What Did You Do With Your Rover Today?

[AdvRovr]

After a LOOOONG time searching, I finally found a genuine Safety Devices rack. Mounted my Polymax flooring to it and got it mounted to the roof. The Brownchurch on the RRC spoiled me....mounting this thing was a pain in the rear to align and took much longer than expected. But, it feels very solid and gives me a decent amount of room (though definitely less than the Brownchurch).

 

Next up, time to get the lights up there!

 

 

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[DHappel]

Looks nice.  I like the low-profile look.

 

How's the Crownline treating you?

[AdvRovr]

Looks nice.  I like the low-profile look.

 

How's the Crownline treating you?

Chaparral, but so far so good. We took her up to Berryessa over the weekend, and had been out two times prior since I gave her the RIGHT amount of oil. Haven't seen it leaking any more since then, so I'm happy. I still can't believe that guy had a full 4 extra quarts in there. From what I can tell it must have just been coming up the breathers, which were thoroughly coated in oil.

 

I do think the carb needs to be rebuilt. It's a bit tough to start when hot if I let it sit for more than 10 minutes or so, so I think the springs are too weak and flooding the engine. Also, it's got a 21p prop which makes it too sluggish from a standing start for my tastes. For the price I paid, I can deal with that without being too annoyed.

[JFuller]

Knot (See what I did there) to take this off topic but the safety chain on the boat trailer seems extra long. Any particular reason for that? If it ever jumps the ball that bow is going to eat your rear hatch and then some.

[DHappel]

Knot (See what I did there) to take this off topic but the safety chain on the boat trailer seems extra long. Any particular reason for that? If it ever jumps the ball that bow is going to eat your rear hatch and then some.

Wow - just noticed that.  It is really far back.  What's the deal with that I wonder? 

 

On the prop, what max RPM are you pulling?  I think the 4.3 should be 4400-4800 at WOT.  21" doesn't sound like too much off the top of my head but there are a bunch of different Alpha gear ratios over the years and I don't know them all that well.  I'd make sure the carb is fully sorted before playing with the prop too much, but you could also go from a 3 to a 4 blade for more hole-shot.  Keep this up and you'll inspire me to put the motor back in the Donzi and go play at the lake.  

[AdvRovr]

Knot (See what I did there) to take this off topic but the safety chain on the boat trailer seems extra long. Any particular reason for that? If it ever jumps the ball that bow is going to eat your rear hatch and then some.

 

The safety chain is all kinds of goofy and is already on my list of things to fix this winter, but I think the length is actually correct. The trailer has a detachable tongue and the chains are mounted just behind the detachment point. My understanding is that safety chains can't be mounted to any detachable part of the trailer frame, but I need to research more.

 

But, right now it only has one chain (the attachment point on the left is AWOL) and the chain is MUCH too light for the boat. My utility trailer has much heavier duty chains. The attachment point on the right also looks very weak. Oh, and it doesn't have a heavy duty clip, but rather the seller had been using a small bolt through the chain with a small nut on it to loop it back to itself.

 

 

Wow - just noticed that.  It is really far back.  What's the deal with that I wonder? 

 

On the prop, what max RPM are you pulling?  I think the 4.3 should be 4400-4800 at WOT.  21" doesn't sound like too much off the top of my head but there are a bunch of different Alpha gear ratios over the years and I don't know them all that well.  I'd make sure the carb is fully sorted before playing with the prop too much, but you could also go from a 3 to a 4 blade for more hole-shot.  Keep this up and you'll inspire me to put the motor back in the Donzi and go play at the lake.  

I think I've been hitting around 4400 max but I don't like to spend much time up there since I haven't gotten fully comfortable with the reliability of this one yet. 

 

I'm a 1.82 ratio on the OD. From what I've seen with this boat, most people seem to suggest 17 for acceleration and 19 for speed, and not really much out of that range. I fully support getting the Donzi out there!

[DHappel]

If you're only seeing 4400 with a 21", a 19" should still keep you in the recommended RPM range and certainly help the hole shot.  The spitball number I use is 200 rpm/inch, though that's for big inboards not sterndrives.  Of course props are as much black magic as science.  3 blade?  4?  How about 5?  Cup or not?  Labbed?  Big ear?  Cleaver?  The options are limitless. 

 

I'd offer to let you try one of my props but their for Bravos and way to big.  I think I have a 28" 3 blade as my last prop but I was bouncing that on the limiter so I'll have to step up when the time comes.  One of these days...the Rovers have sort of taken over all my discretionary time/money and the bikes and boats have drifted to the bottom of the interest list.  Sad actually.

