Looking for Australian Owner of my Series III 109

[Surf109]

Hello all from Southern California in the United States! I just recently purchased an ex-mod Series III 109 from a guy who imported it from Australia. Its a unique 109 (at least here in the US) as it has a Euro Spec 2.6 L Land Rover Petrol motor and also had a LPG conversion. Its a 1980 Series III FFR. I was hoping to track down the Australian owner to try and get some history on the vehicle. It looks like its was last registered in AUS in 2008 and has a sticker on the rear of the Aluminum hardtop that says "Karratha Toyota"

I will attach some photos below. Any insight on the truck would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Best,
Stone

[digger]

Gday Stone,
welcome to the forum.


Looks like a fairly unmolested ex mil s3. Nice find especially as it still has some original features like the pioneer tool holders which are a sought after item!.

Probably a good spot to find history of your vehicle would be here:

The Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers. Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. (http://www.remlr.com/)

The register of ex military land rovers (australia)

Any history available is on there searchable by your chassis number
it will give you the date bought, its ARN (army registration number), date sold out and where also any other details known.


http://www.remlr.com/ARN/ARNSeries3.html


Also available there are photos of original s3 in army specs (incl FFR) and assorted info all of which would be very useful I would think.

Series 3 Fitted For Radio -REMLR (http://www.remlr.com/S3ffr.html)

I think you'll be able to check on TAC plate colour/numbers etc also on REMLR site if you ask those on there for help. Its very much worth joining!.



I fear I may have just given you the web sites that could take a lot of your time up!! Have fun and keep us posted on how things go.!




cheers
Digger

[Surf109]

Digger thank you so much! That is so helpful ... and will most likely occupy me the better part of my weekend. Ha! I will keep you posted on what I find. Cheers!

[ramblingboy42]

welcome mate.

I think you find you will need more than the better part of your weekend.

congratulations on your find......I spent thousands of km behind the wheel of those.....usually at an average speed of about 3kmh.....hahaha

[LandyAndy]

It could be worth contacting Karatha Toyota and seeing if they can recal the vehicle and put you in touch with the previous owner.Land Rovers arnt the norm in Karatha,especially ex army Series3's so you could be in with a chance.
Goodluck.
Andrew

[Fluids]

Rego plate anyone ...?

9DP-330

NSW plates with a red LPG compliance sticker.

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[Dopey]

Rego plate anyone ...?

9DP-330

NSW plates with a red LPG compliance sticker.

Sent from my iPad using Braille

They are Western Australian plates, not NSW.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/march-military-campaign/

Mike.

[LandyAndy]

Definately WA plates;);););)
Andrew

[Fluids]

Oops ... I stand corrected.

WA plates.

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[JDNSW]

As you will have probably found by now from digger's links, this is typical of the Landrovers supplied to the Australian military forces during Series 3 production. They are not the "MOD" designs from the UK, but while sharing the same basic (civilian) design, have substantial differences.

They were assembled in Sydney from CKD kits but with very substantial local content, both in parts and design, and supplemented and eventually replaced Series 2a Landrovers also unique to Australia that had preceded them.

They were replaced in service by coil sprung Landrovers, similarly unique to Australia, starting in the mid 1980s. These are now in the process of being replaced by Mercedes Benz, and the Landrovers are being sold at regular auctions.

These ex-military Landrovers have been and are still used extensively throughout Australia. The six cylinder engine has not proved popular with many users, and has often been replaced by a Holden engine, mainly because this is cheaper than overhauling the original.

Very few of them have ended up outside the country.

John

[Surf109]

Thank you all so much! So helpful. I am digging through the info. I found the truck listed on the registry which was so cool to see. Looks like it was put into service in Dec 3, 1980. I will call Karatha Toyota dealership too. I googled the town and it looks like it's not too big of a place ... Also seems to have a lot of red dirt which explains the amount of it I am finding all over the hidden areas of the truck. She's been a blast to drive and gets a lot of funny looks here in the U.S. where I'm driving on the wrong side of the truck with a massive LPG tank behind me. Nobody here converts anything to LPG. I've actually got a few questions about the conversion but I see there is a section here on the forum for that so I will do some searching. Cheers! 93727

[Surf109]

Could anyone lend some insight as to what this tag means? 93729

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi Stone

Your vehicle is a FFR (fitted for radio), these vehicles were dual voltage having a 12Volt vehicle system and a secondary 24volt system with a large 100amp CAV alternator sitting low down on the RHS of the engine just above the engine mount. In civilian (post military) service these alternators were usually removed, as was the 24V distribution box behind the LHS front seat.

