DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Old Leafsprung Land Rovers
HTML https://ollr.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Members' Motors
*****************************************************
#Post#: 14348--------------------------------------------------
Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Landyphil
Date: March 7, 2012, 2:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Thought it was time I transferred/ tidied the trialer thread
from the old forum.
So...I'd get comfy. :)
This is the story of how a normal series 3 started life as a 2nd
vehicle for the local doctor and ended up as it is now....
It all started when I wanted my first car (at 16) ready for when
I could drive. Conversations with my dad went along the lines of
"If you get a car then good luck I ain't fixing it whereas if
you get a landy we'll give it a go". Which was enough for me as
dad used to work for Land Rover and we've always had 1 or 7
hanging around.
A local GP had retired and sold his 88" series 3 station wagon
to a stone waller....who didn't do it any favours... Fed up with
it breaking down (due to some old fuel he'd put in) he sold it
to me. :smile1
After a fuel tank and line change it became my student
transport. After a while some 235/85 Grabbers (Road tyres) came
up along with some early Mach 5 rims. The Mach 5's I bought off
a bloke in the Manc area with a Simmbugghini! This was before
the Elton brigade had taken then into the fold. What's more got
the lot for £100. The result was something to haul me+ gear + DH
bike to uni and around to bike races etc:
And here it is:
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/landyartic.jpg
Which was great but then the dark side set in in the form of
rallying and the landy was consigned to the barn to make way for
satan's hatchback:
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Citroen4.jpg
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Citroen1.jpg
This was one very modifed , quick and spectacularly unreliable
road rally car. But I got the rallying bug ingrained next to the
offroading bug. :D
Once that had finished off too much money I decided I wanted the
landy back. Trialing was cheaper so the landy was pulled out of
the barn and was set to.
I should have really just binned the chassis but instead spent a
fortune welding it up (I couldn't weld then) and on went Grizzly
claws, long travel Pro Comp's Rocky mountain springs and a few
other bits:
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/landyshocktest2-1.jpg
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/landyshocktest1-1.jpg
And I started RTV'ing with the local clubs. I soon put a small
dent in the tropical room and thought as it's now a toy I should
truck cab it and a mate found a Truck cab and basic cage. I also
had some redished rims made for the front and did everything
possible to get more lock out of it! I even skimmed the head of
the retaining bolt on the swivel seal!
The paint was getting a bit scratched so I painted it blue and
off we went doing quite a few RTV's (quite a few with north
Lakes 4x4 which can be quite rough!)
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/rebuild2.jpg[/img]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/DSCF1890sml.jpg
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/threlkeld4.jpg
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/grizedale2.jpg
After a few years the engine was getting a bit tired as was the
bulkhead and even bits of chassis. Never the less it got entered
in the Cumbria Classic Caper Historic Rally up against Mini's
and Escort's
(and this:
HTML http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dhb9rYkvxIs
HTML http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dhb9rYkvxIs
Bob wilson's nutter V8 80.)
We didn't beat Bob but did beat quite a lot of proper rally cars
(on the slippy tests we crucified 2wd stuff) just on tarmac we
sort of wobbled round...
And so the landy was once again put into my garage and the work
started on building a Historic Rallying Landy. I coveted Adriam
Loxam's racer greatly which as it now turns out was just fate
playing a waiting game.
Annoyingly I actually got my MOTable exactly 1 week before we
found our dream cottage.... This was it ready for another coat
of now green paint (trying to keep it to manufacturers colours)
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000194.jpg
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000188.jpg
It now had a galv chassis, 97 defender bulkhead , 2nd hand
Bettaweld cage and new 5 bearing engine with less than 28k on
the clock. Sadly while sat one of the layshaft bearings stuck
and the gearbox was on a short life.
We managed to get the dream cottage but it needs work and money.
So now I was left with a Historic rallying landy that I couldn't
justify the cost of rallying.
SWMBO said I couldn't sell it so I set to converting back into a
trialler again. Only this time for CCV work. We'd recently got
the G4 110 and I'd bought an accident damaged plant trailer and
rebuilt it. No need for it to be road legal!
I remembered how annoying it was to be constantly running out of
lock when I was trialing. And had already started making a range
rover axle onto leaf springs.
The parabolics I'd sold on as I didn't need them for rallying to
it was a case of make do with lr springs:
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000352.jpg
And so the trialer build continued. After doing one CCV with no
power steering I decided not again so more work was put in!
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/DSC00122.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/DSC00120-1.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/DSC00126.jpg[/img]
The Spec was as follows:
88" Series 3 Truck cab
Galvanised Chassis
Bettaweld ARC cage.
2286cc 5 bearing engine with straight through exhaust and back
to front zenith carb (for those steep climbs)
1989 Vogue Front axle converted to leaf springs with inverted
front shocks.
Rear leaf springs stripped, carbon disc polished and rebuilt
with less leaves.
Longer travel monroe rear shocks.
1 ton shackles all round.
Diff guards F+R + Dan bars,2 belly plates and a rear cross
member skid plate.
235/85 Grizzly Claws on front on Austin LD van rims (soon to be
replaced with re dished 109 rims)
265/75 Special Tracks on rear on 7x16 modulars.
Range Rover Power steering box with 90 column pump and linkage,
Fuel tank replaced with Kawasaki ZZR1100 item in the rear.
Battery also in the back.
