Thread: Series stages

Originally Posted by shorty943

Ok, I'm confused, again.
Could someone please explain what the stage 1\2\3 is all about in the S3 models?

Shorty.

Shorty,
this is from the wikipedia about the SIII (click here)

"From 1979, increased investment by the British Government brought numerous improvements. From that year the more powerful 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine as used in the Range Rover, albeit a detuned version (91 horsepower), was used in the Stage 1 V8 109. This was the first stage in the development of what was to become the 110. It used a variant of the Range Rover engine and drive train making it the only Series III vehicle to have permanent four wheel drive."

Don't think there is a Stage2/3,etc

Here some technical info about it

Originally Posted by shorty943

Ok, I'm confused, again.
Could someone please explain what the stage 1\2\3 is all about in the S3 models?

Shorty.

Only Stage 1 Shorty. (there was a Stage 2, but only in the Old Dart I think) It was the first of the interims before the advent of the 110.( Stage 3 of update) Consists of almost standard Series 3 with Range Rover running gear. ie V8 (or later the Isuzu 3.9 diesel) constant 4wd with centre diff lock, LT95, and 3.54 diffs, but complete with the old leaf springs and drum brakes. First appeared in 1980. Other markets still got the old Series 3, but we only got the Stage 1 from then I believe.

G'day Shorty943


The Series 2,2a,3 vehicles were all the same with selectable 4xwheel drive the V8 Series 3 was the first Landrover to use the Range Rover Constant 4x4 drive system,

it being the Rangie V8 and LT95 g/box transfer unit fitted in the Leaf sprung Chassis, this was the first stage in the development of the coil sprung vehicles hence Stage 1 the Stage 2 was the prototype Coil sprung vehicle with still the Series 3 Bodywork, Stage 3 was the 110

cheers

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

and don't forget the bodywork changes too...like the RR style bonnet and the grill moving further forward

?? bonnet??

Dunno about RR style, but it was longer to accomodate the moved foward grille to fit the engine, and I think it had the lip that we are now famiar with on the 110 and defender.

G'day Phoenix

The bonnet with the "Lip" was also available on the Series 2,2a ,3 and is/was known as the "Deluxe" bonnet it was mainly seen on the Station Wagons in Australia, but was an extra cost option, same as "Deluxe" seats and door trims

cheers

Thanks to all for the clarification. Basically the S3, became the stage 1, became the Deefer?
Looks like I might have to set stage for my S3. About stage 0.5 ish.
A little cash coming soon, have been considering an upgrade to a diesel engine, and a 5 speed box from a Toylux. About 90 HP will actually let me get up hills at normal road speed. And I might even be able to tow my caravan, sheesh, that will be a turn up.

Shorty.

PS. There is that "deluxe" word again. In a Landy forum?

"Stage 1" is an unofficial name, as stage 1 of the Land Rover re-invigoration which saw the Defender/110 and eventually all the newer models. The Factory name is "Series III V8." As mentioned it has the Carb 3.5 V8 out of the Classic Rangie of the 1970's. Essentially the same running gear as the 70's Rangies and then the County's (though theres an extra joint between motor and gearbox).

The bonnet is identical in appearance to the Deefer one. I think NM's "RR" comment comes from the raised side rails - the previous bonnets (including the Deluxe) had a convex profile while the Stage 1 and on are concave (until the 2007 model, of course)

I've never heard of a Stage 2 or Stage 3. The Stage 1 was a stop-gap cheap engineering way to get a torquey motor into the Series III ahead of the more extensive 110/County/Defender design being finalised.

The motors as originally fitted were detuned to 68HP. Of course, no-one has them in that state any more LR thought people would kill themselves if they could travel 120km/hr. There's a placard under the bonnet telling you to buy better tyres if you intend to travel 110km/hr

They will travel highway speeds comfortably and tow the rated 3.8 tonne. You can engage low range on the road and even with the highway gearing they have mountains of torque compared to a standard Series III.

Check the markets, Shorty and PM me - I'm doing crazy deals today since it DIDN'T pass its roadworthy (needs $600 of repairs).