Was it Worth It? 55 Year Old Land Rover Salvageable?

We check out the latest NADA 109 we purchased. How bad is it? We get it on the hoist and see the underside for the first time.
www.TheLostCauseRanch.com

[@bildonia]

Can't believe that frame is salvageable. Looking forward to seeing it fixed up.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I mean it’s not great by any means but it has faired much better than others that got abandoned.

[@tim8505]

@@LostCauseRanch I think a New frames would be a good idea :D

[@tintingaming8612]

i mean.. obviously a rover v8.. such a beautiful motor and pretty cheap

[@thesandero2454]

I would use the engine where you don't have to modify the car to much. I would stay with a LR engine and drivetrain. A 2.25 petrol would be perfect for rolling around town and in the mean time rebuilding the 2.6. These engines weren't up for the task when they were put into the 109"'s back then and they knew it. LD tested it and it really stuggled in the thermal heat department. The NADA wirh Weslake heads are better,with an overdrive even more. They don't like the high revs. Still a good tuned 2.6 with the valves set right is the best sounding LR engine ever to have been fitted. Even the V8 can't tip that and i had 4 Range Rover 2 door V8s.😅 We still see them quit regular at work. This engine was supposed to be replaced by the Stage 1 3.5 V8 in 1979....but we've found out that they were fitted right until the end of Series 3 109" production on special order. The newest i worked on was from 1985,waaayy into the new One Ten production. Most of these Series 3 109s were for various Fire Departments in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Quit a few made their way to The Netherlands after they ended their service life. For a perfect ignition replacement,have a look at 123 ignitionshop.com We've fitted loads of them and they transform the running of the engine. Not cheap,but 1st class engineering and service.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Appreciate all the info, neat to hear from someone well versed in them. I think we will be able to get the 2.6 going with minimal work, have it all torn down now and looks like the cylinder bore is going to be serviceable after a hone. We shall see once we get the new (used) set of pistons here and size them up. May need a bore in the end.

[@ShockWaveGamings234fg321f]

Frames a heap of trash, replace frame mate, I weld and that's roasted

[@rasfrank1]

It’s a rear crossmember , not a rear “ bumper” . I made that mistake when ordering parts from England and later learned it cracked up everyone in the shop

[@LostCauseRanch]

I know haha, I just use my American speak. It is funny having the same language but different dialects. I also call them frames and both chassis’s most of the time.

[@yupieatcrayons5331]

You should finish saving the G4 before this one

[@markdavis2475]

A new, galvanized chassis is around $3900 + shipping. Would it not be worth just replacing it? We are about to start work on a SWB one that looks pretty similar, but is missing the whole driver train. We are saving the body, axles and bulkhead. The rest is scrap.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I normally go with replacement and that is what we are going to do on the other 109 NADA we have. Figure o would try the saving route on one just to see. We have a SWB in the works as well that is more or less a body donor similar to yours, but veering away from Land Rover for the running gear/axles on that one.

[@markdavis2475]

@@LostCauseRanch Cool, thanks for the feedback! Looking forward to seeing more work!

[@Skagitrover]

A little JB Weld, some Bondo and Gorilla Tape and she’s good as new!

[@LostCauseRanch]

I was thinking we could even do the old brick of ramen noodle trick that seems to be floating around on all the videos

[@richardbetzenderfer8577]

Drop a 4.3 Chevy in there. It fits and has the right amount of power to get it moving.

[@LostCauseRanch]

That would work.

[@russellfreestone8580]

They were crap when they were new. Don't waste you time or money, put it in a skip. I have owned 5 landrovers of various sorts this is expert advice

[@LostCauseRanch]

Are you talking the whole Land Rover? Or the 2.6 liter? We have better than 20 Land Rovers right now so there’s that.

