Thread: Some advice please

Even a point in the right direction as far as threads would be great

Thanks

There is no "ideal" Rangie, they all have their particular faults. Find one with the best body, then throw some (read: lots of) money at it. My personal choice: a '89-'94 Rangie, 4.6 top hat linered block, auto altered for lock up in 3rd and 4th, or a late late R380 5 speed manual, LT230 transfer case out of a Disco, LPG, sill petrol tanks, coil springs etc.

Well, it's not exactly the body that's the problem, it's the steel behind the body panels that you don't notice until you pull up carpets and so on.

What do you want the car for? The 4-speed manual gearbox is the strongest, but also the clunkiest. The 5-speed is known for falling apart. The 4-speed auto is apparently not the strongest but does the job and can lock up for better cruising economy.

And then there's the fuel injection systems . . . which I know nothing about. I like carburettors.

Thanks,

Primarily it will be for towing, but l want to be able to enjoy the 4WD side of things as well.

lve owned early series Landies in the past and a 76 2 door rangie which l rebuilt the gear box/transfercase in (among other things ), l installed close gate shift and changed the transfer ratios.
l do prefer manual and didn't mind the old 4 speed l had in the 76, but would like a bit later model 86-90. Love the soft dash model to though, bit scared of the electronics and the 3.9

Thanks again guys

I will give mine and Aquarangies opinion, That the best is a 90-93 Vogue , which come without ABS, Air suspension , sunroof, or electric seats.
In other words not much to go wrong and if it does it is cheap and not a stopper.
There is nothing wrong with an UNOVERHEATED 3.9 . well I hope so as mine has 210KK on it now.
The bad point is that you have to put a new rear output shaft in the BW transfer at about 200KK , or risk being stuck in the boonies, but it only costs about $250 and 4 hours. Or you can fit a noisy clunky LT230.

The ZF auto is excellent, again if not neglected by never changing fluid, but it is really expensive to overhaul.
The trouble now of course is that RRCs are really old and only the realm of enthusiasts like me who are willing to lie on their backs for hours under old cars, as if you cannot do your own work, you will be laboured to death by mechanics who often break more than they fix.
Regards Philip A

Mine spend the last 15 years towing a van or boat - the boat was bloody big as well, with the LT77 5 speed without issue. I think they only go bang once you start giving them a hard time off road, or in reverse. Having said that I have just pulled it out (it still works fine) but I have gone to an auto, behind a 3.9EFI engine.

They are great cars, but as mentioned can be a money pit and may require you to spend more weekends than you want working on them.

Having said that, if you get one and get hooked on them you are screwed... If you are happy to spin a spanner yourself, and not pay a mechanic for everything, you can have a very good time owning & driving them.

Transfer case wise, as PhillipA said 'Or you can fit a noisy clunky LT230.
' but at least these won't **** themselves when you are miles from home like the BW may do.

So, with all these replies, you can see that there are many and varied opinions - probably doesn't help you too much, but buy something that is in the best condition you can find - love it and care for it, and you won't be disappointed.

Cheers - Gav

Originally Posted by PhilipA

. . . The trouble now of course is that RRCs are really old and only the realm of enthusiasts like me who are willing to lie on their backs for hours under old cars, as if you cannot do your own work, you will be laboured to death by mechanics who often break more than they fix.
Regards Philip A

Dead right on all points there. The simple Rangies are old and they will need work, one way or the other. As usual, I've gotten into them about 20 years too late. But - at least it can be done, unlike with newer ones.

Thanks all,
lm a mechanic by trade and did a ton of work on my previous landies and rangies, but lm not up on the more current models, well 90s era stuff any way.

Would like a 5 speed, but they seem to be a bit like hens teeth especially in WA