Series 1 88" V8

[sparkey]

Think I'm about to buy a series 1 with a V8 for a bit of off road fun and to tow my Van Diemen. The landie I'm looking at has apparently got an ex MOD re-conned V8, the original gearbox and series III axles. Anyone know if this is a good combination. Very low geared I believe, but I don't intend to do long journeys in it.

Any buying advice appreciated.

S.

[Mrs Fish]

Fish says you would be better off trying to get a hold of a series II or III as the parts are easier to get a hold of.


DISCLAIMERI haven't a clue about landies, so I am just typing what Fish said



But definitely try and get a V8

[Graham.J]

Series I's are more of collectors items now.

If you can, try and get hold of a Series II/IIA/III, a friend of mine is/was selling his SIIA V8.

I'll get in touch to see if it's still for sale.

[seaton]

sparkey said:

Think I'm about to buy a series 1 with a V8 for a bit of off road fun and to tow my Van Diemen.

Do it!!! I had an 86” and have two regrets.
1) Selling it
2) Not putting a V8 in it

sparkey said:

the original gearbox and series III axles. Anyone know if this is a good combination. Very low geared I believe, but I don't intend to do long journeys in it.

The standard series one gearbox will take the power if in good condition but when you test drive it make sure it doesn’t jump out of first or reverse on over run (this will make you crap your pants when off roading if it does)
I found the rear diff to be the week link and went through a spell wher i munced 3 diffs in about two weeks, and have a couple spare in the corner of the garage. they are slightly eidet than series one axels and give a better turning circle.

sparkey said:

Any buying advice appreciated. S.

So much to type and so littlr time to spell check.
Parts can be difficult and expensive if you use original parts i.e. brakes. check the chassis and bulkhead for rot. And don’t listen to people telling you “you cant do that to a series one”, I got feed up of explaining to people, that if I hadn’t messed about with mine, it would have ended up in the scrapper’s, so go on keep one on the road.


>> Edited by seaton on Sunday 12th October 19:18

[sparkey]

Thanks for the advice.... I bought it !!!!

Series 1 with V8, standard box, but Series III LWB axles and brakes, full roll cage, harnesses etc. Very low geared and brakes will take a while to get used to (I've not driven a proper landie for a few years) but the V8 sounds nice and seems to go alright on a short test run. I'll probably get higher ratio diffs at some stage to make it more road friendly.

Need to get myself to a funday as soon as possible I think.

S..

[Buffalo]

I would consider altering the tranfer box gear ratios rather than altering diff

If you altered diffs, you will end up raising the ratios of both high and low box.

Altering tranfer box ratios means you leave the low box where it is for your off road ability but make the high box more tolerable for road driving. Speak to someone like Ian Ashcroft for further info.

[M@H]

I'm slightly confused by this tread title I have to admit.. I thougt Series 1's only came in 80" and 86" varieties.. am I wrong ?

Cheers,
Matt.

[Bodo]

M@H said:

am I wrong ?

The last short ones made were 88in

>> Edited to add: from 1957 to 1958

>> Edited by Bodo on Tuesday 14th October 16:32

[gadget110]

sparkey said:

Thanks for the advice.... I bought it !!!! Series 1 with V8, standard box, but Series III LWB axles and brakes, full roll cage, harnesses etc. Very low geared and brakes will take a while to get used to (I've not driven a proper landie for a few years) but the V8 sounds nice and seems to go alright on a short test run. I'll probably get higher ratio diffs at some stage to make it more road friendly. Need to get myself to a funday as soon as possible I think. S..

chuck in some rangie diffs, you'll love it.
you can pick up some second hand ones for about £70 each. Simple job too.