88's first road trip since '94

[davran]

My 88 hasn't been on the road since 1989, except for one trip to a new owner's farm in '94. Since then he's been run around the farm a few times a year.

After a pretty major tune up, I drove from Sidney to Duncan and back, over the Malahat -- 1,200-ish foot climb -- to deliver a comfy chair. Roddy ran amazingly.

Observations: ear plugs are mandatory at 'speed'; 90kms by my gps was a good cruising speed (the speedo is all over the map) I had to shift to third only twice each direction; the old, bias-ply tires stopped bumping and smoothed right out half way through the trip; the interior gets very warm.

Also, it's like driving a parade float; kids love these things. I don't quite understand why, as Series LRs were seen in documentaries when 'we' were kids, but what associations do children in north america have with them?

A succesful, first run :)

[davran]

My only concern is that the leafer suspension and seats are a rough combination.

[island dormy]

Hi David

Congratulations on the trip over the Malahat their are folks in modern cars who still seem to be afraid to come over it to Duncan,
I too think 90 kmh is a good speed for a series over that the noise gets a little uncomfortable. I kind of noticed at the Sanichton acres show that your leaf springs could use a good oiling. That may help the ride a lot.

Talk with you later Victor 1962 Dormobile

[davran]

Thanks, Victor. Re-arching the rear springs and lubing them are next steps.

[rayhyland]

What's the best/easiest way to re-lube leaf springs?

[Dave_F]

What's the best/easiest way to re-lube leaf springs?

You can just use old engine oil and a brush, or moo it also works, but reapply after driving. You Have heard of people wrapping them as well.

I am sure there are other ways but the above is what I used to do on my series.

Don't use WD 40 as it doesn't last.

[rayhyland]

Is it possible/effective to squirt the oil in from each end on a regular basis, or do you need to pull the leaf-pack apart?

[Dave_F]

Unless they have rusted into a solid pack..just keep an eye on them and when you note that the oil is gone put some more in. Brush or squirt along both sides and you should note a difference.

[Rob]

It took Land Rover about 20 years to figure-out this problem of harsh rides on series trucks.... their solution was call the Range Rover :mrgreen:

Couldn't resist... glad to hear you had a good trip over the Malahat :)

Rob

[davran]

Yeah, my D2 with the boingy springs had a much better ride...

I went over the Malahat again today, and didn't even need to shift-down into third; Roddy's getting "looser" and "faster" with some use.