Nice work I finding a way to mount it up without body damage.

 

It's not as clean as if I drilled the tailgate between the two license plate lights but I am going to switch out the head unit shortly which will necessitate a change in the camera so didn't want to start drilling just yet.

Forgive the dirt. Our Au pair drives the car. Apparently 19 year olds think that cars get clean by magic.

 

Happy new stainless exhaust system for "Senor blanco"!
The manifold leak was shockingly bad so finally bit the bullet and replaced the manifold gaskets. I found a magnaflow cat for the lwb on Amazon and, combined with a magnaflow catback from AB, the beast sounds like a "proper v8" now

I still have an idle problem, mostly when cold. I need to look into the base idle and IAC but haven't pulled plugs yet to see if there's anything going on there.

This coming week, it's time for new rotors and pads all round. I went with the ebc kit.

It's been warm in the Pac NW. Time to change to summer tires and not sure what to run. I just put Duratracs on the 109 but not sure if they'll be too noisey for the primarily 95% on road driving that our Au pair does. I picked up a set of 3 spoke gray alloys, I'll mount the blizzaks onto in the meantime.

I'm also trying to track down the reason for my non operative cruise control and I'll be dammed if I can find a replacement window lift ecu. I have a fault in mine that means it's a crapshoot as to whether the Windows will work or not. Lastly, I'm trying to find the assembly for the rear tailgate brake light. I need the whole bracket so that I can actually lock and unlock the tailgate using the central locking.

 

Haven't been online for a while, stupid busy with work and trying to finish off the Classic. Also managed to break my 109 last week so at 1 point was down to 1 working car out of 4

Good news is that I found the source of the bad idle. After replacing plug wires, plugs, stepper motor and swapping out the maf with a known good one, the problem turned out to be the fuel pump. Must be on the way out because it was providing poor pressure intermittently. When replacing the fuel pump I found some severe rust in the loadspace floor on the passenger side. I think this is a leftover from the rear passenger window being stuck open when i bought the car. I should have checked it before now but was distracted with all the other stuff. Lastly the car came home from a run to the airport puking coolant. Investigation determined that a short hose that runs to the block (behind the distributor) had developed a pin sized hole. It was spraying into the valley pan and running down the back of the block on the passenger side. So that was fun. I ended up calling a buddy and we tag teamed the car. I did the rust repair, he changed the hose. The car is going on a roadtrip end of this week so it has to be good to go.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:39.3981481481% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDLuwi4SgTY/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Unexpected work day on Senor Blanco the #rangeroverclassic #landrovermechanic replaced the fuel pump yesterday and found some rust in the boot that needs immediate attention. Additionally, the car came back from the airport and promptly puked coolant all over the drive so #landrovermechanic is giving up his Sunday wheeling to come over and tag team the car with me. On Tuesday the car gets its full length safari rack platform courtesy of #rhinorack and #adventureready so he's got to get finished up today. No time to sleep! #rovinrovers #rainieradventuremachines</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @rkbooth on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-03-20T17:30:39+00:00">Mar 20, 2016 at 10:30am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

I changed all 4 rotors and pads with the EBC kit from AB and replaced the rear calipers. That was a few weeks ago, can't remember if i mentioned this already. Got cruise control working by replacing the ECU but it only ran for 2 minutes before disengaging. I'll have to take a look at that.

 

Almost forgot, replaced the transmission shifter ribbon as i suspected that the teenager was driving around in 3rd all the time.

Added D2 cupholders, essential upgrade and thanks to ArmyRover for an old post showing the install that gave me the idea.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BChkibHygb6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">In 1993, people didn't believe in cupholders. Now through the grace of cheap British designers not changing the way they do things, the driver and passenger in Senor Blanco now get to enjoy a beverage while driving down the road. #rangeroverclassic #cupholdersmakeeverythingokay</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @rkbooth on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-03-04T08:33:15+00:00">Mar 4, 2016 at 12:33am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>



Finally found a replacement window lift ecu, waiting for it to be delivered. When I get home tonight, I need to bleed the coolant. Last task before it heads out on the roadtrip is to replace the blizzaks with a summer AT set and change the oil.

 

That's what people call severe rust in the Pacific Northwest? You can't even get your foot through that. You need to see a Classic from New England so you can get some proper perspective on this!

 

I think that being out in the PacNW has changed me and that I've somehow managed to forget what car ownership was like back in Scotland where I grew up.

I now call anything that needs cut out and patched "severe", whereas i'd call the type of rust you describe as "chronic" Anything that can be ground out and treated is "mild".

My wife keeps trying to persuade me to move to the east coast. Rust on classic cars is one of the main reasons why I wouldn't want to go


Senor Blanco made it through the day of me driving him around after replacing some cooling hoses. (of course it'd be the ones that go into the block behind the distributor that went!) I must say, bleeding the Classic is infinitely easier than on my D2. Maybe I need to explore repositioning my thermostat to be more like the Classic....

