A "Toyota Guy" Buys a Classic

Boss Hog

Observer
Hello everyone! I've been on Expo for years, but over in the Land Cruiser forum. After years of hearing about reliability issues, electrical gremlins, & out of the box capability, I still thought the RRCs were sexy as hell. On Friday, after selling my belived '69 FJ55 "Ol Roy", I purchased a 1992 Range Rover LSE "Brooklands" edition. It's been well cared for and one of the cleaner versions I've seen for sale locally. Immediate plans include painting the bonnet and a new steering box. Oh yeah-fix the sunroof that opened as advertised, but doesn't close. And a new radio. And figure out why I have to lock each door independently. And fix the leaking filler neck. And who knows what else...LAWD! What have I done...

But damn she's sexy...I'll call her "Pippa". Before and after pics below.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4226.JPG
    IMG_4226.JPG
    31 KB · Views: 826
  • IMG_4281.jpg
    IMG_4281.jpg
    587.6 KB · Views: 89

Ray_G

Explorer
That's a good looking truck! If memory serves me that is the only year for Brooklands green; I got a can of touch up from Tower Paints that did ok but my project and yours aren't quite on the same level as all we were trying to do was make it mostly green (again).

Have fun.
r-
Ray
 

mpinco

Expedition Leader
Nice! Welcome to the insanity. I have a 95' Roman Bronze LWB. While the 95 is a soft dash many of the parts / subsystems are the same.

- Many intermittent window and sunroof issues are related to the switches. Made by MB. They can be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. Just make sure you disassemble over a flat table with a terry cloth towel to catch the many little ball bearings. Once you fix one the rest are relatively easy.
- Door lock issues are common. They used a cheap overcenter spring that fails. There are a few videos on replacing the spring. I have that in my future.
- The leaking filler neck might be the fuel tank breather hose that comes off the top of the tank and connects to the filler tube. It makes a 90deg bend and fractures from age. Symptom is leaking fuel if filling all the way or doesn't leak on partial fills.

Enjoy her. She will treat you well if you catch up on the deferred maintenance.
 

Boss Hog

Observer
Thanks guys for the welcome and comments!
Xtracrispy-I was in San Diego on business last week and tried to look at a RRC on CL there. The guy flaked on a meeting time/location when my plane landed. Just as well. I'm actually in SD quite often...

Ray_G-'You're right-'92 was the only year for the Brooklands edition. Only 400 were made. Because of that, I'm thinking keep this as close to stock-looking as possible, with tasteful upgrades. Less overland beast and more "drive to my country estate for driven shooting" (if I had a country estate).

mpinco-I'm guessing your are/were military police? Either that or a Member of Parliament...Carson was my last duty station. Thanks for the info-especially that fuel tank breather hose. Didn't even think of that! Sounds right as it didn't leak until I filled it all the way. No leaking now. That I can fix-everything else will go to the mechanic that's always worked on this. By the way-I had to look up Roman Bronze LWB-stunning!

As far as catching up on deferred maintenance, I think these things, as touchy as they are, can last a long time IF you:
-Keep moving parts properly lubricated
-Regular washings (especially in winter) to fight corrosive materials from the road from eating your rig
-Ensure the cooling system keeps things cool (radiator, hoses, etc)
Just like on any other vehicle...

Here's a question: My seats are torn. Would it be sacrilege to replace the leather with a tweed or something like that? I would keep the headrests original, but replace the rest...
 

stevenmd

Expedition Leader
Here's a question: My seats are torn. Would it be sacrilege to replace the leather with a tweed or something like that? I would keep the headrests original, but replace the rest...

It's YOURS... do what you want. :chef: And congrats on the purchase! You will be overly impressed with what it can do. I never ran lockers and was able to keep up with those who had them. I don't know if that year had the viscous coupling transfer case or not but you can "mess" with it on the trail and it will help with traction. All you have to do is lightly tap the brake pedal while keeping the right foot on the gas pedal. A little trick I learned from a Land Rover specialist.
 

