Series III SWB Wants and Needs

[Major Woody]

I have purchased a 1973 Series II SWB Land Rover that has been mechanically rebuilt (galvanized frame, new engine, gearbox, etc.) but which needs cosmetics and a few other things.

1. Anyone have a good used set of hoop sticks for sale?

2. Any advice on installing a sound system?

3. Has anyone ever tried installing air conditioning on a Series III truck?

4. Can you paint over the existing paint or do you have to strip the truck to bare metal to repaint it?

5. What tires do you recommend for this vehicle? The truck will spend the rest of its life on the beach, and its offroading will be limited to sand. It likely will be principally used to get around the island and to drive into the marsh to go fishing.

Many thanks.

[msggunny]

Originally Posted by Major Woody

I have purchased a 1973 Series II SWB Land Rover that has been mechanically rebuilt (galvanized frame, new engine, gearbox, etc.) but which needs cosmetics and a few other things.

1. Anyone have a good used set of hoop sticks for sale?

2. Any advice on installing a sound system?

3. Has anyone ever tried installing air conditioning on a Series III truck?

4. Can you paint over the existing paint or do you have to strip the truck to bare metal to repaint it?

5. What tires do you recommend for this vehicle? The truck will spend the rest of its life on the beach, and its offroading will be limited to sand. It likely will be principally used to get around the island and to drive into the marsh to go fishing.

Many thanks.

Where you located?

For sound it depends on what you want to listen to. Loudy angry music will most likely be all you can hear at speed, and thats with it turned all the way up. The weak stock alternator cant handle a serious sterio. But if you up grade you can do what i did or even better. I use a Tuffy security console with radio slot, Tuffy speaker/storage boxes in the rear with 6x9's and some small speakers up front. All i listen to is angry music.

Tires, that depends on how strong your engine is. I am running the equivelent of 32's on mine and it could use 33's with out a problem. Search around, most people seem to be running 30-31' tires.

Someone tried to install A/C, but i cant see how it would be worth it unless you did a powerplant swap and had a hard top. Do a search here, i think it was on this site that someone did it.

Go to TLR Land Rover Parts and Accessories or Rovers Down South for use hoop sticks.

You can paint over the paint, but how old is it? How good of a paint job do you want? Etc...

[zed]

I am painting mine. I can tell you that where I've found paint painted over on my vehicle.. i can take it off with a fingernail. Adhesion is everything. If your paint is good.. you can sand and seal it. If IF IF.. its not already more than one coat. Apparently many will paint right over scuffed topcoat, but it doesnt stick well.

Do not try to paint over a repaint.
I asked a few very pertinent questions on the following autobody forum and got good advise. Which echoed what my paint jobber told me.
View topic - Painting my aluminum land rover questions

I've researched, bought a paint system.. painting started and ongoing with great results.. considering i'm painting ouside... and have no idea what i'm doing from a practical point of view.

On the old lacquer I found that most of the paint I sanded for prep for covering came off with one swipe of the 220.

A few more swipes and it was clean enough to etch.. etch prime, prime, sand and paint.
I checked and double checked my sources to see if I was doing the best process for painting aluminum.. Everyone agrees, i've got what is needed. If you're an experienced sprayer.. a sealing epoxy can be used supposedly. My 2k will not stick to aluminum well enough.

I can give you part numbers for napa. I bought extra to practicee with and it came to about 200 bucks.



Found the turbine paint system to be great for doing it at home.

[zed]

I put a radio (portable) in mine with the hopes of listening to it. Couldn't hear it at all. I've since replaced the exhaust system.. but its still a loud vehicle.

There's a couple people out there that have installed a car stereo in an ammo case or similar and then run the wires to the dash aux port or something. Even run speakers out of the same box. Hang it on a hook over the transmission tunnel or something.

If I wanted to have a stereo for listening at my destination. I'd just use a cheap portable..

[gordo]

Key to painting aluminum is adhension as mentioned. I took mine to bare metal using a Disc sander and a small sandblaster (for areas you cant see). I then used etch primer, then a sandable primer, wet sanded, etc and then sprayed. It turned out nice but we did have a few issues with the paint wrinking and/or lifting in areas and had to redo them.

For AC look into vintage air or some other aftermarket companies that make complete units. Anything is possible but I agree with a 2.25 it is probably going to rob too much power.

Gordo

[jimfoo]

AC, it's called a soft top with the sides rolled up.

[greenmeanie]

WHen looking at aircon you have to consifder that the compressor sucks about 5hp from your already rather anemic 2 1/4. If you are considering it I'd suggest a powerplant change first.

With that caveat it can be done. There is a thread over on Roversnorth showing an installation. You don't say what your truck is - 88, 109GS , 109 SW? It's not difficult but you have to look at the spec of your vehicle. Look at the volume you're trying to cool, where you live may dictate the amount of coling you need, and the engine you are using.

I have a Chevy 292 powered NADA 109SW that will be getting aircon as I am in Phoenix. For those that think I am a wussie I also have a 101GS and an 88 for the traditional land rover experience. I will be using parts from Hot Rod Air. I will be replacing the stock heater with a universal evaporator unit on the front of the bulkhead feeding air through the stock ducting. A second evaporator will go under the passenger seat to cool the rear of the truck. I can do this because on a 109 SW the tank is under the back end.

If you are usign one of the kits expect to spend about 1K and more if you iuse a dual system.

Cheers
Gregor

[zed]

There are plenty of universal AC systems out there for retrofitting olde vehicles.

I can give you part numbers for the products I used for painting. If you're interested.

[dsfloyd]

The stereo option isn't bad. I put one in mine. Its all old stuff now but its a pioneer cd player, pioneer equalizer/amp (amp quit working), and alpine speakers. It works fine without the amp and I don't even have to turn it up that loud . It helps that the speaker is right behind my head.



Mine is converted to negative ground and has a buick alternator.

But if you have ever installed a stereo it is a piece of cake.

8 foot whip antennas get great radio reception too.

[zed]

yea I would say speaker location would have a lot to do with it.. I can't wait to see how mine sounds with the new exhaust. Might even put in a small 1 or 2 speaker system just to have tunes in the parking lot or in stop and go. Waiting for the kids to get out of school etc...
Still not believing you can hear that on the highway. I've had stock jeeps that I couldn't hear stereo with a soft top. I mean.. without being stupid about it.

[unlicky13]

there is a guy in long island parting out his 1974 88" im sure you can get alot of parts from him i bought all his wheels and looked over the land rover it was nice but the frame was shot and the motor was from a gm the rest looked rather decent his web site is
Lyonnes Vintage Motors - Your Company Slogan Here!

im also selling 6 off road tires and rims for the land rover they need 2b painted and i dont know how good the tires really are but they hold air and i have moved my land rover and never had a problem there just to big you can email me at unlucky402@aol.com