Project: Wilks

[01001010]

Haha...knocking!!!

[zed]

yea.. I don't know how many projects you've had. and i'm not saying this is your situation,

But this rover of mine is being a project car stereotype.

not the rover, but a true story...
Hmm its misfiring, better replace the wires and plugs. Oh crap the distributor cap fell apart. Oh shucks the distributor is worn and wobbly.. oh crud the timing gear is worn off the cam, might as well refresh the head while i'm in here... oh crap the cylinders are scored, better bring it in.. oh crap its already .090 over. (which explained the heat issue). New engine time.

Its amazing how you roll up to a classic car ... its all complete and looks good. you try to repair anything and it just constantly reveals more issues.

I expect to spend 70-400% more on the car than my initial purchase price. that way, I'm never let down. then eventually sell it for 25% what I have into it, if I have bothered to keep it together and running.

[01001010]

Zed,

This is a frame-off restoration. Not saying that I wont run into those problems, but this thing is comming completely apart and getting brought back to Like-new condition.

I'm going to attempt to freshen up the engine first. In otherwords, not tear into it much and provide regular maint. Should anything start going wrong later in its life...it'll get torn apart.

Who knows, I MAY just go with a 200.


The icing on the cake is that this is the first time I have another vehicle to drive around while the project vehicle gets worked on. I started the first Mustang I had before I could legally drive, so I had about a year to get it to running condition. Then with the Mach, I did everything little by little on weekends (didnt have that car for long). And the Disco...well, we all know how that is!

[01001010]

OH and get this!!!!....

This passed weekend, some new neighbors FINALLY moved into the house next door to me. I JUST found out the guy does all types of welding!!! He came by today because he heard be banging away at some of the drivetrain bolts and inspected the frame. He got pretty excited about helping me out and is already planning the cuts and patch sizes where the frame has some through-rot.

[stolenheron]

nothing better than a welding friend to mooch off of!

[01001010]

No doubt about it!!!! SO far...I've got a paint shop, sandblaster and two welders to choose from. Still trying to get a galvanizer to do the frame for me.

[XtremeMarine]

LOL. I don't remember how many times my welders, oxy set, and plasma cutter have been loaned out. I have to keep a list in my toolbox, so I can remember who has what.

Jc: Do you still want to look at that extra 2.25 shortblock, I've got crated at the shop? And where are you on your Salisbury search? I think you have an ENV in your truck. May want to talk to Bill, but if I remember correctly, the ENV is just as good or better than the Sals. Either way, I've still got a Sals, or maybe more, for you to take your pick from.

[01001010]

If my research is correct, ENV Diffs only came in IIBs, one-tons, and special trucks like ambulances and other armoured stuff. I'm almost sure I dont have one in there.

Would be nice if I do find that the outter splines count to 24 though!!!

As far as the Salisbury goes, I am about to pick one up this Sat if it looks good. I MAY just go for a set of Jim's axles. I'd like to see both before I make a final decision.

[XtremeMarine]

Who be Jim? And what are his axles? Now that I have Salisbury(s), I may put one in the SIIa Project. SIII axles on 109's are only 1 inch wider than the standard IIa parts, so the wheels would only stick out a 1/2 inch on each side. Not a big deal when I'm running 35x10.5 anyway.

Still want the diesel shortblock?

[XtremeMarine]

BTW; I just got the final research off o f the SIII 109 given to me. Looks Like This:

Decoding SALLBCAH1AA111503

Region S Europe
Country A United Kingdom
Manufacturer L British Leyland / Land Rover
Model LB Series III, Stage 1 or Lightweight
Wheelbase C 109"
Body type A Truck Cab, Soft Top or Hard Top (Utility Body)
Engine H 2.25-litre, 4-cylinder Petrol
Steering / Transmission 1 RHD, 4-speed
Model year A 1983 - 1984 ish...
Assembly location A Solihull, UK
Serial number 111503


A quick checck on the DVLA's website shows the following data:-

The enquiry is complete

The vehicle details for SGV 213W are:

Date of Liability 08 09 2003
Date of First Registration 01 04 1981
Year of Manufacture 1981
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2286CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour BLACK
Vehicle Type Approval null
The information contained on this page is correct at the time of enquiry.
Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle
6 Months Rate £101.75
12 Months Rate £185.00

[01001010]

Originally Posted by XtremeMarine

Who be Jim? And what are his axles? Now that I have Salisbury(s), I may put one in the SIIa Project. SIII axles on 109's are only 1 inch wider than the standard IIa parts, so the wheels would only stick out a 1/2 inch on each side. Not a big deal when I'm running 35x10.5 anyway.

Still want the diesel shortblock?

Guuuaaattt??? (you have to say that in a Cuban accent) Jim! Only one of the most meticulous Series owners/vendors out there. You may know him as Mercedesrover . He's also the guy that runs...

Seriestrek - Extreme duty axles and sells HD Series axles.

I think I may pass on the shortblock...BUT if you have a good starter and radiator layin around, I would definitely be interested in those!


So the entire B-pillar assemblies need to be replaced. The B pillar came right off the bottom bar, on both the RH and LH side. And on the RH side, the rust ate through just where it slants up away from the floor.

I got into the drivetrain today and was happy to find an excess of gear oil in everything, keeping it all in GREAT condition!

[XtremeMarine]

LOL! ArmyRover passed on the 3 door 109 I've got. You should just pick that whole truck up. Then, you'd have SIII 24 spline front and rear axles, with salisbury rear. The big brakes, and a full syncromesh SIII trans and t-case. LOL. Yeah, I know who mercedes rover is. Very intelligent guy. Definitely knows his stuff.

[01001010]

Today, I started working on disassembly of the rear drivetrain. I took the driveshaft off and proceeded to remove axles and diff. I was VERY happy to find #1)minor leaks in the rear hubs (meaning everything is well preserved) and #2) PLENTY of gear oil within the axle housing! Everything looked as new as my Disco's diffs did! Managed to remove the shock absorbers withouth twisting or breaking the top mounting bolt. Chances are I'll still replace it with a new one.

I spent quite some time trying to manually remove the bolts holding the leafs onto the hangers but I'll have to wait until I get my new grinder. Those badboys are ON there!

Also, thanks to my brother in law, we discovered clues to the truck's history!

While I was working on the suspension, he had just arrived from work and was entering through the garage and stopped to admire the organized mess..lol. He was looking at the tub and discovered that underneath the thick layer of paint, there seemed to be vynil decals! Holding a light up to it and reading it from above we discovered that the letters read...

To the left of the cargo door "Complete Security" and to the right of the Cargo door "Site Services"

So there it is! This truck, although it has every bit of the interior, was a fleet truck at some point! I'm doing as much research as I can now! If you know anything about "Complete Security Site Services" please let me know. Thanks!

Here are two pictures from the last batch I uploaded...

[Jupiter Rover]

wow, your really tearing that beast apart!

[01001010]

No doubt about it! I'm truckless now so you can imagine how badly I want this thing done! I'm suffering some MAJOR off-roading withdrawals..lol

While I work on the truck, however, I put those emotions aside and just take my time. I find great relaxation in wrenchin anyway, so the longer I can be working on this thing, the better. If my sister or bro in law wouldn't come into the garage to say goodnight and remind me what time it is, I'd be there all night!

Only reason I came in early today was to do some research on this "Complete Security" company. I've already found a couple and emailed them.