Pinzgauer or ex-military landrovers...

George8910 · 23 January 2006, 20:33

It must be at least a day since landrovers came up in discussion

I have been thinking of buyin a pinzgauer - at least I did until a little research makes it seem they would be pretty costly to own, did fancy buying direct from swiss military though - so now I am wondering about an ex mod 90 or 110 - canvas full tilt for that summer wind in the hair experience - old enough for classic insurance and domestic harmony from stopping smoking up the beloveds Rav clutch...

Is this a good idea? or yet more ex-mil madness

Andy Stevens · 23 January 2006, 21:02

Have a look at:

http://www.volvoc303.co.uk/index.htm

They are v good with difflocks etc. Or a nice 101!

Jono · 23 January 2006, 21:04

You can never have enough ex-military hardware... but Pinzegauer(Sp?) are dog slow... technically great but dog slow... l... our local fire station has one... I can overtake it on my bicycle...

...and 101's are great too... I've had a couple including one I stretched the chassis to 130 and stuck a JE 4.6 in with Rangie box and overdrive... but they are an aquired taste... stick with a simple basic and easy to shift when you want to sell...defender/90/110...

codprawn · 23 January 2006, 22:40

Bloody hell - I actually agree with Jono......................

George8910 · 24 January 2006, 08:47

Sounds good thanks! is a 110 going to be a lot more useful or are they too long for most situations?

Rogue Wave · 24 January 2006, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

You can never have enough ex-military hardware... but Pinzegauer(Sp?) are dog slow... technically great but dog slow... l... our local fire station has one... I can overtake it on my bicycle...

...and 101's are great too... I've had a couple including one I stretched the chassis to 130 and stuck a JE 4.6 in with Rangie box and overdrive... but they are an aquired taste... stick with a simple basic and easy to shift when you want to sell...defender/90/110...

Bloody hell Jono that's very clever!

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by George8910

Sounds good thanks! is a 110 going to be a lot more useful or are they too long for most situations?

I prefer the 110 on the road - better ride and more stable for towing - don't find any problem at all with the size of it - even the turning circle not too bad. The extra room is great - swallows up almost everything you need to carry.

Also the 110 often has bigger tyres/better ground clearance - test is I can just get my knee under the sill - that's what you call high - although JK would probably struggle!!!

Jono · 24 January 2006, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Bloody hell Jono that's very clever!

Indeed I am....

...and next time we met I'll bring some of the rebuild photos and bore you to death...

Rogue Wave · 24 January 2006, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Indeed I am....

...and next time we met I'll bring some of the rebuild photos and bore you to death...

I'd never find somebody showing me how to rebuild a landie boring

George8910 · 24 January 2006, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I prefer the 110 on the road - better ride and more stable for towing - don't find any problem at all with the size of it - even the turning circle not too bad. The extra room is great - swallows up almost everything you need to carry.

Also the 110 often has bigger tyres/better ground clearance - test is I can just get my knee under the sill - that's what you call high - although JK would probably struggle!!!

Thanks Codders - the 110 is also usefully cheaper which could tip it - though I am thinking of buying direct from the MOD so may not have much choice

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by George8910

Thanks Codders - the 110 is also usefully cheaper which could tip it - though I am thinking of buying direct from the MOD so may not have much choice

Remember to check it over properly - squaddies not know for being gentle but they are well serviced.

If you can get one with power steering - a lot of the MOD ones didn't have it.

Check chassis in following areas - on TOPs of outriggers - especially front ones. Front bulkhead beneath the vents - rear x member.

That's about it - old 2.5d not very quick but good - turbo version of it unreliable - 200/300tdi the ones to go for - or the V8 if you can stand costs!!!

Get used to kids waving at you and army drivers.

Mate bought an older Series III and it was great - we took forms up the DVLA and they gave age related numberplate - simple!!!

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 20:05

Oh and try Firebond for insurance - pay £140 a year for my 110 V8 fully comp on classic insurance!!!

