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Edd,
I drive my 2a daily, and use my 110 for trips to town, so I can probably comment on this from the point of view of using both regularly.
First one, is what Series are you talking about? For a daily driver, forget the Series 1, you'll probably have trouble finding a good one anyway. There is little to choose (from the daily driver point of view) between the 2/2a and the 3, except that the S3 heater works, at least as well as the 130 one does.
The leaf springs, even in good condition, do not ride as well as the 130, although it is said that fitting parabolics largely overcomes this. Brakes are adequate if in good shape, but not as good as the 130, and can be upgraded fairly easily by fitting larger drums on most of them, but only the late S3 had dual circuit brakes and power assistance. Trim is fairly basic even by 130 standards. Gearboxes are noisy by 130 standards, and you can expect to want an overdrive. Most body and chassis parts are readily available and cheap. No Series Landrovers had power steering, and while it can be fitted, it is not simple or cheap. But on standard tyres, with pressures as recommended they are not too bad - but foreget oversize tyres!
The big problem is engines, none of them are as good as the one you have for a daily driver, with the possible exception of the Stage 1 Isuzu (see below).
The most common engine is the 2.25 petrol, which comes in three and five bearing forms, and is very reliable, durable, and easy to work on. BUT, it is not particularly powerful by modern standards, and, mainly because of the low compression and design for reliability, it is thirsty. But could still be reasonable to use. Parts are readily available and cheap by 130 standards.
Probably next most common is the 2.25 diesel. These are very low powered even by the standards of the day, but reasonably economical. They are not particularly durable, and are expensive to overhaul. Both of these engines have often been replaced by Australian engines, usually Holden sixes. The quality of the conversion varies from professional to awful. The gearing does not suit them very well and carburettion and lubrication may not like steep slopes, but many people have been very happy with them. Some of these engines can give parts problems, as the particular model fitted may now be very old.
The 2.6 petrol six is excellent to drive, but has woeful economy, and parts are getting to be a real problem. Probably not good for a daily driver.
For performance in traffic, it is hard to go past a S3 Stage 1 V8, and converted to gas, you could afford to feed it.
Probably the best engine fitted to any Series Landrover is the Isuzu 4BD1 fitted to some Stage 1s, but these are very rare - I have only ever seen about half a dozen, all of them tray top utes.
I hope this helps,
John
Originally Posted by garrycol
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