Most people find the engine lacking in power, but a member here (cookey) has recently been improving the performance of the vehicle using the original engine, he significantly improved the horse power and torque merely by fitting a properly designed extractor/header system (which he manufactures and sells) and is now working on porting the inlet and exhaust sides of the engine. (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-iii/198988-2-6-engine-improvements-9.html#post2310662, http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-iii/198988-2-6-engine-improvements-5.html#post2175054 and http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-iii/198988-2-6-engine-improvements-6.html#post2211901)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/709.jpg

He also sells disk brake conversions that can be fitted to both front and rear wheels without having to change the wheels. (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/169784-series-disc-brake-conversion-i-did-my-way.html)

If you're looking to replace the front door tops, I'd avoid the original leaky ones that rust and go for the made in the US "Rocky Mountain Products" door tops RMG010 http://www.parabolicsprings.com/products.html

Diana

[Mick_Marsh]

Could anyone lend some insight as to what this tag means? 93729
It's a Mod Plate.
It tells what modifications were done to it whilst in service. I think the info is on REMLR somewhere.
Post it up on REMLR. Someone there will point you in the right direction.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

<snip>
Nobody here converts anything to LPG. I've actually got a few questions about the conversion but I see there is a section here on the forum for that so I will do some searching. Cheers!
93727
There were two reasons for the LPG conversions in Oz, firstly they pollute less and so are good for use in cities for things like taxis. However the main reason was that the LPG was originally excise (tax) free, so the cost of the fuel was about 1/3 the cost of petrol (gasoline). Excise is now being increased on LPG so the reason to convert is less cost efficient.

[Surf109]

Okay I have more questions. So sorry in advance! You all have been so helpful.

Can anyone tell me what these switches do? I googled "blackout mode" and learned a bit about thats. Any ideas about the other three toggles?

[Surf109]

And another ... what about this switch?

[Surf109]

welcome mate.

I think you find you will need more than the better part of your weekend.

congratulations on your find......I spent thousands of km behind the wheel of those.....usually at an average speed of about 3kmh.....hahaha

Thanks! I wish I could buy you a beer and pick your brain on this thing. Even within the LR community here this truck is a bit of an oddity.

[digger]

So Stone,
have you named the car yet?

I'd think there'd be a mob of options for an English designed Aussie built and in service car in the US! :D

Eg "bruce" ��

heres something to print and put on your shed wall!

http://www.remlr.com/documents/Adverts/adv1976_p3.jpg

Re the "mod" plate, they were fitted to vehicles and trailers and if a modification was deemed necessary
then it was givena number (this was done veh type by veh type as I understand it- eg no1 on a series 3 wont be same as no1 on a trailer)

When the mod was complete by workshops they defaced the corresponding number thereby marking it for quick check etc...

Anyway thats as i understand it, i believe these only started during s3 someone will pop in andcorrect me if I'm wrong I'm sure

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Okay I have more questions. So sorry in advance! You all have been so helpful.

Can anyone tell me what these switches do? I googled "blackout mode" and learned a bit about thats. Any ideas about the other three toggles?
Hi Stone

That panel has been modified. The two horizontally arranged switches are additional and likely for spot/driving lamps.

The other switch is usually for the map lamp on the passengers side.

The "stove" switch controls the military convoy lighting. There are two or three positions, depending on configuration. Off is normal civilian lighting.
On is blackout which turns off the headlights, side lights and tail lights. and turns on the rear convoy lamps and blackout stop lamps (the two lamp fittings adjacent to each jerry can holder)
There may also be a reduced lighting mode which turns on a pair of hooded slit lamp lamps on the front.
And another ... what about this switch?
It is probably an engine immobiliser switch. Added by a civilian owner after service. In the Army they didn't have an ignition key.

The switch above the brake pedal is the black-out stop lamp switch.


So Stone,
have you named the car yet?
<snip>
Re the "mod" plate, they were fitted to vehicles and trailers and if a modification was deemed necessary ...
<snip>
To expand on Digger's information. The Army perodically issued Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Instruction (EMEI) for each each individual type of equipment, these are a bit like recall notices in the automotive industry.

Each EMEI related to only one equipment model and had an individual number. When a vehicle came in for service the mechanic would check for EMEI and when the task was complete would obliterate the relevant number on the mod plate.

Sometimes an EMEI cancelled the need for an earlier EMEI so some numbers would be ommitted because the later EMEI was done first.

Many of the EMEI are available on the REMLR website in the files section http://remlr.com/index_library.html.

Diana

[Surf109]

You all are great! Thank you so much. I am gong to have to get my wife in the truck flipping switches while I walk around and check everything out. I thought maybe one of them was a fuel pump cut-off switch (as the truck is fitted with an electric fuel pump that I assume shouldn't be running when the LPG is switched on) ... I could be wrong though. Thank you thank you!

[Surf109]

So Stone,
have you named the car yet?

I'd think there'd be a mob of options for an English designed Aussie built and in service car in the US! :D

Eg "bruce" ��



Ha this is awesome! The truck is kind of a smattering of nations at this point huh? I don't have a name for it yet, but my 3 year old son keeps calling it the "Mohawk Truck" as he seems to think the canvas top looks like a mohawk. He also says "Dad, why does the mohawk truck have a wheel on it's nose?" Ha!

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You all are great! Thank you so much. I am gong to have to get my wife in the truck flipping switches while I walk around and check everything out. I thought maybe one of them was a fuel pump cut-off switch (as the truck is fitted with an electric fuel pump that I assume shouldn't be running when the LPG is switched on) ... I could be wrong though. Thank you thank you!
You may be correct if its dual fuel, but I'd rather think that there would be a single switch that would both turn off the electric fuel pump and open the solenoid valves on the tank and the LPG converter.

