The Series land rovers were basically the 1947 design, leaf spring chassis, up till 1980.
After that, they went over to a coil spring chassis and were pretty much identical to the original (called classic now) Range Rovers, using most of the same parts. That was the Defender.
Not long after that, the Series one Discovery came out. Which was pretty much the same chassis and running gear as the Classic Range Rovers, but with a differently styled body. (Actually the Discovery was designed in the mid 60's, before the Range Rover, but they didn't see a market for it, at that time.)
So in the 80's-90's you had all three designs, superficially different, but build from the same parts bins. How good is that for parts availability (and simplifying how much you need to learn.)
I ran Range Rovers for years. And the transition to the Discovery was seamless. As I tend to do all my own maintainence, this was important.
And has been said a few times, they are meccano kits. You can swap bits around and ots of body panels are bolt on.
My current Discovery 1, had a full replacement inner front wing/light box assembly last year. I brought a fully assembled section, from an aftermarket fab company. Unbolt the outer wing, run the grinder down the firewall and by the radiator, take the rusty quarter off. Bolt the new assembly on, and bolt the wing back on. Less than a days work. Longest time was taken painting up the new stuff with waxoil.
I'd argue against suggestions that LR are money pits. Mine have cost me very little over the years, as my time is free. So I'm just buying parts.
Though being busy this year, I have actually had to spend the first real money on one, in the last 20 years. But I have found a specialist independant garage, who I trust, and charge reasonable rates. Using main dealers, is a way to go broke, fast.
I actually paid to have the silly electronic diesel injection system taken off and a good old fashioned mechanical pump fitted. It was very pleasent to be able to take the ECU out from under the dash and throw it in the bin!
So it should do me for another decade I recon. Well it better, as I don't think a car should cost more than a few hundred quid a year in maintainence.
After that, they went over to a coil spring chassis and were pretty much identical to the original (called classic now) Range Rovers, using most of the same parts. That was the Defender.
Not long after that, the Series one Discovery came out. Which was pretty much the same chassis and running gear as the Classic Range Rovers, but with a differently styled body. (Actually the Discovery was designed in the mid 60's, before the Range Rover, but they didn't see a market for it, at that time.)
So in the 80's-90's you had all three designs, superficially different, but build from the same parts bins. How good is that for parts availability (and simplifying how much you need to learn.)
I ran Range Rovers for years. And the transition to the Discovery was seamless. As I tend to do all my own maintainence, this was important.
And has been said a few times, they are meccano kits. You can swap bits around and ots of body panels are bolt on.
My current Discovery 1, had a full replacement inner front wing/light box assembly last year. I brought a fully assembled section, from an aftermarket fab company. Unbolt the outer wing, run the grinder down the firewall and by the radiator, take the rusty quarter off. Bolt the new assembly on, and bolt the wing back on. Less than a days work. Longest time was taken painting up the new stuff with waxoil.
I'd argue against suggestions that LR are money pits. Mine have cost me very little over the years, as my time is free. So I'm just buying parts.
Though being busy this year, I have actually had to spend the first real money on one, in the last 20 years. But I have found a specialist independant garage, who I trust, and charge reasonable rates. Using main dealers, is a way to go broke, fast.
I actually paid to have the silly electronic diesel injection system taken off and a good old fashioned mechanical pump fitted. It was very pleasent to be able to take the ECU out from under the dash and throw it in the bin!
So it should do me for another decade I recon. Well it better, as I don't think a car should cost more than a few hundred quid a year in maintainence.
