Range Rover pros and cons

[sir03]

I am only knew to this forum but am interested in purchasing a 1976 - 1980 SWB Range Rover. I have done a few searches on here and found most of the information i needed but am curious as to how the early petrol v8s like water...

I currently have a gu diesel patrol as a company car but would like something a little less expensive to have fun in the bush. But want to make sure i can have as much fun in the water with the rangie as i do with the patrol.

Any information about this, or anything else you feel relevant would be greatly appreciated.

[Simo63]

It depends on what you call waterproofing. You can prevent spray from upsetting the electrics or you can really waterproof it. Im unsure of what your needs are as i don't know what you call "playing in the water" ... does that mean driving through shallow water and splashing it everywhere or does it mean driving through water over the bonnet and half way up the windscreen?

You should be looking at waterproofing the electrics and ensuring the engine is getting a good supply of air that does not contain any water so spend some time on the induction side of things to ensure you have that completely sealed up and no water can get into the motor.

On the electrical side they are petrol motors and they don't really like water but like all petrol motors, you can waterproof them to an extent. There are many methods i have seen from pressurising the dizzys to sealing them up. I waterproofed my old winch truck by completely sealing up the dizzy (dismantled it and sealed every hole, then sealed the lid on with Silicone, then put the whole thing in a heavy duty rubber glove, sealed that up and then put another rubber cover over that. I had already put new leads on and I used Silicome spray and Lectra-shield to seal up the spark plugs although I have seen some use rust proofing (tectrol 506) to bury the plugs. Before i did any of this, I purchased a 900mm long coil lead and used that to relocate the coil into the cab behind the dash (I had a glovebox so it was up under there but most rangies don't have the glovebox due to aircon units. Anyway, you need to get the coil up as high as possible and keep it dry so inside the cab is good and probably on top of the dash if you're going into deep water and the car isn't very waterproof.

Anyway, this worked for me however makes a bloody mess of the dizzy etc but it never coughed once when sitting or driving through water.

By the way, you also said you were going to buy a SWB 76-80 Rangie .... they didn't really make such a beast ... the classic Range Rover came as a 100 inch car (except for the very late LSE's but they were 93-94) they were all the same wheelbase in case you didn't know. There are bobtails and hybrids around built by enthusiasts but a std rangie should be 100 inch wheelbase.

Good luck.
Simo

[Rainbow Warrior]

I am only knew to this forum but am interested in purchasing a 1976 - 1980 SWB Range Rover. I have done a few searches on here and found most of the information i needed but am curious as to how the early petrol v8s like water...

I currently have a gu diesel patrol as a company car but would like something a little less expensive to have fun in the bush. But want to make sure i can have as much fun in the water with the rangie as i do with the patrol.

Any information about this, or anything else you feel relevant would be greatly appreciated.

I'd seriously consider a SWB GQ Patrol, Rangies are an old fanatic's vehicle, V8 is sweet, suspension, brakes and AWD good too but a Patrol is bulletproof.

I owned one, some pic's on my site.

[GRIMACE]

I am only knew to this forum but am interested in purchasing a 1976 - 1980 SWB Range Rover. I have done a few searches on here and found most of the information i needed but am curious as to how the early petrol v8s like water...

I currently have a gu diesel patrol as a company car but would like something a little less expensive to have fun in the bush. But want to make sure i can have as much fun in the water with the rangie as i do with the patrol.

Any information about this, or anything else you feel relevant would be greatly appreciated.

I'd seriously consider a SWB GQ Patrol, Rangies are an old fanatic's vehicle, V8 is sweet, suspension, brakes and AWD good too but a Patrol is bulletproof.

I owned one, some pic's on my site.

personally i totally disagree
A pro I like about my rangie is that underneath ITS SOO FAWKEN SIMPLE....

