1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

1958 Land Rover Series 1

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Jun 26, 2017.

  1. Oct 18, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I want to keep the body like that, but since i did all the repairs on the bulkhead, i do need to paint it. :( Looks like I am going to go desert tan for the rig, just seems fitting.
     
    homersdog and Muzikp like this.
  2. Oct 19, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    Looks awesome!
     
  3. Oct 19, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Some more pictures. Didnt do much today but move the rig outside to get some shots out in the sun.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I did make some room in the garage so i can kind of get the Willys out of "storage" and drive it a bit more. Now it is easy to access
    [​IMG]
     
    rholmes69, 1957Willys and homersdog like this.
  4. Oct 19, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    Looking like a Rover again!
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2017
  5. Oct 19, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Great project! Truly inspiring.

    I saw a head-to-head competition of a Series 1 and a MB/GPW on the British Top Gear (via Netflix). It was really surprising. The challenges were all rather silly but the little Willys won every category. I figured the Series 1 would have done much better since it was developed directly from a surplus jeep after the war so you would thought they would have made a few improvements. It was pretty clear that the single biggest thing holding the Series 1 back was it's anemic European engine. Now that you've remedied that you should have quite the rig there when you are done!!

    Keep up the good work! (y)
     
  6. Oct 20, 2017
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,450
    It's cool to see the size difference in that last shot, the series is a lot larger than I was realizing.
     
  7. Oct 20, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2006
    Messages:
    1,738
    Ditto
     
  8. Oct 20, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Yes indeedy. Many years ago my Dad was shopping and comparing Land Rover versus Jeep. He concluded only Jeeps would be able to access the very tight trails in our area.
     
  9. Oct 20, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    And they only got bigger from there :)

    Jeeps were envisioned as "scout cars" & had quite definite limits on weight & size for the selection competition. Rovers were intended from the outset for use as farm trucks. They really are two different classes of vehicles.

    There is a lightweight version of the rover developed for the british military airborne units, it would be a lot more comparable to a vintage jeep.

    H.
     
  10. Oct 30, 2017
    millennium falcon

    millennium falcon Member

    Central PA
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2014
    Messages:
    549
    This thing is looking great! Good work! I am hoping to build a chassis like this for my project someday.... Thanks for the inspiration. :)
     
  11. Nov 12, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Well the seats are in, i probably have bigger things to do than that, but i needed a quick easy project to do. I have been super busy at work and other commitments.
    I had to make the wood runners to bolt the seats to and the runners index into a hole in the rear of the seat riser box.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    And the front hold down is a leather strap (old Belt) that goes over a small knob
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The rear bolts to some brackets and the backs can lay forward to get access behind them.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The seat looks off, but it is the camera angle
    [​IMG]

    I still need to make some brackets for the other seat, the Rover did not have them when i got the rig.
     
  12. Nov 13, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Now you just need the steering wheel installed so you can sit in it and make VROOM, VROOM noises!! :D
     
  13. Nov 22, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I had a chance today between Thanksgiving food prep to finally move the front axle back.

    The tire axle and tire were a little far forward. Not that noticeable but it was just a touch off, and my front shackle angle was not where i liked it.
    I the front mount back 2 inches and everything fell into place. I threw it back together and put the windshield on to just let me look at it and give me a little sense that I might actually get it running soon.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    iharding and 1957Willys like this.
  14. Nov 22, 2017
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Could always go the full pink panther paint treatment.
    [​IMG]
     
    Valentino84, Twin2 and DanStew like this.
  15. Nov 22, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I did think of it for a second, but i believe i am going to go with desert tan. So it is kind of like the pink panther treatment :) :) ... just no pink ;)
     
  16. Nov 22, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    Looks great!
     
  17. Nov 24, 2017
    Rozcoking23

    Rozcoking23 RUN & GET BIT! 2024 Sponsor

    Stockton, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2008
    Messages:
    805
    I like the patina it has....personally I wouldn't paint it.
     
    Focker likes this.
  18. Nov 24, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
  19. Dec 2, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Well I got the last of the big things of the project procurred.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I originally had a lead on a rear FJ40 axle and was going to get that, but the seller had another set of complete axles and I grabbed them.
    They are from a 1979 FJ40 so i lucked out and also got the disc braked version. The thing i have never seen before was the rear drums have two wheel cylinders. I have never seen that before.

    The reason i am using these instead of the Land Rover axles are due to parts availability and there is alot more aftermarket support for the axles. I do need to find a set of wheels for it now. :(
     
    73 cj5, Twin2 and ITLKSEZ like this.
  20. Dec 2, 2017
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Great Find!(y)
     
New Posts