Unnecessary Car shopping Range Rover Classic SWB Edition

"TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts." (thebloody)
04/02/2020 at 14:30 • Filed to: Bad Ideas, Range Rover, Land Rover, loosing my mind

Buddy has a 1990 RRC he picked up for pretty good price but it needs work and he doesn’t have time or money for it with everything else he’s working on so I’m thinking about taking it off his hands.

Mechanically it is sound, runs, drives and doesn’t overheat when idling.
Problems with it:
Shifter cable needs replacement.
Accumulator needs recharge/replacement.
Parasitic battery drain.

Body wise:
Apart from the driver side rear door sill (usual spot) all the rust seems superficial and passes the poke test. Even the rear tail gait is actually (and surprisingly) in decent condition.
Interior has seen better days but the door cards and dash plastic is in decent condition with no cracks. Wood veneer needs to be redone though and the front seats are shot.

Edit: No air suspension, it’s been swapped with coils.

I feel like I’m not in my best mental head space being cooped up like this so what you think Oppo? @RamblinRover what you think?

DISCUSSION (58)

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 14:34

I’m going with the standard answer...

“CP at Free...”

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
04/02/2020 at 14:38

Of all the un reliable shit boxes on this sight, an analog range rover isn’t the worst. It isn’t the best, but definitely isn’t the worst.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 14:41

Take it, you fool. The biggest thing wrong with the door cards is that there wasn’t enough wood to survive. You need all-wood door cards - problem solved. Ameliorate rust, then r efinish the interior sills and possibly the whole floor with Pastel Green bedliner.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/02/2020 at 14:42

Goes without saying any failing upholstery needs redoing with a bolt of Elephant Hide vinyl.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 14:47

It can make it through the Amazon. Go for it!

Kinja'd!!!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/02/2020 at 14:51

You mean like this?
https://www.lseat.com/categories/genuine-leather/land-rover.html

Also the rear drivers sill will need cutting and replacement, it’s rusted through but I need to practice my welding anyway.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 14:52

If not looked after, a Range Rover Classic is one of the frustrating, annoying and stress inducing vehicles ever looked after.

If looked after, few cars even come close. Nothing commands the road like a Range Rover. Nothing of its age and class is that well behaved on the road, nor as unbothered by rough terrain. There is a reason why it lasted a good two years after it’s replacement had gone into production.

That is what I’ve learnt from my two, a well looked after ‘94 300tdi, which is possibly the best Ł4400 I’ve ever spent and my badly looked after ‘93 3.9 that I’d like to throw off a cliff then set fire to at the bottom because it’ll survive to spite me , but it is a project so I wasn’t surprised. Hopefully I can revive it and then swap the awful auto for a much better manual.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 14:57

I’m for it. Oppo needs more RRC content!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 14:59

Been around Landies all my life, RRC is on my bucket list of vehicles to own and I’m really tempted. My Dads doctor friend had a 92 RRC growing up and I absolutely loved it.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:08

They all need an Isuzu diesel swap

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/02/2020 at 15:21

I at least have until the DMV reopens to mull it over, it’s running and driving so I could very well do a rolling restore...

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:23

If you have the time and patience, you won’t regret it, they are slowly climbing in prices.

I went for my first one because initially, I wanted a Defender 110 utility wagon, saw a nice one for Ł7500, test drove it and then was just disappointed how uncomfortable it was and how bad it was on the road, which I was expecting to be bad, but not that bad. So I went the alternative choice, a Range Rover Classic. Instantly fell for it, it drove well, it behaved like an actual car on the road and off it, there isn’t that much difference between them. Back to back, the Defender just isn’t as good.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/02/2020 at 15:25

Although now that I actually comprehend that you’r talking about the vinyl my series has... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm very interesting concept.

Rufant > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:31

I dunno what the market there is like for these, but usable ones of any year are getting hard to find at a reasonable price, and there are plenty of pretty ordinary examples that people are asking silly money for.