[@andicog]

In what way crap? They were always good off road, they rusted no worse than anything else built back then and could be fixed with a pen knife. Trouble with old Land Rovers is people buy them thinking they're like a new normal car, check the oil once every six months and that's it. They need regular maintenence, all the oils need changing, props to grease etc. The good thing here in the UK is that service parts are cheap and plentyful and panels and new chassis can be obtained easily.

[@temsbab1565]

I'm in England and own alot of landrovers. If you're interested I seen an american 109 stationwagon in a video of the worlds oldest gym in the USA in bad condition which would be good for parts for you

[@LostCauseRanch]

A fellow Land Rover lover, thanks for stopping by! What’s the name of the video I would definitely be interested in seeing that.

[@temsbab1565]

@@LostCauseRanch it's called I survived the countrys newest and oldest gym. By a man called Will Tennyson it's sat outside the gym and could potentially save you alot of money in parts as old ones are usually cheaper and better quality unlike britpart. Subscribed and will be watching more it's good to see that even with all the cool cars you have you're still interested in land rovers. Are they really as expensive in the US as people say?

[@temsbab1565]

@@LostCauseRanch about 29 seconds in and the gym is called oliphants academy

[@andymckane7271]

I worked for Lou Mate in 1965. I was "a lot boy." It was my first job. Worked on Saturdays. Lou was Hungarian. His business was located at 581 South Main in SLC at that time. Mate's Sports Car Clinic, as his dealership was named, also sold Alfa Romeo and, get this, Datsun. Mate's at that time was the one and only "Datsun" dealership in Salt Lake City. Working for Lou was my first actual job, although I was paid in cash (off-the-books, I suspect). At Mates', I also helped with Land Rover and Rover parts. Some years later, in 1974, I started my own Land Rover parts business in San Diego, California. Owned and operated McKane's Rover Imports, Inc. to 1 January 1986. I spent the last months of MRI business ownership trying to get Lee Iacocca and Chrysler Corp to purchase Land Rover Limited. In August 1986 I was informed by letter that talks with Land Rover had ceased. The following January it was announced that Chrysler was going to buy AMC/Jeep. (They didn't make that purchase to get their hands on the AMC part of the deal!) For a few years thereafter, I felt that the failure of Chrysler to buy Land Rover was the worst failure of my life. After a few years I came to realize that Lee Iacocca was far smarter than I was. Look at how well Jeep is doing and has been doing since becoming part of Chrysler Corporation! P.S. Since April 2012 I've been a Jeep driver. My 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon has been vastly more reliable than any Land Rover or Rover product I ever owned. The Land Rover you show here, which will have a serial number beginning 34300 - - - - , was a 2.6 liter 6-cylinder NADA vehicle. That engine had many reliability issues IF run on low octane fuel and lugged. In my opinion, the frame on your 109" pictured in this video is and should be considered to be total trash. Buy a new frame. They're not that expensive. No advice on what ROVER produced engine you might put in the L-R. A true restoration of the vehicle in this video almost certainly will cost in excess of $60,000 to $75,000 not including the cost of labor. My advice? It's due for the chop! Andrew "Andy" McKane, 1618 (Hawaiian time), 8 April 2022, Molokai, Hawaii.

[@MadFordEngineering]

Joe give me a shout if you need parts bro, the 2.6 need to be saved

[@LostCauseRanch]

Taking it apart now. Happen to have an exhaust manifold around for one?

[@MadFordEngineering]

@@LostCauseRanch let me have a look see sir

[@andrewberzins752]

Keep the bulkhead and the vin plate , ditch most of the rest...

[@LostCauseRanch]

I want to try and keep a touch more on this one. We also have another 67 109 NADA that will have a more intensive recommissioning in the future.