Boss Hog

Observer
It's YOURS... do what you want. :chef: And congrats on the purchase! You will be overly impressed with what it can do. I never ran lockers and was able to keep up with those who had them. I don't know if that year had the viscous coupling transfer case or not but you can "mess" with it on the trail and it will help with traction. All you have to do is lightly tap the brake pedal while keeping the right foot on the gas pedal. A little trick I learned from a Land Rover specialist.

Thanks for the encouragement!

After some research I've determined it has the Borg-Warner Transfer Case. I've had to do some research because this morning I was about to drive it and the transmission started emitting a horrible screeching and grinding sound when I put it in park. I took it out of park, and it did it in reverse and drive. I turned it off immediately when I started to see smoke coming from underneath it, turned it back on after 2-3 minutes, & parked it in the driveway. I turned it on again, played with P/R/D to see if I could hear the same sound-nothing. No smoke or screeching/grinding. Took it on a 5 mile drive and it shifted smoother than it ever has in the 5 days I've owned it.

Obviously something isn't/wasn't right, but it seems ok now. There was a small drip of fluid on the ground I noticed-the smoke was probably from that fluid hitting some part of the exhaust and burning off. I'm still making an apt with the same mechanic the previous owner used to get it checked out. Just like with all the Land Cruisers I've ever owned, I'll take care of the things I HAVE to do before I get to the things I WANT to do. So long tweed-covered seats...
 

Boss Hog

Observer
What's wrong with the paint?
Paint on the bonnet is oxidized beyond a simple rubbing and polishing compound solution. My green FZJ80 was the same way. Something about green paint from the '90s. I've already purchased the white "Range Rover" letters for the bonnet. I suspect a body shop will charge $400ish to paint the bonnet.

The roof has a lot of hail damage and it's oxidized as well. I considered painting it white, but I think I'll just go with the original green there as well...
 

Attachments

  • Photo Aug 18, 14 09 24.jpg
    Photo Aug 18, 14 09 24.jpg
    577.7 KB · Views: 39

psykokid

Explorer
If you ever come across a non sunroof truck in a junk yard or from someone local parting a truck out, you can grab it and the head liner and be rid of the sunroof problem for ever. Oddly enough on the RRC it's a bolt on affair.
 

stevenmd

Expedition Leader
If you ever come across a non sunroof truck in a junk yard or from someone local parting a truck out, you can grab it and the head liner and be rid of the sunroof problem for ever. Oddly enough on the RRC it's a bolt on affair.

Yeah, THIS. No matter what you do... new seals, etc... it will ALWAYS eventually leak!

If you have to swap out transmissions, might as well throw in the LT230 transfer case while you're at it. You won't regret that change.
 

getlost4x4

Expedition Leader
I have an 1987 non-sunroof SWB. Unfortunately a tree fell on the roof of this one. Maybe someone could pound it back into shape. :ylsmoke:
 

Boss Hog

Observer
I have an 1987 non-sunroof SWB. Unfortunately a tree fell on the roof of this one. Maybe someone could pound it back into shape. :ylsmoke:

Thanks for the offer-my understanding is that the sunroof doesn't leak. The issue now is there is something jammed between the glass & metal roof, preventing it from closing. No idea howIm going to resolve that. Better figure it out quick...
 

stevenmd

Expedition Leader
Thanks for the offer-my understanding is that the sunroof doesn't leak. The issue now is there is something jammed between the glass & metal roof, preventing it from closing. No idea howIm going to resolve that. Better figure it out quick...

If you are a tall person, you'll have a wee bit more headroom going non-sunroof. Without the little motor for the sunroof, you'll gain a few inches. I'm 6'-1" and it was one of the best mods I ever did!
 

Boss Hog

Observer
If you are a tall person, you'll have a wee bit more headroom going non-sunroof. Without the little motor for the sunroof, you'll gain a few inches. I'm 6'-1" and it was one of the best mods I ever did!
I was 5'7" before football and jumping out of airplanes...definitely not an issue!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,533
Messages
2,875,599
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top