Well, I finally have found a few hours to sit down and make a post of this size.
Back in August 2009, I sold my 110 after it survived unscathed, a bizarre accident. I had someone offer me more than I could refuse.
In 1998, I bought my first Range Rover Classic (a used 1993 at the time), and drove it for 10 years, so when the 110 sold, I was already thinking along the lines of returning to the comfort and quiet that the Classic offered over the Defender.
I always remembered one of the first offroad trips I took in the 93 when a Land Rover (retired) employee told me the Range Rover Classic SWB was the most capable off-road truck Land Rover ever built.
So, I located a very nice completely rust free 1989 Range Rover Classic from a fellow Expo member here on Expedition Portal. (the story is actually more complicated than that, but in the end, I ended up with the truck). The Truck was in my favorite color combo- white/tan.
When the truck arrived, it was set up ... more in an offroad vain, than in an overland mode.
Here it was as it arrived:
Had a RTE bumper with a Warn 9000i winch, black series wheels, and BFG Commercial All Terrains, ... with deep purple tinted windows and a severely sagging head liner. The brakes were also shot!
The first order of business was to get the headliner fixed. I had a new headliner installed. Second order was to get rid of the horrible window tint. I took on this job myself ... I don't recommend it to anyone. You couldn't pay me to do it again!
The third order was to get the brakes replaced. I put EBC Performance Ceramic brakes and new rotors. (high dollar yes, but ultimate performance, long wear life, and NO BRAKE DUST!). Then I had purchased a set of GoodYear (Euro Spec) 10 ply military G90 Tires (tyres ... to be correct) and white Wolf military spec wheels.
During all this time, the truck started to have overheating issues. Turned out the radiator was completely blocked. I had the radiator completely re-cored with a higher rod diameter. The truck has plenty of heat, but the performance is so much better now.
Well, it wasn't a week later that the Heater Core blew while I was traveling down the interstate. I wish this on no one here! Huge explosion in the cab and hot coolant all over your feet while the cab filled with steam while traveling at 65 mph! God was smiling on me that day, and I made it to the shoulder without killing anyone ... or myself!
Now the ride sports a new heater core. Hopefully good for another 100K miles!
Also, while it was in the shop, I had a TruTrac installed in the rear. I also removed and traded the front bumper and winch for all the work that was performed, as I already had a new ARB bumper for the truck, and a 9000 winch (new) with a Vikings Synth Winch line.
Two Hella 2000's Euro Spec front driving lights, two Land Rover Spec Dixon Bate recovery points, and two 10K pound Jate hooks on the front and the front started to take shape. Added a front skid plate.
Added two Euro (old school yellow rover) rear mud flaps (had to do a little fab work to make those work)
Then the hard search and find: An Venezuelan INTI rack. Virtually unobtainium in the States, ... this was a two month search. I finally found one on a Classic that was for sale in Florida, negotiated and purchased the rack, and had it shipped via Uship (guy bringing a bed to his son in college here in Nashville ... just lucked out there!).
So, with the rack installed, I put 4 Hella 4000's up top (two wide beam, and two pencil beams) along with a Matador Hella rear work lamp. Then I installed two (no longer available) Rovers North Limb Risers.
Then I installed a hood black out from Vigg Designs (don't want to do that again!) and lastly, I had two Range Rover OEM Sheep Skins for the front seats. (seeking a set of OEM waterproof covers). I also installed two OEM rear lamp guards and a Mantec snorkel.
Still to install (already obtained, but waiting good weather), ... two HD Sliders, Front and rear diff guards, Southdown rear fuel tank skid plate, and a Southdown skid plate for the cats and muffler. Also going to put a dual battery system, rear drawer system, and Engel 35 fridge.
Here is what the truck looks like as it progressed:
With the trailer: (pardon the drive way shots, but this was a maiden voyage)
And the front:
And Rear:
Interior was in great shape:
And a couple of shot in the Smoky Mountains!
This was a cool shot ... ended up looking like a miniature based on positioning and scale of foreground objects:
And a shot of the entire rig front to back:
I'll update as I complete the remaining tasks.
Hope this was an inspiration to those with, or those considering Land Rover Range Rover Classics!