However, fair cars at a fair price are still out there. I would be looking for one of those, that’s my honest opinion. This would have to be silly cheap, and I still think you’re better off starting with something less rough.

Dunno why people harp on about diesel conversions, that V8 is essential to the character I think . Also 1990 was factory springs, EAS wasn’t till 1993 iirc.

That's quite a yard too!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 15:35

You’re not kidding about prices: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-land-rover-range-rover-classic-11/

I learnt how to drive in a Series, my dad has had Defenders and apples to apples the Range Rover is better than the Defender. Granted I’m not going throw a pile of cow shit into a Range Rover but I could if I really wanted to.

Tareim - V8 powered > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:38

I picked up a Range Rover Classic a couple weeks ago

Kinja'd!!!

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:44

Have owned three— and seeing the rust?

Buying a better example for $1000 is far better than a rusty example with a bunch of known issues. so, literally, even if somebody offered to give me THAT one? I’d say no, since I’ve been on that COVID19 cruise three times already.

YMMV

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 15:48

My 300tdi was a farm truck in Wales before it was mine , it has a normal tow hitch and a drop pin one. The previous owner took sheep to market in it, moved hay with it and used it as a tractor, he said he’d done a 90 a while back and just found it lacking compared to the previous Range Rover in practicality, as the boot door is way too narrow for the boot, weirdly. The Classic apparently can fit a pallet roughly in it, the Defender couldn’t. The Defender Vs Classic argument is one I’m on the fence about. The Defender is more charming, but in the real world... Classic is nicer to drive, tows just as well, really if they’d done a pickup... the H ilux would of had an actual fighter from Land Rover, as with a 300tdi, it’s not an unreliable engine, no air suspension to worry about, better tow cap and better comfort... if I had a time machine, that would of been a market to push them in the direction of. But I digress, if I had the money, I would have a 110 Utility, but as a third car.

Although apparently there’s a utility wagon coming soon for the Defender now, I prefer the new one to both the classic and Defender as an option.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Rufant
04/02/2020 at 15:54

Prices are climbing and that’s why I’m really considering it this time round.
Truck isn’t a complete basket case yet so getting it back up to snuff will require less work than other Rangies I’ve seen.

There are quite a few gems on the lot, my mate rents space in a 2nd hand dealer that is run by a old guy with pretty eclectic tastes. You’ll see anything from Ford Thunderbirds to MG D’s to G-Wagons in the lot at any given time. The show room has an E-Type sitting in there that recently replaced a Ferrari.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
04/02/2020 at 16:01

It’s a Colorado truck so the rust is superficial except for the rear drivers door s ill. I climbed underneath and the outriggers and rear section are all in decent condition hence why I’m REALLY tempted. Hell even the tail gate is in good condition.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Tareim - V8 powered
04/02/2020 at 16:02

That’s awesome.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 16:04

I’m getting the new Defender either next year or the year after. All my mates who have driven one have raved about how fantastic it is on and off road.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
04/02/2020 at 16:08

Isuzu diesel swap all the things?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:09

I’m thinking along the lines of making an RRC more like a hand-redone or fancified Series (Tickford?) for absolutely no reason whatsoever, in case it weren’t obvious.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/02/2020 at 16:15

Exmoor’s herring bone is a good concept to use towards that end though.

https://www.exmoortrim.co.uk/two-seat-trim-heritage-cover-kit-herringbone.html

That is a lot of upholstery work though and quite beyond my meager stitching abilities.

Rufant > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:18

I'm just going onto Carsales just to 'check' the RRC market. For you, not for me of course... Research and all that

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:20

I want a 90 more than an E-type. It’s like they combined everything I liked about the old Defender, sprinkled in some Range Rover, a little touch of Freelander (A car that lots of people hate, but drive a good one and you’ll be a fan) and boom! I love it. It’s new but intrinsically recognisable.

Kinja'd!!!

