My Landrovers

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Then there are my Landies

Defender 300 Tdi CSW

My current Land Rover is a 300 Tdi Defender County Station wagon, 1996 model. Bought it 2nd hand with 27000km on the clock, basically new. Nick name: Lorry. It was well equipped with the following:
Aluminum full length roof rack with 8 jerry can holders
Full bushbar with capacity for a winch
Protection plate for steering
Protection plate for gearbox
40 lt. water tank
Add on 45 lt. diesel tank to the main tank
Thomas air pump
Additional diff lock to the rear axle
2 Sets of 1000 Rally spotlights
1 Set of 500 Rally spotlights
Handheld tail light
Split battery charger

I've added an electronic volt monitoring system for the two batteries
Lowered and pushed back the rear seats for more comfort
Added a full removable sun roof above the rear seat
Added a 27 MHz and 29 MHz CB radios
Engel 39lt 12 volt freezer. Also replaced the lead acid batteries with an Apollo 2000 lead seal batteries, quicker in charging and no acid spilling
But I also had several problems: timing belt broke at 63000 km under guarantee.
Turbo blew due to the broken timing belt. Cam shaft replace due to broken timing belt.
Water pump gasket already started to leak at 27000 but only replaced it at 75000km.
Power steering tank showed leaks from 27000 and was fixed at 90000km. A loose valve at 100000km and currently an engine knock, difficult to find. Still leaks water during a heavy thunder storm!
Lost one tyre due to a hole in the side wall made by a stick in the Kalahari and two more due to side wall cracks - Continental smooth wall tyres.

Use the 300 Defender everyday and love it!

Series III, 109 Td Hardtop

My first Land Rover was a 1977 Td - Falcon motor, Series 3, 109. An ex military vehicle. The chassis were well rusted and spent many hour fixing and welding. It was a 3 door station station wagon or hard top. Resprayed it twice due to scratches from the bush. Lovely vehicle as we took of the full roof several times on the hunting farm.
It was slow and hot in he summer and like a freezer in winter. Had gear box problems, 2nd and 3rd gear jumping out, had it fixed and several 100km later the same thing again. Used a bicycle tube with a hook to keep the gear in, unhook it to shift gears.
Made a full length roof rack for it and on our first fishing trip to Mozambique, broke the left front drive shaft after a great pot hole, so great was the hole that it even bend the axle casing as well and that at top speed of 80 km/h! Replaced the rings after using an additive to stop it from smoking so much and that additive made the oil thick and prevented turbo lubrication with a blown turbo as the result. Fortunately replacing the turbo bearings fixed the turbo.
Front wheel wobble, shaking and breaking your teeth like hell between 40 and 60 km/h. Searched for the trouble and eventually removed some simms and problem was solved. Both the rear springs were replaced with new ones. It was in my hunting heydays and we really enjoy it to remove the cabin. Later I've cut a sunroof just behind the front seat and the kids really enjoyed it, especially on our holiday trips. It was really a sad day to see it go but the kids were growing up and needed proper seats at the back with higher speed and the Landy, nicked named White Rhino, was replaced by a early 110.

The first cross the border trip with the family in the Series III, was to Zimbabwe. Our first few days were spent at Gonarezhou National Park. It was in October with daily high temperatures of 40 degree C. The only problem we had was two flat batteries - I've forgot one evening to turn down the 12 volt freezer. Fortunately a quick push start solved the problem. At a filling station the diesel pump ran dry and a passing farmer suggested that if I still have 50% or more diesel in my tank, I can top it up with paraffin. Little bit more power and the smell of aviation exhaust at the back. No problems.

Back into South Africa close to Messina we stopped for dinner. It was a hot but great holiday.

110 Hardtop Nissan Td conversion

My 2nd Landy was a disaster. An 83 model, again a 3 door station wagon or hard top but with bigger windows. Originally had a petrol engine but was converted to a Nissan Td. Not great improvement in speed, the gear box was whining but handling on the road was far better. It did not had the power of the Falcon motor and my wife hated it. So it did not stay on our drive way to long and it was traded as part payment for the Defender. From now on I will stay with original designed Land Rover motors.
Namaqualand trail with the 110 Nissan Land Rover. I had to show this large picture because the Landy with gear could not manage the hill. Made it half way, unloaded and parked on the top. Moments after re loading a Tdi 200 came past with flying colours!
Series III 109 2.25 petrol CSW

The fourth Landy is my project Petit Trot landy and is nick named as such. Bought it from some French tourists and currently renovating it. The date of the Series 3 109 is unsure and the original engine is unknown but it now has a slow 2.25 petrol motor. With three fuel tanks (200lt), big radiator, 5 door station wagon, comfortable seating, it is a real pleasure again to drive the best 4x4 by far. Currently busy stripping the old paint to respray it, internally painted by hand and fortunately very little rust except at the door frames. Once its ready I will hire it to those who want to visit Southern Africa in a classic 4x4.
My eldest is growing up and one of these days I need to buy him a shorty, but it will be a Series III with a 2.5 lt petrol engine!