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Guidance from the experts

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:16 pm
by nrv1
Hi
Before I start really getting into my refurb ( see posting in the Howdy section) I would really appreciate some feedback /guidance on the following:
1 are the front seats the same as a normal S3? I have some new replacement seats but they are longer than existing
2 I am thinking of a full respray as I have never really understood the "original patina" view-if I see a faded thirty year old door on a house I would repaint it.I dont however want to lose the the V8 logos on the side and rear -I understand you cant buy these anymore -can you respray around them?
3 on the original gear knob were the numbers and middle section etched in white? If so mine has worn off
4 apart from the jack and starting handle what if any tools originally came with the Stage 1?
5 I have been convinced by the postings to stick to to "normal" leaf springs rather than go parabolic.Is there a recommended place to source these?
6 If I replace my shocks are there any recommended makes?
7 the metal strip at the very back of the tub ( which sits below the closed rear door) is in a very poor state.Can these still be sourced ?
8 what paint colour are the grab handles and where can the paint be sourced?
Thanks
Nicholas

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:29 pm
by Kippa
Greetings Nicholas,

The answer to question 2 re: stickers :- http://www.landroverv8.com/

Regards,
Kev

Stickers

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:34 pm
by nrv1
Thanks Kev-very helpful to know.
Regards
Nicholas

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:04 pm
by map1275
1. are the front seats the same as a normal S3?

Yes but do you have the correct seats in there to begin with and are comparing concurrent production seats?

First you need to establish which design of seat you have. Look in your parts list.


2. thinking of a full respray

First you might want to think how you are going to effectively paint up to the galvanised edges. Otherwise you start pulling the car apart.


3. gear knob were the numbers and middle section etched in white?

New, genuine gear knobs are readily available. Just glue it in place when you fit it.

4. apart from the jack and starting handle what if any tools originally came with the Stage 1?

The same as any concurrent production S3 and very similar to concurrent Range-Rover. Look in your parts list.



5 I have been convinced by the postings to stick to to "normal" leaf springs rather than go parabolic.Is there a recommended place to source these?

Buy genuine and you may not get them all from one place.


6 If I replace my shocks are there any recommended makes?

I use genuine part (which can be five different brands) but most brands are cheap.

7. the metal strip at the very back of the tub ( which sits below the closed rear door) is in a very poor state.Can these still be sourced ?


The ones that attach the body to the rear rail? I don't think these were ever a separate part. You may find repros otherwise make them.


8. what paint colour are the grab handles and where can the paint be sourced?


None, raw galvanised finish.

Guidance

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:43 pm
by nrv1
Thanks.Taking some of your comments in turn:
1 I am pretty sure the current seats are original.The replacement seats are Exmoor Trim and these seem pretty basic-especially the bases which look nothing like the originals
3 why pay £30 if you dont need to?
8 Probabaly the wrong terminology on my part.I dont mean the
handles on the front and mid doors but the long handles behind the front seats and the back door.Mine are not galvanised.

Re: Guidance

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:17 pm
by 5988
nrv1 wrote:Thanks.Taking some of your comments in turn:
1 I am pretty sure the current seats are original.The replacement seats are Exmoor Trim and these seem pretty basic-especially the bases which look nothing like the originals
3 why pay £30 if you dont need to?
8 Probabaly the wrong terminology on my part.I dont mean the
handles on the front and mid doors but the long handles behind the front seats and the back door.Mine are not galvanised.
1- depends on what you stage 1 was fitted with
the base spec utility was the same as the S3 of the time (exmore trim ones are about as close as you get - paddocks etc seats are a slightly different shape - not seen originals to know which is closest), if you have county spec cloth seats, im not sure these are about now
2-as above stickers are being reproduced occasionally - otherwise you could get them done yourself
3-Can't remember ... will look at my pics tomorrow (LR is 70 miles away)
4- Standard series LR tool kit, among things, a spark plug spanner, wheel brace, jack and handle, pair of plyer type things - manual is best place to look for that (See Landroverv8.com/manuals) they are all there
5- Paddocks sometimes have UK made 109 springs in stock
otherwise find yourself a spring makers near to you, the manual give full specs (they usually have them anyway) they could probably make you some - or recondition your old ones if they arent bad - i've only had to replace springs on a series twice - my stage 1 as I didn't want the HD ones, and my 88 after the pattern new ones failed
6- Any standard ones, paddocks usually sell Armstrong which are fine - fancy expensive ones re wasted, you don't need gas shocks etc with the standard springs
7 - Don't think so (haven't noticeably seen one, though ive not been looking), fabrication time
8 - do you mean gab handles as in the ones one the rear crossmember (which are either aluminium or galved) or the one on the inside of the back door and across the back of the front seat in a 109 SW
the latter is satin black - any motor store will be able to supply (the former were either bare glav or sating black)

