Series IIa to Series III Stage 1 conversion

[2eh]

Hi all,

New to the forums and relatively new to LRs, I've searched for this topic but nothing came up - apologies if this has been covered and please direct me to a thread if so.

I'm curious about what's involved in the conversion of a series IIa to a series III stage 1 - i.e. the rover v8 and forward radiator grille. I came across what I thought was a series III stage 1 but the chassis number is from 1971 so it can't be.

Now, the more I look at the car the more I see physical evidence that it is in fact a stage IIa with new shoes on:

- the dash is a series IIa dash
- the fuel tank cap seems to be in the wrong place
- there are some suspicious holes in the engine bay around where the radiator grille on a series IIa should be (suggesting it has been removed)
- the car is green, the engine bay has licks of red and the underside of the bonnet has licks of blue
- gearbox and tunnel has been modified (I believe it has a Defender gearbox from around 2015 now)

All this tells me it can't be the series III stage 1 I thought it was. Can anybody shed some light here?

Cheers,
2eh

[101RRS]

There is more to a stage 1 than just the engine (v8 or 3.9 Izusu) - it has a completely different drivetrain - constant 4wd - different gearbox and transfer case. Stage 1 is a Series 3 with different engines and drivetrain - etc but interior is the same as a standard series 3 - - so instruments in front of the driver with standard plastic dash.

The series 2a probably just has the V8 plonked in it.

Garry

[2eh]

Thanks Garry, sounds about right. I understand there's a lot more to it than just the engine, just curious as to the work involved and whether anybody had any personal experience of it.

[JDNSW]

Apart from the obvious engine change, the Stage 1 has, as stated a different drive train. This used the LT95 combined four speed gearbox and transfer case, plus a different front axle that used CV joints in the swivels instead of the cross and bearing joints used in all other Series except very early 80". This is necessary because the LT95 (and all other coil sprung Landrover gearboxes) is constant four wheel drive. Front prop shaft, I think, had a double cardan joint at the rear.

In addition, as with all lwb Series 3 they had a Salisbury rear axle, but unlike all other Series, 3.54 instead of 4.7 diff ratios.

Less important is a different steering setup, more like the coil sprung Landrovers.

Brakes were the same as the six, but the Stage 1 had, apart from the obvious longer bonnet and grille moved forward, the radiator setup is different, the bulkhead is different, as is the transmission tunnel, flooring and seatbox.

Hope this helps.

[cjc_td5]

Also a stage 1 has the fuel tank in the rear between the chassis rails with the filler behind the rear wheel ala defender. Series 11a etc is under seat with filler directly behind the door.
C

[101 Ron]

I know some one who did a similar conversion using a ex army 2a.
The axles I think we're discovery with 3.5 V8 and 4 speed /LT95 transmission.

I don't think the grill was moved forward or radiator.
I know it used a short 101 Landrover clutch bell housing to avoid having to move the front end forward.
It was a real sleeper in the world of Landrovers.

[pop058]

They look so much better with the radiator support panel back in the original position.

[goingbush]

Anything is possible with a LandRover, its just nuts & bolts. In the mid 1980's I converted an S2A army 109 to P76 V8 / LT95 & Toyota FJ55 front & rear axles , But I would not dream of doing it now, The best thing you can do for a Series 2 is to return it to Original. Now you can probably buy a Stage 3 cheaper anyway.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/1052.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/1053.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/1054.jpg

[harry]

oh, its having a little lie down, must be tired.

[Homestar]

Easy access to work underneath it like that. :)

[russellrovers]

Hi all,

New to the forums and relatively new to LRs, I've searched for this topic but nothing came up - apologies if this has been covered and please direct me to a thread if so.

I'm curious about what's involved in the conversion of a series IIa to a series III stage 1 - i.e. the rover v8 and forward radiator grille. I came across what I thought was a series III stage 1 but the chassis number is from 1971 so it can't be.

Now, the more I look at the car the more I see physical evidence that it is in fact a stage IIa with new shoes on:

- the dash is a series IIa dash
- the fuel tank cap seems to be in the wrong place
- there are some suspicious holes in the engine bay around where the radiator grille on a series IIa should be (suggesting it has been removed)
- the car is green, the engine bay has licks of red and the underside of the bonnet has licks of blue
- gearbox and tunnel has been modified (I believe it has a Defender gearbox from around 2015 now)

All this tells me it can't be the series III stage 1 I thought it was. Can anybody shed some light here?

Cheers,
2ehhi if interested i have a original stage one 1981 3 door red rust free chassi rust in fire wall and 2 front doors was stopped with no reverse and laid up complete many years ago ring me if interested jim