Where to get a series truck

[Ross_Thoma]

Hi Ross here from the discovery portion of discoweb.

I am and have been thinking of getting myself a series truck preferably a series III 88 and a Lightweight at that. I am having a hard time finding an "IN" if you would to the best sources for thies trucks, I would not mind doing a bit of work but a complete rebuild is not realistic for my abilities. If you have some ideas please let me know, I have tried LRX and Ebay but all I found is 109's and stupidly high priced ones.

Thanks
Ross Thoma

 

[LRNationals]

try www.roverparts.com or www.roversnorth.com most series rovers on these pages will be hig or over priced! keep looking around its not everyday you will find a 300.00 series rover for sale, but they are there. we ran an add in a local paper. all it said is we buy land rovers. the add worked.

 

[antichrist]

Try LRX.com
I just found this one on there.

Advertisement to SELL; Product: 1975 SERIES III; Price: 5000; (Currency: US Dollars)
1975 Land Rover lightweight military airportable diesel

1975 Land Rover military airportable lightweight diesel, RHD, strong engine and drivetrain nice body and bulkhead, nice frame, interior seats are nice, new canvas top, new tires, brake system rebuilt. good driver. needs some minor tinkering. I will email photos to serious inquiries. John 717-507-2365


Actually looks like a very good deal, depending on how the seller defines "tinkering"

 

[Ross_Thoma]

Thanks guys I have been there already and I do have emails out to those 2 lightweights.

Anymore ideas will be looked into.

Ross

 

[cdmbrennan]

Series III lightweight

Ross,

You might consider importing one from the UK. Nothing newer than '79 of course (due to import restrictions) and uncertain whether it has to be petrol (I think restrictions on diesel apply) but add the cost of shipping (around $2000.00) to the purchase cost and you could very well find one for under $5000.00 all costs included in good condition. RHD, of course...

Just an idea...

Cheers

 

[Leslie]

Ask Ike.....

I don't see as many Lightweights..... if I was wanting to find such, a Leightweight, and an inexpnsive one at that, I'd ask Ike; Ron Brown also keeps tabs on the locations of Series Rovers, but lawyerin' has been keeping him busy, I don't know if he's got a Lightweight on his list.....

To find Ike....
http://www.pangolin4x4.com/




-L

 

[antichrist]

Ross,

You might consider importing one from the UK. Nothing newer than '79 of course (due to import restrictions) and uncertain whether it has to be petrol (I think restrictions on diesel apply) but add the cost of shipping (around $2000.00) to the purchase cost and you could very well find one for under $5000.00 all costs included in good condition. RHD, of course...

Just an idea...

Cheers

LHD Lightweights are oftern available in the UK

 

[cmoore207]

This one looks like a bargain:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6296&item=4539932699&rd=1

 

[syoung]

Kevin Willy up in Canada has/had a lightweight for sale with lots of spares etc for something like $10K recently. I'll see if I can find his contact info...

 

[EricSiepmann]

This one looks like a bargain:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6296&item=4539932699&rd=1

Well, have you priced out a real restoration before? Parts alone run 35k. . .

 

[cdmbrennan]

A bargain?

Not to rustle any feathers, but this idea of 30K for a resto is ridiculous. Sure, if you're buying it outright- but if you're interested in getting your hands a bit dirty and researching different part sources, than a very good resto can be done for a good deal less. Just my .02.

Unless I'm mistaken, the landie in the ebay ad is not an III Lightweight, but a IIa "standard' 88...

You might look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29748&item=4540778837&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

this might interest you...

Cheers, hope I didn't offend anyone...

 

[EricSiepmann]

No offense taken.

That was for every part new. Just like it left the factory. A restoration. Anything else is just a refurbishment and they are a lot cheaper, but not the same. There's a reason ECR, Cooper Technica, et al charge upwards of the price of a new Range rover for their work. It's a real resto.

I guess Mike @ ECR put it best. A restoration means different things to different people...

