ex-MoD LRs for overlanding

**Chris Scott** · #1 8 Oct 2003

I know there are many varieties, but overlall, what are the advantages and drawbacks of ex-MoD 110s for overlanding?
Is 24v still around with 110 or only FFR types?
Much heavier/stronger chassis?
Is it true ex-RAF ones get little use?
Is there a single type of ex-MoD LR like a hardtop XD that's the best choice, overlall?
I know suspension is HD, bodies are higher and cushions aren't frilly.
Anything else in a nutshell?

Thanks. Fire away!

Ch

**rclafton** · #2 9 Oct 2003

Chris

Well the biggest has to be the engine - a great plodder but don't take it near sand cos the 2.5 Normally asphixiated is useless in that environment. The rest is basic landrover. No PAS to fail.

The hardtops are probabily the best, and you quite often get the wind down windows (wow) as the luxury feature

As for the rest you'll find out later this month - Can you really hear the engine over Iron Maiden :-) - let us know

I don't think you get 24 volt versions of the old 110 but I may be wrong

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Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

**Chris Scott** · #3 9 Oct 2003

Am I right that all ex-army LRs are never turbos then?

Ch

**ChrisC** · #4 10 Oct 2003

Chris

the old Green/camo 110's are all non-turbo, 2.5 diesel = gutless but reliable and easier to fix. They come with slight mods over standard 110's but not many, if any, creature comforts.
There are quite a few 24v's around.
However you can find TDi 110's, these are mainly white and have been used around bases etc, they tend to be high milers but usually like most military kit well maintained.
There have been a few Wolfs out on the market, but these are pretty rare and the prices reflect that.
I owned and have now sold possibly the only Wolf ambulance in private hands - planned to convert to a camper, but once back to the "real" (boring) world, it was not viable to keep it.
G'luck in your search.

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ChrisC

**ctc** · #5 10 Oct 2003

FYI Witham Specialist Vehicles are holding an auction for ex military vehicles on October the 24th see witham-sv.com for details.

**Roman** · #6 10 Oct 2003

>>> Is 24v still around with 110 or only FFR types?

Only on FFR types, both 90 and 110. it's a separate system, so can just be removed to leave the standard vehicle 12v system (like lights,starting etc)

>>> Much heavier/stronger chassis?

Some have HD chassis, not all. Check the contract number and do a little research.

>>> Is it true ex-RAF ones get little use?

Generally, less HD off road stuff compared to the Army.

>>> Is there a single type of ex-MoD LR like a hardtop XD that's the best choice, overlall?

The "XD" refers to the Wolf, which you'll not be able to buy yet, unless you buy a totally smashed up one from Witham-SV auctions. Hard top is obviously better, but more rare - a station wagon would be best.

>>> I know ex-MoD 110s have HD suspension, bodies are higher and cushions aren't frilly.

They have HD rear springs, fronts are usually standard. Bodies are the same height as civilian models (it just seems higher because of the HD suspension). And seats can be swapped over easily.

The majority of military core 90/110's are the 2.5 naturally aspirated 65bhp diesels, so they're no road burners, but are reliable and pretty fuel efficient. You can swap in a 200Tdi straight onto the 2.5D gearbox and engine mounts if you want more power, or get a 110 V8. The military have sold a lot of these off and hey're [fairly] cheap.

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Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

**Col Campbell** · #7 11 Oct 2003

I`d think you`d be better off with an old V8 110 than an ex-mil, NA 2.5 deisel.

What about a 3dr TDI disco, they must be the bargin buy at the moment, you get some thing comfortable, a TDI, dos`nt cost the earth and can be kitted out as a desert tourer quite easily, it certainly ai`nt a 110, but it`s probably about half the cost of a equivelant TDI 110.

Col Campbell

PS, Chris is this out of curiosity or a change from a Tojo to LR.

**Chris Scott** · #8 11 Oct 2003

Hi Col, I did the change already - but in the other direction ;-). Now I'm tempted by a 2WD project.
Someone suggested I do a bit on ex-mil LRs for the next edition, so I am.
Interesting point about old Discoverys - is because they lack a110's 'Daktari' factor or what?

Here's a question I was discussing with Mr Carnet - out on parole but walking with a stoop.
One would assume in a 2WD that engine-over-the-driven-wheels is optimal for off road traction, right?
And yet somehow the modern FWD trend of cars just does not seem right in the dirt, even with e-o-t-d-w - 'dragging' a car thru as it does.
Carnet made a good point that on the old Mercs he's run in the desert, the drive is always 'in line' with the car and so maintains momentum better, pushing it through. No drive traction is wasted on steering.
When you turn in a FWD some of that momentum is lost and so, all things being equal, you lose traction on rough terrain, even with eotdw.... Sort of made sense to us but it could just be a big lazy Mercs thing

Ch

**rclafton** · #9 14 Oct 2003

Chris

The disco factor is due to the fact that there are so many of them out there and they are now being pensioned off from the school run (check autotrader and see how many there are for sale). We've advised a couple of customers to take alook at discos for an expedition vehicle

As a disco owner I can say they are capable offroad , comfortable, reliable (touch wood) and easy to modify. With a little money spent you can build a competant desert cruiser (you don't have to spend as much as roman :-) ) that can be used as a day to day car in the UK, probabily for less than you would buy an even more tired 110 tdi but has the power to get thru sand

The interior space isn't as big but maybe that just focus's you as to what you really need to take

Slap on BFG AT's , fix the probabily tired suspension, replace the cam belt and head gasket, service it and load it.

You should cover it cos its probabily the most available 4x4 available (even cheaper than a good series iii these days ?) for desert runs

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Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

**Roman** · #10 14 Oct 2003

Originally posted by rclafton:

... (you don't have to spend as much as roman :-) ) ...

Rich, quality costs money! Don't be fooled by cheap immitations ;-)

On second thought, I should have known better before spending money on something supposed to last a decade in the Sahara, then selling the vehicle after two trips...

... has the power to get thru sand ...

Well, it does, but not without a struggle. The 300Tdi has hardly enough oomph to make it up a dune without lots of momentum. And on soft sand you can't always develop enough speed to built up required momentum.

The other disadvantage of Discos is that they are not popular locally, so you can't hope for getting spares like for Toys or Nissans.

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Roman (UK)

[This message has been edited by Roman (edited 14 October 2003).]

**rclafton** · #11 15 Oct 2003

Up the intercooler size (you must have seen that one coming)

Keep your vehicle light - talk to Toby on his 'light' carrawagon v a 'heavy' ex camel trophy vehicle

Remember - I use the same engine in a 3.5 tonne vehicle in sand and it really prods buttock !

PS Anyone looking for a carawagon - my mates v8 one is for sale

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Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

**Col Campbell** · #12 15 Oct 2003

Chris is you want more info on any ex-mil stuff post a message on http://pub105.ezboard.com/boffroaderrantpage for Bob Morrison, he is the military guru for Land Rover Monthly, and seems only to keen to help anyone out with any info, but beware of the forum it contains some interesting things and people, don`t enter unless you quite broard minded.

As Rich previously mentioned it is probably worth doing a bit of research on the Disco`s as love em or hate em, they are the bargin buy at the moment.

As for the comment about about the weight of the Camel 110s, looks like I`m in the sh*te then, I put mine over a weigh bridge the other day and it came in at 2.4 tons empty, god knows what its going to be loaded, I think 3.5 will be pretty close to the mark, the poor little 200TDI is certainly going to have its work cut out. And yes I think I`ll be paying Alli-sport a litle visit for a wee bit bigger intercooler.

Col Campbell