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/haverthwaite208.jpg[/img]
Had a few issues early on like sliding sideways into a tree and
smashing the dash and nearly smashing my groin! :shock:
Before:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/HaileTreebefore.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/HaileTree.jpg[/img]
Still taped the dash up and carried on:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h9DPHJls6sY
Decided the softening springs were getting too soft so
parabolics and longer travel shocks were fitted:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000935.jpg[/img]
Dan bars had also gone in bending them as well. Normal track
rods are a joke.
I then got an old Salisbury casing for free and whipped the feet
off it:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000958.jpg[/img]
Welded them to a 300tdi disco axle:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1000962.jpg[/img]
And now the rear track was widened.
I'd also got out the pot of blue paint again.
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1010032.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1010031.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/P1010030.jpg[/img]
It was getting better as events got on:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01288.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01289.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01299.jpg[/img]
This site was is as soft as hell in bits...seen here pulling out
a coiler special
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01303.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01280.jpg[/img]
That said had my own highs and lows:
Good:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P7H0h7Q30Y
Bad.... (not even on section at this point!)
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBfLgeceSC0
Chap sitting in was a bit quiet for this section after the bloke
in front did this:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01311.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/DSC01313.jpg[/img]
Recovery being interesting with 3 ropes together to find enough
grip for a trialer:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x2ntXvHJS0
Bit of difference between my mates 88 and mine! (Do like that
motor!)
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/P1010046.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/P1010048.jpg[/img]
Had a fun time in the afternoon (and getting it back on the
trailer..)
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/P1010054.jpg[/img]
As it'd sheared a leaf pack pin so the front axle could steer
itself by some amount! Still a 2nd wasn't bad with it jumping
out of gear all the time as well.
(Notice slide marks on the spring!)
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Kirkstone%2009/P1010055.jpg[/img]
I'd noticed that the Grizzly claws were clogging a lot more than
the special tracks...so I bought a pair on some new rims and put
them on the front with a slight more offset than the rear.
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010422-1.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010425.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010438.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010418.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010451played.jpg[/img]
Double driven with a mate at an RTV to get him back into it.
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010464.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010467.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010495.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010497.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Haile%202010/P1010514.jpg[/img]
Had some good times on some great sites by now I had a 1 ton
gearbox that I'd got out of another trialer who'd sheared the
front of the transfer box off! Repaired and works just fine!
I'd also been given a giant Solex by a fine gentleman in the
club. Carb needs a mixture winding up a touch but not bad at
all.
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0019.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0008.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0009.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0052.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0053.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20Bootle%20CCV/IMAG0064.jpg[/img]
I did one of the big championships which left went badly. Every
tree that had to be slid past got caught on my cage and in the
end the front panel work was looking poor.
[IMG]
HTML http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy343/CROCWEB/2010%20NTL%20Cartmel/DSCF2018.jpg[/img]
A plan formed to make it look a bit different to this:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/MayTrial.jpg[/img]
Arches were clipped out and new panels on in some cases. New
fuel tank when in the back which as it turned out began to make
sludge as soon as petrol went in.....need something else and
smaller I reckon.
This was as far as I got:
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/IMG_1157.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/IMG_1165.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/IMG_1520.jpg[/img]
Dark times occured when rover number 5 a semi space framed V8 90
was acquired. Soon trials were being won outright and the
trialer was consigned to storage.
Recently it has been on my mind that I should maybe rebuilt back
to standard or as a spare for the racer. Experience of the
boingy showed that it wasn't so much power or suspension travel
that got the wins it was the way that the power could be used.
Even a 2286 petrol will get parabolics "tramping" so anti tramp
shock arrangements will be needed.
I began to question is it worth it and maybe I will just keep it
for spares.
But I realised that the old hillrally suspension on the racer
was VERY soft and the dampers were even longer travel and softer
valved than the trialer which had as near as dammit new Monroe's
on.
Some swappage has occured and combined with moving the trialer
round it's rekindled my appreciation of what it is. I built it
for trialing and at some point it will trial again.
And as usual it will be a bit better at trials (and hopefully
closer to the boingies) than last time.
Should I make any progress I'll add a few more pics.
#Post#: 14371--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: vidal130
Date: March 7, 2012, 2:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Great thread this! 8)
#Post#: 14393--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Luke
Date: March 7, 2012, 3:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Brilliant!
#Post#: 14419--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Lightweight Nat
Date: March 7, 2012, 6:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Really good read, proper interesting seeing the evolution
process so concisely like that, thanks dude!! ;D ;D
#Post#: 14426--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: mick swb
Date: March 8, 2012, 1:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great stuff
#Post#: 14762--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Dengieboy
Date: March 10, 2012, 4:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Fantastic reading as always Phil ;D
Just a quick question about your bottom shock mounting
(brilliant idea), what size die did you use? as some of my
bottom plates are so worn its hard to get a true measurement,
thanks.
HTML http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o208/landyphil/Series%203%20Rally/IMAG0113.jpg
#Post#: 14818--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Landyphil
Date: March 11, 2012, 3:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry but i genuinely don't know! Those bottom plates came
with the racer. One thing I have made before and sold,
regrettably is the cross of plate steel on the bottom of the
spring plates as per the racer. I'm going to make another set
for the trialer as the one thing I didn't swap over suspension
wise was the bottom plates.
They really help stop the bottom plates catching and hooking up
on the ground.
#Post#: 15201--------------------------------------------------
Re: Evolution of the Series - My Trialer
DIR By: Redgy
Date: March 13, 2012, 10:15 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Grate thread, really interesting and excellent pics.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1