ruxy
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Posts posted by ruxy
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6 hours ago, wally dugan said:
YOU bounce in a jeep and land - rover you glide in a champ
And even with the 'torque reaction spring upgrade' - the Jeep still bounced in the ditch. Even with the supposed never resolved transmission problems , I still rate the Champ the best of the three - shame about body corrosion , however that seemed not a problem during service life. Champ - forgetting the £ cost obviously.
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3 hours ago, 7VHU said:
Yep, the 80” with the 1600 cc could give the jeep a good run for its money and I’ll bet a few more miles on a tank of petrol. I do miss my S1. Defender’s ok but it’s a big complicated lump. Never driven a jeep.
Peter
You sit on a Rover , you sit in a Jeep (and Champ).
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Actually - they are 8 leaf HD , the last of S2A (Rover 11) and S3 were same GS & FFR. ISTR with S2A there were odd Contract differences at rear. The number should be stamped on 2nd leaf (IIRC the safety leaf) at one end. 272967 (drivers) + 272969 (passenger) If original - then all that left Solihull were made by Bramber Engineering & this is stamped with number. If aftermarket - such as Santana or British Springs (Telford) etc. etc. possibly Rover is stamped. The brand marks could be cut deep or slight. Normally all stencilled the part number in white paint under the dressing anti-rust. Jones Springs seem to have a good reputation (they made/make for LR Reborn) , however the ones I have seen are stencilled but not stamped. For number - look at end(s) of safety leaf that wraps around the main leaf silent-bloc bush - wire brush / light rotary sander clean up should find. In service ISTR the fronts were not raised on shackles , rear always was - there are shim washers on shackle bolt , you need to make certain this is done right to pack shackle plates correct. I forget procedure - been abt. 40 + years since I last did , normally I am 88" CL & LWT. To be honest - normally the std. 109" rear , IIRC 11 leaf (it varied over years) should be considered. You get a good ride unladen + the thick helper leaves come into play abt. 1/2 ton in tub. My 109" S2A needs new rearsprings fitted - I have used spare but good/rusted LWT 7 leaf HD's that I will fit , I could put the helpers back on but I hardly ever get to 750kg payload & at a pinch - I have AEON hollow rubber buffer helpers (these were often fitted to S3 MOD 109's inc. FFR - ask me how I know , I have tried to salvage the alloy adapter to chassis, screws rust & they always corrode /casting fracture). IIRC the MOD spec. front springs may have had extended bump-stops (IIRC procedure on extended shackles) - same / similar bump-stop as LWT with later 7 leaf front springs that had more free camber. These extended bump stops are now unobtanium but bog-std type is easily converted. Almost certainly with HD springs - you will have HD shocks.
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Find the part No. on the spring(s) - if identical then they are 1 Ton. IIRC the 109" military spec. was fitted with HD 7 leaf & these have differing RH & LH numbers , find the branded numbers and order same.
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I have fitted Series with Land Rover logo to L'wt and would certainly not do it again. Stanley knife cut off top taper of rubber & use the kit pressed angles / fixings - same as you would on a Series , it creates a bad rust trap against the chassis . The front - a simple mod. bend the bar support - at least this stops mud & $hit being thrown up on outriggers and fuel tanks.
Scroll down for photographs of mud-flaps + DIY dimensions
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Search the posts of Royal42
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Yes, but only Royal Marine Lightweights - only at the rear ,totally different to LR civvy Optional Parts. They were not listed on the Winterisation Kit Inventory. They are to Drawing No. FV721927 & the NSN is - 7RU 2540 99 838 7207. My 55KB92 came fitted with them from Kinross Motor Auctions in 1992 , still has them fitted (they fit between the rear bumperette & chassis) & I have a new spare set c/w details label & poly-bagged.
I say only RM , but that may not be correct as Army & RAF had winterised L'wt - normally Helo Support , odd photographs seen of these - I don't recall mudflaps & actually RM winterised L'wt photographs in service are very rare .
In recent months a member Royal ? (I need a think & a seach) - he posted in service pics of RM L'wt in Norway himself as RadOp with Helo , I would have to check pics again - may show flaps ?
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5 hours ago, LarryH57 said:
Ruxy, I would be so very grateful to 'pick your brains' on paint used on Military Land Rover wheels out of Solihull?
I have five 'new' sand blasted 231601 wheels that are to be painted, so I guess Land Rover sprayed them for my Lwt with NATO Green on both sides and in between which won't be seen? Mine were actually sand yellow before blasting.
The replacement wheels on my Lwt are possibly civi, and the inner surface is a combo of black and mud and rust.
Thank you so very much
Larry
Land Rover supplied rims - can be supplied finish painted , the colour code is a Suffix. Suffix P are primer finish a sort of dark brown / black - it's only a £cheap holding primer so best to finish a.s.a.p. Even civvy 231601 van be stamped with F.V. No. most are D marked (Dunlop) but I think GKN made. I have some 'aftermarket' under another name & made in Denmark (I checked a few years ago & it was a GKN subsidiary). Aftermarket - the new style for Tubeless c/w bead hump - the ones I have (aftermarket) are made in Italy. I suppose Solihull still supply D logo branded GKN. I used to get mine blased f.o.c. however not possible since I retired. If bad rust - I needle scale , otherwise twisted knot brush & P40 production paper. Then 1 coat of RED Oxide , when through dried a second coat of GREY Oxide (grey is a better undercoating colour for DBG or NATO Green finish). Certainly shot blast & a good paint finish is much more durable than factory finish. Colour finish - I normally brush 2 coats of TRACTOL first coat normally some OD - easier to check for holidays , sometimes sprayed with a double header - normally on sound old colour for refresh - rubbed with P500 / Scotchbrite green or red. In recent weeks (rain,cold,wind) - shed job I knocked up to save back-breaking work . I have various turntable sizes for such as a front wing / door , now with outriggers - more stable for 7.50x16 & rubber shock-absorbing feet (LR engine mounts) for when needle-scaling.
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8 hours ago, LarryH57 said:
Out of interest when my Lwt was made in 1980, what colour was the chassis and fuel tanks. Fuel tanks seem to be matt black, when I see them as spares for sale, but mine are Nato Green. As for the chassis, the undercoat and general use makes them earch dust brown. Some units painted the bumper and rear fenders in camouflage and others matt black or nato green. I guess these were unpainted when they left Solihull factory?
1980 - I doubt if your chassis & underside of wings & fuel tanks were sprayed with black bitumastic (asbestos reinforced) underseal. 1980 ? - seemed a change point on this, or just some contracts. IIRC Trimite were the paint makers for chassis & axle casings , somewhere I have the spec. Chassis dipped in a grey primer first.
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Blockley , must be made by Michelin on original moulds ? These are original 205R16 not the 208 80/R16 - I have run them on 5.50 (LWB) rims since late 1970's. As for Classic Range Rover - to me the tread is open enough to pass.
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The STA Super Traxion , the best I have seen in years, IIRC it did gain E Conformity - Goooogle around - some may be in UK. Another option is to search on 7.00x16 (most will be cheaper) - that you are OK with the std speedo head as for 6.00 or 6.50 tyres. Search also on MILITARY tyres - this brings up those imported for JEEP.https://pneucollection.com/en/31-military-4x4
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LR Tyres getting more of a £ rip-off in UK, France seems better but don't know about VAT etc. after Brexit. Possibly best to have a break in France , have a set fitted and just drive off RoRo (non-declare - used status).
The best tubes (only ones I would use are Michelin AIRSTOP) , Kleber (farm type stockists) should be OK - just double check on valve size & offset.
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Military tread w.t.f. Goodyear Extra-Grips are a mud tyre and double-up over rocks, XM&S type all season is what you need. Same rolling dia. as 6.50 , launch the boat with new 5.50 rims and the best 205 going (the treadway should be just at body-line). A ex-works Mich. family fit for Classic RR, some Disco and OK for Defender 90" + if you anticipate hard packed snow/ice - you can always fit studs. They will see you out on mileage. https://4x4tyres.co.uk/product/205-80-16-michelin-x-ms-244-104t-tyre/
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51 minutes ago, bigduke6 said:
Cheers ruxy, got price list today from Comptons, these supply the MOD, quite a lead time if none in stock, full 88” FFR = £500.
Yes , Comptons (Undercover Covers) are supposed to be the very best, and yes, hoods are now expensive. Over last 40 + years hood £ % inflation more than used Rovers & bricks & mortar , I don't think tentage has inflated at such top $
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7 hours ago, bigduke6 said:
Thanks again Ruxy, but folk are beating me to the post regarding the links , I messaged the Guy in Burnley but listing has now gone…… if you find anymore can you just PM me, stops the arseholes jumping the gun …..
OK , the one in Burnley - no great loss - due to great shrinkage. A new hood the canvas should be at least 2" below the cleats on the upper body-sides, and the rope will slip out but once shrunk it's OK Fully shrunk - you should not see the cleats at all. Most 'duck' is made in India and has been for donkeys, quality does vary lots. In recent years - one tilt maker has had a lot of hammer on internet circles , apparently they no longer manufacture in UK but import made up from India. No names - no pack-drill !
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I once considered getting a 'altration 109 to 88' , it was almost new (IIRC new would be abt. £200 , since tilts have £ increased at a % more than Rovers ) but sold it on Ebay 2005 £80 + postage .
Cheap - £40 located in Burnley. looks a little shrunk. Beware - rear panels shrink a unbelievable amount if not roped down at shrinking stage. https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/1140556040472926/?ref=share_attachment
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1 minute ago, ruxy said:
£ price is a bit heavy , but so is a new hood. It's a civvy type - see the PVC protection patch for the petrol pump nozzel, a 12 volt LWT was fitted by Solihull with a FFR tilt - I have often used civvy tilts on a LWT - even better if sides have webbing/brass buckles for rolling up in summer (a feature you need to negotiate if ordering a FFR type).
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It is possible that S3 LWT front top bulkhead panels (ventilator) were spares supplied in DBG , it depends on the spares contract & with whom Solihull or Unipart. I would have to check - I think the S2A vent panels I have are in red oxide. I have only known S3 radiator panels in red oxide, I have S3 bulkheads and they are grey oxide. I have tub upper body sides , S3 front wings , tailgate No. plate hinged flaps in beige primer. Some sill panels may be beige but most are dark brown primer, S2A front wings are all in DBG. The dark brown and beige primer panels - seem powder coated paint - that I would date circa. 1980 on.
88CL was Ex-Solihull in DBG (DIS Jan. 1978) & I think LWT was still ex-works DBG at this time. LWT 23HF86 (DIS Jan. '79) was ex-works NATO Green - so obviously the change point for colour was during 1978 (somewher I have a note to exact LWT VRM).
LWT 50HG75 as/is is still ex-works finish NATO GREEN , Lucas painted the headlamp fairing rims NG and the thickness was a few microns , water washed to red primer. Bezel (retaining mask for bulb unit was gloss-black) , NATO pintle was black. All galvanising - unpainted. What you have to remember with HG (1980 build) Contract FVE22A-115/ (many item numbers) - were frustrated orders intended for Iran. I don't know if Iran ordered their own paint colour , probably at that stage Solihull was aware they were not being exported - so all the stuff in prep. was painted NG (for the British MOD). 1984 - I had conversations with a Mr. Isdale of L.R. Technical about changes to seating / lids over petrol tanks + I received some interesting documentation , the paint spec. for British MOD actually states - BODY COLOUR - Bronze Green I.R.R. Finish , UNDERBODY SEALING As laid down in F.V.R.D.E. specification 2012. Hhmm NOT , It seems some HG were undersealed but some Item Nos. (that for Item 4 that was for 390 vehicles built June-Sept 1980) were not undersealed. No underseal - I would suggest intended for Iran, and the British MOD were not inclined to pay £ extra. In 2023 (finally) The UK Gov. squared up the £££££ owed back that the Shah had paid up in front for tanks & vehicles.
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7 hours ago, 10FM68 said:
It has all sorts, but, yes, that was the idea, it seems. There is also some sort of recovery/lifting device along the rear offside and the weight of the bonnet with all the accoutrements is such that the designer has fitted a winding device to lift it! It is probably the most horrible 'improvement' of a Lightweight I have ever seen!
I wondered what that thing was on the rear, lift & carry instead of a underlift it seems - I suppose the tubes on the roof are some sort of jib extension ? , one may laugh at the two sticks with balls (steering aids for anti-collision ? ) , however some Dutch LWT have them on much longer poles. All in all , must be the very best photograph of the very worst , unless someone knows different.
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28 minutes ago, 10FM68 said:
No, you need to go for a typical example, something run-of-the-mill. Like this...
It's a pity I can't expand the photograph to close study the details , would a L.A.D. actually have a armourer ? The ones I observed seemed to have a more than adequate example of Rover exhaust systems in the tub and that's all. The snatch-block on wing top seems a little over-capacity. He must have been NI based as the door top(s) anti-brick protection screen seems genuine Snatch ? To me it has more annoyance than a line up of several supposed WW2 Jeeps all with a front towing recovery 'A' frame - that nobody seems to adverse comment. I suppose if you must have a bumper mounted vice - then you can't coil a 2" dia. de riguer recovery rope - which may be of more use, but I can't recall that being an in-service thing. ISTR abt. 1980 the Army were testing KERR with Rovers . I understand red painted wings for bomb-disposal , at least now I am aware white = armourer. Strange - no amber or blue ? beacon or commanders lamp.
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Verified colour photographs when in service are the best evidence - esp. NI , even if you have a good album - you can't say some adornment bolt-on was never done or paint finish never used. It could be over several years time line there was cross-pollination of Snatch items on Series Rovers - that could be proven with the right photograph. It's not wise to judge show glam-jobs because you would be in the wrong if positive evidence is turned out , in any case the vehicle owner needs just to say he is demonstrating what was available in time line but using a single vehicle rather than placing offending items on a stall rather than the dropped tail-gate.
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Check your vehicle history - any Scottish regiments ? , don't know about Wolf XD days but with Series - often the Union flag was superimposed with the Saltire - I have one.
Land Rover versus WW2 Jeep
in British Vehicles
Posted
War Booty or 'reparations' - there was a difference.
I came actoss something interesting in a book - The Paperclip Conspiracy by Tom Bower 1987 (from page 185) , however this info. needs further research - concerning a new Jeep Plant proposed for County Durham.
QUOTE. The first delegation of motor engineers , led by H.E. Merritt of the Nuffield Organisation, in the summer of 1946, reported that the VW's machine tools 'contains a nucleus of the greatest value to the British Motor Industry and we strongly recommend that bids ... be entered on behalf of Great Britain'. Merritt wanted the machinery to equip a new jeep plant in County Durham, but his plan was blocked by the Commissionwho ordered a four-year freeze, until 1949, on any removals.
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The Commission was the Control Commision - who used many thousands of VW Beetles within Germany. The British Army - a major had got Wolfsburg back into production.
So the question(s) - was this the line for production of the Kublewagen & Schwimmwagen ? that would be shifted to Co. Durham ? Or was H.E. Merritt interested in machine tools & presses to start up production in U.K. of a Willys MBV / Ford GPW ? after obtaining a build license / sets of tooling ?
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Dr. H.E. Merritt ( originally a designer for David Brown Tractors) was involved with the Nuffield Universal tractor production - former Wolseley car factory at B'ham. This was a post WW2 recovery programme for industry/employment.
It does seem this Jeep project was based on some fact(s) and the author Tom Bower was not mistaken , of course even then Jeep was a 'generic' term for any light 4x4 , so it could have been a totally new Jeep and well prior to the Wilks Bros. excluse BIG idea ?