Running a Range Rover Classic
Discussion
I am missing my Discovery and am now thinking about getting an RR Classic running on LPG. My plan is to spend bugger all on it, say less than 2 grand to buy it and convert it/ correct any problems.
For that sort of price I am going to be looking at well over the 100,000 mile mark and between 10 and 20 years old.
Is everything going to be knackered and need replacing or will it keep running with regular maintenance? The plan is to maintain it myself as I know a few people who can help with the specailist stuff.
Also are there any problems off roading with underslung LPG tanks?
A friend has a 25 year old 2 door classic that he has had as his daily driver for the last 12 years and is trying to convince me that it wont be a problem.
I would rather not waste a couple of grand on a lemon. Any thoughts?
For that sort of price I am going to be looking at well over the 100,000 mile mark and between 10 and 20 years old.
Is everything going to be knackered and need replacing or will it keep running with regular maintenance? The plan is to maintain it myself as I know a few people who can help with the specailist stuff.
Also are there any problems off roading with underslung LPG tanks?
A friend has a 25 year old 2 door classic that he has had as his daily driver for the last 12 years and is trying to convince me that it wont be a problem.
I would rather not waste a couple of grand on a lemon. Any thoughts?
for 2k you can get one heck of a motor 3.9 v8 auto leather, air con etc etc... but like any big car they can come with big bills.
in many ways it depends what you can put up with not working.
if knackered air con or dodgey electric mirrors will drive you mad leave well alone.
you need to check for rust in the chassis and the body frame plus the tailgates can fall apart.
Although if the worst some to the worst you can always break it and flog the bits on ebay for more thanyou paid for it.
A good chap to talk to about rangies is Andrew at Famous Four (01507 609444) he break's them repairs them modifies them and writes about them in LRO.
they might even find one for you..
I ran 2 old rangies a 1971 and an 1985 vouge in some ways the 71 was more fun, much more basic 4 speed and no pas and on carbs with less to go wrong, but the 85 with 3.5efi and 5 speed had many more toys.
g
in many ways it depends what you can put up with not working.
if knackered air con or dodgey electric mirrors will drive you mad leave well alone.
you need to check for rust in the chassis and the body frame plus the tailgates can fall apart.
Although if the worst some to the worst you can always break it and flog the bits on ebay for more thanyou paid for it.
A good chap to talk to about rangies is Andrew at Famous Four (01507 609444) he break's them repairs them modifies them and writes about them in LRO.
they might even find one for you..
I ran 2 old rangies a 1971 and an 1985 vouge in some ways the 71 was more fun, much more basic 4 speed and no pas and on carbs with less to go wrong, but the 85 with 3.5efi and 5 speed had many more toys.
g
I had a 94 RR classic, 4.2 liter, plus a 97 RR 4.0. I loved the strength & ride of the RR classic. Loved the look. But I had problems, some typical: ABS brake failure; EAS (air suspension) failure; heater core leaked; alternator failure, etc.
But then the veh. developed warped head @ 115,000 mi. & problem was persistent. I NEVER ran the veh. hot, so I was befuddled. I just lost confidence in the pushrod engine concept. Finally just sold both RR's for two volvos.
Overall, there were great things about the RR's that I will miss, but too many problems.
But then the veh. developed warped head @ 115,000 mi. & problem was persistent. I NEVER ran the veh. hot, so I was befuddled. I just lost confidence in the pushrod engine concept. Finally just sold both RR's for two volvos.
Overall, there were great things about the RR's that I will miss, but too many problems.
judgea said:You were unlucky.It happens.
I had a 94 RR classic, 4.2 liter, plus a 97 RR 4.0. I loved the strength & ride of the RR classic. Loved the look. But I had problems, some typical: ABS brake failure; EAS (air suspension) failure; heater core leaked; alternator failure, etc.
But then the veh. developed warped head @ 115,000 mi. & problem was persistent. I NEVER ran the veh. hot, so I was befuddled. I just lost confidence in the pushrod engine concept. Finally just sold both RR's for two volvos.
Overall, there were great things about the RR's that I will miss, but too many problems.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the RR's, I had two! But the problems w/the 97 were even worse than the 94--usual stuff: alternator; air cond. compressor (then new dryer leaked); EAS suspension; anti-lock braking failure; instrument panel failure; sunroof failure w/ partial collapse leaving it halfway raised causing emergency; etc. Long list for both. I forgot to mention the CV joints on the 94. This was always expensive stuff--& I took very good care of my veh's.
I'll miss them, but not the repairs.
I'll miss them, but not the repairs.
I had a fuel pump go on an '86 efi once. Long time ago though.
In general they're no better or worse than average for reliability.
You should be able to get something and put lpg on it for 2k, but it won't be a pretty example!
There are some on ebay for under a grand, but be careful of the gas kit you put on it, cheap/poorly fitted systems can backfire and trash the airmeter on a regular basis! (on efi models obviously!)