[Gollywog]

I think I take offence to being labled "an old fanatic", i'm 30 and have one, got my first one when i was 17, sure they have a few drive train issues, a few electrical issues (lucas), but they still have more class than a swb patrol, enjoy it for what it is.
An old 4x4 with a few teathing issues that Land Rover never sorted.
First time you climb a hill with a V8, you'll wonder why it took so long for the rest to catch up.
No need to remind you who had the coil, when the rest had leaf.

One very biased opinion

[landy_man]

I am only knew to this forum but am interested in purchasing a 1976 - 1980 SWB Range Rover. I have done a few searches on here and found most of the information i needed but am curious as to how the early petrol v8s like water...

I currently have a gu diesel patrol as a company car but would like something a little less expensive to have fun in the bush. But want to make sure i can have as much fun in the water with the rangie as i do with the patrol.

Any information about this, or anything else you feel relevant would be greatly appreciated.

I'd seriously consider a SWB GQ Patrol, Rangies are an old fanatic's vehicle, V8 is sweet, suspension, brakes and AWD good too but a Patrol is bulletproof.

I owned one, some pic's on my site.

yeah right... go take a look in the Nissan section mate... heaps of people with heaps of problems with their Pootrols... every make has it's quirks and issues...
yes the Rover axle setup is poor... that can be fixed... yes the electrics are poor.. which can also be easily fixed.. besides those 2 things nothing beats the ride, handling, comfort, class, style, sound and looks of an "old fanatics" Rangie.. the gearboxes and transfers are pretty strong...hardly any rust on a looked after model and you never hear of the trusty V8 just dying... most will run and run till the day you shoot them...

[Rainbow Warrior]

I think I take offence to being labled "an old fanatic", i'm 30 and have one, got my first one when i was 17, sure they have a few drive train issues, a few electrical issues (lucas), but they still have more class than a swb patrol, enjoy it for what it is.
An old 4x4 with a few teathing issues that Land Rover never sorted.
First time you climb a hill with a V8, you'll wonder why it took so long for the rest to catch up.
No need to remind you who had the coil, when the rest had leaf.

One very biased opinion

I meant old vehicle really, I was in my late 20's, but after a rewire, chassis up restoration, 3 broken axles, looking at my 3rd gearbox. and too much money spent on rust repairs and stupid parts like window winders I brought a stock Patrol that did everything on the same tyres without a locker. A GU isn't that much better than a GQ either.

And just to prove I'm not biased, I wouldn't recommend a 76-80 Patrol or Landcruiser either.

It was a fun machine with the 3.9 V8, but getting old in the tooth and I was lucky to get $2500 for it.

[HSV Rangie]

GO the RR

let the rest follow

Michael.

[BIg StEvE]

GO the RR

let the rest follow

Michael.

True! JUST DO IT!

[Suspension Stuff]

I owned a long wheel base GQ, great vehicle, but I didn't own a SWB Patrol for long. The SWB lifts wheels higher and more easily off road and on road it is a rough ride and I had really soft springs and adjustable Rancho's and still couldn't get it anything like the LWB. The shorty did have a great turning circle for parking in shopping centres but you could hardly fit the groceries in the back. Anything over a 1 inch lift and toss a coin whether you get driveline vibrations (money can fix).

A Range Rover is more comfortable again than the LWB Patrol and is only 150mm longer wheel base than the SWB Patrol. It still parks well in shopping centres and you can even take your friends with you without having to move the seat every time.

I am sticking with the Rangie but I would own a LWB again if I had to but not a shorty. The only bad thing about the LWB Patrol is you have to lift it higher to get a reasonable ramp over angle.

Be prepared for some kind of oil leaks in a Rangie. I think that Rangies have great engines and gear boxes but they don't last as long as a Patrol. A Rangies engine is relitively cheap to rebuild because it will only be the top half that needs doing and the cheapest price for a ZF auto to recondition is $1900 mostly $2500+ but the year model you are looking at won't have a ZF auto and will be cheaper.
Thanks for the water tips Simo63
Good Luck deciding.
Shane

[GRIMACE]

in regards to all the opil leak comment i get about RRs i generally laugh, when i can leave ,my rangie sitting in one spot for ovet three weeks and not one oisl spot appears... I never have to top up on oil excepot after i draIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE FOR AN OIDL CHANGE.... sorry caps lock

its quioet funnay when my fathers toyo leaks oil... my aunties car leaks oil... my uncles nissan GU leaks, my mums new 100s even shows signs of oil, my mates suzuki has plenty of oil leaks.... my mum old 80 series petrol both leak and burned oil like it was water pour onto a hot fire....

