Thread: Buying a series II what to look for

Originally Posted by dobbo

Hi guys

I found a series troopie the other day. body looks o.k considering age bulkhead looks average no viewable rust apart from on the windscreen surround. Gearbox is fine, Original diesel has more blue smoke than a sigma. What other things should I be looking at? Also being a troopie can I still remove doors and roof for that alfresco experience?

Your input is greatly appreciated



Mat

Not quite sure what you mean by a troopie - this is a Toyota term, not a Landrover one, but I presume you mean a long wheelbase hardtop. If it really is a Series two you should treat it with caution - the major difference with the change to Series 2a was the change from 2.0 to 2.25 for the diesel engine, and parts for the 2.0 diesel make hens teeth look plentiful.
If, on the other hand it is a Series 2a the situation is a little better, although these engines were never really powerful enough for the lwb, although when I owned one I got as much as 36mpg on one run (usually about 30mpg).
The smoke MAY be from valve guide seals - cheap and easy to replace, but more likely points to an engine overhaul.
Things to look for - Rust in the chassis and bulkhead are the most critical things, but other points to look at would be loose shackle pins, worn spring bushes, broken spring leaves, badly worn or rusted springs - if there is enough rust to spread leaves you are looking at new springs, loose u-bolts, worn splines on the prop shafts (u-joints are cheap to replace but splines aren't). Look for poorly modified wiring. Rust in the front panel that supports the headlights can be a problem. The balls on the front axle, if the chrome is pitted will need replacing - expensive.
Apart from this all the usual things on a second hand car. Door locks are likely to need replacing but are cheap (and easy), as are most other parts - but they add up!

Assuming my identification of the type is correct, the hard top can be removed complete in about half an hour with two people to lift it (depending on how many bolts are siezed). The windscreen folds and the door tops remove in about ten minutes. There may, however, be seat belt issues, although at least in most states if it really is a Series 2 not a 2a seat belts are not legally required. While the doors CAN be removed without structural implications I am not sure of the legal position and it would certainly be foolish to drive it without either doors or seatbelts.

Hope this helps
John

Thanks for the reply, i bought it this morning $500.00 I just had to have it as a project, it is a 2.25 diesel so either a series 2a or series 3. Will be used for paddock work firewood collection stuff like that. Possible club rego once fixed up. Unfortunately I cannot find info on club registration for cars on RTA website does anyone know if they still offer this service?

so either a series 2a or series 3.

The Data plate on the inside of the bulkhead, near the gear stick, should tell you. If it's there that is.

Originally Posted by dobbo

Unfortunately I cannot find info on club registration for cars on RTA website does anyone know if they still offer this service?

They do, you have to be a member of a club, look at the Landrover Owners Club of Australia (Sydney Branch) website for details: http://www.lroc.com.au/histvehicles.html

When I first saw this question:

Buying a series II what to look for

The first thing that came to mind was:

"an understanding wife".

Originally Posted by dobbo

Thanks for the reply, i bought it this morning $500.00 I just had to have it as a project, it is a 2.25 diesel so either a series 2a or series 3. Will be used for paddock work firewood collection stuff like that. Possible club rego once fixed up. Unfortunately I cannot find info on club registration for cars on RTA website does anyone know if they still offer this service?

Probably worth the $500 - usually easy to tell if it is Series 2a or 3 - Series 2a has a metal dash and instrument panel with the instruments in the centre, Series 3 has a plastic dash with instruments in front of the driver. If you are serious about doing it up it is worth getting both a workshop manual and a parts book once you have confirmed what model it is.
Have fun,
John

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Probably worth the $500 - usually easy to tell if it is Series 2a or 3 - Series 2a has a metal dash and instrument panel with the instruments in the centre, Series 3 has a plastic dash with instruments in front of the driver. If you are serious about doing it up it is worth getting both a workshop manual and a parts book once you have confirmed what model it is.
Have fun,
John

Thanks John I'd say a series 3 then (speedo in front of driver). I'll take some photo's when I get it and post them

Sorry about offending by using the word "troopie" what way would you term it LWB, 2 door bench seats running along the entire length of tub on both sides. I thought a wagon was a 4 door is this not the case with earlier versions

Also known as a 'Hardtop'.