1983 Land Rover 109 . Not much clutch... (sorry...big pics)

[ellwood]

Back again....

My serial buying and selling, generally through too much work and not enough funds, has been a bit low recently, hence a short absence. However, new job etc. and an itch for yet another Land Rover led to a browse through ebay a couple of months ago. Spurred on by following a tidy looking 109 home the night before I found myself in the classic cars/Land Rover section.

And, well, it doesn't take a genius to guess what happened next.

I've had numerous Land Rovers over the years, but other than learning to drive in one when I was 10 I have never owned a 109. No particular reason, I have just always gravitated to swb, as that's what Dad usually had. So when a nice looking ex-MOD 109 jumped off the page at me I was pretty much sold. Listed in Newport, which is only a couple of hours drive from my Leicester home I figured that would do nicely. I made an offer, got a counter, and did a deal. Proper chuffed. I paid instantly and dropped the seller a note asking when I could collect.

"Whenever you fancy" he replied "Just let me know what ferry you are getting"

Ferry? Now, I'm not the sharpest tool in the box, but last I heard the M50 wasn't under water and there was absolutely no requirement for any kind of amphibious vehicle to get from the Midlands to Wales.

At this point I learned there was also a Newport on the Isle of Wight.

Which is where what was now my Land Rover resided. Ok.

So, four hours on trains, a couple of boat trips there and back and a three and a half hour drive home in a series Land Rover that I had never even seen, let alone driven. Surely nothing could go wrong, could it?

Actually, no it couldn't. I had a great trip down there, met up with the seller who was a lovely chap at the ferry port and turned it around ready to head to the UK.

Here she is in the queue to get on the ferry back to the mainland.



So, we loaded up and blended in nicely on the boat. Must be her military history that allowed her to subtley merge into her surroundings....





So, she's a 1983 rag top, with the original 2.25 petrol, twin underseat tanks. Temp gauge and fuel gauge don't work (just what you need in an old Land Rover with a long trip ahead of you). The previous owner said he had "renovated" rather than restored her. Looks like a new rear cross member (painted silver...ugh), and everything else brush coated in Nato Green. But solid enough, full MOT, had an oil service the morning before I picked her up. And doesn't leak oil.
Let me say that again.

Doesn't leak oil.

Now, the only Land Rover I've ever known that doesn't leak oil is a Land Rover with no oil in it. But no, this one keeps hold of it's black stuff.

And the heater works.

So, I bunged some fuel in the left tank (seller had brimmed the right hand one for me - I did say he was a nice bloke!) ready to see how far I could get before I needed to call the AA man.





This is Watford Gap services (North of Northampton). Still no AA man. Just needed a pee.






And, against pretty much any bet I would have laid setting off, home. 3 hours 20 minutes later.




Proper chuffed!

[ellwood]

So, having got her home, time to start fiddling.

First assesment? Runs like a sewing machine. Spot on. Leave well alone.
Exhaust is a bit rusty, so that needs to be looked at.
Doors only latch shut (common Land Rover thing) so new door bottoms needed.
Seats are curse word, so deluxe ones ordered.
Need to sort the temp gauge and fuel gauge.
Tailgate is the wrong one - it's a split one off a lightweight. Need a new one, and some hinges that allow it to swing down or to the side.
Wheels and tyres. Hmmm. Like standard one. Like modulars.

So, seats. Easily sorted. New deluxe ones ordered and fitted. Much better.



Drive it around a bit. Quite a lot actually. I have a fabulous 08 Touareg as my daily. Heated seats, the whole shebang. Love it. Barely drive it now..

Didn't like the nasty painted headlamp bezels so changed those for ally ones






Painted two of the wheels black to see if I liked black wheels vs the Nato Green ones





Signed her up as a rag tag rebel and gave her the highly unoriginal nickname Rogue 1. And I never ever name vehicles. And I certainly wouldn't admit to have named one in public...



Moved a wardrobe



Drove her back and forth to work a fair bit






Fitted a fume curtain, which kind of makes an internal canvas truck cab, to keep in more of the warmth




And ordered some door bottoms, hinges, locks etc.

Now I figured there was no way I could get Nato Green to match in. And I didn't fancy painting the whole thing (at the moment). But I remember seeing a pic somewhere of a military Land Rover that was green with orange panels. And I liked it (yes, I know, strange). I think it was a military police truck or something similar.

I did a bit of research and couldn't find what I was looking for. Although it turns out that Bomb Disposal Land Rovers used to have orange wings. Which is close to a door. Not that I particularly needed a reason.

I'm as curse word at painting as I am at welding (and I really really can't weld), so I decided to watch lots of coach painting tutorials and brush paint the doors.

I did the inside and sucked at it. But then I came up with a plan.







So I watched lots of roller painting tutorials. And rollered the outsides. Which didn't suck as much (even though I didn't bother flatting back. After all, the rest of it has been painted with an emulsion brush!)

Here they are mocked up with new hinges. Which I then couldn't use as I need to drill out all of the old hinge bolts as they are spinning the internal spires. Joy.







This isn't series Land Rover air-conditioning. Old doors off...



And here they are on. Need adjusting, and new hinges, which will be next weeks job. Along with painting the new tailgate that has just arrived to match.






So then it was back to ebay. Bought a set of modulars in "good condition" with knackered BFGs.

Yeah. Hmmm.

Back to ebay. Bought a set of wheels in ok condition (read rougher than expected) with pretty much brand new Avon Rangers. Result. Loaded up with the long suffering 'rag with this little lot





Quick garage refurb underway ready to fit next week. Apparently I'm not allowed to play Land Rover this Sunday...




After that I need to fit this:


And then I'll wait until Spring to get some parabolic springs fitted.