Back in August 2009, I sold my 110 after it survived unscathed, a bizarre accident. I had someone offer me more than I could refuse.
In 1998, I bought my first Range Rover Classic (a used 1993 at the time), and drove it for 10 years, so when the 110 sold, I was already thinking along the lines of returning to the comfort and quiet that the Classic offered over the Defender.
I always remembered one of the first offroad trips I took in the 93 when a Land Rover (retired) employee told me the Range Rover Classic SWB was the most capable off-road truck Land Rover ever built.
So, I located a very nice completely rust free 1989 Range Rover Classic from a fellow Expo member here on Expedition Portal. (the story is actually more complicated than that, but in the end, I ended up with the truck). The Truck was in my favorite color combo- white/tan.
When the truck arrived, it was set up ... more in an offroad vain, than in an overland mode.
Here it was as it arrived:
Had a RTE bumper with a Warn 9000i winch, black series wheels, and BFG Commercial All Terrains, ... with deep purple tinted windows and a severely sagging head liner. The brakes were also shot!
The first order of business was to get the headliner fixed. I had a new headliner installed. Second order was to get rid of the horrible window tint. I took on this job myself ... I don't recommend it to anyone. You couldn't pay me to do it again!
The third order was to get the brakes replaced. I put EBC Performance Ceramic brakes and new rotors. (high dollar yes, but ultimate performance, long wear life, and NO BRAKE DUST!). Then I had purchased a set of GoodYear (Euro Spec) 10 ply military G90 Tires (tyres ... to be correct) and white Wolf military spec wheels.
During all this time, the truck started to have overheating issues. Turned out the radiator was completely blocked. I had the radiator completely re-cored with a higher rod diameter. The truck has plenty of heat, but the performance is so much better now.
Well, it wasn't a week later that the Heater Core blew while I was traveling down the interstate. I wish this on no one here! Huge explosion in the cab and hot coolant all over your feet while the cab filled with steam while traveling at 65 mph! God was smiling on me that day, and I made it to the shoulder without killing anyone ... or myself!
Now the ride sports a new heater core. Hopefully good for another 100K miles!
Also, while it was in the shop, I had a TruTrac installed in the rear. I also removed and traded the front bumper and winch for all the work that was performed, as I already had a new ARB bumper for the truck, and a 9000 winch (new) with a Vikings Synth Winch line.
Two Hella 2000's Euro Spec front driving lights, two Land Rover Spec Dixon Bate recovery points, and two 10K pound Jate hooks on the front and the front started to take shape. Added a front skid plate.
Added two Euro (old school yellow rover) rear mud flaps (had to do a little fab work to make those work)
Then the hard search and find: An Venezuelan INTI rack. Virtually unobtainium in the States, ... this was a two month search. I finally found one on a Classic that was for sale in Florida, negotiated and purchased the rack, and had it shipped via Uship (guy bringing a bed to his son in college here in Nashville ... just lucked out there!).
So, with the rack installed, I put 4 Hella 4000's up top (two wide beam, and two pencil beams) along with a Matador Hella rear work lamp. Then I installed two (no longer available) Rovers North Limb Risers.
Then I installed a hood black out from Vigg Designs (don't want to do that again!) and lastly, I had two Range Rover OEM Sheep Skins for the front seats. (seeking a set of OEM waterproof covers). I also installed two OEM rear lamp guards and a Mantec snorkel.
Still to install (already obtained, but waiting good weather), ... two HD Sliders, Front and rear diff guards, Southdown rear fuel tank skid plate, and a Southdown skid plate for the cats and muffler. Also going to put a dual battery system, rear drawer system, and Engel 35 fridge.
Here is what the truck looks like as it progressed:
With the trailer: (pardon the drive way shots, but this was a maiden voyage)
And the front:
And Rear:
Interior was in great shape:
And a couple of shot in the Smoky Mountains!
This was a cool shot ... ended up looking like a miniature based on positioning and scale of foreground objects:
And a shot of the entire rig front to back:
I'll update as I complete the remaining tasks.
Hope this was an inspiration to those with, or those considering Land Rover Range Rover Classics!