One thing i will say abotu rangies and all LRs in general is MAINTENANCE.... i dont even really maintaine mine that much but I obviosuly maintain it more than others as I beleive that a well maintained LR will def serve it purpose and will def take you places.

And again SWB patrol are a PAIN IN THE ARSE full stop... i would never own one but thats just me.... a range rover is trouble som enough lifting it over 4" but damn a SWB patrol at anything over 4" is a fawken nightmare

Def go the rangie if you mechanicaly minded and ready to do sum simple booty fab.. if you a generic not so hand on type of guy get the SWB patrol buit dont lift it more than 2" in the spring and dont expect to follow us rangie boys offroad cause you WONT keep up

[sir03]

What i meant by a SWB Range Rover was actually a 2 door Range Rover, was unaware they use the same wheelbase as the 4 door. Thank you to everyone that has posted info so far, especially Simo63, that is the type of info i am after. I am curious as to find to what extents people have had to go to, to be able to do deep creek crossing, mud pits... without the motor faultering.

It is a given that i will be putting a snorkel on the car if it doesn't already have one, but what other things have people had issues with under the bonnet... is what i am curious to find out.

Not really in the market for a SWB Patrol

cheers

[Rainbow Warrior]

in regards to all the opil leak comment i get about RRs i generally laugh, when i can leave ,my rangie sitting in one spot for ovet three weeks and not one oisl spot appears... I never have to top up on oil excepot after i draIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE FOR AN OIDL CHANGE.... sorry caps lock

its quioet funnay when my fathers toyo leaks oil... my aunties car leaks oil... my uncles nissan GU leaks, my mums new 100s even shows signs of oil, my mates suzuki has plenty of oil leaks.... my mum old 80 series petrol both leak and burned oil like it was water pour onto a hot fire....

WARNING Grimace, if you're not leaking oil in a LR it means you've run out of oil, both my LR & RR had oil leaks even after replaceing the relative seals on some of them. My patrol only leaks from the power steer box, I've been too lazy to fix, Axles, diffs, motor, gearbox, hubs, no problem.

[Rainbow Warrior]

What i meant by a SWB Range Rover was actually a 2 door Range Rover, was unaware they use the same wheelbase as the 4 door. Thank you to everyone that has posted info so far, especially Simo63, that is the type of info i am after. I am curious as to find to what extents people have had to go to, to be able to do deep creek crossing, mud pits... without the motor faultering.

It is a given that i will be putting a snorkel on the car if it doesn't already have one, but what other things have people had issues with under the bonnet... is what i am curious to find out.

Not really in the market for a SWB Patrol

cheers

You are set on a Rangie, that's fine you'll have a ball of fun with it, make up a splash plate under the front half of the motor, with a bit of inginouity you can also fit 3 filters inside the muffler air cleaner to help it breath better, you need to get an extra pair of filter end plates and bolt them back to back with the others and holesaw through them.

Also fit a Lumitron ignition kit and have good clean 9mm leads. Mount your ignition inside a tupperware box. A pair of 14 inch thermofans is also great. If you go over 33" tyres look for some Maxidrives or McNamara diffs. Arb's require spare axles with 255/85x16 (34") tyres. Extend your breathers. Get some steel Disco rims.

I didn't have a snorkle, but had no problem going in and out holes up to the bottom of my windscreen, make sure you have the vents closed. Rip all the carpet out and just epoxy coat the floor for a hose out interior.

Before buying look for rust around the bonnet & door hinges, where the footwells meet the firewall, rear crossmembers and sills under the doors.

