what to do with a Land Rover 101 Forward Control

[compass]

I had a 101FC delivered yesterday which I bought on a bit of a whim. I've always liked the look of them, but never owned, and generally not an LR man really!

It'll be MOT'd next week with minimal work. Then, I just don't know what to do with it. Leave it as is, which at present is in MOD colours, just with all the ambulance bits and bobs already removed.

I am, however, contemplating doing an overland camper conversion. The space is already there in the back, and there'll be no need for a rock n roll bed, as there's space for a fixed item. I've got a mate who converts VW T4s into campers, so sure he could do the work.

Then there's the paint. I'm undecided whether to leave it in camo, change to another solid LR colour like sand or bronze green or go daft with something along the lines of a bright orange G4 expedition theme.

So, I'm in a bit of a quandary about what to do! Any opinions welcomed1

I'll get pictures in its current state tomorrow.

Thanks.

[composimmonite]

First off is consider a LPG conversion as the low axle ratios plus carb V8 means eye watering fuel consumption. The gearbox is a LT95 so an early Range Rover overdrive is straight fit.

[compass]

I hadn't considered LPG, although I might look into it now. Having said this, I'm used to shocking MPG with the best of my two dailys getting 15mpg. The overdrive is a good thought too.

[composimmonite]

I think you will lust after 15mpg with a 101. Single figures are probably not uncommon if pushed or off road. Budget for 10-12mpg in normal road usage and you won't be far off what it'll do.
Look at the performance figures -
www.nealonline.net/101/lrres/101data.htm

[waveman1500]

I've always wanted a Forward Control!
Personally, I would leave it in military colours, throw an esky full of beer in the back with some camping and recovery gear and hit the road!

[bobblegut]

What about a hole in the roof and a .50 Browning ?

[composimmonite]

Sept 4, 2014 9:02:44 GMT bobblegut said:

What about a hole in the roof and a .50 Browning ?

Neighbour has an Alvis Saracen, that is parked on the road, which has a turret and machine gun (I assume deactivated). He's also got a Humber Pig and 2 Daimler Ferret's.

[bobblegut]

Cold war lover then ! Might come in handy soon....

[MiataMark]

If you, or a future owner, intend taking it to Africa military paintwork probably isn't a good idea.

[CFmania]

Was just thinking that, target practice for the natives, better going the bright orange you were thinking of or add some white stripes for a Nemo look!!

[pugmanic]

I am sooooo jealous! I have lusted after 101s for years. The closest I've been to buying one was test driving an ambulance with flat tyres that hadnt been started for years. Can't see me getting one any time soon either

Have a look on Youtube. There are plenty of people who have modified them. There is a camel trophy orange one already. There is a Purple 6 wheel conversion. There is a bright blue one that the owner has built a small replica of for his kids. There is a radio body with an exoskeleton roll cage that looks very cool. Alsorts. Personally I like olive green... boring I know.

A lot of people also do power steering conversions, which I think is a bit of a shame.
Have a look on youtube for the Ambulance running an RPI Engineering exhaust! Sounds very good!
Get rid of the bar grips, as they are supoosed to be lethal in the wet.
If you've got an ambulance, it will already have a hatch in the roof, though apparently the roof is only supposed to support one persons weight at a time. Spoils the fun imo.

There is a decent spares site online;

shop.101parts.co.uk/index.php

Please post some pics, and be sure to keepmus up to date!

[dodgerover]

Sept 5, 2014 19:49:34 GMT pugmanic said:

Get rid of the bar grips, as they are supoosed to be lethal in the wet.

Naa worn ones drift really well on a slightly damp road, oddly controllable...

[twizzle]

i've owned one it was a radio van converted in to a recovery 101 for the RNLI florescent orange you couldn't miss it

[wyer1972]

if you google Jamie oliver camper, how about doing a smaller version of his Bedford tk .I'll look out for it around chesterfield

[compass]

Cheers for all the thoughts guys.

After much deliberation, I`ve decided to keep it standard (ish) and avoid the camper route. It seems a lot of people are camperizing ambulances, so there won`t be too many left in standard fettle.

The MOT work should be started today at some point. Then I`m just going to use it for a few months, while slowly rubbing at all down and preparing for paint. It`ll be roller painted, but you can generally get away with this on an old Landy. ThenI`ll just be looking for the shovel, pick axe handle etc for the front, and the rear step!

i`ll try and get pictures up this week at some point.

[composimmonite]

With it being an ambulance you can still use it for camping even in original spec. Just think along the lines of portable stove, folding camp / air beds, collapsible table, freestanding fridge etc.
At one show I saw a nice WWII lorry with full tilt on load bed. Underneath the tilt there was basically a normal household wooden shed that owner used for camping in at shows