Series 3 Landy project hunt

[CompoSimmonite]

I like the simplicity of my Mahindra MM540. More akin to a Series 1 than S111. Even the chassis rails are the same distance apart so S1 springs will fit. After all the prototype centre steer was a Rover body on a Jeep chassis so they must have kept some of the same dimensions. Chassis is thick open C section so absolutely no rot despite it's age. Axles are bullet proof Dana 44, transferbox is a Dana18, Gearbox Kia KTM90 and Peugeot XD engine. Front body panels are pure CJ5 with rear being modified CJ7. Accepted body quality isn't the best as typical Indian but all flat panels so easy to repair / fabricate.
Mine cost me £350 around 5 years ago.

Bull bars, side steps binned ages ago

 

[gav0994]

In my opinion, smart money will be to buy a S3 unless you specifically want the metal dash. Many S3 will become tax exempt over the next few years, they have synchro on 1st and 2nd(double clutching seems cool and manly but that wears thin pretty quick especially after the first time you let someone else have a drive in it who did know how to do it) and will more likely have a 5 bearing crank although with the age of these things there is no guarantee that they will have the original parts.

If there are things like FWH(free wheeling hubs) or overdrive that you really desire then try and buy one with those fitted as buying them after can cost a fortune. Personally I don't think FWH make enough difference to make them essential. On a daily driver maybe but there is a school of thought they stop things moving/getting lubricated there is also the fact that the day you realise you need 4wd it will too late and you'll have to get out in the mud/snow and hope that they are not seized. That's just my opinion but people love them and they make £80-100 these days when they used to be £20

It's very easy to get hung up on tax exemption but the reality is it make £5 a week difference to onwership, many smokers spend double that every day. Even the newest S3 will be tax exempt in the next 7 years. Yes 7 years tax is a chunk of money but from what I've seen it affects the price of the vehicle almost enough to justify in many cases and the reality is many people who buy a Series Landrover as their first one won't keep it very long.

I'm no stranger to a series 3. Had one 10 years ago, but circumstances forced it's sale.

Tax exempt is not high on the list when it comes to getting one. I see the tax exempt status on them as a "sales tax" in terms of the massive price differences between similar quality tax exempt and non tax exempt.

my budget is approx. 1.5k - 2k max. but for 2k it would need to have an MOT and not require a massive amount of work to keep it on the road.

likewise if a suitable 109 came up that fits the budget I'd have it. 88 is obviously easier to store but that again increases the price of them.

 

[rosinante]

I had a series 3 tax exempt landy and it was one of great regrets selling it, it had galv chassis , 90 doors ,seats, overdrive ,fwh , 2.5 normally athsmatic diesel , fully insulated and trimmed hard top,parabolic springs, uprated twin leading shoe brakes, S2 gearbox with S3 bellhousing and clutch , and after much effort it didnt drop oil, it is still on the road and I have looked at its mot history online it has failed once in the past few years for headlight aim,I really wish I still had it,sob,
Looked at a really well modified s2 ,300tdi overdrive 3.54 diffs nice body and paint, but pouring oil from swivels gearbox ,overdrive diffs,steering box,I just can't have a vehicle like that bleeding on my drive, I don't have the energy or desire to wriggle around under one wielding landrover special tool no1 (lump ammer)
chris