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Thursday 6th January 13:30
In general they're no better or worse than average for reliability.
You should be able to get something and put lpg on it for 2k, but it won't be a pretty example!
There are some on ebay for under a grand, but be careful of the gas kit you put on it, cheap/poorly fitted systems can backfire and trash the airmeter on a regular basis! (on efi models obviously!)
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Thursday 6th January 13:30
Cheers, chaps.
Things like fuel pumps and alternators don't fill me with dread. The air suspension has me a bit nervous, but more tempted to replace with heavy duty shocks and springs anyways.
Is an LPG certificate a guarantee of a quality installation or just another piece of paper needed for insurance?
Things like fuel pumps and alternators don't fill me with dread. The air suspension has me a bit nervous, but more tempted to replace with heavy duty shocks and springs anyways.
Is an LPG certificate a guarantee of a quality installation or just another piece of paper needed for insurance?
I run an 87 RR classic and it belts along.
There are plenty of places to buy spares which will not rip your wallet to shreds. Do not go near a dealer.
A certificate is no gaurantee on the LPG. You will need to be doing a fair mileage to make the LPG worthwhile. Even if you fitted the conversion yourself it is still a fair sum to recover at a saving of a few pence a litre.
They are huge fun and I love mine to death.
Steve
There are plenty of places to buy spares which will not rip your wallet to shreds. Do not go near a dealer.
A certificate is no gaurantee on the LPG. You will need to be doing a fair mileage to make the LPG worthwhile. Even if you fitted the conversion yourself it is still a fair sum to recover at a saving of a few pence a litre.
They are huge fun and I love mine to death.
Steve
OK, I admit it, my EAS has given me a problem once, on holiday, miles from my usual (non franchised)specialist!
When I got home it cost me £30ish for a height sensor, £50 to setup the ride height (from a computer) + labour. I don't call that a big problem, the car still drove, if a bit bumpy, and I now know some tricks that might help me to avoid the situation in future. Overall, air suspension is great, best of both worlds. And it's a cool toy with buttons and flashing light and stuff!!
My LSE runs LPG. It's a closed loop, multi point system piggy backing the petrol ECU and I have two 40L gas tanks and a 36L petrol tank under the rear where the old petrol tank was, I'd hate to have a big estate car with no boot space! This is probably the most expensive configuration you could go for, but I reckon it'll pay back in about 2 years. You can pay anywhere from about £1k to over £3k for a fitted system, less if you do it yourself, but you may need a fitting cirtificate befroe you can insure it.
PS
If I ran gas only I'd end up stranded about once a fortnight, many stations only open 9-5 and forecourt pump reliability doesn't seem to be very good, especially in cold weather!
Cheers,
Andy
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Thursday 6th January 23:41
good, but be aware that prices vary by 25%! Walmart and Morrisons are selling just over 30p/litre last time I was near one, but the 24hr BP oposite where I work is 40 something p/litre (and still runs out frequently!). I've pretty much abandoned trying to fill up at my local shell station in the morning, damn thing never seems to work, but it's always fine in the evening. Must be freezing on delivery early in the morning.
If you're in the midlands/south west get on the countrywide scheme. good and stable prices, good availability and invoiced once a month, great stuff!
This is my third RR Classic, so you could say I like them! First time on gas though.
Andy
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Friday 7th January 14:11
If you're in the midlands/south west get on the countrywide scheme. good and stable prices, good availability and invoiced once a month, great stuff!
This is my third RR Classic, so you could say I like them! First time on gas though.
Andy
>> Edited by crimsonchim on Friday 7th January 14:11
I have a 4.2 LSE on 94 plate. Running costs are high but I like to keep it maintained to a very high standard as is used daily by the wife and as a tow car. Had LPG in place when I bought it and ran it in place for 6 months but took up space in boot and kept blowing the air box with a pre ignition. LPG was useless for towing as power was down. Simple solution was to take it out as milage low over year. I would advise you to carefully consider LPG as early installations terrible. Newer direct injection may be better.
go for it!!
the best one to get is a 91-94my, there was a lot of
revisions to the suspension and quality updates
(see my profile) i used to own a 88 vogue on lpg when i sold it, it had done 160k but the 3.9 is much better.
Most of these cars are over 15 years old and still going strong parts are not a problem and are cheep
and the basic design means alot of the jobs you can do yourself.
I am looking to buy my 3erd RR soon a late 94 classic
the best one to get is a 91-94my, there was a lot of
revisions to the suspension and quality updates
(see my profile) i used to own a 88 vogue on lpg when i sold it, it had done 160k but the 3.9 is much better.
Most of these cars are over 15 years old and still going strong parts are not a problem and are cheep
and the basic design means alot of the jobs you can do yourself.
I am looking to buy my 3erd RR soon a late 94 classic
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