Stage 1 V8s

**wagoo** · 11th July 2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Let me know when you're picking it up Bill. Ifit's on the weekend, I would like to come up for a look.

Just got back from Harcourt Mick. Landy drove very well after I replaced the clogged inline fuel filter between tank and pump.Transmission and diffs are quiet and free of clunks and excessive backlash. Brakes work well despite the undernourished Stage One power booster. All mechanical conversion work is neat, tidy and probably professionally done.All suspension components including spring and chassis bushes are in excellant condition.
Mechanically and chassis is very good with no signs of rust or accident damage. Aside from the roof, the bodywork is straight and square and original .Even the bumper bar is dead straight. The twin cab conversion looks like it was attempted recently and not quite finished, re supplied but not fitted seals over the rear passenger doors,some missing nuts and bolts etc. The rear barn door was cut in half. The top half, bolted shut, forms the rear centre panel of the cab, whilst the lower half forms the swing out tail gate. Non standard front bucket seats, although very comfortable are bulky and mounted a bit too high for my tastes. I'll try to remount them lower or replace with Defender/County items. Once the seats are lowered I will replace the RangeRover 15'' steering wheel with the standard 17'' item for a little more leverage.
The rear wheel boxes have been cut to mount a 109cm long LPG tank across behind the rear cab bulkhead.Although the wheel track with the Toyota axles is around 75-85mm wider than Standard Stage One axles, I feel the rear tyres would foul on the sides of the tank during offroad articulation, an attitude I don't think this vehicle has ever been in going by the lack of rubbing marks on the tank sides and the clean undamaged condition of the chassis. I'll test it out on my articulation ramp tomorrow, and if the tyres foul I'll replace it with the shorter larger diameter tank from my deceased Jackaroo.
It is definately a Stage One, not a converted series 2 or 3. It has the correct crossmembers and steering relay assembly, with chassis number being
sallbgmv1af529133.
Bill.

**wagoo** · 11th July 2012, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by ade30946x6

Noticed that at Harcourt. Not sure why the running gear would be rice burner equipment from inferior japanese copies, but can surmise that it may not be a stage 1, rather a converted earlier model series 3, originally a 2.25 or 2.6 litre. Why else would it be done this way? Seems not bad value though.

I'm not 100% sure, but I doubt that I would have driven all the way to Harcourt to even look at the truck if I didn't suspect it had Toyota axles fitted. The yard selling it thought it was all original LandRover. I just spotted the split rim type wheel on the Ebay photo and thought it was worth a few hours of my time to investigate further.
Why would anyone do such a thing to a stage One? How about stronger factory axles and front diff assembly. Quieter less clunky transmission that can be removed and repaired in the sticks if necessary. A handbrake that actually works. Front disc brakes. Wider track with tighter turning circle.Easy replacement parts availability,particularly second hand parts in remote areas? Propshafts that last 3 times longer than LandRover items, particularly the sliding joints. Just to name a few reasons.
There probably are some negatives too, but I can't think of many off the top of my head.
Bill.

**djam1** · 11th July 2012, 06:02 PM

Bill
If you are in need of any Stage 1 Specific bits I might have some I can send you

Duane

**wagoo** · 11th July 2012, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by djam1

Bill
If you are in need of any Stage 1 Specific bits I might have some I can send you

Duane

Thanks Duane. I'm still looking to discover how many,or few

Stage One specific mechanical components that have been retained on this vehicle .
Bill.

**ade30946x6** · 12th July 2012, 06:42 AM

Yes, was looking at the hand brake and thinking it may be a genuine stage 1. Strange why any person would modify it that way.

**wagoo** · 12th July 2012, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by ade30946x6

Yes, was looking at the hand brake and thinking it may be a genuine stage 1. Strange why any person would modify it that way.

Did you have a look at the companion camping trailer that was attached to the Landy? I was in a hurry to hit the road and get the truck home and forgot to look over the trailer which apparently was purchased with the Landy.

I was inspecting the Stage Ones undercarriage this morning and noticed the grease nipple was still fitted to the sliding joint on the front propshaft.Due to spring shackle location the sliding joints on LandCruisers telescope as the front springs compress, wheras on leaf sprung Landrovers the sliding joint plunges. Toyota slip joints are so precisely made that they hydraulic when plunging if the joint is over greased. So when the front end strikes a bump, the axle assembly on a Landrover moves rearwards,but because the Toyota slider hydraulics, the propshaft pushes the transfercase/gearbox/engine assembly rearwards on their mountings which gives a harsh ride, and can in some circumstances crack the transfercase. Simply removing the grease nipple improved the ride significantly on the rough 4wd tracks on my property.
Bill.

drifter · 14th July 2012, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by drifter

I have a recently purchased Stage 1 - got it off one of the REMLR mods who used to be a mod here.

It arrives home today!

stevep · 14th July 2012, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by drifter

It arrives home today!

it looks great John - better colour than bright yellow!

regards
Steve

**wagoo** · 15th July 2012, 06:44 PM

Came very close to having a serious accident in my new aquisition last Thursday. Pulled into a petrol station after a 100km run on a windy mountain road. When turning right from the petrol pump after filling up, the steering wheel spun freely in my hands without turning the front wheels.To my horror, upon investigation it turned out that the steering wheel that I guessed may have been a RangeRover item, was in fact a modified Ford wheel that had no splines and was merely relying on friction drive from the tapered portion of the steering column shaft.

The spirit of my dear departed wife must have been looking after me that day.

Bill.

**uninformed** · 15th July 2012, 07:15 PM

great to see you baout Bill

Thread: Stage 1 V8s

Thread Tools

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions