Landy'd Gentry - When you drive a Land Rover, no-one knows whether you own the land or not

The anticipation....

2010-06-30T12:29:00.002+01:00

Still waiting for my 110 to get back from the body shop, as they had ordered the wrong parts and not completed what they said they will do.

But, this just means a whole list of jobs that I have planned will be pushed back until further notice!

Good news is that it did pass it's MOT and will be back on the road soon.

Must do this more often!

2010-06-22T15:29:00.002+01:00

Just got my 110 back from repair after two months!

While the old 110 was being repaired, we were lent a 2006 Defender 110 TD5 station wagon. This was ok, but I found the power was in the wrong place, and the turning circle no where near as good as my 1988 110!

hey ho, well after 2500 miles driving, it has gone back to the hire company.

I did like the two spoke wheel, and the updated centre console. The elelctric windows and remote central locking took a bot of getting used too, as did the fuel compsumption (about 5mpg less than the 200tdi)

Well after two months, the 110 went through its MOT, and is now waiting to go back to the body shop for them to finish off what they haven't completed. (Like I wouldn't notice?)

Oh, and now to draw up a shopping list of kit

Happy Landying!

Why a rear wheel carrier is good.

2010-04-16T12:28:00.002+01:00

Last week, whilst sitting at a round-about waiting to proceed, a little eurobox failed to see my big 110, and used me as his brakes!

His bonnet hit the spare wheel carried on the rear door.

Thankfully, the tyre took the main brunt, and acted as a shock absorber for the impact.

Two points,

1) A land rover 110 station wagon is big, how could he not see this? (because he wasn't looking where he was going!)

2) Vehicles can kill / maim / seriously injure people, thus we must pay attention whilst driving. Cars etc have these things called windows. A huge expanse of glass so we can look out as see the outside world! Please use them rather than the 4.5" lcd panel called a sat nav!

Rant over.

Holding page!

2010-04-02T16:22:00.002+01:00

Alot has happened since my last post, but not much in the green oval side of things.

The 110 is running sweet, and now sports a 'bling' digital temp guage!
Once the weather dries up, I will finish painting the rrof rack, and fit a shiny new rev counter!

2010-03-07T22:06:00.002Z

Brakes Bled - Belts tightened - bolts tightened - HUZZAH! the 110 is now back on the road!

Hint, if your transfer box goes, then get it to a workshop or garage area where you can raise the vehicle to drop both the gearbox and transfer box in one, ideally with some help!

I'll report back after the road test.

Nearly there!

2010-03-03T16:43:00.002Z

At long last, the transfer box is now in situ!

Forany one contemplating this task, I suggest book yourself in the nearest loony bin!

It has been a long haul.

Just need to finish of by topping fluids, refitting panelsand seats and then roadtest.

Happy Landying!

How to get Hypothermiapart 1

2010-02-08T22:05:00.002Z

This morning, full of enthusiasm, decided to do some more work on the 110. The front prop is now off, and the transfer box is now un bolted. But alas still won't budge!

So whilst trying to do the work with snow merrily falling on the ground around me,I am now tired, cold and not a happy bunny.

Why is it that a formula one team can change major components on their cars in minutes, yet something as simple as a Land rover can take hours?

Possibly because they have a large team of skilled professionals, and not a haynes manual in sight!

What's the most useful tool in your workshop?

2010-01-30T11:37:00.002Z

This was a question put to me some time ago by a good friend of mine.

Many will say socket set, screw driver, hammer etc, but stop and think about this one for a while.

Think outside the box, and one answer, you could be sitting on right now as you read this.

A comfortable chair!

Why you ask?

This facilitates the thought processes and allows you to think about the task in hand. How to approach the task, what tools / parts are required etc.

Too many people rush into a job, thinking it won't take long, and several hours later, they're in a bigger mess than ever.

With this in mind, I'm re-reading the workshop manual, creating a task list, and then starting after another coffee!

Procrastination is ...... if only I could remember!

Still too cold to venture out!

2010-01-26T12:26:00.002Z

As the title suggests, still too cold to start work on the 110. Hot coffee / pc or freeze to death with a set of sockets and spanners at nearly zero degrees?

I'm afraid to say, I chose the coffee!

But hey, have made a start by buying a set of bolt grips to remove any bolts I will end up rounding off in my desperate attempt at removing them.

On a side issue, had a flat in my cousin's BMW yesturday, so a big thank you for the highway muppets for helping out. (returning the warning triangle after I'd changed the tyre!)

A transfer of error!

2010-01-22T15:53:00.000Z

This weekend, I have to dust off my tools, and replace the transfer box on my 110. Oh what joy!

After recovering a transfer box of my old disco, now to summon up the energy and enthusiasm to start the job.

On the plus side, the series II is running well, just deciding whether to stay with the 'rat look' or re paint.

Welcome to my Blog

2010-01-21T21:19:00.000Z

I am just a mad person who has an obsession with a now green oval brand from Solihull. I currently have a fleet of three Land Rovers in various stages of rebuild.

It all started over twenty five years ago when my friend and I on his father's farm got me to try to drive an old 109 truck cab series II. I'm not sure whether it was my driving, or the kangaroo juice in the tank, but I ended up with my forehead making contact with the bakerlite steering wheel!

It was all down hill from there!

I bought my first landy in 2005, a wreck of a 88" which I planned to get road worthy (and failed)

Then I bought a barn find '64 series IIa and once again, the plan was to restore, but Tufty came along, and the 88 stayed parked up whilst I was playing with my 1977 Series 3 109.

A good friend offered me / I badgered him almost to death* a 1958 Series II, and so Tufty the 109, and the 1964 Series II were sold on to loving homes.

My wife then spotted our 19888 110 county, and then again she spotted my second Discovey.

If you too suffer from acute solihull syndrome, sadly there seems to be very little hope of a cure!

Enjoy for now.