Thread: What should I look for - n00b

Welcome to the forum pooeee...

You'll appreciate the difference between coil & leaf suspensions when you try them - the 110s from 83? - 87 will have the towing capacity and you won't need speed in VIC - because nothings more than an hour ot two away is it ?

So the only one answers within your parameters are the 110 (defender shape LWB ) sold in Oz at County finish level and usually referred to as such, and the 2 or 4 day Rangie.

In the 110s the V8s seem to be more frequently available - but the diesels with the Isuzu 4BD1 are often the choice of those who know them - fit a turbo to the diesel and it'll tow very well.

If towing the 4 speed LT95 box would be the choice and they were fitted up to '85 (or maybe even early '86?), but anything can be retrospectively mixed and matched if you've got the intention of doing one up.

Similar comments apply to Rangies - the only real differences will be style, a shorter wheelbase, more comfortable seats, and no diesel alternative as a factory fitment pre-86 and I'd leave the '86-'87 vm diesels well alone.

What to look out for ?? - lots .

You'd be buying an ancient vehicle by the standards of today's throwaway society - everything wears and electrical switches and cabling deteriorate over time. Seek help from a local person who knows these vehciles - BUT all is repairable and AFAIA all parts are available, but look carefully at things that will be expensive - including rust in steel components and bodgy repairs.

By sticking to that older age group of motor cars you'll avoid the problems that can arise with electronic ign and fuel injection.

It could be worth joining the LROCV for contacts and help Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria Inc :: Index

But do up either of these up well and it'll last you as long as you want it too.

Welcome to the forum. Before you can get into specifics of what to look for when buying, you will need to decide what you want first, so, based on that, you will need to think about a few things. If you want it on club reg as mentioned, you have a few options, and towing a mini about isn't going to worry most vehicles. Personally, a mid '80 Range Rover would fit the bill quite well. They tow great - as long as you aren't in a tearing hurry to get there, but are heavy on the fuel. Maybe look for one that has had an LPG conversion if this worries you. They will also give you a comfortable ride and there are plenty out there, but good ones are getting a bit harder to find - it depends on your budget.

Go and have a look and drive of a few and see what you think. If you find something you like, get back on here and look in the relevant forum and ask the experts there what to look for on that particular vehicle.

Happy hunting.

Cheers - Gav

Your options for that era are fairly limited.

• County 110 with V8 or Isuzu Diesel.

The Diesel is a ripper and very popular with those that own them. V8 cheaper to buy but more expensive to run. (They were all manuals)

• Range Rover with 3.5 V8

More comfy than 110, but no diesel*.

Discoverys did not start till a bit later (89/90).

How much of it are you going to work on yourself? Whatever you get will need some work. Labour costs could easily negate any saving you make on the club/heritage rego.

My gut feeling would be to buy a Discovery Series 1 updated model (1994 to 1998), they had the bigger 3.9 engine, 4 door, nicer interior than the first Discovery 1's and are now cheap-as-chips.

You'll get a good Disco 1 for (well?) under 5 grand
Will tow your mini (Not quickly but effectively)
Will carry 4 in comfort.
Is a very capable entry level 4x4

Don't forget additional costs to go "mild 4x4ing" include:

Good tyres (A/T minimum) - buying something with meaty tyres will save you a bit.
Front and Rear Recovery Points (Rear tow hitch will work - don't use the tie down loops, tow ball )
Air Compressor (Re inflating tyres) - hand pump if you are fit
Snatch Strap - so someone can pull you out.
Shovel
UHF CB
Good Maps/Compass/maybe a good GPS?

etc
etc

That can add a few hundred to your budget too.

Perhaps look for something that has been set up for 4x4ing but not trashed. It may have a few "battle scars" which will keep the costs down but has been maintained and mechanically sound.

When you purchase, it is best to go 4x4ing with a buddy (or 2,3....) if you don't know any then join a club - do a beginners course.



Whatever you buy, rust will be your main concern.

My 2 cents.


P.S. Can we see some pictures of your mini?


*LR ran a VM italian diesel in the RR for a few years in the late 80's, not common - avoid.

