New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Introduce yourself and your vehicles and post (or link to) photos
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Morning all,

Just thought I'd introduce myself, having brought a 1982 Stage 1 109 Panel Wagon a month ago. It was in need of a few repairs, as the previous owner had fallen on ill health and had not been able to get the work done. Front cross member welded, exhaust system replaced and the usual Series electrical gremlins fixed, it got through the UK's MoT roadworthy test last week.

The previous owner used to take war memorabilia to shows and fetes, so he painted the truck olive green and fitted military bits to it. Having previously owned a Series III 109FFR and had justification to show its history, I couldn't be having this with a civilian model and have called the truck Walt and have started the process of putting it back to looking like a civilian model.

I'll try and post some pictures later on

Rob Vincent
p.s. my speedo also has a 20% under-read. It's a 1376, so after searching the forum, I'll have to look at replacing the drive pinion in the LT95.......
disco2hse
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:51 am
Location: Auckland NZ

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by disco2hse »

Hi there,

Welcome and I know what you mean about the wagon looking military.

About the speedo. That is one thing you can do but might be easier (and cleaner for you) to just get the speedo calibrated. Remember that it is more than the gearing that accounts for incorrect speedo readings. The size of tyre also plays a significant role. You want someone who can calibrate mechanical Smiths gauges and that requires specialist equipment. The speedo needs to have both speedometer and odometer set.

Don't know anything about these guys, but this is what I mean:
http://www.speedograph-richfield.com
http://www.speedycables.com/calibration.html

You should replace the speedo cable while you're at it. They are cheap enough but can be a major pain when worn or dirty. Beware of Britpart cables.
Alan

1983 ex-army FFR 109 Stage 1
2005 Disco 2 HSE TD5
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

I concur with what disco2hse says and can recommend Speedograph Richfield in Nottingham. I changed my speedo, cable and pinion drive, all without joy, and came to the conclusion that my gearbox (from a 110 according to the number stamped on it) had the wrong speedo worm gear fitted for the Stage 1. I have a spare correct 1376 speedo and the right worm gear but decided it was easier to get the unmarked speedo that came in the vehicle when I bought it recalibrated by Speedograph Richfield than for me to change the worm gear (you may be more mechanically skilled, but you can send your speedo to Speedograph by post if necessary if you want) That said, you should check your cable and pinion drive aren't worn or incorrect before bothering to recalibrate, and maybe that would fix your problem. Tyre size can effect speedo reading, but 20%? Cause/s of incorrect speedo reading can be a pain to diagnose - I've been there - I think there are a surprising number of old Land Rovers driving around at unknown speeds!
2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Morning gents,

Yes, after doing the usual checks of "yes, new speedo' cable fitted. Yes, correct speedo' head. Yes, typical 7.50x16 tyres as per original", the last part of the equation is the gearbox and from reading the difference between the ratio of a RRC and a St1V8, I can only conclude without crawling under the truck that it is that issue. In the new year when I have some spare cash, I'll be tracking down a NOS speedo head and sending it off to be calibrated.

I'll see if I can get some photos of the truck up-loaded later!
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

Have a look at this Dutch website - it should help you identify your gearbox:

http://www.vislandrovers.nl/extra/revis ... nel.php#v7

Good luck with finding a NOS sppedo head - could be expensive - second-hand ones can be found relatively cheaply on ebay and Speedograph Richfield will check it over and generally spruce it up if necessary I believe when recalibrating.
2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

I'm thinking of buying anything that goes up to 90 mph and getting that calibrated, I therefore have my eye on a couple of options!

Here are some photos of how the truck was purchased:

Image

Image

This was how the truck was a few weeks ago, after de-militarising it. I have now brought a load of paint, new front outer wing panels and a few other bits to refurbish the front end of the truck, up to the bulkhead. I've just picked-up four rims from the powder coaters this morning, that have been powder coated ivory. So hopefully in the next few months I'll also have it on some sensible tyres.:

Image
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

As a matter of interest, if you don't mind me asking, where did you get the new front bumper with the lifting eyes?
2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Hopefully this link will work for the recovery points:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111490568813? ... EBIDX%3AIT

While I got the bumper from here:

http://www.johnrichardssurplus.co.uk/la ... 52080.html
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Oh, a note on the alignment of the recovery points and the bumper. I have NOT found a series bumper yet that the recovery point holes actually align with!. I've had to re-drill two bumpers now, as for some reason they just don't align. Had the same issue with a Bearmach bumper on my previous Series III FFR:

Image

This is what I had up to a year ago, I stupidly sold it:

Image
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

Thanks. Most (I hesitate to make any absolute statement any more where Land Rovers are concerned) Stage 1 bumpers are fitted by means of four fixing plates which bolt to the chassis and to which the bumper is then bolted. I've not had any trouble fitting these regarding alignment, nor subsequently fitting (Genuine NOS) lifting eyes to them, though of course the front two holes for each of these have to be drilled into the bumper.

PS The thing you really need to gert rid of is that nasty plastic grille! :)
2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Morning Geoff,

Yes, I should have been more clear. The recovery points align with the rear mounts, that cover the four mounting points. It is the forward bolt boles in the bumper are before the weld line of the mounting tabs and these have to be re-drilled further forward.

Oh and yes, a month on order now with Pegasus and I can't get through to them to find out when the order is projected to be met. I'm getting close to finding some mesh and bodging something together just to get rid of that nasty plastic atrocity :-)
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

Ah yes, I see now - that bumper's pre-drilled for the lifting eyes. Just be patient with Pegasus - just a one-man band I believe and he makes stuff you can't get anywhere else - and he's on here (so be nice!)
2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Yes, they have supplied me a few bits which I have not seen elsewhere. Talking of which, having seen a used owners manual sell on eBay a few days ago, I just purchased a NOS item from P A Blanchards. That was a fortunate find!
User avatar
Geoff
Posts: 599
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:21 am
Location: Leicester UK

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by Geoff »

2 1981 Stage One 109 V8 SWs
Image
minivin
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:25 pm

Re: New Stage 1 owner on Salisbury Plain

Post by minivin »

Thanks Geoff, looks like the seller only just listed it yesterday on a five day listing. That was lucky :)
Post Reply