Project Kermit 21: A Series Land Rover Full Restoration

I've been storing a set of nice tyres for a long time - perhaps too long a time!?
Plus choosing some wheels, cleaning them up along with springs, then fitting the chassis bushes.
The bushes used came from here:
avmr.com/
For Kermit I used part numbers B1046 and B637/8
Project Kermit is a 1978 Land Rover Series 3 109 (long wheel base) which is being stripped right down and rebuilt with a 200tdi engine and a few other improvements. The other videos in the series can be found in this playlist: • Project Kermit: A Seri...
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[@TerryTerryTerry]

I love the nosey hen inspecting your working practices.

[@seekingthelight6401]

I'd forgotten how relaxing your videos are Max, a bit like old Bob Ross but with different brushes 👍🏻

[@taffpatch1]

And a better beard xx

[@twotone3070]

... or even different bushes.

[@petetrevitt4773]

Your diesel generator for the blasting sounds like the TARDIS when it's starting!

[@jimspeed1388]

I'm glad you're getting new tyres as they really only have 10 year life span and having disc brakes and old rock hard tyres would of made the upgrade pointless.

[@julianhawker7672]

Copper-slip is good on the bushes, helps them go in and hopefully out easier to, once they are worn....... Tip I got from a old neighbour 30 yrs ago who had worked in a Landrover main dealers workshop in the 60/70's, He taught me a great deal and I was really lucky to have him as a friend. RIP Colin.

[@recogniseman]

Great video. The project is coming along nicely now. Can’t wait to see the axles in either 😁. I’m not surprised the chickens like your chassis tunnel. It’s a great little rain shelter as can be heard from the pitter patter outside. There is something so satisfying about being outside (especially tinkering) whilst being undercover when it is raining. It reminds me of cosy camping trips and rainfall is the most relaxing sound I find. 😊

[@maximusironthumper]

Yes I agree, but only if the rain stays outside!

[@360nastybusiness]

Who cares about upsetting people.those types of people are old bores .great videos and great content.👍👍

[@lazylad8544]

Replacing bushes that takes me back. Old seddon Atkinson repairs.

[@Alonsel3]

I marvel at how you rol around and just pick up old things from the garden and brush without hesitation - in Aus the spiders and snakes slow me down quite considerably!

[@richardguse3410]

We're all waiting to see the axles back on the chassis. When you were pulling the tires out I wondered just how old they might be and the wisdom of driving on them after all the work you've done restoring your Land Rover. As you said tires can be expensive but they are your only contact with the road. This has been a great series on a Series Land Rover. Thank you!

[@FrankM-rg1gv]

I recently had a tire fail on the highway because of age, not wear (i think it was an eight year old GoodYear) so be careful with those old tires. The plasticisers evaporate and the polymers oxidize, leaving the rubber brittle. These were steel belted radials, and it was a side wall that failed. Not fun in the middle of morning traffic! I think the suggested replacement age is six years for standard tires. I had a flat in one a few months ago from a screw on the road. Easy enough to patch, but the stress of bending the rubber when it went flat produced dozens of tiny, invisible holes, making the tire lose air slowly over several days. I checked the patch with soapy water, figuring I hadn't done a good job. The patch was fine, but that area of the tire's sidewalls had developed a dozen or more teeny-tiny holes that were only visible after sitting several minutes after spraying.

[@chrisfairbrother9197]

Excellent Max. To make adjustable reamers cut bigger: cut some brass shim slightly narrower than the width of the cutting blades, and slightly longer. Make a small right angle bend on each end so the blade sits on the shim like a shoe. I remember doing this on mini rear bushes that had to be line reamed in position 😊

[@stephenlee62]

Between you and Geoffrey Croker I'm sure I could rebuilt a Land Rover now. Nice work.

[@jonathansmythe6273]

love that dump truck. it makes a noise that sounds like destruction is going on somewhere.

