Ex Oman Military 1981 Series III Pick Up

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  • pa30crewchief@gmail.com
    Low Range
    • Oct 2024
    • 11

    Ex Oman Military 1981 Series III Pick Up

    For sale is my 1981 ex-Oman Army Land Rover Series III 109” Left Hand Drive Military Pickup with a UK VIN stamped on the chassis. It is powered by a 5 main bearing 4-cylinder 2.25 liter engine with the stock 4 speed transmission and transfer case. My asking price is $25,000. (Restoration and shipping have cost me nearly double this amount).

    After I restored the vehicle I imported it to my home in New Mexico, USA. The vehicle is titled to me in New Mexico.

    I purchased the vehicle while living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates from a seller in neighboring Umm Al Quwain. The chassis and body were rust free as befits their use in the Omani desert. The Oman Army had made body modifications to exterior of the load bed to incorporate additional lockers secured with janky looking hardware locked with padlocks. These lockers were removed and the holes welded shut as part of the body restoration. The dented and worn load bed itself was replaced with new aluminum sheet metal. There was no rust on the chassis or body at the time of purchase and they remain rust free here in the arid NM high desert which has even lower humidity and less rain.

    During restoration I decided to restore this pickup in civilian colors and chose Bahama Gold and Limestone, authentic original colors in the Land Rover Series III catalog. This is a cheerful color combination that works year-round with the cab and canvas on or off.

    Interior is custom-made black vinyl upholstery wrapped seat cushions and a cream-colored head liner. The tan canvas top is fresh from Rovers North here in the USA.


    The bulk of the restoration was performed in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. I have a detailed list of all the work performed and parts used. Most parts used were NOS or imported from the UK.

    As mentioned, the engine is a late Series 5 main bearing petrol 2.25 liter that was overhauled in Abu Dhabi. The one significant change I made to the engine was to replace the carburetor with a Holley Sniper single point electronic fuel injection system to eliminate petrol vapor lock in the mechanical fuel pump and carburetor. I did this after I was stranded in 120F heat in Dubai traffic and realized that fiddling with the carb would be a continuous battle. After converting to fuel injection the engine from then on happily starts hot or cold and there is never a concern of vapor lock or hard starting, especially when hot. Another benefit is that the engine burns standard US pump gas and there is no need to tune the carburetor for altitude variations.

    Part of the Holley Sniper install is a small screen that displays engine parameters including RPM, atmospheric air pressure, throttle position sensor (TPS), coolant temperature and air/fuel ratio. The Holley Sniper is calibrated to 100 TPS and wide open throttle power delivery is smooth at all RPMs. As future evolutions a next owner can add an electrical cooling fan and electronic ignition under the control of the Sniper to further improve efficiency and performance. The Sniper also provides an anti-drag feature to compensate for idling load if an AC compressor is installed in the future.

    The transmission and transfer case was rebuilt in Abu Dhabi. Shifting is crunch free and all 4 forward and single reverse work perfectly. Low range and all wheel drive work as designed. This transmission is an excellent candidate for an overdrive addition if you plan to drive on major highways at 70mph.

    The fuel system has two fuel tanks that are fueled from filler ports under the driver- and passenger seats. The stock fuel system is slightly modified to cater to the fuel recirculation from the Holley Sniper EFI and with hoses suitable for petrol containing ethanol. The fuel tank caps seal tightly and there is a metal sliding door between the fuel tanks and the seats so once filled there is no fuel odor in the cabin.

    The dashboard retains original Smiths “British Jaeger” branded gauges for speedometer in kilometers per hour, coolant temperature gauge, fuel level gauge (one gauge for both tanks based on the selector switch) and annunciator lights for “cold start”, “high beam”, “oil pressure” and “charge”. There are additional annunciators for left and right turn signal and an emergency flasher annunciator and switch.

    Bumpers are the original military style with bumperettes.

    Wheels are original steel, painted Limestone. Tires are new Dunlop SP Super Gripper S, LT 235/85R16 tires, fitted with new tubes.

    The military electrical wiring and convoy switchgear was replaced with a new civilian harness and military features like night convoy lighting was not retained. Instead, a center panel with USB ports was fitted, which also serves as a mounting point for the GPS speedometer in MPH.

    I added safety belts for the driver and passenger. As purchased there was no cabin heating and I have restored cabin heating for cool weather driving.

    I recently serviced the vehicle here in New Mexico with fresh and correct lubricants for the engine, transmission, differentials, ball joints, universal joints and steering gearbox, and replaced engine coolant with the correct antifreeze for this climate. The engine and axles are leak free but I do note a small leak from the gearbox and transfer case.

    Photos below.

    Thanks for looking!

    Brian W.
    Cell/ Text/ WhatsApp +1 575 294 0784
    Email turbocardinalrg@icloud.com
    Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA


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    Attached Files
    Last edited by pa30crewchief@gmail.com; 10-15-2024, 07:44 PM.
  • GriffSC
    Low Range
    • Apr 2007
    • 36

    #2
    Hi Brian,

    Interesting history on this one and I appreciate what you've done to/with it. Aside from the apparent gearbox and/or transfer case leak, is there anything needing immediate attention? How're the brakes and the steering other than the typical soft and wandering? The wipers electric or manual?

    Thank you, sir!
    Mark

    Comment

    • pa30crewchief@gmail.com
      Low Range
      • Oct 2024
      • 11

      #3
      Mark, sorry for the slow reply...was on a business trip! Brakes are good and steering is good.

      In the engine compartment pic you should notice a larger master cylinder than stock. The drums and shoes were replaced during the restoration. Braking is good for around town and pulls straight. During the restoration we attempted to convert to front discs in front but learned that such a conversion on a stock axle needs more modification than I was prepared for...so its stock drum brakes all round.

      Steering was aligned earlier this year. No power steering of course but steering force is manageable.

      I did the following service in September this year.

      Engine Oil 20W50 : 6.85 liters (1.81 gallons), Castrol Classic 20W50 [2.25L 4 cylinder engine (Series 2/3): 6 liters + 0.85 liter when replacing the oil filter.]
      Engine Oil filter: Series BF 210 RTC3184 Oil Filter New
      Air filter = oil 20W50 : (Canister and steel wool cleaned)) [4 cylinder engine: 0.85 liter]
      Drivetrain oil = 80W90 oil : 7.5 liters (2 gallons) STP Gear Oil, SAE 80W-90
      Differentials: 1.75 liters per deck
      Gearbox: 1.5 liters
      Transfer box: 2.5 liters

      Sphere Pivot Oil = STC3435 Grease : 2 containers of Swivel Housing Grease [Per sphere: 0.5 liter or 1 cartridge of grease]
      Steering box and steering relay = oil W140 : 0.25 liters
      Brake or clutch fluid = DOT4 or DOT5 : [ liter for the whole circuit but 2 liters if you purge]
      Cooling system = ethylene glycol [4 cylinder petrol models : 8.1 liters]

      I drive the vehicle every now and then and it quite practical around town.

      Vehicle is here in Las Cruces, NM and I store it in my hangar.

      Brian


      Comment

      • pa30crewchief@gmail.com
        Low Range
        • Oct 2024
        • 11

        #4
        Mark, nearly forgot about the wipers. They work fine, as does the windscreen washer. Hardly ever needed in the desert though!

        Comment

        • Aspenwood110
          Low Range
          • Jun 2013
          • 12

          #5
          Very nice truck. I lived in Dubai and I know there are few of these around. I live in Angel Fire New Mexico now. If I was closer I would come take a look.

          Comment

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