Which bonnet???

[Andy-M]

Hi all,

I have the donor vehicle home and will start pulling it apart next week (plenty of pics).

I think it was a 4cyl petrol that has been replaced with a Holden 179, the chassis number is 25334821G. The gearstick has 2 bends in it, I think from previous threads this signifies it was a 4cyl (I could be wrong though, usualy am).

The bonnet on mongrel is scalloped out for the spare and has rounded edges, is this an older bonnet? I think I like the look of the older style, what do you guys think?

Cheers Andy. :)

[dolphint]

That's the delux bonnet, most common on Station Wagons:cool:

[Fusion]

Hi Andy , I prefer the older bonnet as the molded bonnet collects water and dust . the molded bonnet looks a bit weird if you ask me. :p:D;)

[dandlandyman]

I put a Series 3 deluxe bonnet on my 2a, just changed the hinges. I had no life or death reason for putting it on, rather than a standard unit. I just thought it looked good. Still do.
On the upside, the extra grip afforded by the rounded overhang makes it a bit easier to lift when the spare's on there.

[Andy-M]

I'm starting to think I will paint up both bonnets and have a split personality until I decide which one to keep.

Still a long way off though.:p

Cheers Andy.

[JDNSW]

The "standard" bonnet with the sharp front edge came with the Series 2. With the Series 2a came the deluxe bonnet in two types, with (MRC2440) and without (MRC2479) the dent for the spare. From 2a on the deluxe bonnet was standard and the earlier bonnet is not listed in my 2a parts book, although all 2a 88s I have seen except station wagons originally had the standard bonnet, as did my (and I believe all) ex-army 109.

The bonnets are fully interchangeable (2,2a,3 except Stage 1), although early standard bonnets had four bolt hinges, whereas the later ones had three bolts (in three of the four holes that the four bolt ones had) with the holes in the right place for the S3 hinges or later S2a hinges.

My 2a currently has the deluxe bonnet, but I am thinking of changing it back, mainly because the spare, when carried on the front, will be a bit lower, improving visibility. The reason I fitted the deluxe is that I had one in better condition, but I have now got a standard one in good condition, just got to paint it the right colour.

John

[Lotz-A-Landies]

John

I think that the Aussie built Series 3s actually had the standard bonnet and the station wagons had the Deluxe bonnet although I have seen both on SIIIs and in-fact including the other way around.

Diana

[UncleHo]

G'day Andy-M :)

JD was partly right, in England the 2a came with a Deluxe Bonnet, but in Australia, (Australian Production Vehicles) PMC jobbies the bonnet fitted was a Standard Bonnet, the Deluxe was an extra cost item same as the deluxe seats, and door trims every thing was an "Extra" it was not until the later series 3 fully imported Station Wagons, did the Deluxe Bonnet become common:) so the Blue bonnet is most likely from a Station Wagon, the grille on the green vehicle is that of a late 2a Six Cylinder Vehicle, as the late 2a 4cyl had the checker type mesh, both of these grilles are now becoming rare;)

cheers

[JDNSW]

I think Uncle Ho is right, and so is Diana - all the evidence I have seen is that Australian Series 2/2a/3, both 88 and 109, came with the standard bonnet as standard, with the deluxe an extra cost extra - although this may have changed with time, as the deluxe bonnet I have came off a 1981 S3 109 that was sold to a station as a cab/chassis, and I rather doubt that they would have paid extra for a deluxe bonnet (or for that matter the deluxe trim). I suspect that by that time with the competition from Toyota really beginning to bite, a few extras may have become standard, even if only at the dealer level.

John

[Andy-M]

Thanks for all the replies,

Uncle Ho, the grey 2A has a Holden 6 fitted, the grill you say, is off a 6cyl Landy. The firewall appears to be the same as the one in my 4cyl deisel :confused:, the gear stick in the grey one has 2 bends in it, 1 at the bottom and 1 at the top. Would I be correct in asuming the grey landy was originaly a 4cyl petrol but had a 6cyl grill fitted?

I thought the 6cyl models had a straight gear stick, I love these vehicles but they can be confusing to learn about. The grey one is going to be the donor vehicle, it has a great firewall that will be fitted to Mongrel.

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers Andy.:)


PS: Grey chassis No 25334821G, Mongrel's is 27800214 but can't make out the suffix letter. If my dribble does not make sense, I am on night shift, please forgive me.:(

[UncleHo]

G'day Andy-M :)

YUP! the 25334821G is a late 2a 4cylinder vehicle (possibly have a Syncro gearbox) and the 27800214 is an early 2a Diesel 109, possibly not have a suffix letter :) it is the 213th vehicle built in the 2a diesel 109 range ;)


cheers

[Andy-M]

Thanks Uncle, you are a fountain of information :twobeers:.





Cheers Andy.