Forget Holley's, the factory twin carbies are the ducks nuts, though a bit expensive to rebuild and need to be tuned by someone who knows his stuff, while you got the manifold off take a big half round file to the first corner under the carby.

Skip other V8 conversions, Disco 3.9 bolts straight in, with the 3.5 heads & manifold.

If you like to play in water get a spare starter motor.

[Simo63]

What i meant by a SWB Range Rover was actually a 2 door Range Rover, was unaware they use the same wheelbase as the 4 door. Thank you to everyone that has posted info so far, especially Simo63, that is the type of info i am after. I am curious as to find to what extents people have had to go to, to be able to do deep creek crossing, mud pits... without the motor faultering.

It is a given that i will be putting a snorkel on the car if it doesn't already have one, but what other things have people had issues with under the bonnet... is what i am curious to find out.

Not really in the market for a SWB Patrol

cheers

No worries dude. When I first got into Rangies years ago (or is that they got into me cos I just can't shake them even with concerted attempts at other makes .. ) I could never figure out how to stop them playing up in water ... in fact I can recall being on the start line at Big Boys (for those of us who remember that place) in one of my many Rangies, the car was idling and we were waiting for the previous competitor to finish his run ... the starter was giving me the start instructions and he said "don't drive d\straight through that large body of water on the RHS" ... well the moment he mentioned water the Rangie started missing and spluttering ... I couldn't believe it .... like the damned thing heard him and though .... OOh Im not going through water am I???

Anyway, you can make them very waterproof and Rainbow Warriors advice re the under splash guard is worthwhile adding to my other advice.

Good luck and enjoy your Rangie experience. I won't get involved in the discussion re Rangie v Nissan (as I've got both) but I will say that a Rangie is a lot of car for the money you pay for them these days.

Cheers
Simo

[Simo63]

in regards to all the opil leak comment i get about RRs i generally laugh, when i can leave ,my rangie sitting in one spot for ovet three weeks and not one oisl spot appears... I never have to top up on oil excepot after i draIN THE ENTIRE ENGINE FOR AN OIDL CHANGE.... sorry caps lock

its quioet funnay when my fathers toyo leaks oil... my aunties car leaks oil... my uncles nissan GU leaks, my mums new 100s even shows signs of oil, my mates suzuki has plenty of oil leaks.... my mum old 80 series petrol both leak and burned oil like it was water pour onto a hot fire....

One thing i will say abotu rangies and all LRs in general is MAINTENANCE.... i dont even really maintaine mine that much but I obviosuly maintain it more than others as I beleive that a well maintained LR will def serve it purpose and will def take you places.

And again SWB patrol are a PAIN IN THE ARSE full stop... i would never own one but thats just me.... a range rover is trouble som enough lifting it over 4" but damn a SWB patrol at anything over 4" is a fawken nightmare

Def go the rangie if you mechanicaly minded and ready to do sum simple booty fab.. if you a generic not so hand on type of guy get the SWB patrol buit dont lift it more than 2" in the spring and dont expect to follow us rangie boys offroad cause you WONT keep up

I'm with Grimace here (no anthony that doesn't mean we'll be taking long hot showers together) ... my old winch truck didn't leak a drop from anywhere ... might have looked like it had been to hell and back but I kept it clean underneath and it didn't leak oil .... maintenance is the key .. that and lots of silicone gasket goo ....

Cheers
Simo

[Aquarangie]

Go the Rangie - anytime any place off-road

The 'knockers' will never understand why they sre such a great vehicle. Cheap, easy to fix and comfortable in any variant to a degree

2 door Rangies sadly are now getting scarse, well the goods ones are. It's getting hard to find one that doesn't need to be rebuilt from the ground up. 2 Door Rangies do look better and I do prefer them (I don't get too many passengers so I don't need the extra 2 doors) but bought a 4 door mainly because I couldn't find a 2 door that wasn't totally rooted!!!!

Good 2 doors are around, but thin on the ground these days.

Trav