In the meantime I'll be making a start on the MGB I've just bought from the classifieds....

[andy-v]

bookmarked

[dazcapri]

Yep I'm in bookmarked

[peter96]

Brilliant. Nice to see a 109 getting some love and attention.

[edwardbear]

Very nice. 6 inch lift perhaps monster truck tyres

[darrenh]

like it! i notice theres a bit of limestone showing behind the hinges. is this one of the 12 volt GS vehicles ?

head rests youve gone too far

[ellwood]

Dec 23, 2016 15:16:12 GMT darrenh said:

like it! i notice theres a bit of limestone showing behind the hinges. is this one of the 12 volt GS vehicles ?

head rests youve gone too far

It's actually sand colour under the green...

Yes, she's a 12v.

I know what you mean on head rests. I'm considering working dash lights too. Lordy!

[darrenh]

are they exmoor seats ? i got a set of bases last year as the originals were giving me coccyx a right bashing

[mattiwagon]

Had a 24v ffr loved it to bits! Literally

[damo]

This is brilliant, top work as well. Are the ex mod lands a good buy? I'm thinking service wise? This is the sort of thing that I'm looking into at the moment. Keep up the good work. Bookmarked

[ellwood]

Dec 23, 2016 17:26:15 GMT darrenh said:

are they exmoor seats ? i got a set of bases last year as the originals were giving me coccyx a right bashing

Britpart.... And they are superb. And a bit cheaper than Exmoor (which are fab)

[ellwood]

Dec 23, 2016 17:54:26 GMT damo said:

This is brilliant, top work as well. Are the ex mod lands a good buy? I'm thinking service wise? This is the sort of thing that I'm looking into at the moment. Keep up the good work. Bookmarked

I think the fact that this one retired to the Isle of Wight when it was demobbed means it has lead a relatively easy life since service. However any series land rover that has a decent mot, a solid bulkhead, good rear crossmember and can hold oil for more than half an hour isn't a bad bet.

Particularly at the moment as the prices are getting silly. I think if this one hadn't have been in a slightly inconvenient location it would have sold for at least a grand more. I have to keep hold of this as I am pretty sure it is the last time I will be able to afford to buy a series land rover, no matter the condition. Bits are relatively cheap

I went to the Great British Land Rover show a few weeks ago and was genuinely surprised about how few series Landys were in the car park. Defenders everywhere, and some crackers, but only a handful of series.

I'd say go for it....but listening to me is probably a daft thing to do

[rblote]

I have owned Nissan Patrols, Landcruisers, Rodeo's, Jeeps Cherokee's, Disco's etc but never a car like yours.
In comparison to the 4WD's I have and had, a Land Rover is slow, noisy, not as comfortable, possible not as reliable,
no air condition,etc etc but not one of my 4WD's did come even close to the real deal feeling of a Landrover.
To me the LR is the only real 4WD with real character and 1 day I will own one!!
They are uber cool!

Good luck with it mate!

[ellwood]

Dec 23, 2016 21:31:55 GMT rblote said:

I have owned Nissan Patrols, Landcruisers, Rodeo's, Jeeps Cherokee's, Disco's etc but never a car like yours.
In comparison to the 4WD's I have and had, a Land Rover is slow, noisy, not as comfortable, possible not as reliable,
no air condition,etc etc but not one of my 4WD's did come even close to the real deal feeling of a Landrover.
To me the LR is the only real 4WD with real character and 1 day I will own one!!
They are uber cool!

Good luck with it mate!

Thanks mate!

They do have Aircon though. It's a dual circuit, independent driver and passenger controlled, analogue system.

You open a flap which uncovers a big hole in the bulkhead in front of you.

The passenger has their own flap

[darrenh]

Dec 23, 2016 22:27:34 GMT ellwood said:

Dec 23, 2016 21:31:55 GMT rblote said:

I have owned Nissan Patrols, Landcruisers, Rodeo's, Jeeps Cherokee's, Disco's etc but never a car like yours.
In comparison to the 4WD's I have and had, a Land Rover is slow, noisy, not as comfortable, possible not as reliable,
no air condition,etc etc but not one of my 4WD's did come even close to the real deal feeling of a Landrover.
To me the LR is the only real 4WD with real character and 1 day I will own one!!
They are uber cool!

Good luck with it mate!

Thanks mate!

They do have Aircon though. It's a dual circuit, independent driver and passenger controlled, analogue system.

some like mine were also fitted with the quad multi bypass zoned analogue air conditioning

[Deleted]

love it,

i had a 109 in around 1994!!!!

[daslandroverman]

My one looks like this at the moment.




Looks like you've got a good project there though.
Modular Rims in Limestone are a good look if you're after opinions for wheels.

[ellwood]

Dec 24, 2016 13:52:14 GMT daslandroverman said:

My one looks like this at the moment.


Hi

Looks like you've got a good project there though.
Modular Rims in Limestone are a good look if you're after opinions for wheels.

I have door bottoms, brand new wing outers and brand new headlamp panels (bought the new panels as I was going to paint it but decided I like it better as it is) if you want them. Still have my old standard seats too, haven't binned them yet!

[ellwood]

A cheeky hour grabbed this morning (mini me at grandparents and a frankly ace wife) has left me very chuffed. Old hinges drilled out and new shiny ones fitted. As a result I know have doors that shut, latch and lock both sides.

Result!





A distinct lack of wheelbrace meant I couldn't fit the wheels. So I had to make do with just putting on the bonnet spare.
I feel a quick trip to kwik fit coming on after the festivities to talk them into flipping over the wheels...




With that done we went to the pub. As you do.

Merry Christmas all!!