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1958 Land Rover Series 1

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Jun 26, 2017.

  1. Jun 26, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Well lets start a build page.

    Arrived at home
    [​IMG]
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    Got it into the garage
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    And finally started to go through it.
    Took these chewed up lug nuts off
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    Took the floors off, everything on the Rover floor wise bolts down. You can work on the gear boxes inside the rig.
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    A good shot of how chunky and crusty the frame is. There was an outrigger from the frame there at one time.
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    There is some good news. it looks like the gear boxes are in usable shape. The Tcase had an inspection cover on top. I popped it off and looked it. Some surface rust from condensation but not full of water, just old gear oil. And the Transmission i was really worried about because the top was not on for many many years. I didnt realize that the shifter does not go down into the tranny, but it contacts shift rods that go into the transmission so i did not get any rain water in it. The Rover transmission has a small dipstick on it to see oil level, and the top has a spring that holds on a cap that lets you fill the box. Pretty cool thinking.
     
  2. Jun 26, 2017
    piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    Medford, OR
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    Oct 16, 2008
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    Yes! Thanks for creating a build thread.

    There is a jeep in the first picture so its worthy of the jeep forum.
     
    47v6 and DanStew like this.
  3. Jun 26, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Yikes
     
  4. Jun 26, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Florida rust looks like New York rust :worry:
     
  5. Jun 26, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    It almost looks like a beach buggy.
     
  6. Jun 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I'd say save yourself the time, frustration & ultimately $$$ and buy one of those spiffy galvanized replacement chassis but darn it they don't seem to make them for series 1 :(

    Sucks to be you.:whistle:

    H. :D
     
  7. Jun 26, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I am gonna make purists cry a bit i think. If i am right about the drivetrain being in good shape i will run that, but little things might be differnt. i have to measure teh springs and see what i can get in a lift spring from antoher vehicle. Rover springs are either stock or parobolic and nothing else. The series 1 are pretty damn rare in the states
     
  8. Jun 26, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    All these years I've heard people saying "Landrovers are aluminum, they don't rust…"
     
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  9. Jun 26, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I believe Richards Chassis over in England has, or used to have Series 1 chassis. Galvanising is a worthwhile option. I bought one of their USA spec Defender 90 chassis and imported it myself several years back. You could probably use the port of Charleston to bring it in.
    As you have found out, the chassis are essentially heavy-gauge sheetmetal, probablly around 12ga. They are tall in crosssection and fully boxed, giving strength at a light weight, until they rust!
    Your poor Rover needs a new chassis, one way or another. Another source worth checking is Rovers North. They do full restorations, and generally replace frames on most builds. They've have had some pretty nice take-out frames listed for reasonable prices over the years. It might be worth checking with them.
    -Donny
     
  10. Jun 27, 2017
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
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    If that was a Jeep the whole thing would be gone. I loved that the floors unbolted on mine... they are built to be maintained and repaired.
     
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  11. Jun 27, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Got the back of the tub off. Made it easy on myself and just cut the bolts.
    [​IMG]

    Lots more crunchy goodness.
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    Bad thing is the rust holes in the rear axle, i do not believe there is anymore oil in it.
    [​IMG]

    Not letting it get me down, continue onward!!!!
     
  12. Jun 27, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    there's a guy in DC :whistle: that built a frame ;);) . but I think he's on the road with kids right now
    I know it's a big job to fabricate a new frame . rectangular tubing and a saw . looks like you got the space
     
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  13. Jun 27, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Have you considered dropping the Rover body onto a good CJ frame and running gear?

    That's basically how the first LandRover prototypes were built. :whistle:
     
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  14. Jun 27, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Another vote for Yes!
     
  15. Jun 27, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Build a frame.
     
  16. Jun 28, 2017
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
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    Are we going to learn to work aluminum too... :whistle::rolleyes:
     
  17. Jun 28, 2017
    75 DJ

    75 DJ Member

    Des Moines, IA
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    Aluminium, you say? :)
     
  18. Jun 28, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    It is our speciality! Tally Ho! Pip pip, Old Chap, eh what?
     
  19. Jun 28, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I looked at the Richards Chassis page, and they don't offer a Series 1 frame. I cut up a Series 2a frame about three years back that would have made your life a lot easier. It was bent/kinked badly in the engine bay area, but the rest was very decent. I cut the back 3' off and sold that off. Oh well! These frames are much more complex than our Jeep versions, and will prove a challenge to repair.
    Because of the rarity of your Series 1, I have never heard of a hybrid conversion on one, but it is common (relatively) on Series 2. A 1990's Discovery 1 coiler chassis is shortened as a donor. Discos are give-away priced and may be an alternate source for a "Landy" frame/axles/suspension, and they are very similar in design and material to the early Series. Have a look at one. If you consider this route, keep your rear crossmember, which looks too good not to have not been replaced.
    I still have a complete rear axle assembly if you find yours is too far gone. Its from a '68 2a with FF axles vs your flanged version. The rear cap on the banjo can be replaced as these are prone to denting, but you could have further issues.
    If you replace leaf springs, the parabolic springs are night and day better.
    Its amazing how good the condition of the box/tub is when the frame is so for gone, thanks to the use of aluminum.
    What is the condition of the bulkhead/firewall? That is usually the first major component to rust away. If you're interested in converting to LHD, I have many of the components to convert over, but the chassis differs somewhat between left and right drive.
    -Donny
     
  20. Jun 28, 2017
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
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    My '95 Disco is not a give away... :D
     
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