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

Series 1 covers a wide range of changes to Landrovers. They all had flat sides, and the petrol ones had IOE engines, either 1.6 or 2.0l, with 2.0l diesel in 1957 an option. All had pedals through the floor, and all had headlights in the radiator support. The earliest were the 80" and these differ most from later ones, and also had the most production changes. Collectible, and some parts hard to find. These were replaced by the 86" and the 107" introduced. With very little change these went to 88 and 109". Probably the best option for Series 1. The 107" five door wagon is in many respects the most interesting, and quite rare.

Series 2, although looking significantly different with a distinct waist and pendant pedals, is otherwise very similar to the last Series 1, except for the new 2.25 petrol engine, based on the diesel. Series 2a introduced the diesel upsized to 2.25, and marked the start of ongoing progressive change. 1967 saw a change to negative earth and cable operated wipers, key start, and other changes, and about then the six became an option. 1969 saw the headlights move to the mudguards, and the last Series 2a were in 1971.

Series 3 is distinguished from Series 2a mainly by door hinges, windscreen hinges, a plastic grille and plastic dashboard, plus all synchro gearbox,and changes continued. 1979 saw the optional V8 and about 1981 the Isuzu diesel. Last Series 3 was 1983.

My choice is the Series 2a. Note that most mechanical and body parts are interchangeable if not identical from first Series 2 to last Series 3, although traps for the unwary include changes from BSF/Whitworth to Unified threads, to metric threads - but the changeover was still incomplete by the end of Series 3, which still has a few BSF and Whitworth and a lot of UNF.

Hope this helps.

John

John, what a pearler of a reply mate!

So it looks like a SIIa or SIII because im not fond of + earth vehicles.

The thread assortment doesn't bother me as most of my stuff is imperial anyway.

So the focus is now on S 2a and S 3.

Cheers,
Tony

Originally Posted by tony66_au

John, what a pearler of a reply mate!

So it looks like a SIIa or SIII because im not fond of + earth vehicles.
.....

Cheers,
Tony

Changing a positive earth Lndrover to negative earth takes about five minutes if you know what you are doing, perhaps fifteen if you have to follow instructions. I would not let this affect my choice! In any case almost all will have already been changed.

Another point is that Series 3 have an alternator, not generator - but it is a bolt on change for Series 2/2a. Again, many will already have this.

John

I guess that any electrical work on a Landy would be minimally invasive anyway and Gen to Alt doesnt bother me because Ive had older cars in the past same as doing external reg conversions for alternators.

Are Landies a full time four wheel drive?

Originally Posted by tony66_au

I guess that any electrical work on a Landy would be minimally invasive anyway and Gen to Alt doesnt bother me because Ive had older cars in the past same as doing external reg conversions for alternators.

Are Landies a full time four wheel drive?

Landrovers were full time four wheel drive from their inception in 1948 to late 1953. From then until the end of Series 3 production, Series Landrovers were part time four wheel drive except for the V8 and Isuzu engined "Stage 1" Series 3 Landrovers from 1979 on.

Rangerovers and Discoverys have always been full time four wheel drive. The 110, when first introduced in1983, had part time four wheel drive as an option but only with the four cylinder engine (not sold in Australia), although standard was full time, and most were sold this way. V8 and all Ninety and Defender Landrovers are full time four wheel drive.

Series vehicles are part time 4wd. It's engaged with the yellow knob, and disengaged with the red hi/low knob.

Early s1's had a pull chain to engage 4wd.

series 3 (post 1978?) has inertia reel seat belts, this requiring engineers cert to remove roof or modify cab -pre 78 had different design regs (in NSW anyway)
series3 would be my choice being a newer chassis,bulkhead etc-
Also later series3 have a dual brake circut which can prove usefull when a stump rips off a brake line in a hilly paddock
3's have a salsbury rear end in the 109 not sure about 2's
Brett
110 300tdi
109 h/top

Tony, I would say series three is the best value. You have the stronger salisbury rear in LWB models. They have had less years of neglect by virtue of their age. The gearbox is not good, but if money comes into it, these are hard to go past, unless of course you get lucky with an earlier model that has been respected.