1980 Land Rover 109 - Stage One
Repairs, Modifications and Adventures
(2008)
Janaury - February 2008: Not much work to report on. Cold weather has put a damper on projects.
March 2008: Sill Bars / Rock Sliders While on the Fall Ride with Appalcian Overland Adventures, I took a corner too sharp, fell into a deep rut, and so on... The end result was that I smashed one of the my sills. I figured it was no sense in replacing the soft aluminum with more parts as I am assuredly going to do that again.
I bought a welder and got a lesson from an experienced hobby fabricator and now I am off and dangerous. The two us got the majority of the work completed in Roanoke and I took the big pieces home to Sterling and finished welding up some brackets.
The end results are pretty good for a first timer. I have seen some more rugged designs but these are not too shabby and should suit my needs - the occasioanly scrape against something I did not see.
I really wanted to get them galvanized - but it did not make sense with the minimum dip charge for 600 pounds and I may have 100 pounds. I gave them a quick coat of paint and will get back to galvanizing them later - when I have more stuff to dip.
Naturally, this was not a single weekend project and took until May to complete.
Sill Bar / Rock Slider
June and July 2008: Radiator Repairs, Rear Shock Absorbers and MG Horns With the peak of hot weather upon me, I decided to do something about the truck always almost overheating. I took the radiator out of the truck and had it serviced. It was almost completely filled with sludge and had a few leaks. It was deamed a non-saver and was completely re-cored. Stage One radiators are quite rare. After it was replaced in everything appears to be keeping a lot cooler.
I had parabolic springs placed on the truck while it was in England - pre-delivery. I also had them replace the shock absorbers. The replacement shocks for OEM specifications and did not allow for the longer suspension travel of the parabolics. I replaced the rear shocks with Explorer Pro-Comps from Wise Owl. These have improved the ride slightly as the old shocks limited spring travel quite a bit.
Finally, I had been meaning to replace the cracked and weak single note horn for many months. It worked - but just barely. Since it was cracked, it buzzed and rattled more than it tooted. My Dad had a set of hi and low note horns from a MG parts car he has so he let me have those. They would not fit in the factory mounting spot for the Land Rover, so while I hade the radiator out, I made up a small bracket and got the horns mounted. My five year old daughter had thouroughly tested the new horns. Just ask my neighbors.
Flushing the engine while the radiator was in the shop
August - November 2008: Rear Cross Member / Fuel Tank I lot of work has been done this summer. I started to slather a coat of paint on the rear cross member in order to clean up the truck for the Central Virginia British Car Club's Classics on the James. After I took off some of the trim and started to mess about with it, I realized that the thing was rusting to pieces deep underneath.
As part of the vibration and shock of removing the rear cross member, I aggravated a leak in the fuel tank. My fuel tank has had a perpetual leak (more of a weep). After messing about with it, things grew to a steady drip.
So, just weeks before the Mid-Atlantic Rally, I am tearing apart the truck for major surgery. There were many late nights in the garage and lots of trips to the hardware store for more sanding, grinding and bolts and bobs.
I made it to the Rally a little later than planner as I was still turning wrenches the day I was supposed to leave. Ultimately, things worked out in the end and everything is back on the road.
This winter may be the time that I finally get to some of the pesky interior problems that have been nagging at me�. (not holding my breath).
New rear crossmember at the MAR
March - April 2009: Major Tune Up I am making preparations to attend the Spring Uwharie Safari in North Carolina. Before I start on that long of a journey, I wanted to give the truck a solid tune up. I have been focusing on so many major issues that I have nevere even changed the spark plugs or adjusted the carbs.
One of the major obstacles in getting this routine type work done is simply a factor of time - I ain't got none. So I turned to a professional to help out with this. Capitol Motor Cars of Virginia got the job and after a short inspection and conversation I ended up modifying my plans.
My old dual Zeinith-Stromborg carb setup was worn out. There was a vacuum leak around some of the carb seals and the throttle shafts were leaking fuel. The cost to rebuild was more more expensive than the cost to replace with good old American Red-Neck race parts. In came a complete Edelbrock carb and intake with new Mallory distributor and Petronix ignition. The difference is ... wow!
I am following this up with a handful of other tasks like re-lubing axle bearings, topping off fluids and trouble shooting a few electric gremlins. Stay tuned for some action shots from the Uwharrie Safari!!!
New intake and carb
May - July 2009: Lots of minor repairs Oil pump rebuilt - good oil pressure now
Hazards / 4 Way flashers replaced -
Overdrive went ker-plooey - so I am back to 4 speeds
Windshield washer pump replaced
Alternator light re-hooked up after replacement alternator install
Building a new winch bumper... (more to come...)
Uwharrie Safari - May 2009
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