[Jethro]

So I haven't been keeping up on my efforts so I'll a recap of sorts. I ordered my 3" terrafirma long travel kit in late May as well started to order tools and the what not, moved into our new home in June and shortly after the kit arrived.

Fast forward to July and Sacramento guys came by for DiTD at my place, what better way to break in a new house then leak all over the driveway. They were kind enough to bring me a cake for my birthday and more importantly their tools!

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So we pulled the Disco into the garage and began disassembling the stock setup.

Here's the view before starting
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Made great progress that night and the following night Discobear was able to come by again after work and we put another huge effort in and we had the front driver side back together.

From there I was able to do the other remaining corners. Unfortunately with work travel and having to work on after the kids were in bed it took me a full month.

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From that point I was needing some help again, so luckily Discobear was able to help me install the rear trailing arms which required finesse to connect to the body mount.

Later that week Jason was able to help me with setting the angle on the rear and then we installed the front castor corrected radius arms which was quite a PIA.

From that point I was able to tie up a couple loose ends, installed a new tie rod end as I broke one getting the radius arms off.

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I backed it out of the garage as I was afraid it wouldn't fit with the new tires on. Getting the new tires on was fun but a quick trip around the block let me know I was rubbing as to be inspected with 255/85/16s on.

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So I spent some nights trimming the fends with help from Discobear and Nick I was able to clear some space.

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After that was all set I was ready for a maiden voyage, so we hit Sourgrass trail while enjoying a weekend with Nick and family.

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Trail was great, suspension handled amazing and I was stoked to see how the combo of the tires and travel made the trail really easy.

Was my first time driving a moderate trail in a truck that requires driver input, so thanks to Nick for coaching me and sending the wife to ride with his!

Had my first trail repair as a break line came loose causing break fade and a mess! But was an easy fix.

Upon returning home some things worked themselves out and it's apparent my radiator having troubles holding a load. Ran into on the Bowman lake trip some might recall, but was super noticeable this trip. So I'll be doing that upgrade before any future trips. Nick and Jason have recently done it and had great success.

Also I'm still on the roto flex, I picked up a standard drive shaft Discobear and the attachment from Justin so just need to swap those out.

Now that the truck has been sitting and I focusing on other new home request I've started to remove the headliner. Looking to fix that plus investigate my leaks and why the sun roofs don't open.

Then last night I've picked up some type of new leak, guessing it's transmission or steering since it the reddish atf. But it's far up on the passenger side.

So really stoked and excited about the truck but unfortunately some little things to sort through.

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Edited September 16, 2016 by Jethro

[TomOwen]

Chaparral, but so far so good. We took her up to Berryessa over the weekend, and had been out two times prior since I gave her the RIGHT amount of oil. Haven't seen it leaking any more since then, so I'm happy. I still can't believe that guy had a full 4 extra quarts in there. From what I can tell it must have just been coming up the breathers, which were thoroughly coated in oil.

 

I do think the carb needs to be rebuilt. It's a bit tough to start when hot if I let it sit for more than 10 minutes or so, so I think the springs are too weak and flooding the engine. Also, it's got a 21p prop which makes it too sluggish from a standing start for my tastes. For the price I paid, I can deal with that without being too annoyed.

Nice!. I have a 19" and 17" aluminum and stainless I'd you want to try those. I'm running an alpha 1 drive which likely you are as well. LMK

 

 

 

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[AdvRovr]

Nice!. I have a 19" and 17" aluminum and stainless I'd you want to try those. I'm running an alpha 1 drive which likely you are as well. LMK

 

 

 

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I am indeed running an alpha 1.... I'd love to try those, thanks!

 

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[Rum_Ham]

Had to install some O2 sensors on the boss man's E46 this morning so I thought I might as well spend a little time working on the D2 (MacDennis). Sync'd up the cluster and the ECU to get rid of the flashing odometer, replaced the cracked tail lamp, and did an oil change. Smog scheduled on Tuesday and then she'll be legal! Can't wait to start driving this thing more often. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160919/e46738b1f2eb85c5eae16a143298e892.jpg

 

 

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[psykokid]

The weekend before at Rover Rendezvous something let go in my front diff while going up the second waterfall on Gold Mountain. Ended up having to winch myself up the waterfall and past one more obstacle on the way out. Managed to limp the truck home with the CDL locked. Wasn't heartbroken as I had an ARB third sitting in a bucket in the garage waiting to install, so this provided the necessary motivation to install it. 

 

 

Yeah, I'd say the stock diff has seen better days..

