thinking of a series 3 ...

[LePaj]

.... as a second off roader for laning and was wondering what the capabilities are off road - I know with leaf springs the articulation is limited but if I got coils fitted how would this compare to a 90? There's no difflock (I presume) so that's a downer but reason for considering a S3 is the low insurance and tax exempt keeping costs down to a minimum for a 2nd toy.
some help to sway me either way please  :D

[stratie]

A tax exempt S3.......Good luck in finding one.
My old S2a would go any where that my mate's 90 would go, i wish i still had her. Such a laugh.

[stratie]

I allso had an S2 that was so much fun to drive, even tho it was a tad bumpy.

[stratie]

She was a bit lazy at time's. She would offten roll over on her side and have a 10 minute kip.

[Lucy1978]

Don't try sticking coils on a tax exempt leafer. if you do it legally you'll loose the original registration and tax exemption.

Parabolics work well and 88" is a very capable beast.  They don't need a difflock cause they aren't permenant 4wb so don't have a centre diff. They're just either in 2wd or 4wd (with the two props turning at the same speed).
 

[LePaj]

Thanks - still looking, pro's and cons but could be fun having a S3   :)

[Rich_P]

Pros are quite simply, no tax cost (if it's tax exempt), cheap parts, easy to maintain, traditional "Land Roverness", excellent off-road capabilities, very robust and simple engines.

Cons are that the chassis on a lot of them are getting on a bit, so could result in a fair bit of welding each year for MOT, certain parts are getting harder to find as fewer vehicles are available to break for spares (and also scrap value going up doesn't help), they're not the most economical of vehicles, it will probably feel like a snail compared to a modern road going vehicle, and just far greater wear and tear in general.

.... as a second off roader for laning and was wondering what the capabilities are off road

Just as good as the equivalent coil sprung wheel base.  Articulation isn't everything by a long way, neither is raw power.


If you want a real Land Rover, then you won't be disappointed with a Series.

[LePaj]

Cheers  ;) it's tax exempt and just got a quote for insurance which is £100 fully comp/legals/EU cover etc... as a second off roader it's sounding quite good  :D

[Rich_P]

Just be weary of any that have had false identities put on them to make them tax exempt.  A lot of had tax exempt identities added when they should not be tax exempt.

[LePaj]

this one was made in '72 and registered feb 73 - how would I check? chassis number? engine number? what if they have been changed. Don't want to buy an illegal one  :?

[Rich_P]

Engine and chassis numbers are good start, but chassis numbers are changed for the tax exempt one to get the identity.  The most obvious ones would be the likes of an early 1980s Series 3 (lets say the poo-brown CSW) registered as a very early Series 3 that's tax exempt.  The features are like different location for number plate, different drain channel on the bulkhead, different vents in the plastic dash, different braking system etc.

However all of these can be put onto other motors that could very well be tax exempt.  I'd suggest you take someone along with you who has an idea about Series motors.

[TBM]

http://www.s2cforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,22187.0.html

Try this one - you could do far worse.....

Edit: Sorry -  you have to sign up

Try this:

http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php?t=126284

[LePaj]

cheers... still have to sign up but may just do that!

[jonny ramrod]

get one..... their ACE..... :D :D

[LePaj]

got one  :D  :D :D

[Little-Green-Machine]

PICS!!!   But yea 88's are the way to go mine goes anywhere my mates trick suspension v8 ninety will.

[harryhedgehog]

Well done LePaj, enjoy her  :lol:

[LePaj]

here's a pic :D just ordered some parabolics for weekend  :)

[Rich_P]

Nice, I see it has a Series 2/2A military bumper on it.