Series sympathy

[manofaus]

Hello, I've ventured into sIIa territory. I already have a 130 defer, but always like the look of a topless 88 2a.
A friend of a friend and I did a swapsy, and I have ended up with two incomplete 2a's. An 88 24314335 d and a 109 tray back 109 405, but that's the build ID. A petrol 2.25 and a diesel 2.25.
I have tried to decode the id numbers but it doesn't seem to work. Wondering if someone else could give it a crack?
My son wants me to build the 88 up so he can drive it. I also have a s3 109 with a rusted chassis.
If I build the 88 with the good parts I have it will have
S2a early floor and bulkhead, tunnel, seatbox (has inspection cover and wing nut) from the 109. Probably the heater, boosted twin brake system, synchro gearbox and diff from the s3, and use the 2.25 diesel. Crop the roof and side panels from the s3 as well.
I have to source an 2a front radiator panel and grill, and cat flap/tailgate or a door and a few badges. Dash and instruments, 2 door tops are required to. I'm going to make a disc brake front, find some 3.54 diff centers possibly but need a different transfer case, not sure what I have yet.
Both the s2a chassis are in good nick. Any ideas? Is it worth making a bitsa, or should I stick to original because of the value. What a wish list.
Cheers.

[JDNSW]

What you do is up to you, but 2a Landrovers are appreciating in value quite rapidly at the moment, provided they are close to original, or at least with modifications that are in line with what they could have had when new.

88s are more in demand as collector vehicles, so this may influence your decisions.

Your 88 is April 67 to march 68, petrol, CKD, presumably Australian built.

Can't help with your build number on the 109 - you need to find the chassis number or you will have trouble registering it. Assuming it was Australian built, this should be stamped on the vertical bit of the LH rear spring rear shackle hanger, just above the shackle. Probably need to wire brush paint/rust off to see it.

[manofaus]

Ok. So how do I find out the specifics of this 88? From what I understand they built them like merlin engines, ie continual improvement and upgrades. Are their build sheets somewhere?

[manofaus]

Ops thanks for the info too.

[JDNSW]

Ok. So how do I find out the specifics of this 88? From what I understand they built them like merlin engines, ie continual improvement and upgrades. Are their build sheets somewhere?

You don't. "Build sheets" are a product of the computer age pretty much, which was in its infancy in the sixties. The best you can do is the parts manual, but be aware that purported information to cover this is almost invariably applicable to the "Home" model, i.e. vehicles sold in the UK. As the chassis number tells us, this one was a CKD kit, almost certainly dispatched to Sydney, where by that date there was substantial local content. While there are few identifiable 'different' parts fitted, quite often change dates were later than used in the UK, as they used up local stocks or when the local supplier (e.g. Lucas Australia) did not build the new part. As an example, my Australian built suffix 'G' 2a has Lucas semi-sealed headlights, superseded by sealed beams at suffix 'B' according to the parts manual.

[manofaus]

Ok thankyou. So the 88 is a suffix D?
If it can go down to things like lights etc, I'm possibly looking at a mammoth task of making it original again. Perhaps best I just do what I can to get it on the road without unreversable mods.

[manofaus]

According to the parts book, the 109 was 1959-60. If the trans tunnel is anything to go off. It has a swinging inspection plate cover and wing nut. Also has the trough bolt steering relay.

Also even though both vehicles are supposed to be petrol
as the 109 still has motor fitted they have throttle controls on the dash.
Perhaps I might not even touch the 109 and sell it as a project for someone else as it might have matching numbers.

[JDNSW]

The throttle control on the dash was an option for all engines, and seems to have been fitted to most if not all Australian built 2as. Certainly of the three or four I have owned, the only one without it was the one that I know was a home market model - actually driven here!

[manofaus]

Ok thanks. Since having 3 landys sitting there I've had a random bloke just tell me has two on his block that I should have a look at. Missus ain't going to be happy. Although he says they are the late 2as with lights in the guards, and 186 conversions.