S 1, 2, 2a or 3.... Whats the difference?

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Originally Posted by akelly

For my money the IIA is the pick of the bunch for an all-rounder. The SI is just a bit too agricultural for everyday life (would you drive a '53 ford or holden as a daily driver?), What is "agricultural" about them? Apart from the engine they are essentially the same thing!

... and the SIII gearbox is made of cheese (and has a plastic dash that is usually buggered). I've never had problems with the S3 box but I accept that others may have. The big advantage it has over the S1 and S2's is all-syncromesh, which makes it nicer to use when 1st gear is needed in a hurry. Plastic dashboards cracking don't make the car unserviceable and anyway who cares when as a consolation prize the S3 comes with a heater! :D

The IIA has the best gearbox debatable, lights on the guards most of them don't so they work well at night, ... and is still a "hose-outable" proper 4x4 as are the S1 and S3.



Cheers,

Adam

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The worst thing about the S3's are the self-disintegrating rusty door tops; the plastic grill, which is easily stone damaged and the Leyland badge. :( Other advantages are the dual-circuit brakes on some of them and seat belts and mountings. Apart from that there is bugger-all difference - they are all great! :D

Like you Adam I prefer the S2A if I had to make a choice,
Cheers Charlie

Ah, isn't it great when you provide opinions, clearly labelled as such, yet still cop a flogging from those that disagree! :cool: I'll refrain from getting upset, but will respond to one point...

I challenge anyone to seriously argue that there is no difference between a series 1 and a series 2a besides the engine - I can't cop that one on the chin...

:angel:

This is why Im asking the original question because based on my limited experience with the 2a I couldnt see much difference between the 2, 2a and Series 3 and Ive got to say that as far as opinions go I very much appreciate ALL of your opinions as it all goes towards a pool of knowledge that will hopefully arm me better when the time comes to go and actually look at Land Rovers.

It will definitely have to be mechanically complete with a running engine from what Ive read.
Brakes not so much an issue, Boosted or not (My current project Val ute has 4 wheel jam tins and no booster) and im used to compensating and drive accordingly.

Electrics im great with (Ive owned Jags lol)

Mechanical im out of my depth and Ive forgotten a lot since I last got my hands greasy.

Id love a LWB, 2 or 4 door wagon and a 2 door wagon would be great.

My 2a had a safari roof (I think this is what they are called) which was a roof OVER the roof and it kept the Landie nicely cool during summer.

I can add a heater and the small 4 outlet hot rod heaters come with a 3 speed fan for a few hundred dollars and some duct work.

Comfort is secondary and im handy with foam and vinyl so I can always make a better bum cushion.

I also dont care what it looks like, my 2a was 4 different colours when I got her and she ended up that Land rover mustardy colour although this time I will probably go olive green.

Now for a big ask, Can you point me towards a website where I can see for myself and more importantly show Jenn my long suffering wife (Who likes Range Rovers BTW) what these old girls look like on the inside?

Or can someone post some pictures.

I resorted to ebay a few nights ago but there was stuff all suitable with decent pics.

Cheers,
Tony

This is the inside of my 2a:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...10/08/1402.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/04/895.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/03/656.jpg

Hope that helps

EDIT: Mine had a truck cab fitted when the latter two photos were taken

Hi Tony, here is my interior ('71 2A SWB). only minor differences as the years rolled by

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...10/08/1400.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...010/11/357.jpg

Fairly Spartan, but I have never really suffered from discomfort in a series Land Rover. The ride is harsh, but I got over it.

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

An overdrive is not likely to increase the maximum cruising speed, just reduce the revs at that speed. There is no five speed box that can be fitted without major modifications.

Most varieties of the Holden engine need an overdrive or some other method of changing the gear ratio, as, unlike the Rover engines, they are not happy cruising at high rpm for long periods.

A couple of further differences worth noting. Landrover 80,86 and 88" models have ten inch brakes. 107 and 109 have 11" brakes, and in the case of the six, V8, Isuzu engines, and very late 2.25 engines, the front brakes are wider. Most models have no power assistance on the brakes, although this was optional on Series 3 and late 2a 109, and boosters were fitted after market on some. Converting an 88 to lwb brakes is a worthwhile improvement, as is converting the narrower 11" brakes to the wider ones. If you like very light brakes, adding a booster is worth it, but it is probably not really necessary for most people. A late S3 dual circuit brake system can be fitted to any Series 2/2a/3, although 2/2a will need panel modifications to the inner mudguard.

John

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All factory six cyl 2a & 3 that i have seen have had power boosted brakes ex factory as well as the wider front shoes

Bloody grouse shots thanks Gents and Series3's 2a is similar to what I recall mine looked like with a demister setup etc

For what its worth if my 2a hadn't been burnt out I suspect id still have her.

And the olive green seems to be my favourite colour.

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Originally Posted by landrover dave

All factory six cyl 2a & 3 that i have seen have had power boosted brakes ex factory as well as the wider front shoes

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Yes, I was perhaps not clear - as far as I know, all dual circuit Series 3 Landrovers had boosted brakes, and the wider front brakes went on all 109s late in S3 production (by which time all Australian S3 had dual circuit, and hence boosted brakes). Boosters may have been factory fitted on all (or all Australian) sixes, even single circuit, certainly they were common.

One point to note about Series Landrovers, is that there were a lot of different configurations available, and some bits changed back and forth in production for no obvious reason. Australian assembled ones tended to have less variation, but at times had noticeable differences to UK ones. Sometimes the parts books note differences occurring at specific chassis number, (but don't count on that being accurate!) but at other times simply says "alternatives". And that is quite apart from the optional equipment catalogue!

John

Are the Widths and Lengths of the Series 2 and 3 the same??

I am looking at Doing a Project on one, and wondering if the guards, front ends, doors etc are interchangeable?

I guess bonnet lengths must be different? as some of the models vary in there grille placement?

Thanks in Advance

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Originally Posted by Chad

Are the Widths and Lengths of the Series 2 and 3 the same??

I am looking at Doing a Project on one, and wondering if the guards, front ends, doors etc are interchangeable?

I guess bonnet lengths must be different? as some of the models vary in there grille placement?

Thanks in Advance

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All body panels etc are identical dimensions on all Series 2/2a/3 Landrovers, obviously allowing for the different body lengths with different wheelbases, except:-

Firewall is different between four, six and V8/Isuzu.
Radiator support is different for the V8/Isuzu, and for 2/2a with narrowset headlights compared to wideset ones. So are the front panel of mudguards.

Firewalls are Different, Series 2/2a compared to Series 3, due to the different windscreen hinges and dashboard.

Windscreen frames are different for the same reason, but glass is the same.

Doors are interchangeable, but note that the door check arrangements are different between Series 2/2a and 3. Also, door locks changed in late S3, resulting in a hole in the skin for the lock cylinder, earlier ones had a different arrangement, if any lock provided. (but locks are otherwise interchangeable). Series 2/2a and Series 3 door hinges are interchangeable in sets.

Floor panels are different between four, six, V8/Isuzu.

Series 3 front mudguards differ in that the inner guard is further forward due to provision for dual master cylinder.

These are the main differences, other than having holes in different places etc as minor changes were made.

Note that basic shapes and dimensions remain essentially unchanged today - you can fit 1958 Series 2 doors to a current Defender for example. (or vice versa)

This is one of the major advantages of Series Landrovers!

John