Thread: The new arrival

Originally Posted by bulletproof

Hi Arthur
It was only the proto types that had the series 1 axles. I have the first production 2 and it has the wide axles.

The Jan 1958 parts book says the rear axle number is 279629 and says it is a new part that is not seen on any previos model .

The measurement between the Axle flanges on my Series 1 is 1170mm and on the oldest series 2 is 1220mm.

This is a copy of John Smiths book "The formative years 1948-68"



Cheers Richard

Hi Richard

I am afraid that I must disagree with that book, as two of those particular early series two Land Rovers I was referring to, were here in Hobart, and the fact that they had the narrow track (front and back) was well known amongst the members of the Four Wheel Drive Club of Tasmania, which I was a member of and joined in 1969.

The problem of replacing broken rear axles and finding suitable replacement axles for those first series 2's, was solved by making spacers to go between the drive flange and the hub, then using the longer axles from the later series 2A.

Cheers Arthur

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi Richard

I am afraid that I must disagree with that book, as two of those particular early series two Land Rovers I was referring to, were here in Hobart, and the fact that they had the narrow track (front and back) was well known amongst the members of the Four Wheel Drive Club of Tasmania, which I was a member of and joined in 1969.

The problem of replacing broken rear axles and finding suitable replacement axles for those first series 2's, was solved by making spacers to go between the drive flange and the hub, then using the longer axles from the later series 2A.

Cheers Arthur

Hi Arthur

All I know for sure is that my Series 2 was assembled before the first Series 2s were dispatched to Australia on Feb 28 1958 and that has the wider axles.

There is a possibility that the CKD assembly plant in Australia fitted Series 1 Axles to a Series 2.

My one was the first Series 2 into dispatch at Solihul on Mar 3 1958 .

Cheers Richard

Originally Posted by bulletproof

Hi Arthur
......

There is a possibility that the CKD assembly plant in Australia fitted Series 1 Axles to a Series 2.

......

Cheers Richard

That is very likely! What else were they going to do with any Series 1 axles on hand?

Note that the fully floating (narrow track) axle was, I believe, optional in late production Series 1, and standard in late 107 wagons, which continued in production some time after the Series 2 was introduced, until the Series 2 109 wagon became available. Although I don't think these wagons were ever assembled in Australia.

John

Originally Posted by bulletproof

There is a possibility that the CKD assembly plant in Australia fitted Series 1 Axles to a Series 2.
Cheers Richard

Hi Richard

It's great you have some history for your Land Rover, that really does make it worthwhile, is that history you have, complete with the list of owners, etc?

I would also like to know if, the last of the series one station wagons sold here in Australia, had the wider series 2 axles ?

Were they CKD or fully imported? AFAIK they were fully imported.

So, If we can find a few more Land Rovers like Matt has, to lean from, more the better.

Cheers Arthur

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi Richard

It's great you have some history for your Land Rover, that really does make it worthwhile, is that history you have, complete with the list of owners, etc?

I would also like to know if, the last of the series one station wagons sold here in Australia, had the wider series 2 axles ?

Were they CKD or fully imported? AFAIK they were fully imported.

So, If we can find a few more Land Rovers like Matt has, to lean from, more the better.

Cheers Arthur

Hi Arthur
I have the complete ownership and history of my Series 2 and it has been continuous from 58. I have had it for 10 years and I knew the farmer who had had it for 28 years before that. The Rest is documented at the Heritage museum at Gaydon.

My one 142800016 and was the first series 2 into dispatch on Mar 3 1958. The first batch of 6 to Australia was dispatched on Feb 28 58

The second one was a week later on 10 march 144800012 which was the first L/H drive

The third was 144800020 a day later and was a L/H drive

The next 12 in Batches 2 and 3 to Australia were dispatched on 14 march 58

The 107s were built until nearly the end of 1958 but I think they still had Series 1 axles but I am not sure.

I also had a series one that was modified with spacers for a series 2 axles

Cheers Richard

Originally Posted by JDNSW

That is very likely! What else were they going to do with any Series 1 axles on hand?

Note that the fully floating (narrow track) axle was, I believe, optional in late production Series 1, and standard in late 107 wagons, which continued in production some time after the Series 2 was introduced, until the Series 2 109 wagon became available. Although I don't think these wagons were ever assembled in Australia.

John

Hi John

Thanks for that info, it fits with what I remembered about the change over.

Now, the station wagon was 107" so that would mean the diesel motor, wasn't available in a Station Wagon until the Series 2, 109" SW was built?

Cheers Arthur

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi again

Can you do me a favour, if it isn't too much trouble ?

Pull one of the rear axles out of your early series 2 88" and compare it in length to an axle from the same side from a later series 2A 88".

As I would like to know for sure, if yours is the first of the series 2's, as those first ones had the same front and back axle housings as the series one 88" 's and they had the narrower wheel track.

Cheers Arthur

Hi Arthur the rear axle is approx 660mm long , I don't have one to compare it with so I hope this helps .

Thanks

Matt