[DHappel]

Wow, the ring and pinion aren't THAT bad, but the spiders are full of Win!

[GraemeWare]

 

Yeah, I'd say the stock diff has seen better days..

 

Hard for me to see from that photo, but that looks like the the single cross pin has started to friction weld to one of the planet gears which has then spun the bearing in the casing.  The gears have suffered as a result of the 'play'.  This is common for a Rover 2-pin pin diff, and is considered the weak link in the axle (not the half-shafts as is often thought).

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

[psykokid]

The R&P are in ok shape, just the diff center has gone tits up. Like I said, I had a full third setup sitting in a bucket waiting to go in so no worries there.. My rear diff suffered the same fate so I agree with this being the inherit weakness with the two pin rover type diff. Shame that they didn't make more of the 4 pin diffs in the standard rover config instead of the P38 type..

[GraemeWare]

.... Shame that they didn't make more of the 4 pin diffs in the standard rover config instead of the P38 type..

 

Ashcroft do them, as do Quaife I believe.  And, of course, RoverWare.US can order them for customers.  Personally, I prefer adding a TBD (Torque Biasing Differential) as the extra cost is not much more and you get both the 4 pin strength and a differential similar to a Truetrac (but stronger).

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

[Rum_Ham]

The first photo to ever feature both CharDee and MacDennis at the same time! MacDennis passed smog today and will now officially become the DD. Love my little Land Rover family!

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[lunarbomb]

OEM half shaft (27mm dia.) vs Trakmotive (30mm dia). Does anyone have any experience with these? I know diameter isn't everything. $170 shipped for the pair with CVs.

 

Also, here's a pic of what came out of my old CV. Thank goodness for CDL or we would have had to take AAA home.

[GraemeWare]

OEM half shaft (27mm dia.) vs Trakmotive (30mm dia). Does anyone have any experience with these? I know diameter isn't everything. $170 shipped for the pair with CVs.

 

 

TrackMotive are just regular "aftermarket", made in China, parts.  The regular LR one is likely to be stronger.

 

I have two BMW drive shafts here, one is FEQ and the other TrackMotive (SurTrack rebranded with a sticker).  Neither are 'nice', although the TrackMotive CV looks better, the shaft has a distinct 'ridged' finish, and is smaller than the FEQ.  In this case, size isn't everything.

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

[lunarbomb]

They certainly look stout. Even the axle nut they came with are 36mm instead of 32mm. Hopefully they hold up until I can swing the Ashcroft setup. I'm realizing I'm going to have to pull the trigger on that if I want to reach my goals for next year.

Edited September 22, 2016 by lunarbomb

[DHappel]

TrackMotive are just regular "aftermarket", made in China, parts.  The regular LR one is likely to be stronger.

 

I have two BMW drive shafts here, one is FEQ and the other TrackMotive (SurTrack rebranded with a sticker).  Neither are 'nice', although the TrackMotive CV looks better, the shaft has a distinct 'ridged' finish, and is smaller than the FEQ.  In this case, size isn't everything.

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

FEQ....been there, regretted it.

[DHappel]

_{I stayed home today under the auspice of doing office work.  I did get a little done, but mostly I got the old bashed up/pieced together exhaust on the LR3 replaced with a complete cad-back stock system I got from British Recyclers.}  

 

That wouldn't be all that hard, except it's all one piece and I have two supports welded in place for my rear bumper that go under the rear mufflers.  So I had to cut them out, hang the new exhaust, then weld the supports back in.  All done, but I'll still need to touch up some paint that got burnt while welding.  And that's why I use Rustoleum instead of powdercoat.  

 

That done, I moved on to replacing my winch line.  I got the old one off but will make up the new one tonight following Brenton's splicing videos on YouTube.  I think it was about due-

 

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[NThyrring]

i replaced the radiator, air conditioner condenser, and ancillary a/c parts; after finding liquid freon on the driveway and a pin hole in the piping.

 

Now I can fight this week's heat wave.

Edited September 25, 2016 by NThyrring

[DHappel]

Got the new winch line spooled on complete with big a$$ hook.   Cleaned the air filter as well.  Made a 50' extension up out of the old line.  Also got the D1 out and hosed it down in preparation for it's debut next weekend.  

 

Tomorrow I think I'll actually clean up the LR3.  It's getting pretty scuzzy as I haven't cleaned the inside since before the Sierra run.  I should also replace the cabin filter while I'm at it.

[Rum_Ham]

Did a little bumper trimming this afternoon. Still have some clean up to do, but I'm pretty happy with it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160929/1e21d44f1880face8c2ccfa822f8e39e.jpg

 

 

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