Do I need help?

[reubsrover]

I thought this tale was interesting enough to warrant general chat...


So my life since buying a Landy has never been the same...ups and downs every time I get in the car to drive anywhere, and we're slowly getting there or so I thought. Just finished replacing the main wiring loom and thought that with than new wheels/tyres and a new gearbox I'll be getting close to a somewhat reliable SIII (my only transport these past nearly three years).

With new wheels ordered waiting for pickup I haven't bothered getting the spare which now goes flat fixed and when I took it off the bonnet the other day there was no reason to put the wheel back on :o

Well so I thought...apparently that should have been included in the book on Series ownership that I should have read.:(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/1503.jpg


Anyway on the bright side I now have high beam again :) and I got to test how well my newly installed hazards work.:D

Ahh there always has to be something broken, why did I fix those blinkers.

And back to the original question...for those who follow my threads closely I have previously lost lighting on the first night of Series ownership whilst travelling at a frightful pace along the Hume, lost steering (any pace is frightful when this happens) lost a windscreen wiper, broken a halfshaft (goes without saying), burned my radio out with a short, driven with no roof in rain so heavy most off the freeway had stopped amongst other varied exciting adventures. And losing a bonnet it just par for the course in Landy ownership, what I need to know is when you start having nightmares about Land Rovers should one seek professional help.

I dreamed last night my steering box seized and I lost steering again :o All the way down to Melbourne after losing my bonnet I was rather worried about my steering system. But I made it, no one except my drivers mirror was harmed during the Landy's attempt at flying (the bonnet held on for a while to the strut flapping about as I pulled up, a SII bonnet of course would not have let go at the hinges...hmm).

And yes I now need a rather large wheel to re-anchor the bonnet, some military latches to ensure it doesn't happen again (they were on the shopping list already as I wasn't happy with the latch it had for aesthetic purposes) a bonnet reclaimed and painted up from the wreck in the paddock and a new drivers side mirror.

Counselling session begins below.

[Hall]

You and I could get together and swap a few tales of woe. :) At least being on a forum like this , full of land rover tragics and those like me slowly going to the tragic side of owner ship. You know that you are not alone with these problems. The only help you need is to share your trials with us. The laughter may be both at you and with you but at least you let a bit of steam of. It would have to be a long list for all the mishaps I have had with my ute. But funny enough when it all goes well, those memory's fade real quick. As for your bonnet catches. Don`t bother with the rubber type. They perish real quick.
Cheers Hall

[UncleHo]

If you are going to put a reasonably good tyre on the bonnet,I would suggest that you get a piece of 1/8 x 2 inch flat plate,drill 2 holes in it for the fixing bolts,and then get 2 long bolts and nuts plus flat and spring washers as I have done, (the bolts being slightly smaller than the bonnet holes) that way you get to keep both your bonnet down and your spare tyre.

cheers

[sheerluck]

I don't think you're as badly off as your neighbour across the road, they appear to have crashed their car into the front porch. :eek:

[UncleHo]

Aah! A late night at the Jimboomba pub? Or was it foggy out your way?

[greg smith]

WELL had a series 2A but didn't like the holden engine conversion, next landy was a series 3 then went away from land rover----guess what ---for the last 7 years I've been driving my disco 2 same old problems always with spanners in hand but for some reason 'JUST LOVE IT":D

[UncleHo]

I started out to rebuild a tired old ex-military 2a in 86,we now own and drive 3 plus a Range Rover classic. It's a virus,I tell you!

[sheerluck]

Are you a boozy bugger, always at the single watering hole within hundreds of kilometers?

Not me (non drinker anyway....), take a look at the left hand side of the photo posted above.

[Draco Australis]

Counselling??? What are you talking about?
The Land Rover Virus and it's subsequent disease is a thing of colourful beauty and even magic (When they are running and you don't know how it's even physically possible). The ability to desperately and tragically fall in love with one's Land Rover/s is something to be treasured, not queried. Your pretty bright blue SIII will reward you in ways in the coming future that anything else simply could not.

Hang in there buddy, hang in there. :)

Uncouncellor,

Draco.

[Landy Smurf]

Never a dull moment I guess Reuben.
I saw the photo before reading on(as most would :p) and I was thinking WTF.

[Slunnie]

But when you stand back and laugh at those niggles, you can take comfort in knowing that at least yours still drives! :D

[bob10]

The very first Series 111 came off the production line in the summer of 1971. The last in 1985. So your vehicle is between 42 & 28 years old. At that point, any problem is not the vehicle, but he/ she who maintains the vehicle. Keep up the good work, Bob

[reubsrover]

Fortunately there was no police to fine me and add to the pain for driving around without a bonnet while I made the trip from the Nth back to the Gramps.

You're right Bob, all the problems listed are because of poor maintenance or lack of it. Trouble is I'm still catching up. Takes a bit of work (and money) to not only maintain but also improve a 40 year old car (1973).

Yes Tony, took me a while to figure out what was happening when the bonnet was suddenly attached only by the strut, and then not at all :o

Ha that's what I'm worried about Slunnie, there constantly must be something wrong with the Landy, I just fixed the wiring/blinkers so he bonnet decided to break, I'll put it on and bend it back to satisfactory condition (drivable) tomorrow, stay tuned for what breaks on the drive from the Gramps to Bright (450km) tomorrow.

Thanks Draco, that's what I keep telling myself, just have to keep it long enough and it'll be a reliable vehicle once more, my only real complaint is the cost, I love the challenge.

You're right Uncle I've contracted the virus, spent a whole day at the wreckers yesterday pulling parts off for mine...absolute bliss. And the mod you speak of...what's wrong with the original setup? Too weak? Mine has a plate but still uses the stock bolts into the bonnet thread, I'm guessing this just doesn't get the wheel tight enough?

Haha thanks Greg, glad to hear you made it back to the fold and it isn't just cause I've got an old one that I'm always working on it. Trouble is I bought a Falcon for my first car and was always working on it as well, thought I may as well have something easy to work on so sold it and picked up the Landy.

I checked Sheerluck, the car was close to the porch but not quite crashed into it...they did have a nasty bump on the rear corner of that car though.

Thanks Hall, so when's the catchup. I really need to meet a few more Series owners so I can commiserate in person but whenever I get a chance to go along to a weekend I seem to be working on the Landy :p

And for all those wondering, there was only laughter and disbelief when it happened. It was rather funny, just fortunate no one else was around to get hit.

Tomorrow we fit a new part or two that'll be sue to cheer me up.:D

[Hall]

You should check out the trips section. Winter Wombat state forest camp in August. On the right side of town for you. I hope to be there. Usually a fair crowd as it has become a annual event.
Cheers Hall

[reubsrover]

There's a date to aim for, we'll see what we can do.

[bob10]

At some point, you will have got it up to scratch, and will be able to look at it with pride & say ' I did that :D , restored an icon '. Somehow I think in the case of old L.R.'s, the journey is as good as the destination. Enjoy. Bob