[@innleadair]

Some grease on the bushes helps them go in and makes changing them in a few years easier. We share the same taste in cheap Chinese poly tunnels. Mine has a jeep chassis in it at the moment and a series 3 is next in the queue... I do most of my outside blasting in it, assembled it on a railway sleeper base to gain a little height and stop it blowing away, floor lined with upside down rubber backed carpet matting which makes it easy to recycle most of the sand.

[@molsky13]

Old remould tyres not a good idea great series well done Mr thumper

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Always a treat when one of your videos appears. In America we call steel Discovery wheels “spare tire wheels” as most Discoverys here came with alloys, except for the spares.

[@richardmaxfield8339]

Another enjoyable video ty. stay safe

[@kevinisaac9139]

Great video Max very interesting 👍

[@paulriggers1558]

kingpin tyres had a bad rep. 25 yrs ago, probably when those were made.... all tyres have date stamps on them, a new tyre this week would be stamped 4722 [week,then year] six yrs old is the industry max for tyres, but i personally run them to 10, if they have been stored out of heat/sunlight, with zero cracking marks [ie, they have been a spare in the boot] don't forget tyre valves only last for 6yrs as well, this caught me out on my trailer, i had failed to change the valves when i swapped tyres, blowout on motorway with estate car + trailer fully laden, so no access to my toolkit in the spare wheel well in my car.... bugger... keep up the excellent work young man

[@philhealey449]

I've just been down the herniated valve rubber path; when one goes unexpectedly you see from the other perished specimens that it's time to replace them all.

[@paulriggers1558]

@@philhealey449 my valve was 7/8 yrs max, no cracking, just ripped around the sealing face, destroyed an irreplaceable 420 x 10 trailer tyre [that size not made any more], still sitting there with the old remould spare on, it's waiting for 2 new tyres @ £80 each, not happening yet....

[@pauljenkins2501]

Thank you for another excellent Landy video. I both love it and hate it. Love it, because I love to see an old Landy being brought back to life, and carefully, too. Hate it because it reminds me how much I miss my old Series 3. But I couldn't afford to run it as an everyday car when I changed job ( even if it had been reliable enough.....), so it had to go. And a little piece of my heart went with it....😭

[@Tas1962b]

You can freeze the bushes before fitting, they will shrink a bit.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

It's been a great day for Land Rover videos, as Croker uploaded one earlier.

[@kevinoakes1171]

Great video Max, as usual. I used to use those adjustable reamers years ago as a commercial mechanic, they were great when replacing kingpin bushes on trucks. One tip is, because they are adjustable, they are slightly larger at one end than the other, so you have to ream from both sides or you get a hole that’s bigger on the leading end and narrower at the far end. Also, we used to use a lubricant, like a cutting grease or similar, as you would with a drill bit. Also, I had an Audi a few years back and wanted to fit later model wheels but found that they fowled on the suspension legs because the offset was different so I fitted some hub-centric wheel spacers. The car was terrible after that, it bump steered, scrubbed tyres, couldn’t get the judder out of the steering, despite wheel balancing and just didn’t feel right so I chucked them and got the proper sized wheels and it was great after that. Looking forward to seeing more on Kermit, it’s gonna be great when it’s done.

[@sobosol2013]

Brilliant, I always hoped for someone trustworthy to dispel the myth about spacers. Max that man is you 👍

[@danoconnor618]

Max. always great.more power to you

[@MrSheymie]

None of what you do upsets me. Always pleasant viewing. Best of luck with your Land Rover restoration.

[@foutchiedoutchie9978]

You are a genius. 7:10

[@mickb6285]

Good stuff, a Kermit update, a brew and sit back for a while and enjoy.

[@tobychristian4741]

Enjoying the slow pace and real-life detail. Very different to the flashy US stuff. 🙂

[@autarko]

Those parabolics make a huge difference. Good job you kept them.

