Hi all -
Recently acquired this new-to-me 1993 Range Rover County "Classic" SWB (1992 build - no EAS) from it's 6th owner in NJ. It was a California car (no rust!) up until 2018, when the 7th owner brought it home to NJ. In the last two years he only drove it about 3500 miles (but put a lot of money into maintenance, a paint job, undercoating).
Now it has a new home in Connecticut/NY. It's currently at 155k and I plan to put many many more miles on it, from the suburbs to highways to mountains to the beach.
I got it with maintenance records going back around 7 years, the truck was decently cared for from the looks of it, and it's condition shows a general history of care. The truck drives nicely, steering tight, comfortable springs/shocks, and (almost) everything works! ...even the clock!
MAINTENANCE/ISSUES
The main issues are of course electrical and are very common. They are as follows:
Mechanicaly the truck is fine, a few things to tinker with. Naturally they are mostly leaks!
PERSONALIZATION/MODIFICATION
I am really into period-correct personalizations and "OEM+" modifications. I really want to keep the truck pretty original with some small changes that in my opinion will make it better looking without getting drastic. I have the accessories book from 1993 and there are a few that I am after to make some period-correct changes.
Already went straight for the OEM rubber mats and the disco cup holder...... the other accessoies a bit harder to find!
Additionally, I am considering a very small lift, but only when it comes time to change out the shocks down the road. The truck will be primarily used on pavement, with some trips offroad for when we are in the mountians, at the beach, or otherwise. It will not really see propor 4x4 trail duty.
Anyway, it's been 10 days of ownership and already have my work cut out for me with the interior electrical gremlins and the parts I'm looking to source.... but so far it's been lovely to drive...here are some pictures!
Looking forward to the adventure that is Range Rover Classic ownership!
Recently acquired this new-to-me 1993 Range Rover County "Classic" SWB (1992 build - no EAS) from it's 6th owner in NJ. It was a California car (no rust!) up until 2018, when the 7th owner brought it home to NJ. In the last two years he only drove it about 3500 miles (but put a lot of money into maintenance, a paint job, undercoating).
Now it has a new home in Connecticut/NY. It's currently at 155k and I plan to put many many more miles on it, from the suburbs to highways to mountains to the beach.
I got it with maintenance records going back around 7 years, the truck was decently cared for from the looks of it, and it's condition shows a general history of care. The truck drives nicely, steering tight, comfortable springs/shocks, and (almost) everything works! ...even the clock!
MAINTENANCE/ISSUES
The main issues are of course electrical and are very common. They are as follows:
- Heat does not really blow hot (fixed with a new thermostat)
- Seat heaters dont work
- Driver seat recline doesnt work
- Power side mirrors dont work
- sunroof does not work (however, it does work if you have the switch "on" for the rear wiper....though I am afraid to try and open it at all in case it gets stuck)
- rear wiper does not work
- headlamp washers do not work
- driver window regulator on last legs
- misc cracked wood, plastics, trim, etc. - Need to hunt down some pieces
- bad radio ground (hums)
- interior illumination scroll button broken, contact bad - currently working fine
- misc interior bulbs out (clock, part of HVAC, part of shifter)
- Pass rear door lock mechanism sticks locked - I think the spring in there needs to be changed. (all other central locking works)
- tires mismatched and dry rotted (already put on 5 new tires - 235/70R16 BFG K02)
Mechanicaly the truck is fine, a few things to tinker with. Naturally they are mostly leaks!
- Potential RMS seal
- Leaking steering box
- Leaking PS pump
- Leaking oil pan gasket
- Leaking Valve Cover gaskets
- 1 Rear ABS sensor wires apart (no CEL or ABS light, front ABS still works - tested it on ice this week...)
- Already flushed and filled the coolant, I plan to do some other service items including belts, plugs, above gaskets, etc.
- Kickdown cable needs slight adjustment (maybe I am just learning the power curve) - does not always want to downshift with pedal to floor....
PERSONALIZATION/MODIFICATION
I am really into period-correct personalizations and "OEM+" modifications. I really want to keep the truck pretty original with some small changes that in my opinion will make it better looking without getting drastic. I have the accessories book from 1993 and there are a few that I am after to make some period-correct changes.
Already went straight for the OEM rubber mats and the disco cup holder...... the other accessoies a bit harder to find!
- STC8026 front lamp guard grilles. very rare options in the states apparently. Only ones I have seen for sale are abroad....
(I have the OEM nudge bar with lamp guards, but I think I like the look without the big bar on the front. A bit cleaner, though I like the option to throw it on when I'd like to) - ROW non-NAS corner lamps with both orange/clear (as opposed to all-orange NAS)
- Clear side markers w/ orange glow (my oem ones already faded to essentially clear anyway) - I found some period-correct Overfinch aftermarket ones which I may go with
- RTC9475 OEM roof bars. Very hard to find, may just go with the Thule. I like the option of throwing them on thought the wind noise will likely drive me nuts...
- OEM Front tow hook in OEM lower valence cutout
- Swap out OEM lamps for Cibie or Hella units with better lighting - while sticking with halogen.
- STC8147 Cocktail cabinet & STC8149 picnic tables - found a single set for sale online....
- STC8018L - padded gun/security box - for storage but "cool"
- STC8131 - ABS plastic OEM loadspace protector
- RTC9585 - OEM portable fridge for trunk
- STC8244 - OEM tool kit ( I have the bottle jack, ramp, tire iron - but thought would be cool to have the period correct tool kit)
- RTC9520 - OEM Winch Kit (gloves, tow rope, etc) - thought cool to have!
Additionally, I am considering a very small lift, but only when it comes time to change out the shocks down the road. The truck will be primarily used on pavement, with some trips offroad for when we are in the mountians, at the beach, or otherwise. It will not really see propor 4x4 trail duty.
Anyway, it's been 10 days of ownership and already have my work cut out for me with the interior electrical gremlins and the parts I'm looking to source.... but so far it's been lovely to drive...here are some pictures!
Looking forward to the adventure that is Range Rover Classic ownership!