If you buy a rangie or a county, they will have a box chassis. Go over it with a fine tooth comb for any rust that's deeper than the surface. take a screwdriver along to poke at it. If there is serious rust on or inside the chassis, don't bother. There are intermittent drainage holes that you can stick your fingers in to check if your finger comes out with rust on it. Also check where there is a difference of potential anywhere where the aluminium body meets steel chassis or door frames or hinges.

Hey Pooee

I don't think some of the guys read your question properly

You want a 25 + year old pommy 4x4 , so you can run it on club plates.

Discovery is out of the Question, they are not 25 years old yet.

I wouldn't want a 2 or 4 Day Rangie, Preferably want mine to last a little longer than 2 or 4 days

Good 2 door Rangies are getting a bit high priced now.
Get a 4 Door V8 Rangie , Auto will have better running gear as the auto is a lot nicer on diffs & axles, but don't discount a good 4 speed Manual, they are tough as nails just make sure the rest of the driveline dosent have too much backlash.

For your purposes forget about a Diesel (you want an english engine right?).
In your year range you want a V8 - Being a Mini Freak you already know all about SU carbs & Fuel Pumps. Lucky you, the Rover V8 has 2 SU carbs.

Landrover is more like the Moke version of the Rangie and like the Moke / Mini thing you will pay a lot higher than a Rangie too

Thanks for the replies.

I will be doing most, if not all the work on it myself, or with help for stuff I don't really know. Finding people who know what they are doing to work on a Mini is very hard and there isn't anyone local, so I've learned to do it all myself. From body work to mechanicals.

I'm guessing that if I buy a V8, whether it will be a Range Rover or Land Rover, I'd be able to transplant later gearboxes from V8 Disco's easily enough?

Originally Posted by poeee

Thanks for the replies.

I will be doing most, if not all the work on it myself, or with help for stuff I don't really know. Finding people who know what they are doing to work on a Mini is very hard and there isn't anyone local, so I've learned to do it all myself. From body work to mechanicals.

I'm guessing that if I buy a V8, whether it will be a Range Rover or Land Rover, I'd be able to transplant later gearboxes from V8 Disco's easily enough?

The Landrover 110 and Discovery 1 both have the same drive train (and suspension) as the Rangerover Classic (1970-96), with small changes, and progressive development.

Disco, should be easy - Disco 1 chassis is almost identical to the Rangerover classic. Landrover 110, perhaps not quite as easy, as the gearlever is in a different position relative to the box, from memory - but still not very difficult. Different arrangement of gearlevers between boxes is likely to mean some panel work.

Note that there are a variety of transfer case high range ratios used, which can be transferred readily between models. You should note that the LT95 four speed manual box fitted to early Rangerovers and 110s up to 1985/6 had an integral transfer case, so if replaced, needs to be replaced by a later gearbox + transfer case. This four speed is usually considered to be the most rugged box, having been designed for use in the 101 gun tractor as well as the Rangerover. All other manual transmissions (and Disco autos) use the same R380 transfer case with various modifications.

I think I got that all correct!

John

G'day Poeee

OK, what you basicly want is a good towing vehicle,and seeing that the Mini will be on a 2 wheel trailer then a longer wheel base would be more suitable, the County's have disc front brakes/rear drums and constant 4 wheel drive, on a 110inch wheel base, the Range Rover has 4 wheel discs,constant 4 wheel drive on a 100 inch wheel base,the Rangie only was sold as a V8 3.5ltr twin carb up until 86/7 model with 124 BHP, then they went to Fuel injected motor with 167bhp the 4 speed LT95 gearbox is stronger than the LT77 (from Triumph Spitfire)box, but is OK if driven sensably,the auto in the early vehicles was the 3 speed 727 from Chrysler,near indestructable, the later 4 speed is the ZF unit which was still in use with the Discovery 1's and 2's

The County/110 model had the 4 spd LT95,then the LT85 behind the V8 3.5 carby motor,the Isuzu 4DB1 diesel had the LT95 g/box the LT 85 (Santana G/box) was a lot stronger that the British LT77, there is no great problem in fitting the ZF 4 speed auto into a County/110 or Defender(named since 1991)

Hope that is of some help

cheers