[@Doitgood52]

Max, if you want to ream out a hole, cut a slot in one end of a rod that fits into a drill chuck, then put some sand paper into the slot and proceed to wind it in and out of the hole.. works great 😊

[@RubenKelevra]

You have so much patience ... I would have used the electric drill for EVERYTHING :D

[@carljanisewski]

Thanks for sharing your journey 👍👍

[@ZibaniNcube-n7k]

Nice job sir

[@ZibaniNcube-n7k]

I wish to do the same😂

[@tamberp]

Regarding the herniated tyres, that sort of thing is part of why there's been a 10-year age-limit instituted on tyres for trucks, buses/coaches & minibuses (fronts only, if the rears are duals; or all, if singles.); it can be a real pain changing out what _appears_ to be a perfectly good tyre but better that than finding out the hard way it's deteriorated internally! 😧 At least yours herniated while they were just sat there, rather than waiting 'til you were on the road before coming to pieces!

[@willtricks9432]

I have memories of reaming out for Leyland Sherpa king pin bushes, no fun but I did have a quality tool. That chassis is looking great.

[@peterjohncooper]

My Grandfather and Father were both blacksmiths. The one quality they both had which you have in abundance is Patience.

[@petew8388]

Max, my friend, your "parts dept" is just like mine. All bits in the under growth etc. I like showing my other half these vids to show her there are others with a bit of land who are just like myself. Your vids are my favorite on the "tube" mate , Long may you keep them coming !

[@Garrett053]

12:04 youtube texting says: Bad things like Will Ferrel furniture.. haha

[@marcosmota1094]

Hey bud, you might want to grease those bushing points very liberally with heavy grease. If water gets in there (it will), rust jacking will damage the structural support.

[@gedreillyhomestead6926]

Jules Verne would be proud of that blasting outfit. 😎 👍

[@nabob14]

Awesome. Keep up the great content. BTW, your media for blasting might be intert glass, but what your blasting is not..., paint, old grease, chemical treatments (cleaners used can leave residue behind) all get blasted into the atmosphere and into/onto the ground... I think that more the point that people are saying about blasting outside

[@celynjones4958]

Nice bit of budget fettling, Max. While pricey, new tyres are a worthy investment. Cheers, and I can't wait for the next update.

[@bigunone]

We used to take the spring pack apart and paint them with Teflon paint on off road trucks supposed to slide better. Love the dumper

[@kevinsimpson7114]

Great job👌🏻

[@lenhornsey2175]

2:50 ....the sandblasting of your beard had perfect result! So sorry that the tyres didn't work out. BTW my 90 Defender has a light blue chassis! Keep up the spirit ....you are entertaining thousands out here .... thanks

[@jameskerr5756]

Nice job Max. I winced a bit when I saw you using the nut from the angle grinder, as I used the same and broke both the nut and yes, the vice. Was doing rear radius arms from a 110. Did have a bit scaffolding on the spanner right enough - was getting a bit tight. 😛

[@Farlig69]

Spendy they may be but it's just not worth skimping on tyres or brakes. Good soft grippy tyres are just so much more confidence inspiring than 20 year old remoulded stones hahaha 😝

[@steamwally]

Thanks Max, enjoyed that. Thanks also for heads up on those bushes- I've got poly bushes in the chassis at the moment and metalastic in the springs. Likewise, I'd get a year out of Britpart bushes but have noticed a marked improvement since fitting the parabolics- 2 years in and still good. Having just fitted a set, I can thoroughly recommend a set of Michelin XZL's, they have not only transformed the look but also the drive.

[@maximusironthumper]

I very nearly bought the XZL but ended up ordering a set of Super All Grip instead. They've just turned up today!

[@steamwally]

@@maximusironthumper Ha! I very nearly ended up with a set of those instead- equally good I believe.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Maximus I. You could easily build yourself a sand blasting room (like a spray booth) or at least a sandblasting cabinet. Water sandblasting is also a good way to use less blasting material and to avoid any dust. 2) In Germany no tires older than 10 years are allowed on cars. Best regards, luck and health to all of you.

[@Ragnar8504]

Is that actually a legal requirement? In neighbouring Austria I just remember being told in driving school to replace tyres after five years because the rubber hardens and loses grip, which is a pretty bad thing.

[@tanja8907]

Sending you love and best wishes Max, you are an awsome man.

