Sub £1k P38 Range rover...

[Steve93]

What could possibly go wrong

I was going to keep this updated in the shed thread but it feels a bit out of place on there

I've had a diesel P38 on coils for a couple years now which has been a reliable workhorse, always yearned for a V8 though. Eventually I got offered this one as an MOT failure.
PXL_20230625_095354426 by Steve, on Flickr

After a quick look underneath noting that it was immaculate compared to my tired diesel a deal was negotiated.

Pretty decent spec including the hilariously outdated satnav
PXL_20230701_123028449 by Steve, on Flickr
PXL_20230701_123015379 by Steve, on Flickr

So the first job was to set about the ball joint replacement, which according to the forums would be a 3 day ordeal...It really wasn't that bad
PXL_20230711_134949344 by Steve, on Flickr

Next I procrastinated by replacing the speakers in the rear sub with these I had lying about, the originals had shed their foam. I'll replace the foam on the originals when I get a chance
PXL_20230723_123503060 by Steve, on Flickr
PXL_20230723_123505859 by Steve, on Flickr

Moved onto the rear brake pads next and fought with the piston for a while before giving up and taking it out....great
IMG-20230723-WA0011 by Steve, on Flickr

Ordered a seal and piston set for both calipers and replaced all of them
PXL_20230729_164355671 by Steve, on Flickr

New front to rear brake pipes fitted and new rear exhaust section made and it was time to fit the rather fitting decal
IMG-20230723-WA0014 by Steve, on Flickr

Quick wash before MOT (Pass with a couple advisories)
PXL_20230730_181839613 by Steve, on Flickr
PXL_20230730_182734288 by Steve, on Flickr

So far quite taken with the thing, the MPG so far isn't completely ruinous but it's early days. Will be treating the underside before winter and would like to change the exhaust just a little bit.

[Tom4398cc]

Top work OP! Very best of luck with it

[Xenoous]

Now... That's brave. Good luck OP! Looking forward to seeing how this thread progresses!

[Jhonno]

Good luck..

[7 5 7]

Refreshing seeing one in a nice color, no tints, and silver (normal size) wheels - classy looking motor. Hope it serves you well.

[d_a_n1979]

Fantastic car and it'll be a superb project...

Loved the idea of these since WD had a P38 on one of their episodes...

[Steve93]

Everyone seems to keep calling me brave

So far so good, taken it to some bike trails and its perfect for throwing the bikes in the back
PXL_20230805_142954058 by Steve, on Flickr

Did an oil change, Always one of the first things I do with a new to me car
PXL_20230806_144658547 by Steve, on Flickr

Noticed a small oil weep at the back of the offside rocker cover, found the bolt was a little slack so gave it a tweak up
PXL_20230801_170051949 by Steve, on Flickr

I gave in and threw on the complete straight pipe....as entertaining as it was it's too much Ended up repairing the rear section with the back boxes in it and fitting that. It's a nice mid way point, quiet enough to burble about without being a hooligan but sounds like god shouting when you mash the loud pedal and hit the kickdown

[Steve93]

So it's been over a year running this now, So far it should have exploded into a cloud of land rover parts if you believe the forums but it just keeps going.

Couple of minor issues, first one being the EAS pump going...which was fine because I had a spare in the shed
PXL_20231125_152828129 by Steve, on Flickr

Next was the starter solenoid failing because it's right next to the exhaust manifold...new Discovery 1 V8 one sourced for £21 instead of the £140 for a P38 specific one
PXL_20240803_102621680 by Steve, on Flickr

The the most useful thing ever was added to the shed, in the form on a two post lift
1000039267 by Steve, on Flickr

Excuse the mess, it was an ordeal to fit the lift, then change the motor over and rewire the thing for single phase...not something I want to do again in a hurry

First job on the lift was to fit some 'high quality' poly bushes, the originals were totally shot by this point causing death wobbles at speed...seemed silly not to fit new drop links too
1000039933 by Steve, on Flickr
1000039934 by Steve, on Flickr

Got the winter wheels on while I was at it
1000039938 by Steve, on Flickr

So the plan at the moment is to get some new tyres for next year (fancy some mud terrains to try some light offroading)...going to get some roof bars so I can fit a second light bar, but have it so it's all reversible and generally have a tidy up underneath, maybe get a stainless system for it.

[Tom4398cc]

Great to read you’ve had a good year with it

[Louis Balfour]

The P38s were better cars in some ways than what came afterwards.

They did the job of the RR Sport and FFRR in one package. When the models split, I bought a FFRR but it felt like a minibus when compared to the P38.

[Mr Tidy]

It's good to see they aren't necessarily the money pit the internet leads you to believe!

Yours looks like it's worth much more than £1K.

[Stick Legs]

My old P38 is being used as a field car near to me and part of me desperately wants to rescue it and the rest of me thinks that would be a stupid idea as it's had a lot of owners and been totally neglected since I sold it.

Shame.

Great to see this one being loved & saved.

[ferret50]

Is this full fat £735 VED, please?

[paradigital]

ferret50 said:

Is this full fat £735 VED, please?

Shouldn’t be, as it’s registered (far) before 23/03/06 which is when bands L and M take over from K being anything above 225g/km CO2.

That would make it £415/year at current rates.

[soad]

ferret50 said:

Is this full fat £735 VED, please?

£415 most likely. Beaten to it.

[ferret50]

Thanks both, that high rate of VED seems to be killing the more entertaining older cars.