Stage 1 SIII strength?

[MacMan]

Here's one from left field.

How strong is the driveline in the Stage 1's? Reason? I am thinking our Disco is too nice to take on really hairy trips, but I can see a time when we might want to do more of it. I like the idea of sticking with an old knock about Rover, but I have fallen in love with the V8 in the Disco so going back to a half baked conversion or a tired old Rover inline 4 or 6 just doesn't do it for me.

Ultimately, a ute would be ideal because there is less bodywork to damage and it is easier to bar up, but we have a go everywhere hound and he'd prefer a cushy seat inside. Still a "dream" at the moment, but I might as well dream constructively.

I know that DaveS3 will have some answers...

[ISUZUROVER]

I have a Stage I front axle in my IIA.

The stage 1 drivetrain is one of the strongest in a rover (equal in strangth to the 110 county and stronger than your disco). The rear salisbury diff is practically indestructible and the axles will be fine unless you fit really large wheels (aftermarket upgrades and lockers are easy to come by).

The front end has AEU1811 CV's which are equal in strength to an AEU2522 CV - the strongest CV fitted to a stock rover (and probably stronger than your disco CV's). The only weak part if the 10 spline axles at the diff end and the 2-pin diff centre, but this is easy to upgrade if you need to.

[DaveS3]

My car holds up well - and did so with the previous owner as well.
Just upgrade the front axles to 24/23 spline with a newer centre.
Gearbox and TC are pretty bullet proof as well - but upgrades can be made.

There are a few around for sale as well in the Trading Post.

Dave.

[MacMan]

Thanks guys - I have seen a few pop up in various places over the last few months - usually one or two per month.

I'll have to do some soul searching! That, and work out where it would live - not much space!

[F'n_Rover]

why not go a county?
same strength and with coils.

[ISUZUROVER]

why not go a county?
same strength and with coils.

County utes don't exist until the 120" in 1987, which are a bit long for a lot of tracks. Stage 1 utes on the other hand are reasonably common, and cheaper than a county.

[DaveS3]

Series 3 tub with a few mods.
Then either a Defender Ute roof or Series 3 Window/Roof

Both are hard to find in decent condition though.

[ISUZUROVER]

Series 3 tub with a few mods.
Then either a Defender Ute roof or Series 3 Window/Roof

Both are hard to find in decent condition though.

Agreed, you could do it that way... thought MacMan wanted something "off the shelf".

Dual cab 110 utes are cool too, seen a few of them.

[DaveS3]

There is a 110 County ute on Volvos in the LROCV, Awesome thing.
Bill did the conversion on the Axles.

Endless possibilities

[MacMan]

A County is another possibility, although it kinda detracts from the concept here. They have too many unique problems for my liking which make sourcing parts a little tricky. Doors for example are non existant as "wrecked" items, as are door locks. I am yet so see one that doesn't have the doorframes rusted to poop. A Stage 1 on the other hand is pure Series in terms of bodywork and should be easier to cobble back together when stuff gets bent. Counties tend to be a little on the expensive side of what I am thinking considering that my Significant Other has already told me she thinks that the Counties we have driven were too crude and rude for her to drive regularly. I reckon she'd get over that (she shoots and rides motorcycles so she is not your average girly girl) but at the same time if I can find and sort something for $4K rather than $8K I know what would be the smartest choice politically!

Dave, I have actually spoken to Bill about his portal jobs - he's a mate of a mate so I picked his brains before taking the plunge on the Disco - and his build ups sound absolutely awesome.

[110county]

County utes don't exist until the 120" in 1987, which are a bit long for a lot of tracks. Stage 1 utes on the other hand are reasonably common, and cheaper than a county.

What the.... I have a 4/85 120" county ute

Will be for sale soon.
[/quote]

[ISUZUROVER]

Doors for example are non existant as "wrecked" items, as are door locks. I am yet so see one that doesn't have the doorframes rusted to poop. A Stage 1 on the other hand is pure Series in terms of bodywork and should be easier to cobble back together when stuff gets bent.

I agree with most of what you said, and I like series trucks, but:

I have known reasonable V8 counties to go as low as 4k.
If the doors are stuffed you can fit SIII doors or defender doors (need locks as well) - if it is only an offroader then what does it matter if it has SIII doors. Most bits from SIII (or even earlier series) to Defender are interchangeable.
I have seen quite a few with good door frames (not down in VIC though).

Bottom line is they are both good trucks - Stage1 is simpler though. Stock for stock a county will probably be better offroad than a Stage 1, but if you fit softer springs the stage 1 will easily be better than a stock county, and with longer shocks equal to most modified county's.

["CANADA"]

Parabolics

[ISUZUROVER]

Parabolics

IME Land Rover parabolics are nowhere near as good as modified semi-elliptics.

[GURU]

I use to own a 2 dr hardtop V8 stage I and it was a good rig, escpecially after upgrading from the old IIA soft top (shiatloads of fun). I had parabolics and 33" skinnys on it and it worked well.

BUT, if I could afford a county I would have got one, not only does it have coils but they have a wider track. with afew mods you can get a very capable rig (a stage I would be capable to, but a modded county is going to be better than a modded stage I).

You can use alot of the old Series Panels on it. Iffact you could get a series Ute rear firewall and fit a series windscreen and ute roof and have a tray back or even better a tube tray....now that would be the way to go for "minimum body panels"

anyway thats my throughts, the remains of my Stage I are sitting on a SWB Series II chassis with RR coils and a 300tdi, Ute with an exo and tube tray to come

[djam1]

Maybe this will help your search

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Land-Rover-Serie ... dZViewItem