[@graemezimmer604]

Great going, Max. I remember changing the spring bushes on my old Landy, out in the desert in central Australia. A long time ago.

[@briangable08]

You've just reminded me about the time as a v young soldier driving in the Libyan desert in 63, when we got a message that one of our officers had driven his short wheel base land Rover in to a ww2 slit trench and wrecked the front axel, as I was accompanying the REME guy, (I was a Radio Tech) we were told to give him our truck and wait for an helicopter to bring a new front axle, after some long hours wait n graft we had changed the axle and got on our way to catch them up. I stupidly rode the back bumper, which after time and increased speed I was thrown off and landed on the hard gravel desert floor, with just a pair of shorts and boots, after picking me up after realizing I was missing, we drove to a tank leager where they had a medic tent, then casavaqued to Akrotiri in Cyprus. Many years later in 2002 during my retirement do, one of my colleagues whom had been in the RAF at the time said he was air Crew on the Agosy's out of Benghazi We had worked together 15 years and had never realized our first meeting all those years before as young military men.

[@grahameroberts8109]

The build date for those tyres would be embossed thereon.

[@TowerHand]

Great progress and all is looking really nice. Impatiently waiting for the next video, guess I'll work on some of my own projects in the meantime. Cheers!

[@apollorobb]

If you get that close with an adjustable reamer and you need it bigger shim under a few of the cutters . Ive done that quite a bit works quite well

[@dustymiller7758]

Great entertainment as always, that chassis is going to last a very long time. As they say, do it once and do it properly... you sure did that. Well done.

[@MartsGarage]

Great progress, Max. I am also looking forward to seeing the chassis reunited with the axles. Mart in Solihull.

[@toeknee5464]

ive commented on other similar channels too that I think most of your viewers arent watching because we intend to restore our own landie, we watch because we enjoy it, the reason im saying is because I think longer videos would really take your channel to the next level, you should look at the yt stats and maybe run some polls, honestly I think part of why diesel creek and Andrew camrata get so many views is they rarely put out anything less than 1 hour, Im not a mechanic, I watch because I enjoy it, im not skipping ahead because I need an answer for something, im watching for entertainment thats why channels with shorter videos never seem to be as big even if the creator is interesting and a good presenter, its not a waste of our time to put out 1 hour episodes when its entertainment and not a "how to" kind of thing

[@mceajc]

Weird about the paint - it's looking lovely again now, though!

[@tomcardale5596]

7.50R16 is the tyre size of champions. Run them on my 2011 110, fantastic tyre size. Not having to moove so much mud/sand out of the way for a start and they're slightly taller than a 235/85R16 despite what the numbers would have you believe. Edit: if you're looking for new tyres, I've got on well with Bridgestone AT001. Last better than the Michelins I had before, cheaper, better off road, better on road.

[@BrianM0OAB]

I used to use a deep socket with emery paper wrapped round it for that task and a Cortina void bush tool, Don't do the axle hangers up tight until all the weight is on them, you got there in the end.

[@kalliste23]

Here in the Philippines tires are considered to have a four year life-span from their manufacture date. That's for people that can afford to replace them, that is. The tropical conditions are extremely harsh on temperature and UV sensitive materials.

[@Equiluxe1]

As the hole are only clogged with zinc you could turn a piece of steel to the correct size and cut some slots into it, that works fine for just a few holes. Something I have done several times in the past to clear galvanizing out of holes. Even easier if you can find an old socket about the right side to grind down then put some groves in as then you can use an impact wrench to turn it in. When using adjustable reamers you need to cut the absolute minimum and go up in very small increments and only really should be cutting on the middle section where the cutters have the most support otherwise the cutters will chatter and break or chip even cutting plastic can cause this.

[@TheMrStotty]

One thing that has always confused me about the folks who disparage spacers for increased bearing wear is that they are often the people who put deeper offset wheels on their Land-rover which put exactly the same load on the bearings, which sort of proves that theory bunk.