I still have some jobs to do before the teenager takes the truck off on the roadtrip.

1- replace spare. looked at it last night. i'm pretty sure that a spare tire is supposed to hold air.
2- mount the tent. not excited about this. The RTT weighs ~140pounds. That's going to be a challenge for me and a teenage girl to handle given how tall my D2 is.
3- replace rear ball joint. no more knock knock knock on bumpy roads
4 - oil change. Doesn't really need it yet but I reckon its good karma to embark with a fresh oil change and filter.


Here's the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform mounted on the LWB. Rhino Rack doesn't list it as an official "fit" but honestly i'm thrilled with how it came out. I haven't decided whether to put the bulk of the overhang in the front of the truck to be more centered over the wheels (and perhaps provide an echo to the original Brownchurch #1 rack that overhung the bonnet of a Series Landrover) or to keep it as is with a slight overhang over the rear.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDRUhX8SgVo/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Senor Blanco the #rangeroverclassic got his new #rhinorack #pioneer in preparation for his upcoming camping road trip. Apparently this was the first ever fitting of this super modular platform on a LWB Classic. Thanks to #adventure.ready and #landrovermechanic for expedition prep and last minute emergency repairs respectively. #rainieradventuremachines #rovinrovers</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @rkbooth on Mar 22, 2016 at 2:36pm PDT</p></div></blockquote>

 

Time to pull off the winter Blizzaks and replace with a Summer tire. I went with a set of Duratracs as i've been really impressed with them on my 109.


Replaced the factory head unit with a used good one from Paul Grant. Great and speedy service as always, with the product as advertised.

Also finally got the window ECU fixed. It's been an Odyssey. I found a guy in Seattle that does Circuit board repair. After the first successful repair of the window lift ECU, I dropped off a 2nd window lift ecu (PRC9949), a couple of Cruise Control ECU's and a seat ECU for repair.

My tailgate frame kit showed up from the UK last week so that will be an upcoming project. I have to fly to the UK on saturday unexpectedly so might try and pick up a heated seat kit top bring back with me.

Finally, I'm still getting caught up on "deferred" maintenance. Hopefully I'll make time to replace the oil cooler hoses before I leave as they're leaking, excuse me i mean lubricating the underside of my chassis.

 

This RRC looks excellent mate! I feel like i can learn alot about this model from you and your build. Will you maintain a clean look or eventually go with the extreme rock crawler look that is so common? You appear to be alot like me with how **** you are about the small stuff, like interior bits and ends. Making sure every feature/gadget works, making sure all warning lights are resolved etc. I like that.

One thing I never understood about the RRC is its fan base... its a common and widely accepted idea to purchase an RRC and restore it. Invest so much into it. But not so common or popular to do the same on say a D1 or D2. I dont understand why folks love the RRC so much but dislike the D2 so much? All Rovers from 80's-mid 00's suffered from bad reputation in reliability and quality.

That said I do like your RRC and love how the build is coming so far. Im biased here but I hope you maintain a clean look an go with the tall skinny tires....

 

Tall and skinny is the way to go! I'm using the size that is closest to the ones used in the Camel Trophy. They work really well in all conditions but you do notice the tall side wall in cornering.

The reason I often chime in on your build is that I have OCD, and that can get expensive when combined with a Rover hobby. I recognize some of the same traits in your updates

Comparing this car to my D2, it's much simpler. No SAI, less wiring in general, no body control unit etc etc. I also like the thermostat placement.

I bought mine cheap and all maintenance had been neglected for several years so it needed everything doing. Despite this, it's been a reliable car. It gets driven daily by a 19 year old and is definitely putting up with more abuse than my D2 would. (70 mile freeway drive in 3rd gear "by accident" )

Ultimate plan for this car is that it will most likely take over from my d2 as my Overland/family camping truck. It comes stock with dual battery trays and there's so much more legroom available inside for a family of 4. My only critique is that the driving position is a little cramped for me as I have a long torso. Unless I slouch, my head is pressed up on the headliner

It'll most likely continue to evolve in a "resto mod" style, one example is replacing the 7" headlights with LED's. I'll also put an led lightbar on the roof and configure the car to accept "shore power" at camp sites like on a VW westfalia, put the roof top tent and awning on it and call it good. Well maybe not totally finished, my buddy is refurbishing a d1 transfer case for me. I'm going to replace the Borg Warner with the LT230 so that I gain a Dif Lock and I'll probably get the seats re-upholstered and the seat heater elements repaired.

I actually really like the old chrome bumpers on this model. I might add a factory brush bar and lamp guards in case of a deer impact but otherwise I'll keep the stock look.

Last on my list is adding some protection to the vulnerable areas underneath and possibly rock sliders. I haven't done any of those things yet as I'm still chasing through replacing all those old hoses and lines and making sure that the car is solid mechanically.