All I need to do is sell a kidney. It doesn’t even need to be one of my kidneys.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 16:25

My sister had a Freelander as a company car , I enjoyed driving it when I could. Only reason people hate the Freelander is because they were utterly shit when it came to reliability and good ones are as rare as hens teeth.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Rufant
04/02/2020 at 16:26

Clearly, because enquiring minds must know...

Rufant > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:32

Great, thanks...

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1993-Land-Rover-Range-Rover-Vogue-SE-Auto-4WD/SSE-AD-6511266

Just checking my bank balance now, for no reason at all.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:35

U.K. wise, they are still bloody everywhere, my first and well... daily car was/is still a 2003 Freelander 3 door. It’s actually been offroad way more than the Classics because it’s basically so unfazed by everything I’ve so far thrown it into, drove it up or down and forded. It’s just uncannily capable for a cheap compact SUV based vaguely on a Austin Maestro floor plan using a Lotus Elise engine. It occasionally bumps it’s chin, but I’ve never gotten it stuck, even in mud, on a hill, in massive rain on road wheels. No idea how it didn’t even blink when a Discovery had just abandoned the same climb up, it just found grip and went. Maybe I’m just really talented? I think not, I just think Land Rover knew what they were doing. (Also I keep trying to Star you replies but kinja is saying no to that)

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 16:39

Kinja is all kinds of screwy as is per usual.

You’ll like this video then:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Rufant
04/02/2020 at 16:47

You could do worse...

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 16:48

I’m not surprised. I might be a dick by saying this, but when I see a modded to hell anything, I immediately get the recovery rope ready. Just something about a modified 4x4 that screams “I’m gonna get stuck immediately because I’m overconfident as hell!”.

Although TBH, I think stock those would of been able to do that, unless the video just isn’t demonstrating how steep that hill is, which I know they can do? Hell, I was thinking I could do that one in my Classic, no problem if it is as steep as it looks in that.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 17:09

It can’t hurt

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 17:16

Landies are incredibly capable out of the box, but here in the US we do a lot of rock crawling so having bigger tyres, clearance and underneath protection is preferable.

Those are guys I know that run one of the US based Land Rover parts suppliers so this is part marketing part taking the piss video and all the bells and whistles were added because they could .

T hat hill though is a definite test of driver skill and machine because as many people get stuck as make it up. There are parts where the snow gets deep during the winter and momentum is the only thing that will carry you through because otherwise you’re essentially a beached whale.

That was taking a this years Winter Romp gathering.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 17:34

Damn I want to do a big American roadtrip with some offroading in it. I’ve been toying with the idea of copying that old top gear episode, the fly-buy-sell-fly one, but get a cheap Land Rover (or XJ Cherokee if I can’t find something with the green and gold oval) and drive it from the east to the west, properly get a feel of a country that is just full of interesting things and people who I think a normal holiday can’t do justice for.

Do everything I can offroad wise. Hell, I’d want to do the divide at least, in a Classic ideally.

Tareim - V8 powered > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 17:38

its very battered, only bought it for the efi engine though I did have a test drive down a very narrow lane with a ditch either side, the auto box must’ve been slipping badly as when it finally changed gear it kicked so hard I thought I was going to end up in the ditch if I didn’t let off the the throttle

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 18:06

Given that it runs and drives...and the tailgates aren’t rusted then I’d say it’s a worthy acquisition if you are comfortable with the coin.

I'd love to own one again but there are too many distractions in my days to be able to give one the proper attention.

The Snowman > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 18:07

What is a reasonable price on these? 100" wheel base frame with coils is the perfect size for my scout 80... I imagine a rusty one with a blown engine is worth scrap right?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 19:24

There are plenty Oppo's across the US to make it a worth while trip. Once I get my new Defender I'm taking it out west to do Moab et'al. Finding a good XJ though is going to become tougher as they're starting to rust out. I wouldn't be surprised if a clean one is what RRC prices are now in 10 years.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
04/02/2020 at 19:29

The one rear door s ill need to be cut out and replaced but apart from that I wasn’t able to poke holes anywhere else in the usual places.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > The Snowman
04/02/2020 at 19:31

It depends honestly, if it’s a rusted out pile of shit chances are the chassis isn’t in great shape. A $500 truck chassis is going to need patching but if you dig you might be able to to find a chassis worth saving.