[@mattnoyes7729]

Fantastic Max...love this series

[@wooljunkie29]

loved your review Maximus, oright 😂🤣😂

[@gregdyar6451]

Can't wait

[@zenzen9131]

Early Christmas present is a new video from Max :)

[@croonersteve]

The best way to do a project. Watch max do it 👍

[@chrisjackson4457]

Max, there is a company on the internet called big Tyres they do 750x16 Land Rover tyres made by Deestone at a reasonable price, I ran these on my 110 with no problems. Chris

[@Pinzpilot101]

I used to buy ex military tyres, from a place just outside Oxford, that were studded........Almost unworn and really new....but had been used in Norway etc on exercise and had been fitted with studs, I had to spend hours pulling the studs out...but got good tyres at half price.

[@ianbambury3717]

Try two hammers on the tube, watch how easy it will come out, no heat needed, do it all the time on the trucks

[@Peter-xm6ve]

Keep the moral up, allot of work but very rewarding

[@richardhasler6718]

By the way Max, I know where there are loads of second hand Zil parts. It's a bit of a drive but they're practically giving them away.

[@marcduthie4327]

Great Video. Its your project do it the way you want. Love watching you from here in Australia

[@rickz9495]

235/85-16 is also an excellent size for a series land rover. The size is just right. Wider tires just look silly on these things. I have had 7.50 Michelin tires and 235/85 toyo mud terrains on my 88 and i dont realy notice the difference in steering. The Michelins are more comfortable but that is due to the stiff sidewall on de toyo's.

[@GodzillaB210]

Wow, unreal the cutters on the reamer chipped. Amazed just as you were. Did you ever find out why the coating you put on the chassis turned gray?

[@mully89]

That's looking good. I think steel disco rims suite a series. I have weller 8 dpokes on mine since I bought it, people comment buy hey they do a job... Food for thought with the tyres. I have insa turbos on mine, I believe remoulds, they must be at least 10 years old now : -/ Also agree on sticking with 7.50's. 235'S are Deffo heavier, a regret in hindsight but I was younger and stronger 10 years ago! Keep up the good work 👍

[@cameronmurie]

Brilliant : Glad to see it happening again. Keeps me inspired with my own old Landy. Would it be wrong for some reason to apply a bit of grease to the Bushes to assist them to slide in easier?

[@maximusironthumper]

As I understand it, the bushes need to be an interference fit into the chassis so the outer of the bush is held tight and the inner can move (damped by the rubber). So grease would increase the possibility of rotating the bush outer in the chassis.

[@whitacrebespoke]

I ran spacers for about 6/7 years with out a single issue on my discovery commercial and my 110. Untill I had a rear one let go on my 110 whilst on the M1. I managed to limp into the services just in time as only one stud on the hub flange was left on.

[@marccallaghan7997]

It's going to be a gem mate! everything done jus ryte.

[@mrb1864]

well at least it became 100% obvious those tyres junk . remoulds don't tend age the best and not many tyres these days are truly that great 15 to 20 years of age and stored tends make them hard as they need movement to help keep supple . Hopefully funds good enough that it not too much of a burden get a decent new set . Old Kermit will be worth it & hoping you haven't had to sell Grandad to fund it lol . Rolling chassis will be a good enthusiasm/morale booster ... Have fun .

[@christopherkise]

The joy u feel when i see a new video from you!! Oh man

[@888johnmac]

coming along nicely Max

[@highdownmartin]

When stuck four new ( unused) Michelin xpcs on mine which had 11 mm of tread I could almost feel the increased diameter. Well actually I couldn’t, but it was a good call to bin the four old ones which had four or five mill on some , and visible tread on the others. Reason being, by the time I’d worn the new ones right down these would be so old as to be unfit anyway. As a useful stuff hoarder who doesn’t really have the room to hoard, that was quite liberating

[@billellis6538]

Excellent video, that air fed helmet does remind me of a Sontaran from Dr Who though 😄

[@davidweaver516]

Nice work 👏

[@elbowomar2430]

Starting to come together great . You probably already know the day and year should be on the side of the tyres after 8 years or so the tyres start to become brittle so unsafe. I have been lucky in the past when replacing the 8 ply Dunlops on my Hilux I found new 4x4 buyers were buying mag wheels and road tyres so the originals rubber were going cheap it might be worth checking the tyre shops around new car dealerships they probably got a shed full. Good luck.

