Thread: 1973 series 3 swb diesel

1.firewall and front and rear of chassis mainly
2.the steering i found not to bad at all
3.i got up to 100km/h in mine probably dont want to go much faster then 90 though chews through the fuel,if you want more speed get an overdrive or a defender
4.some came with seats in the back lift the bonnet and look at the id plates on one of these it should say how many it is registered to seat unless it has had an engineers cert. the distance is about 1.2m just a rough guess
check if it starts easy,search around to how much it should be worth, take it for a drive does any of the gears pop out,does low and high work, 2wd and 4wd work try the breaks out check if there is any oil dripping out and where ,if there is any unusual noises where are they,is there any mods that might not be road worthy,and then probably just a few more normal checks oh aand check the doors mainly the bottom of them for rust

Couldn't see any pictures or a reference so here goes.

Ask the owner when the engine oil was changed last and what did they use. then check the dipstick.....

Make sure you can cold start it without using ether or excessive glowplugs.

55 mph is a reasonable speed on the flat without much load and excess noise.

Systematically make sure everything works.

A 1973 88" hardtop diesel would be very unlikely to have been delivered with other than the three front seats. Look at the compliance plate. They are reliable, economical and slow. Not a highway vehicle by any means. 50-55 mph is fast cruise. 40 mpg is achievable lightly laden and sensibly driven. Good low speed torque makes them easy to drive in traffic without much gear shifting. Like all 88's they ride rough. I bought one ex Leyland company fleet in 1975 and put about 80,000 k's on it with no expenses other than regular services and fair wear and tear. Great country vehicle for bush roads and properties.