71' Ex Military 109" LR

[Discoandaboat]

Found a 71 Ex Military 109" for sale in my area w/ aboout 50K miles in running and good condition, not great. Asking price is $4500. Good deal? Are these reliable vehicles? Lot of maintenace? Really just want something to toy around with. Let me know your opinion. This really all the info I have. Thanks for your input!!!

[01001010]

When you get a chance, find out what engine is has.

[Discoandaboat]

I know its a 2.3 Liter 4 cyclinder Petrol.

[pickuprover]

If it is a Land Rover engine, it will either be a 2.25 or a 2.5 (six cyclinder...). Here in Canada $4500 for a running truck is not bad, assuming that it is not on it's last leg.... Go have a look, tap the frame, see how bad it is, (especially the outriggers), listen to the engine, figure out what it will need to pass your local safety. With the amount of information so far, it is hard to tell you if it is a good deal.
As for reliability..... well that is a matter of some debate. I think that they are, (my 1972 is my daily driver..) however, I do a lot of maintence and work on it to keep it on the road. They are nice simple trucks that are easy to work on, but they are nothing like a Disco or a Honda..... If you want a truck that starts everytime (especially if it is sitting a lot) you might want to keep looking.... but as well, since there is less to go wrong, you can figure out the no start faster, easier... as well they are over built, so they run past what other vehicles can (have limped home at 30km/h with seized tappets one day, try doing that with a disco..)

[Hillbilly Raider]

if your that worried about modern reliabity why look at a series?
those of us who have them except them for what they are and love them regardless.

[pickuprover]

Mandy, I agree.. although, I got my truck for a lot less than I should have... the previous owner bought it wanting a good off-road truck, but then could not stand the performance on road..... he bought a Lexus SUV to replace the series, and sold the series to me...

[gavinl]

The 109 petrol engine is 2286cc and is called a 2.3 for short. It will have either a 3 bearing crank or a 5 bearing crank. The latter is easily recognised because it has an orange filler cap on the rocker cover.

[TerryS]

If the measure of 'Reliable' is NOTHING ever goes wrong, then, no, it's not reliable. On the other hand, Land Rover has most certainly NOT built anything in it's 60 year history that has had a blemish free history ( And most especially anything in the past few years)

Since I have several other vehicles to fall back on, I happen to find Series trucks in General, and late 2A trucks, in particular, to be one of the most fun vehicles, and way to the correct side of the reliability scale. They almost always start, on the coldest of days. If you can double clutch ( you can if you know which end of a gun the bullet comes out of) you will find the series 2A transmission far more stout than the series 3.
Unless the engine was changed by the MOD for a 5 main engine, which did not come out till very much later, it will be the 3 Main, 2.25. I never heard it refered to as a 2.3, but then, I haven't heard alot of things. The MOD never used the 2.6 litre 6 cyl engine (though it's a sweet engine for someone who loves to baby their truck)
Personally I think $4500 for a ex-MOD 109 is a pretty good price. Most were soft tops, though 3 door HTs are not uncommon. Either will be cold in the winter ( try driving a refrigerator, heated by a BIC lighter) Hot in the summer, and wet only and always on rainy days.
When it does break, there is no part you can't get for it.
Only word of caution when looking for one of these: check the bulkhead over thoroughly for rust. Door posts, footwells, and around the scuttle vents are areas that rust. Also, as it's an MOD spec, check that the oil cooler lines are sound, and not about to hemorage. Frames on these are generally better than civies of the same vintage, as they are more substantial, and well preserved. I'm bored now, bye

[slouzon]

Originally Posted by Discoandaboat

Really just want something to toy around with. Let me know your opinion.

Oh you will be "toying" around with it.
For me this is most of the fun!
And the way people look at you when you drive it.


Steve