[@andrewberzins752]

@@LostCauseRanch if I were a buyer, I would appreciate it if all the special pieces of the bulkhead, windscreens, fresh air heater, lights, stuff really specific to the NADA model were present, on top of a new frame.... I have one, which needs a frame too, not nearly as bad as yours (I can jack it up anywhere) so curious to see how you get on. Cnc cutting sections and welding is ok, but I would suspect that none of the four sides of the box section is whole in some areas. Replacing just the bottom, or some of the side is ok. I'm not anticipating starting yet, so I'll keep watching to see how you get on.

[@tommaples9174]

I had a nice Desert Nada with the 2.6 good power for the time. 70 mph was not hard to reach. I still have a full set of new oversize pistons 😊

[@LostCauseRanch]

You want to let go of those pistons by chance? Depending on how the cylinder walls come out may have to bore it out.

[@tommaples9174]

@@LostCauseRanch yeah

[@mechanicalmoron2251]

stick the 19j (2.5td) in thay bolt strate to the series gearboxes i beneve you could probly even youse the gearbox on the 19j intil you can get a series one but first try your best to get the 2.6 running

[@LostCauseRanch]

Going to try on the 2.6 before pulling it. Eventually the 2.6 will still end up back in it if we do end up having to pull it out.

[@robpeabo509]

You have to leave the rear door hinges alone! The noise it made when you opened it was pure gold 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. It wasn't a squeal so much as a ratcheting noise. I vote a diesel engine, it will be easier to get going for a temporary unit. Have you ever tried getting second hand parts from Australia? We have heaps of the old Land Rovers here. I have no idea if the prices are cheaper here than the UK, or if the shipping costs would be the killer.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I have not gone the Australian route. Might be worth exploring. And I loved that hinge noise as well, it’s perfect for it haha.

[@unimog404]

OMG that chassis! It has a crusty patina on it 😅 my 1965 Unimog chassis came from a beach club.... It ran there a few years. I had it sandblasted and painted it. And no repairs where needed. ☺️

[@LostCauseRanch]

Yes, it does need a bit of love for sure. How do you like your Unimog? That’s on my bucket list.

[@unimog404]

@@LostCauseRanch I love it! It is easy to repair and they made much more solid then a landrover 😅 im sorry for that. But in terms of engines and swaps it is limited. But the OM617 makes a great upgrade. I can do 100km/h on the highway with 80hp. Get one if you get the opportunity. Even the stock M180 can work fine. Don't expect a fast truck. But it still keeps up highway trucks here in Europe. And with the radio box on it you have a great 2 person camper. In 4 weeks I will drive Amsterdam-North Cape (top of Norway) I expect to drive 9000km in 6 weeks 😁 most people with an Unimog 404 are not this crazy haha

[@richardmitchell5369]

not a fan of two post lifts they cause unnecessary damage to vintage vehicles, also in the case of land rover safari, damage to the body as it needs to be supported by the chassis.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I agree, the new shop at the house will have a 4 post for this scenario? But saving the body is why we backed off of the crumbly spot and went further up. No damage done to anything that wasn’t already toast on this one.

[@graemelliott3942]

Get a 2.25 Land Rover drive train from the same era. No mods required. Plug right in

[@LostCauseRanch]

Would be simple if I can run across a decent one. Going to try and get the 2.6 freed up but I’m guessing that it needs to come apart.

[@jjt1093]

Very salvageable ! every Landy is hands down if you got the time

[@LostCauseRanch]

They are just made up of a bunch of smaller parts when it comes down to it. We will make something happen with it.

[@karpo888]

4.0

[@LostCauseRanch]

I can tell you that’s what I want to do, just trying to decide if it’s smarter to use the diesel that is just sitting there or should I dump a little extra money in for the v8. Either way the stock 6 cylinder will be rebuilt as they are kind of a rare piece anymore.

[@stevenmoran4060]

All things considered, number 59 has survived reasonably well!

[@LostCauseRanch]

It hasn’t faired to poorly has it, just some of the typical things you see with the age. Shame it’s missing a bunch of parts but that is kind of the cycle of autos I guess, at some point in time they are not worth it monetarily to keep together.

