Thread: New Beginnings - new life to an old 88

Welcome !!

Enjoy the car for what it is at the moment. Get some basic experience under your belt then start deciding if you want to modify it & which way to go about it.
My '87 is pretty well stock standard, besides a bit of protection, & I have a ball off road with it .

In the meantime, keep an eye out on eBay for front & rear bars (especially rear as the RR has a big bum).

Welcome to the forum MatRug.

Got to agree with Scouse on this one - I have an 86, and apart from some 31" muddies and a bit of bar work, she is completly stock, and is very capable off road. Even with road tyres on it, you will still find you can go places, and as you build up some experience, you can start to change things that suit you.

I would give the whole vehicle a once over - change all the fluids, check brakes, brake fluid, etc, and probably have a look to see if there is any ratty lucas wiring that is about to let you down.

Apart from that - have some fun and get to know the cars abilities and limitations.

Ebay and the trading post will be your friend if you want to start with a bull bar and rear bar. The ARB versions come up from time to time, look good, and are unbreakable. ARB still sell the front bar for these new, but the rear step bar is out of production - it will also cost you a fortune if you buy new...

Hope you get the Roadworthy ok - sometimes they get a bit tricky because of oil leaks - make sure you degrease it and wash it before you take it in..

Cheers - Gav.

Hey MatRug

I agree with the other guys, get some experience with it stock and then work out what sort of driving interests you. Some people like the camping/getting away aspect, some the social aspect and some like me like the more harder/challenging driving. What you want to do will affect how you setup the rangie and what accessories you put on.

I would really suggest joining the Land Rovers Owners Club of Victoria or some other recognised club that offers driver training. Its a good way to get training cheap, that is good quality and you also get a intro to other landy drivers.

If the bug bites hard you might have a rangie with lockers, 35s and high mount winch in now time, however you might be happy just with a stocker. Really depends...

Angus

HI All

I'm back again with another Crazy Question... I have finally updated the old 3.5ltr to a 3.9ltr out of a 93 Ranger Rover. I have also swapped over the wiring system for a Hot Wire setup.. Have put in a new cam & lifters..

NOW this is where the problem starts.. Idle was running low & a bit ruff so i have swapped out the stepper motor. seems to be a bit better.

the BIGEST issue is when i have the car idling & stick the boot in to bring up the revs i get a massive gasp for air , cough, a splatter & almost stalls out. once it realized the revs are up it runs fine. I have checked the timing with a timing light & all appears ok.

Someone believed it may be a injector issue but i not sure.. Has anyone else had an issue like this & can give me some advise..

HELP !!!!!!!

Hi MatRug,

Judging by your response to starting out with an '88 RRC. You are willing to put a fair bit of effort into this car.

I'd have to agree with everyone comments below about 4WD setup. You've had the car a while now, what did you decide for off road equipment?

A possible solution to your near stalling issue maybe the ignition amplifier module on it's way out (it might not be either) but their are many people on this forum that would suggest modifying to a Bosch system. I have not done it yet, but Bee Utey has suggested I get onto it. Considering I'm an electronics technician I really have no excuse.

This link will help you out. There is another link within the posts that is also helpful.

93 Hard Dash, Spark Plugs and Fuses

Could be low fuel pressure. Did you renew the pump when you put the 3.9 in? It may have been ok for a clapped out 3.5, but may be struggling to supply fuel to a fresh 3.9. There is a schrader valve on the fuel rail where the pressure can be checked - easiest way to to shove a small screwdriver in there with the car running and see how far it squirts the fuel - it should go a long way. Not sure what the spec is though. If the car has a few KM on it, it would be worthwhile doing this as a matter of course anyway.

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Hi MatRug,

Judging by your response to starting out with an '88 RRC. You are willing to put a fair bit of effort into this car.

I'd have to agree with everyone comments below about 4WD setup. You've had the car a while now, what did you decide for off road equipment?

A possible solution to your near stalling issue maybe the ignition amplifier module on it's way out (it might not be either) but their are many people on this forum that would suggest modifying to a Bosch system. I have not done it yet, but Bee Utey has suggested I get onto it. Considering I'm an electronics technician I really have no excuse.

This link will help you out. There is another link within the posts that is also helpful.

93 Hard Dash, Spark Plugs and Fuses

Jazzman. Thanks for that, I will look in to it. Have already replaced the distributor with a new one, plugs & leads also done. To answer your question on what I done so far: arb bull bar (winch to go in soon. Full custom draw system. Duel battery system with a 3rd deep cycle to go in the back next month. 2 inch lift with new shoks & springs (thanks terraferma). Replaced the steel rims with alloys from a later model. Full roof cage with led light bars. Full internal
Lighting system changed to led. 3.5 removed & 3.9 installed. Also updated the ZF auto (taken from a 93 se), Viscous transfer case.


Have taken out to wombat state Forrest a few times & found the 3.5 under powered. This is why I put the 3.9 in with a toe cam.


Hopefully can work out these issues soon. Want to hook up the camper trailer & go touring by Easter.


Cheers ,
Mat.


Will update some picks soon.

Originally Posted by bacicat

Could be low fuel pressure. Did you renew the pump when you put the 3.9 in? It may have been ok for a clapped out 3.5, but may be struggling to supply fuel to a fresh 3.9. There is a schrader valve on the fuel rail where the pressure can be checked - easiest way to to shove a small screwdriver in there with the car running and see how far it squirts the fuel - it should go a long way. Not sure what the spec is though. If the car has a few KM on it, it would be worthwhile doing this as a matter of course anyway.

Bacicat


Thanks. Did have this issue with the 3.5.
We replaced the fuel pump with an external one. VL Turbo high pressure pump.
Tested volume & pressure, runs like a dream. We so did run a fuel pressure test on the old 3.5. It will be worth doing again, thanks.


Mat.