What's The Diff ?

[Fusion]

Ok I know my way around my 2a now (sort of) . Just wondering what differences their is between the series 2 and 2a ? I'm guessing they are pretty similar :)

[olmate]

Yes, they are pretty similar. I have aome notes on it amongst my stuff. If I find it I shall let you know as I got it via a web search.

[JDNSW]

The Series 2 marked a significant change compared to the Series 1, although the differences (between a 1958 S1 and a 1958 S2) were actually less than the differences during S1 production - for example there is hardly a part in common between the 1948 Series 1 and the 1958 Series 1.

While continuous change was a feature of all Series (and later) Landrovers, Rover marked the changes in 1961 by adding a "A" suffix to the chassis number, and referring to it (and subsequent major changes) as the Series 2a. The really major change was the increase in capacity of the diesel from 2.0 to 2.25l, but subsequent significant changes were just as large, such as changes in gear ratios, change from individual wiper motors to linked wipers, moving the headlights into the mudguards, the gradual change from BS to Unified threads (not complete until the end of Series production, by which time the change to metric was under way!).

So to answer your question - unless it is a diesel, the main change from 2 to 2a is on the identification plate - and there were more changes over the next ten years of the 2a than there were from 2 to 2a.

Similarly, the last 2as and first 3s were very similar, except for the dash and a few other body bits. But in general, if complete assemblies are considered, most parts are interchangeable from Series 2 to the end of Series 3, which is one reason you need to be careful when ordering parts - the assembly you are looking at may not correspond to the vehicle! (because someone else has previously swapped the engine/axle/gearbox etc.) For example, my 2a currently has a cab, doors, speedo and three wheels out of a S3, radiator and rear axle out of a S2 etc.

John

[Fusion]

I think we should refer to john as the series land rover king :D . Is their anything you don't know about the old girls :p .... ok another question . What year was it they put the head lights into the guards ?

[JDNSW]

I think we should refer to john as the series land rover king :D . Is their anything you don't know about the old girls :p .... ok another question . What year was it they put the head lights into the guards ?

There is lots I don't know! But I do have a few reference books.

Your question is one of those that does not have a definite answer. The usual date given is 1969 (chassis suffix G), probably because this is the date at which they appeared in the UK. However, they were introduced in the USA in 1968, and some special orders at least did not have them until well after then - for example, my 1970 ex-army 2a. According to the parts book they were first introduced with chassis suffix G, but North American Specification vehicles had them in 1968, although the fitting was somewhat different - the headlights protruded rather than being flush.

John

[UncleHo]

G'day Folks :)

Great to see a chapter dedicated to the Series 2, 1958 -1961, and the Series 2a 1961-1972 (in Australia) and there are some differences between the Home Models and the Australian assembled and sold models.

some minor differences in the models: ALL changes at Chassis/Engine Suffix Numbers.

Series 2 :Swivel steering lever top mounted,sprung loaded swivel bush.

Series 2a Swivel steering lever bottom mounted, Railko bush type.


Series 2a Change at Suffix "D" to NEGATIVE EARTH electrics (generator)

Individual Wipers to Cable Driven
Handbrake Lever from Straight to Curved (ready for seatbelts)
Switches from early Lucas to Flick Type
Key Start

Suffix "G" headlights relocated into guards to meet world Safety regulations,and the start of Australian ADR's.

1966 saw the introduction of the 2.6 litre 6 cylinder motor and the Series 2A Forward control followed by the 2B with wider track.



Hope that helps
cheers