bill in some ways (a weekend truck to haul house / yard work supplies). It sounds like it wouldn't be a great rover experience.

I've done some research and am seeing a lot of what I had found in the past - well cared for rovers that are out of my price and stalled projects that do not run. ... although every once in a while there are diamonds in the rough.


I've also come accross Global Landrover via the Landrover Exchange site

Understanding that photos do not tell a full story, what does the group think of this listing - at least as a comp for my Frankenrover

http://www.globallandrovers.com/main/site.php?use=vehicle&Album_ID=12

For $7K shipped to Maryland (2.5 hour drive for me), if it is in decent shape, that would suggest the $6,400 III that started this thread is way over priced.

Anyone have experience buying a rover site unseen? Dont think I'm entertaining that idea, but....maybe...

edited to add - also found this one but (despite the language in the ad) the seller wants to keep it on auction so I have no idea what the final price will be. If it were to say at the $9K range, it also looks in much better shape

[Eric W S]

Global is run by a gent by the name of Jullian. He seems like a nice guy. Posts on d-90.com and on Discoweb.org.

Give Doug? a call. He has used Jullian to source some trucks (I think). Might be interested in finding the right truck for you via Jullian. Give him a call.

Slow down and do more research. Googling Land Rovers for sale and surfing ebay can be an expensive mistake.

[MSmyth]

I don't disagree with what you're saying, and believe me when I say this is not the first UK or US prospect I've looked at. When you dig deep, or at least as deep as you can with pics/videos, other issues (not just rust) just seem to magically pop up on most Rovers listed for sale. This one was the exception. Looking at it pessimistically, for what I paid ($5500 plus shipping) and overall condition I can afford to repair/replace the frame later if needed, although I don't think that will be necessary. There have been two weld repairs to the frame and a spot repair to the bulkhead, waxoyled recently but could use a refresh, no rust on post or door frames. The 2nd owner out of 3 (had it most of its life) was a Rover dealer who had it on display, hence what I hope is the reason rust isn't an issue.

Hopefully after a good waxoyl I'll be good for the foreseeable future, and have a good platform to cut my Landy "teeth"!

This is generally why british trucks get a bad rap. Even the good ones have generally seen serious rot in the past. If the frame has repairs, normally the firewall and t-posts will have had them as well. Their idea of whats good is much different than ours. The best rovers come from dry or salt free climates. Unfortunately england is wet AND salty and if youve ever been there you know that there are 100 ratty land rovers for every decent one. Generally speaking trucks from the western US are the best there are. CA/WA/OR/AZ/NM/TX/NV/WY/MT/CO/OK I recently pulled home a 53 that had been sitting for 20 years never washed or repainted and there wasnt a rust hole in the entire truck. And 90% of them are like that. Salt kills rovers.

[leafsprung]

Nick,
Keep looking. The UK trucks really are sad. If you are willing to ship from england, you ought to be willing to ship from the west coast (or drive it home). There is a local 88 (shown below) with soft top and hard top thats pretty decent for 6K OBO on the LRX site. I would be willing to look at it for you. There is also a 109 5 door for 8400 in the local club newsletter that seems like a good deal. Guys email is anfeildrovers@msn.com