Margaret my 1975 88" series 3 was involved in an accident with a tractor last week and so I decided to rebuild her for a second time. Below are a couple of pics of the damage sustained











Day 1 of rebuild:

Started by removing the bonnet, and disconnecting the wiring loom for the wings (Its usually hidden in conduit which was removed before taking the photo



earth block removed (Ex Disco1 item)


Bonnet stay removed



Then removed the drivers side wing (Below are a few pics of the fasteners holding the inner wings in place).

Bolts going into footwell (13mm)


There is also a small bolt above the steering box mudguard holding it on too (11mm)


The bolts going into the J clips are 11mm



11mm nuts going to front slam panel (The bolts are captive)



The drivers side wing was a right PITA to remove because of how it had buckled, I had to cut an access hole out the side to get at the bulkhead bolts. The passengers side one came away lovely. Im glad i copper slipped all the bolts last time, everything came apart easily.

A shot showing the buckled dumbirons, this is the only chassis damage and it has resulted in the axle being misaligned giving me tracking issues. you can't see the damage looking head on or from above, only if you look from the side





Shot with the passenger side wing removed.



Drivers side



Next the front panel was removed, first I disconnected the bottom hose and drained the coolant into a tub. Whilst this was happening, I removed the earth wire which was attached to it with P-clips.



The 3 13mm bolts holding the panel to the chassis were then removed and the panel lifted out of the way



I was a bit bored so decided to tidy the engine up a bit, I removed the fan and the alternator and gave the front half of the block a quick first coat of eau-de-nil engine enamel (The colour I originally wanted). This is much brighter with a better finish and gives a nicer contrast to the marine blue





A couple of pics showing the axle issues







so thats all thats been done today, next job I'll do is probably remove the front axle and give that a good looking at whilst im waiting for my repair panels to turn up

If all goes to plan then Im hoping for it all to be done around new year (will be flat out during christmas break). It will also be going back in a new and improved format with a couple of mods

   Box section sills/ rock sliders
   Bulkhead and wings soundproofing
   Straight Through Exhaust
   Better Arial Setup
   CB Setup (Potentially use whip ariels on wings for both radio and CB)
   Capstan Winch
   External Sunvisor fitment
   Extra Waterproofing
   2A Maltese Cross Grille (If i can get one)
   Rear Window Locks
   Front Speakers
   Snorkel set up (Mushroom top)
   Rear Camping Table
   Make awning to clip to rear of roof rack
   LED Dash Lighting

Had though about it but cant afford it at the minute. The drums have been fine since getting the new servo though so have no issues with the brakes, they are on the agenda in the long term though as much more maintenace friendly than drums (Dont have to adjust them).

Another few long term modifications/ replacements will be a stainless exhaust and new springs

Little more progress today, I dropped the front of the axle down giving me better access to the dumbirons. Doing a mesurement between front crossmember and end of dumbiron revealed that the one dumbiron has crumpled in by 20mm which has pushed the axle back on that side which is what sent my tracking out. Also measured between the chassis spring bush and the front hangar and that measurement confirmed this so luckily no damage aft of the crossmember.

Also took off my track rod and drag links, these will be replaced by HD items I purchased. They seem much more substantial. checked all the swivels and brake bits and they all seem fine, no play anywhere and all moves freely as it should so I should be able to put the new drag links on, give everything a coat of paint and then put it all back together once i get my replacement dumbirons on. Also come up with a mighty fine idea for a jig for the replacement bits!

Pics to follow tomorrow hopefully as will get the steering relay out as well as maybe putting some new bits on but we shall see!

Also sorted wings out so all i need for the rebuild now is to buy a new screenwash/ wiper switch and dumb iron replacements.

Keep doing thee good work mate. I have stainless exhaust (fitted last month) and it sounds bluddy good to me (an item you fit and don't have to ever think about again).
Also fitted gb parabolics and can recommend them too, a much smoother ride....

Right then more progress today, I took the damaged door and sill off





Pic of the bulkhead damage, the outrigger isnt affected (its sort of bent above that)



Also fitted some new stuff today, my filler plate from rocky mountain for the transfer box



I do have the dipstick to go with it but i couldnt get the filler plug out. I'll do that when i sort the rear oil seal on the transfer box which has given up all hope of retaining fluid. While Im at the improvement for easy living stage Im debating about making a similar dipstick/ filler arrangement for the main gear box. Will make transmission oil changes so much quicker and easier.

also as promised a pic of the front of the axle dropped



all the axle mechanical bits are fine. I even had time to run the new TREs in the new drag links to clean the threads upp. In the pic below you can see the difference in thickness between standard and HD. I bought the HD set from paddocks which includes all 4 track rod ends for £65 which i think is pretty good



At the minute its looking quite good for being back on the road around new year, every cloud has a silver lining and that will be that the landy will be much improved as a daily driver than it was and its given me the chance to cary out all the jobs ive been meaning to do over the last year.

Good luck with the rebuild, hope you can keep up the positive energy (which I would have trouble with after an accident like that)! The gauges look great, I'm off to look for a few, I particularly like the clock which I am missing from the dash. Might want to add a proper temperature gauge as well, mine is a bit too modern compared to other gauges in the FC cab.

You say £50 cheaper but don't say how much.
Like these rebuild threads as gives ideas of improvements we can all do