Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just got back from the shops and spotted this rangie for sale for a grand. He recons he put a new rear diff in not long ago as he blew the last one, 3.5 V8 was reco'd 3 years ago, it seems to run fine just needs a tune up, had no trouble starting it. I noticed some rust in the rear window frame, interior is a bit farked but its going to be a pure 4 basher anyway. Rego runs out 25th of this month.

Would this be a good project or am i wasting my $1000? I havent got a clue about rangies either so is there any serious probs with this model? or anything else i should be wary of?

Any help will be great

Should be a 4 speed manual LT95 (gbox and tcase in one) reliable old beasts, just keep them full of oil and don't snatch things in reverse.

3.5 V8 should be fine, put a glass over the oil filler and see if it mists up badly (head gasket) they should run ok, carbies probably need a rebuild or tune up - if you make or buy the tool you should be able to dick with this to your hearts content, pop the top off the carbies, (four screws) and see if the diaphrams have splits in them, $4 each should make them run a bit better.

electrics aren't this car's strong point, see if relays have been fitted for the head lights, from factory they switch in the column and have 30A running through dodgly 29 year old wiring, look at this - it killed a lot of rangies through fire.

It should be a points ignition, it is common for them to be converted to electronic ignition a lot better, the points are reliable and need tweeking every 10,000K if they are setup right, check if the car still has a ballast resistior if it still has points - 9 times out of 10 they require them.

The power steering (most I have seen were retro fitted with power steer by keen owners) if so it will leak but don't worry too much just top it up.

Other than that - she should be a good old truck, fill everything up with oil and she will go fine

Tom

Also look under the sills, inside the footwell and inside the inner guard under the bonnet for rust as Rangies do have a tendency to rust inside out. The ally panels are sneaky like this, so spend a bit of time having a good look. Also inside the rear cargo area around where the fuel filler is and tghe other side under the spare (I have seen them rust here).

Mechaniclly, if it runs, doesn't blow smoke, stays in both high and low range without jumping out, and goes along okay (the old 3.5's are not known for there line-speed record breaking ) then everything else is replaceable. At a grand you won't be expebcting a prstinne example, but chea[p enough to flog the crap out of off-road, until you break the diffs and/or axles

Don't let that put you off, have fun with it (if it's worth buying) and good luck with it.

Trav

cheers guys, ill have a good look for rust, but it will be a dedicated offroader so rust wont be a drama unless its causing serious structural damage. Ill sit on it for the weekend and see if i really can bring myself to sell the lux and if its still there on monday ill have another good look at the things youve suggested!

Its actually an auto too!

Drop Bear wrote: Its actually an auto too!

What year is it?

If it is a 2 door there were no factory autos, but there were some companies that did conversions using a Borg Warner 3 speed (?) to the the conversion the the LT95 box was cut in half (to remove the gearbox part from the combined box/T-case). These seem to be pretty good boxes and the conversions were done well.

If it is an early 4 door then it will probably have a 3 speed torqueflite auto. These are extremely strong but power and fuel sapping slugs in a 3.5 Rangie. But if you aren't driving it long distances it probably wouldn't matter.

If the rangie is new enough to have a 4 speed ZF auto, then buy it now before one of the haultech guys buy it to put in a buggy .

ISUZUROVER wrote:

Drop Bear wrote: Its actually an auto too!

What year is it?

If it is a 2 door there were no factory autos, but there were some companies that did conversions using a Borg Warner 3 speed (?) to the the conversion the the LT95 box was cut in half (to remove the gearbox part from the combined box/T-case). These seem to be pretty good boxes and the conversions were done well.

If it is an early 4 door then it will probably have a 3 speed torqueflite auto. These are extremely strong but power and fuel sapping slugs in a 3.5 Rangie. But if you aren't driving it long distances it probably wouldn't matter.

If the rangie is new enough to have a 4 speed ZF auto, then buy it now before one of the haultech guys buy it to put in a buggy .

1976, its a 4 door wagon. Its not out on the street were it was so i think its been snapped up already.

Drop Bear wrote:

ISUZUROVER wrote:

Drop Bear wrote: Its actually an auto too!

What year is it?

If it is a 2 door there were no factory autos, but there were some companies that did conversions using a Borg Warner 3 speed (?) to the the conversion the the LT95 box was cut in half (to remove the gearbox part from the combined box/T-case). These seem to be pretty good boxes and the conversions were done well.

If it is an early 4 door then it will probably have a 3 speed torqueflite auto. These are extremely strong but power and fuel sapping slugs in a 3.5 Rangie. But if you aren't driving it long distances it probably wouldn't matter.

If the rangie is new enough to have a 4 speed ZF auto, then buy it now before one of the haultech guys buy it to put in a buggy .

1976, its a 4 door wagon. Its not out on the street were it was so i think its been snapped up already.

Can't be a 1976 4 door

1970

June - the first Range Rover is launched at Blue Hills Mine, Cornwall. It is available as a three door estate with a four speed manual gearbox only.


1982

Camel Trophy - Papua New Guinea expedition starts.
Automatic transmission is introduced on Range Rover.
July - Range Rover 4-door version is launched

RaginRover wrote:Can't be a 1976 4 door

1970

June - the first Range Rover is launched at Blue Hills Mine, Cornwall. It is available as a three door estate with a four speed manual gearbox only.


1982

Camel Trophy - Papua New Guinea expedition starts.
Automatic transmission is introduced on Range Rover.
July - Range Rover 4-door version is launched

hmmm im sure it was a 4 door, did they come out pre '82 as a wagon as 2 door? It could of been a 2 door i just didnt notice, i didnt try to open the doors to look at the back seats, they do have unsual handles that blend into the body

Like i said i dont have a clue about rangies at all

It is all good mate

If the handles blend in then it is a 2 door

Although I have seen cut up jobs where they have retro fitted
the rear doors

Tom