One of the switches on the centre panel would be my first guess.

Is there an LPG tank guage or LED level indicator somewhere on the dash? These usually have a switch on them for the change over.

BTW: It is common that a dual fuel vehicle starts on petrol and has a timer or similar to change over to LPG. Some also have a primer button/switch so you can get propane to the engine to start.
One point about LPG. The gas is dry so there can be a lack of lubricant to the valves, many people recommend if running on LPG you should regularly run for a short time on gasoline or add an upper cylinder lubricant mechanism into the air intake system.

[Surf109]

Is there an LPG tank guage or LED level indicator somewhere on the dash? These usually have a switch on them for the change over.

There is an LED level gauge and switch over button. I will post a few photos below. I have never seen or driven any type of LPG so I know nothing.

[alien]

There is an LED level gauge and switch over button. I will post a few photos below. I have never seen or driven any type of LPG so I know nothing.
Nice find!


In the tank picture the there is a round knob that shuts gas supply off to the line for when working on the system.
There will also be an internal valve that shuts supply if a line gets ruptured as a safety device.
On the switching panel one switch will be a rocker type.
Usually 3 positions, LPG/Off/Petrol.
When running on petrol turn it to off to shut the fuel line solenoid and run the motor till the fuel runs out of the carbie(or starts to miss).
Then slip it to LPG to open the solenoid for the gas line and jobs done.
Same procedure in reverse for going the other way.
The other switch may be a primer for cold starts, they aren't used much.


I'd recommend running it on petrol before parking it each night.
Once a temp slip it over to LPG and then back to petrol just before returning at night.
This keeps the system lubricated and doesn't dry out the carbie seals as Lotz-a-landies recommended.


The other thing is without warm water in the gas convertor under the bonnet the LPG will freeze.
This is why they are plumbed into the cooling system so keep an eye on coolant levels if it runs rough on LPG.

[Surf109]

Usually 3 positions, LPG/Off/Petrol.
When running on petrol turn it to off to shut the fuel line solenoid and run the motor till the fuel runs out of the carbie(or starts to miss).
Then slip it to LPG to open the solenoid for the gas line and jobs done.


Thank you so much! This is a huge help. So when I toggle between LPG / OFF / Petrol should I keep the motor running or cut the motor while switching between fuel types? It sounds like I should keep the motor running while switching to 'off' to allow each respective gas to deplete then switching to the other while the motor is still running, correct?

Thank you!

[Mick_Marsh]

Thank you so much! This is a huge help. So when I toggle between LPG / OFF / Petrol should I keep the motor running or cut the motor while switching between fuel types? It sounds like I should keep the motor running while switching to 'off' to allow each respective gas to deplete then switching to the other while the motor is still running, correct?

Thank you!
Yes.
You'll find, switching from lpg to gasoline, the lpg will stop straight away.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Yes: keep the engine running,
Fuel change over switch to Off, when the engine starts to run rough (running out of fuel) switch to the other fuel.

I don't know the process in the US/California, but LPG tanks in Oz need to be pressure tested and re-certified every 10 years. Also if it has rubber LPG fuel supply lines these should be checked regularly and replaced periodically. The hose is usually rubber/stainless steel mesh sandwich with cotton braiding over the outside. If it has copper fuel pipe, then you only need to check there is no damage/rubbing of the pipe and check the integrity of the joints periodically.

[Surf109]

Awesome. Thank you!

[bee utey]

There is an LED level gauge and switch over button. I will post a few photos below. I have never seen or driven any type of LPG so I know nothing.

Wow that is one old LPG system. The LPG tank will have been installed around 20-25 years ago by my guess, so you may be in breach of local regulations if you refill it. There will be a month and year date inside the control box of the tank indicating its last test date. In Australia anything over 10 years since the last test date is illegal to fill. I suspect you would be better off removing the system in its entirety and taking the tank to a bottled propane gas agent for safe disposal.

Anyway, the LED gauge on your dash won't read correctly unless the gauge sender in the tank control box is refitted to its position on top of the tank contents gauge. There will be a small dot on the plastic circle that you align with the empty mark on the gauge from memory. These valves have not been made for many years so I could be wrong.

Finally when changing from LPG to petrol, switch the dash switch all the way over to petrol, it will take a few moments for the petrol pump to refill the carby so you will be without engine power during that time.

[Surf109]

Okay good to know. Thank you. I plan on getting the tank inspected, but I didn't know it was that old so thank you for the heads up.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Stone

If you want to know the best information about LPG systems on this site. "bee utey" is your man!

Diana

[digger]

Ha this is awesome! The truck is kind of a smattering of nations at this point huh? I don't have a name for it yet, but my 3 year old son keeps calling it the "Mohawk Truck" as he seems to think the canvas top looks like a mohawk. He also says "Dad, why does the mohawk truck have a wheel on it's nose?" Ha!

ahh good stuff, well no worries at all, sounds like "MO" is the name :)

its actually not a wheel on its nose, its a "mo" :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/922.jpg

[Surf109]

Ha! Yes that's awesome.