hth
8 -

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:30 am
by map1275
I don't know where you've got the 30 GBP price for a gear knob from. Have a look on e-bay. They are a regular replacement item.

Depending on when and where your vehicle was made, the front seat cross bar come grab handle, the one on the second row seat back and for the rear door, are either in body colour or generic black.

As per previous postings, Exmoor's products for Series 111 are rubbish and they're not interested.
As you have the bar behind the squabs, you will have either standard or deluxe front seat facings. I would question whether the replacement base was intended for the adjustable or fixed seat base.

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:33 am
by map1275
Pegasus aren't the cheapest around;


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Land-Rover-LT95- ... _500wt_922

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:06 am
by Mrs Bingham
Welcome to the fold.

Without adding to already useful information I’ll add value where I can.

1) Having looked at your photos it seems that your seats are the deluxe ones which were pretty much standard on the V8. The later SW’s did have the optional County spec seats (cloth recliners with headrests). I’ve got replacement seats in mine and although in better condition they are no way as good as the originals. No problem fitting them though apart from needing metric bolts to screw in to the backs.

7) I think the part you are looking for is MTC1039. I believe this is still available from John Craddock’s – quite expensive for what it is and looks quite involved to replace; certainly in-situ. An option from someone I know who restores classic sports cars would be to cut out and splice in new aluminium and have it tig welded and leaded. The same can be done on the lower rear light panels as they will almost certainly be corroded as well.

Good luck…

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:31 am
by 5988
map1275 wrote: As per previous postings, Exmoor's products for Series 111 are rubbish and they're not interested.
I have to completely disagree with that, of all there stuff I've fitted to series LR's I've only ever had a problem with 1 item, and it was sorted very quickly, and will be using there stuff when I get to the trim on my stage 1

From your pics the seats do look to be standard delux items so either exmoore or paddocks or sams trim will do the job

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:59 pm
by map1275
Well I'm very happy for you to chase up my previous problem with them (Exmoor).

As per previous listings; what I bought from them just didn't fit (and I wasn't the only one with the same sort of comment).

I e-mailed Exmoor and the supplier about the problem and how they could improve the product. They couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge my e-mail. So please don't try and tell me this is an acceptable service standard. It certainly isn't a way to motivate anyone to buy anything else, nor leave positive feedback.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:10 am
by Matt Braddish
Hi Nicholas,

Welome to the forum.

Having looked at your pictures, you have a nice looking SW there, if it were me, I wouldn't paint it, it will cost you money and may affect the re-sale in the future, people like originality. Give it a good cut and polish!

You are right, the gear knobs over here are about £30 - in fact there is one on ebay at the moment. Get artistic with some white paint if it bothers you that much.

Are you sure it needs new springs, you can get new bushes for the eyes for a few quid.

Good luck with it,

Matt.

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:43 pm
by disco2hse
Matt Braddish wrote:You are right, the gear knobs over here are about £30 - in fact there is one on ebay at the moment. Get artistic with some white paint if it bothers you that much.

Are you sure it needs new springs, you can get new bushes for the eyes for a few quid.
The only reason to get new springs might if the originals were broken or rusted so bad they had forced the leaves apart and distorted them. Otherwise reset and new bushes on springs and chassis.

I would not bother with the new gear knob. Any paint is going to come of soon anyway. The main issue I have with them is that silly rubber grommet that holds them on. I replaced mine with a nut that I had ground the hex edges from. Glued it into place with epoxy and a bit of Loctite to hold it in place. That was for both the gear knob and hi-lo shifter.

Up to you about painting but you need to decide how far you are going to go with it. Unlike more modern cars there is a quite a lot of paint exposed on these and it will be noticeable where your painting efforts ceased. Ideally you should pull the whole thing down to the chassis and paint the lot to get it looking real good. But frankly, yours doesn't look that bad.