These trucks are appreciating so even with a blown motor guys will part it out for more than scrap and you'll be fighting breakers who are on the lookout for these.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 19:34

I suppose ideally a Range Rover Classic, something I’m familiar with to the point of you can blind fold me, lead me into a room with one and just by touch I could probably give you which suffix it is, or year on the later ones. I’d settle for anything with the green and gold oval, hell, even a V6 Freelander. Well maybe not that far...

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/02/2020 at 19:37

L322's are the next RRC. You watch. They have all the bearing of the RRC but with modern amenities.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 19:47

I can’t argue against that. They look pretty damn good, they are very capable and with the AJ-V8 they aren’t half bad. With the BMW V8 on the other hand, nope. Wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole held by someone else unless it was a TD6, maybe. I’d also say the Discovery 3 is a good car in the right trim, especially with the locking rear diff. They are cheap at the moment, but changing the timing chain on the TDV6 is a body off the frame job... but they are good fun to drive.

The Snowman > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/02/2020 at 20:11

Good to know. It'll be a few years before I get to the scout as there is another project in line in front of it.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/03/2020 at 09:17

2007-2009 are the sweet spot for L322's (and D3's for that matter) , and the supercharged L322 has a rear locker standard.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 09:27

I do like them, but it’s the maintenance that scares me, I can afford my Classic as I can, if something goes wrong, save some money and use Discovery parts (which are substantially cheaper despite being the exact same, even more so for my 94 because the dashboard is a Discovery one) whilst the Disco 3 and L322 are a bit of a bugger to find good parts for. Engine wise, as long as it’s a AJ-V8, I’d trust it. BMW V8 on the other hand, I’ve heard way too many horror stories.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 09:31

Welding is easy...ish.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
04/03/2020 at 10:15

I can tac weld, and pay someone to finish it properly. Although I think I’m going to get a bunch of scrap metal out of my garage and start practicing.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 10:18

Busted up fenders are a good place to start.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/03/2020 at 10:22

Maintenance wise it’s much of a muchness between the two, the main thing you need is a GAP tool (which is a bit pricy) and the 07-09's have the Jag 4.4's so the drivetrain is pretty trouble free. Bags and compressors last for a surprisingly long time, bags will last you 80000 miles unless you’re stupid with them and same goes with the compressor (it tends to burn out when the bags are leaking from running constantly) . The one thing that does wear more quickly than older Landies are polly bushes. They eat them like fatkids just because of the nature of the suspension. Although to be fair those are on lifted trucks so it’s probably related, heh.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
04/03/2020 at 10:32

Good call.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 10:53

They are on my list, but I think for now, I’m Land Rovered out. Three is more than enough, I want to have ideally 1, but oh well. I think the Project V8 might be kept if I fix it.

Actually, what’s you thoughts on taking on your mates one?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Edgyhal94
04/03/2020 at 11:04

Heh, I know that feeling. This would be the 2nd Landie in the stable if I decide to buy it. I have a 109 IIa SW as well.

Edgyhal94 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 11:33

Well if everything goes to plan, I’ll just have my Freelander and maybe the V8 (with a manual gearbox), as pictured.

Kinja'd!!!

The Freelander is perfect, but the V8 needs a long list of work doing to it, as well as new wheels and the suspension sorting out as a halfwit swapped the air suspension for coils and made a complete mess of it

RacinBob > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/03/2020 at 12:26

Watch this video before deciding. These things apparently hide a lot of rust....

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/land-rover-range-rover-restoration-stop-motion/