EwS

 

[Alexa]

Hey- are you a local at Interlochen or staff at IAA? I went there for highschool. I am currently hunting a mysterious lightweight here in southern Indiana and you might want to talk with PT Schram at BTL Rovers in Ft. Wayne Indiana- he can source most anything and has a camp in the UP so you could maybe even get it delivered. I have a lovely 88 that could be purchased, although it is currently in pieces.

 

[Blueboy]

Not to rustle any feathers, but this idea of 30K for a resto is ridiculous. Sure, if you're buying it outright- but if you're interested in getting your hands a bit dirty and researching different part sources, than a very good resto can be done for a good deal less. Just my .02.

not really. as EwS mentioned, all depends on what you want as far as restoration vs a refurb. New or NOS parts aren't cheap for a Series. Again, this is if you want a "new" 35 or so year old vehicle.

the joke at the LR dealer that serviced our Series IIa when they would write the year was it might say 1967 but its birth year really is 2001. It is a hybrid though and that also raises some fur in places.

back to the topic, take your time as Lightweights do become available. give ECR an e-mail as they are pretty connected and are willing to help.


Jaime

 

[Ross_Thoma]

Alexa, I am a local I live on Dubonnet trail about 1.5 miles north of the hwy 31 intersection and s. long lake road.

Thanks guys I will take your suggestions to heart, I am not looking for a restoration but more like a refurbishment I guess. I am not in the least unwilling to do work on the truck, BUT I don't want a frame off engin out restoration type deal just some tweeking to to do.

Ross T.

 

[ptschram]

There is a possibility that several 109s may be coming on the market shortly.

Varying conditions, etc. The gentleman who owns them may be selling a collection of more than ten trucks. Some of them are coming to me for "detail" work. Not a nut and bolt, but more than a clean-up.

Lightweights are no longer the bargain they once were in the UK-I ended up with a 109 after two weeks of hunting.

 

[Leslie]

Lightweights are no longer the bargain they once were in the UK-I ended up with a 109 after two weeks of hunting.

On one hand I agree, especially once the exchange rate is considered, that the UK isn't always a great place to find 'em.

But on the other, two weeks? Anyone who wants any Series needs to be willing to spend some time searching to find the right one.... two weeks is just warming up, unless you luck up. And, he doesn't want a 109.... if he was wanting a nice 88", I know where a couple are sitting waiting on the next owner, and there's an average 88" there, too. But why bring those up when he's looking for a Lightweight?


-L

 

[Ross_Thoma]

Acually Leslie, I am more than happy getting into an 88 I am into the short rigs. I just want a sound truck with a solid frame and bulkhead. This will be my first fixer upper so I want to keep it as least hard core as possible.

Paul I was going to call you when I got back to Traverse City, Mike Konvinski said that I should give you a call and see what you have to say on the subject of series trucks. Would you mind chatting it up and help me decide what I want to get into?

Ross Thoma

 

[antichrist]

Is there a prticular reason you want an SIII air portable? Then only main difference between the SIII and SIIa is healights on the wings.
There's alot more difference between a civilian SIII cand SIIa. Well, the major thing being the interior and bulkhead, and the SIII having the weaker gearbox.

 

[Leslie]

Is there a prticular reason you want an SIII air portable? Then only main difference between the SIII and SIIa is healights on the wings.
There's alot more difference between a civilian SIII and SIIa. Well, the major thing being the interior and bulkhead, and the SIII having the weaker gearbox.

And just how many SIII boxes have you broken versus how many SIIa boxes???
For a 2.25L engine, the SIII box is fine.... it's "weaker" in the sense that the gears are beveled so that the box can be fully synchro'd.... it's not "weak".... yeah, it won't hold up if you but a 350SB in front of it, but neither would the IIa box, either.


I do agree, though, in Lightweights there are few differences between a IIa and a III....


I would suggest spending more money up front and getting as nice of a Series as you can find to begin with.... it will save you a lot of money and time and labor in the long run. I advise against getting a rough one, unless you are wanting it to be a complete project... and even then, I'd still push someone to get a nicer one if possible.


-L