[@alanargent5422]

Not happy that you didn't do a slow-mo shot of 2:33 but I'll let it go this time.

[@daz6937]

Great work keep it coming

[@dragontattooee]

Great to see the project moving on, what's the saying "It's all the small jobs that take the biggest time"

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

I too don't agree with wheel spacers causing premature bearing failure. Have run them for years and years and bearings are still perfect, never been replaced in the car's lifetime. I see the theory behind the argument with extra loading but if the bearings are already on their way out then they will fail due to wear, not because wheel spacers have been added.

[@jamespearson7753]

235/85 R16 would make it easier to get new tyres especially with the disco steelies, they aren't wide enough to affect the steering weight my old 2a had them on and they made it no heaver than 7.50s or 205s. Throw the Avon rangemaster spare away before it to sheds it's tread off and tries to kill you.

[@Palinkat]

Small exhaust leak there Max... Hahaha

[@allenenabnit7078]

Tires have a code stamped in them and if thy are over 10 years old dealers won’t install them for the very reason you had they can and do fail rubber tires have a shelf life and using them could cause problems

[@ellwoodblooz]

I was Plus Gas ‘till I die! Until someone made me try Morris MD4 Edit to add: would work as a cutting lube for n the reamer too 👍.

[@andicog]

Great video, bad news on the tyres, do you think the tread parted company where the tyre had water in it during storage? I'm glad I'm not the only one to mismeasure things! Keep up the fight 👍

[@samrodian919]

Jesus! I've never, ever seen a tyre bulge radially like that one before, and I've seen some crap tyres on land rovers in my time! As for the colour change to the chassis, I'd complain to your supplier and c.c it to the customer service division of the manufacturer emphasising your status as a KZbin creator, and asking for your money back Max. Sorry I don't agree with you on Polybushes, you didn't elaborate on why you don't like them, but when I bought my Disco 1 back in 2004 it was on something like 85 k, and the handling was total shite. When I came up to a fairly large roundabout, that your entry speed could be 25-35 mph, the front would literally dive down to the left as you turned into the roundabout. I bought at first a full front end set of the standard red polybushes and it totally transformed the handling of the Disco. The roundabout was a quite rural one with only two roads off of it. A 90 degree left, and a 180 degree straight on. The entry to the roundabout was from down a fairly steep incline of over half a mile and you could easily get quite a speed up to the approach to the turns. Well I intended to turn left on entering the ring I will call it as I'm fed up with typing roundabout lol. Anyway I was astounded that at 30 mph the Disco just turned left with no dramas at all lol the next time I came down I was going straight on, and as the road was dry and empty, I decided to try it at a greater speed. So I was lucky the road was clear and I came in at 40 and she went round and out at 180 degrees like she was on rails! I then put a rear set of red poly's on the Disco and after tried entering the ring at nearly 50 mph and it was completely on rails. I ran that particular Disco1 for eleven years and the handling was faultless throughout that time. Bloody brilliant bushes and I'd recommend them to any one. I wish I had put them on my S111 109" but then I didn't have the money to do it. And as far as your expanding reamer is concerned you need to use a proper tap wrench to do the job properly. And you having shown the snot that was left in the bush tube I hope you managed to file it out to a fairly concentric size to enable the bush to be reamed accurately or wear would occur prematurely in the rubber bush for not being perpendicular to the long axis of the chassis, but I'm sure you managed that Maximus!

[@edgeeffect]

1. Short sleeves, 2. Chairs out on the decking... This wasn't filmed recently, was it? (shivers!) :) Cor! Plus Gas... that takes me back... Plus Gas was my old dad's universal medicine (well, that and the home-made wine) That reamer looks very nice... needs a comedy sized tap-handle on it though... and your home-made press for the bushings is brilliant.