Hugh Jardon · 24 January 2006, 20:16

when i was on the inside we used landy lightweights and the long wheel base versions with petrol engines

in my honest opinion the lightweights were good fun but the long wheel base ones with 2&1/4 engines or something like that with no power steering were dogs, no turning circle and steering that would try to kill you in 4 wheel drive mode when turning tight on the rough. they had fuel tanks under the seats, you had to take the seat cushion off, slide out a metal cover and fill up from there. Probably find the mod got rid of that old stuff years ago.

a more modern one with 200/300 tdi engine would probably be good and power steering is a must i would say

Rogue Wave · 24 January 2006, 20:27

my 110 is the exact one that hugh has described and it's like driving a fkkn multigym. It's great for making you feel like you belong in a marlboro ad but it's tiring over a long distance.

Parking not funny in town

Biggles · 24 January 2006, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Remember to check it over properly - squaddies not know for being gentle but they are well serviced.

If you can get one with power steering - a lot of the MOD ones didn't have it.

Check chassis in following areas - on TOPs of outriggers - especially front ones. Front bulkhead beneath the vents - rear x member.

That's about it - old 2.5d not very quick but good - turbo version of it unreliable - 200/300tdi the ones to go for - or the V8 if you can stand costs!!!

Get used to kids waving at you and army drivers.

Mate bought an older Series III and it was great - we took forms up the DVLA and they gave age related numberplate - simple!!!

With regards buying ex Army Landrovers don't always assume they have been well serviced.

The MOD is always trying to save money.

Thats my own experience of Army landrovers. Those REME guys can some times work miracles but not always as Landrover intended.

Trust me I've seen it.

codprawn · 24 January 2006, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

my 110 is the exact one that hugh has described and it's like driving a fkkn multigym. It's great for making you feel like you belong in a marlboro ad but it's tiring over a long distance.

Parking not funny in town

Hugh was describing the Series LandRovers which they stopped making in 1983 - it had leaf springs - no power steering and selectable 4x4 - 4x4 mode on these MUST only be used on slippery surfaces like mud or snow as there is no central diff which is why you can't turn and you get transmission windup. Funnily enough Jap and Yank vehicles stuck with similar systems until very recently!!!

The 110 is a very different beast - not as tough as the old Series but FAR better ride on coil springs and constant 4x4 with lockable centre diff. Even though it is manual steering it is fine on the move - only parking as you say!!!

Hugh Jardon · 24 January 2006, 21:37

like driving a mulitgym that is so funny but a good way of describing the experience from what i remember.

i was running the gate guard one time and this guy turned up in one of the lwb landy dogs, he had driven from scotland to pick up this guy, he had a cup of t and they drove all the way back!!! poor sod but was young and probably didnt know any different.

as for servicing i would in no way assume that anything that is military has been well serviced. some of the vehicles get some serious abuse and trying to break them is a passtime of many.

what you usually find is some are great and some are dogs in the extreme. best to drive the one you fancy and make up your own mind. It is amazing how different some of them drive depending on how they have been treated.
buy with care!

Biggles · 24 January 2006, 21:45

[QUOTE=codprawn] Hugh was describing the Series LandRovers which they stopped making in 1983 - it had leaf springs - no power steering and selectable 4x4 - 4x4 mode on these MUST only be used on slippery surfaces like mud or snow as there is no central diff which is why you can't turn and you get transmission windup. Funnily enough Jap and Yank vehicles stuck with similar systems until very recently!!!

Strangely enough my 2002 Frontera has those characteristics. Great for real off road stuff but useless for a bit of frost on the road.

Simon B · 25 January 2006, 08:36

If you are going for Series Landrover they may be a number coming out of reserve, these are the huge supply of vehicles in depots all over the place that for the replacement of destroyed vehicles in war. They have a 25-30 year shelf life as opposed to in service vehicles which I think have a 10 year service life.

As previously stated some do not get the "maintained regardless of cost" myth applied moreover "driven regardless of cost" may be more accurate. There are numerous suppliers of ex-mod clobber.

http://www.witham-sv.com/

http://www.ljacksonandco.com/homepage.htm

Jono · 25 January 2006, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I'd never find somebody showing me how to rebuild a landie boring

.....you wanna bet?

Chassis stretch and the rebuild with JE 4.6 V8 lump... top truck... was the fastest tipper in the West...........Midlands, that is...