Hello everyone,

My name is Ross and I'm a new member to the site. I'm the new owner of a 1978 GS, body number 38567. As this is my first Land Rover, I'm hoping to gain knowledge about this vehicle, in order to give it a long and deserving life in my care. I aim for this site to be my main source of information.

My desire is to keep this vehicle up to scratch, and along those lines, I'll firstly need some advice about the suspension.

The vehicle is currently fitted with what appear to be standard issue leaf springs, one of which(drivers side front), has sagged, likely as a result of the weight of the driver and fuel tank on that corner.

I'd like some advice here as to the best approach for me to take, replace them with new leafs springs, or go down the parabolic track. Rather than opt for a reset of the old spring packs, I'd prefer new.

Would someone here be able to put me in touch with the best place to acquire a full set of new springs in Melbourne?

All advices greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ross.

Attached Images

3721_3.jpg (47.6 KB, 33 views)

WOW Thats one good looking Landy Ross. Welcome aboard

Advise on your Landys leaf suspension is not too far away as many members have the 'old' S3. I'm a S2A boy myself.

__________________
Regards Stuart

174-323 1969 S2A LRPV
175-170 1969 S2A LRPV
178-404 1971 S2A LRPV
172-463 1968 S2A GS/LRPV
178-185 1970 S2A GS
101-527 1964 No.5 'Norforce' Trailer

REMLR Member No - 209

Someone has spent a lot of time restoring that vehicle! It never looked so good when it was with the Army.

__________________

Why procrastinate today?
When I can put it off until tomorrow!
REMLR-240
2 X 80"
3 X SIIB
3 X RRc
& SIII FFR 30-146
No. 5 Trailer ?ARN

I agree, the former owners have certainly gone to great lengths to bring this unit up to scratch. I indeed feel honoured to have been deemed worthy of taking possession of it.

From what I've managed to find out, the majority of the rebuild was done by a Vietnam vet(name unknown sadly, but I will find out), and he saw to it that the body was removed from the chassis and everything bead blasted and painted in 2 pak. It appears that everything was re galvanised too.

He had the brush bar and tool holders powdercoated in black. Not sure if the chassis itself is painted or powdercoated, I'll climb under and have a look later. I believe he was also responsible for the fitting of the red 202 Holden engine and reco gearbox.

The next owner, Wayne, from Nowra NSW, fitted the high speed transfer case, most of the new bushes and body/window rubbers, the very comfortable seats, and he also added the hard top, which is again coated in 2 pak. Wayne fitted new free wheeling hubs, tyres, steering components and many many other bits and pieces.

I managed to track him down via the internet and had a good yarn with him prior to my taking delivery of the vehicle, and he sounds like a thorough Gentleman to me. His advices were greatly appreciated, and his assurance that this was indeed a fine vehicle definitely gave me greater confidence in proceeding through my purchase.

Wayne told me that the spring packs may be due for a reset, which I noted, and he said about the only other thing I'll need to source would be a couple of new windscreens, too easy. I've gone over the vehicle and can't find anything other than what he mentioned, so again, what a great honest man.

I drove it home to Melbourne from Kempsey last weekend, and the trip was quite pleasant and uneventful.

My intentions are to take the restoration further forward again, adding sensible bits and pieces, and generally keeping the restoration going along the same lines as what the other fellows have strove for.

Attached Images

	378d_3.jpg (46.8 KB, 21 views)
	3a83_3.jpg (45.6 KB, 22 views)
	37f7_3.jpg (38.7 KB, 25 views)
	39c0_3.jpg (61.9 KB, 20 views)

To top off that vehicle, you may want to consider adding a set of parabolic springs instead of the original type, quite expensive but a vast improvement in ride quality. Some people even compare them to coil springs.

There is a mob in Qld 4WD I think - do a search for parabolic on this forum and you'll find them.

Diana

__________________

Why procrastinate today?
When I can put it off until tomorrow!
REMLR-240
2 X 80"
3 X SIIB
3 X RRc
& SIII FFR 30-146
No. 5 Trailer ?ARN

Welcome mate,

Enjoy. Sounds like you will do a great job.

__________________
Jay
Disco series 1 - 92 200 tdi (Manual )
Rav 2006 Man

Thank you Diana,

I've been sort of leaning toward those, yet just want to be reassured that the rears won't present too big of an issue with potential snagging on tree branches etc, due to the protruding lower leaf.

It's not that I really expect to be doing any hardcore offroading, given the condition of the vehicle, so yeah, I'll probably order a set. Ride isn't really an issue in a Land Rover is it?

I just got in from giving it a coat of Carlack 68 polish, it came up pretty good. If the weather stays reasonable, it'll get another coat tomorrow.

Big job. But worth it.

Well, I hope to.

This pic gives a bit of an idea of the sort of work I do, yet the Land Rover won't be going anywhere near as far as that.

Regards,
Ross.

Attached Images

Picture 520.jpg (73.3 KB, 26 views)

Hi ya and welcome. If it was me, before I went spending big $ on paras, I would make sure the front springs are on the correct side as they are handed. Has the same effect as sagging but you probably already know that. If they are OE, the number part number is stamped on them. To my knowledge the front rhs should be 265627, and lhs 264563. Someone shall correct me if I'm wrong. Can't understand my own scribble after all this time.
We have always found OE springs to ride alright if kept in good condition. Some people sware by using a product called Rocol switch plate spray between the leaves.
IMHO, people have this mispreconception that all older L/Rs ride like crap. If the springs kept in good nick they don't. Trouble is you don't too often find an old banger with good suspension, and everyone assumes they are all like that.
Enjoy your truck, it looks great,
cheers
Evelyn

__________________
REMLR No 257
1966 FFT 114-087
1968 GS 171-953
1970 GS 178-313
1975 swb resto
1975 perkins 4128 donor
1973 swb
1972 lwb abused work truck
1978 ex mil 109 wreck 28-877
1982 stage1 diesel stn wgn
1985 110 V8 stn wgn
it's all good fun while they run!:

Hi Evelyn,

Thank you very much for the advice, I'd heard the same elsewhere and was unsure as to the accuracy of it, but now you've confirmed it for me, and now I'm thinking you may be right. It is possible that the springs were mixed up on assembly. The fellows who built it were definately switched on, but mistakes do happen.

I just went out to see what numbers I could find and on the drivers side found 276034P and couldn't find a number at all on the passenger side. This missing number could be the very source of the problem, for it may have "tricked" the assembler.

I'm thinking of simply swapping the springs around to see if that helps.

It's not that the problem is really so noticeable, but at times it appears that the vehicle is canted over toward the front right hand side. At other times it appears to sit right. Puzzling. I'll run the tape measure around it this morning to know for sure.

I suppose all the extra weight over the front right spring would have to have some sort of effect. That said, by swapping them around, it may level it back out.

I'm certainly not complaining about the ride, I actually think it rides quite well.

There's my job for today, swapping springs around.

Again thank you.

Regards,
Ross.