Thread: Series 2a 4wd capability?

Originally Posted by matpoli

I had a look in the owners workbook and they say to recon the springs you need to clean them as up you guys have suggested and then apply some graphite grease.

It doesn't mention getting the springs reset, is that step really necessary?

I am geting ready to try but the only cost will be getting them reset and that is the bit that is putting me off, oh and i'll insert new bushes as well while i'm at it.

Thx

As long as the landie sits at the correct height then there is no need to reset the springs.

The resetting comments were more for those people with military 109s which are sprung too heavily and need to remove leaves.

e.g. - standard military 8-leaf rears have 5" free camber. I needed about 10" on my springs.

I have suprised alot of my mates as how well my old IIA GS chugs along up the beach. I can keep up with most modern 4WDs if driven properly, correct tyre pressures etc.

My front springs are worse than the one pictured before, they are pretty much frozen with rust and very much due for a rebuild however they have already gotten me to some interesting places.

Very capable cars IMO

I drove the Cape in a lwb Nissan Patrol- brand new at the time(mid 80's)-and we were somewhere north of Laura feeling very much pleased with ourselves and our 4wd abilities when at dusk one night a mid 50's swb soft top Landrover appeared out of the bush.

We stopped to chat with the bloke who was in his early 30's accompanied by his wife and 3 year old daughter. He had driven across from Karumba or Normanton through the bush-no road at the time through to Laura-using only a compass!

He reckoned he didn't have a moments worry-"these things'll go anywhere".

Needless to say we all felt a little deflated in comparison.

Gaz

If you fancy greasing the springs and adding leather gaiters they are still available......
Wefco Patent Spring Cover

I remember my dad using a greased hessian tape that was used to wrap steel pipes that were being installed underground (this was back in the UK in the 60's). The outside quickly got dirt stuck to it but the inside protected the springs and didn't restrict movement.


Colin

There has been almost no improvement in offroad capability of mainstream fourwheel drives since the introduction of the Bantam Jeep in 1940. The first Landrovers were just as capable (if not better because of the four speed gearbox), but their ability probably decreased slightly through Series production as wheelbases and weight increased, slightly offset by increased tyre size.

The coil spring Landrovers, starting with the Rangerover, were better because of improved articulation, but again, the process of increased weight started decreasing ability, aided by sway bars and underbody spoilers on some models.

And none of the other major brands have been any better, some a lot worse.

If you think about it, most of the changes in four wheel drives over the last sixty or seventy years have been directed at improved comfort and better on road performance and better load carrying. The improvements that talk about better offroad performance are invariably aimed at making it easier for less skillful drivers rather than actually improving offroad ability.

There are a few vehicles that really have made improvements in offroad ability. You have probably never heard of most of them, and almost certainly never seen any, because the increase in offroad ability reduced the usefulness in other areas.

John

Well i too have got myself a 2A SWB which i hope to clean up and get on the road. From reading through this thread looks like i should:

1. Remove all the leafs and clean them up and coat them in some of my used? Engine oil from the 300Tdi.
2. Replace them leaving some leafs out
3. Get the height reset (hot reset as less prone to sagging)
4. Add some range rover shocks and remove the limiting straps.
5. I will also be replacing all the rubbers.


Is this a fair conclusion from reading this thread? I don't expect it to ride like my Discovery or flex up as well but non the less want the best i can get out of it at a low budget.

James.

yep, thats about it....

Originally Posted by Grover-98

Well i too have got myself a 2A SWB which i hope to clean up and get on the road. From reading through this thread looks like i should:

1. Remove all the leafs and clean them up and coat them in some of my used? Engine oil from the 300Tdi.
2. Replace them leaving some leafs out
3. Get the height reset (hot reset as less prone to sagging)
4. Add some range rover shocks and remove the limiting straps.
5. I will also be replacing all the rubbers.


Is this a fair conclusion from reading this thread? I don't expect it to ride like my Discovery or flex up as well but non the less want the best i can get out of it at a low budget.

James.

I wouldn't use old engine oil. It is very toxic and also will stain driveways. Use some new oil, it won't cost that much, and will probably be more suitable.

Jeff



Clicky:[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2I17OtZp6E&feature=PlayList&p=AE667DDA9EB C2B06&index=6&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL"]YouTube- Series Land Rover Driving Instruction Part 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwlALeoBOKU&feature=PlayList&p=AE667DDA9EB C2B06&index=7&playnext=3&playnext_from=PL"]YouTube- Series Land Rover Driving Instruction Part 2[/ame]