[@johnwilkie7397]

Seen worse resurrected and missing more than that lol but check front dumb irons at bumper for rust , split door pullers are prone to rust , rear may be once all stripped look and add up costs to fix chassis getting new one as once you got bulkhead etc off and see top of chassis it may be parts rusted through , try get original engine fixed but if it easy to put the 2,5td n/a in do so I have one in my s3 to a s3 gearbox plus overdrive and they great engines as long as maintenance is kept up , they will get you to A-b-a but not built fir speed just to dive smile and take in all you see . I have three 12jsnd 10j engines to still look at plus have parts from two I stripped down for parts for one reason or other plus got 2:25 diesels as well but most popular engine changes where 200-300tdi engine and v8’s but would like to see the six pot back running in her . Have fun

[@LostCauseRanch]

Appreciate the that out response. Whatever ends up in it will ultimately be temporary until the 6 pot is gone through and everything sourced. So the 2.5th may be one to do since it’s laying in the shop already, but do have plenty of v8 stuff laying around too.

[@johnwilkie7397]

@@LostCauseRanch I know you like to put your vehicles through there paces and you already mentioned parabolic springs which will give a smoother drive , pack grease between springs often or take off road on bumpy part to stretch the springs apart every so often to avoid rust and then sticking together , remember load up vehicle and gave a dive about while they still not fully tightened to let them set themself’s then tighten bushes up . Not sure about six pot engines but I have found between the 2:25-2.5 engines a lot of common parts are same so check part codes as price on same part can differ if it fir 2.25 or 2.5 they price it for . Keep up the enthusiasm in your posts as fund it most entertaining and inspiring to be to get my finger out and get on with doing mine can’t wait to see next update Cheers 🍻

[@shaneblacklord3313]

Please do a 2.5 turbo diesel

[@FlawedOffroad]

She looks like a lost cause! Fitting lol

[@LostCauseRanch]

Wouldn’t have it any other way. Haha.

[@tonyblackie3277]

No 59? Googled but no light

[@laksirifernando6410]

Chasi Cheng it bad

[@iandoyle4785]

Our nada I think its 366 has the original engine pain to find parts for but sounds sweet .

[@LostCauseRanch]

That is cool, nice to see another one. Hopefully we glean source everything for this one eventually.

[@iandoyle4785]

Rovers north might still have an air intake housing ask for part sd410

[@LostCauseRanch]

Appreciate that. Need to find an exhaust manifold as well. We can fab one of those up if need be.

[@richardhaywood4123]

I think you should go for a chevy straight 6 and transfer box,make for better parts availability.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I would go with that, but the other NADA we have is setup like that, so was thinking maybe something different.

[@richardhaywood4123]

@@LostCauseRanch that only leave a Cummins diesel swap then!

[@hammyh1165]

Put D1 engine and transmission in it , you have a few spare. Could even use the disc brake axles and weld on spring mounts for the leafs from the likes of YRM in the UK. Would be a sort of restomod.

[@LostCauseRanch]

We do have some around. Not a bad idea.

[@R.Sole88109]

Then you might as not both and get a Defender if you want a more comfortable "series" type. I daily drive a S2A with a 200td, parabolics and drums all around. Half the satisfaction driving a Series Landy is mastering it cos their not easy work to drive.

[@teamidris]

I hate the six, it eats head gaskets. But, if the numbers match no way would I change it out. And if it is all skimmed and flat it is a good engine :o) *it’s just a wannk second hand engine :D Seriously it is about right for that truck and torque is ace 👍 (Rover and weslake designed it and they put a lot of effort into gas flow)(huge main bearings)

[@LostCauseRanch]

Yes, that is the originality is the main reason I want to have it back in there eventually.

[@teamidris]

@@LostCauseRanch I wouldn’t fanny around changing all the hoses and mounts. Wash the sump out, hone it, second hand pistons, go drive it.