1967 S2a SWB - Total Restoration

[Canadman]

Total Restoration... Wasn't that an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie??

So, with the snow gone and the weather cooperating for about a minute and a half, I was able to get started on tearing my baby down in the first (intimidating and overwhelming) steps towards a full restoration. One wing, the tub and the bulkhead to go and the body will be off her. I know the chassis looks rusty, but it's only surface rust so far. Been tapping it everywhere with a hammer and screwdriver and there doesn't appear to be any serious rust on it or the bulkhead. So... I feel good about that at least. She doesn't have an engine yet and I have no idea how good the gearbox is until I can get it out and inspect it. It's full of crud on the outside, but we'll see once I open it up.

On the one hand, having it apart and seeing fewer and fewer steps until I can begin putting things back on, fixing things and replacing things is giving me hope. On the other hand, seeing SO many pieces (all of which need some sort of work) sitting alongside my driveway has made me secretly cry and shale a little. My 18 year-old son is restoring his 1980 Jeep J20 pick up right beside me, so I have a helper from time to time, and his project has given me an excuse to buy even more tools I'll use on the Landy. My latest, my Milwaukee Fuel Ratchet. I'm in love with it!

I intend to keep posting from time to time, if only so I can look back and see my own progress as I go along. Hopefully, others will enjoy following the progress too. I fear every moment that I've taken on more than I can handle... and, competitive and stupid as I am, that's what keeps me wanting to continue - to prove myself wrong!

Any and ALL tips, feedback, (parts you may think I need), words of encouragement, prayers, etc... will all be gratefully accepted and appreciated. I'm attending the British Classic Field Meet in May in Vancouver and I hope to pick the brains of other Land Rover enthusiasts when I'm there. You may want to run if you see me coming!

Onward...

The pictures here are of my girl just after I bought her in the Fall (hence the snow on the ground) and a shot of her tear down over the last week (as weather has permitted - and it barely has).

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LR2.jpg

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[ANDYD]

Its awesome to see so many of these old girls being brought back to life, good for you for taking it on.

It will become part of your family and you will know it very well by the time you get to the end of your restoration.

Keep the posts and photos coming so we can all come along with you on your journey!

[Canadman]

Almost stripped. No surprises with the chassis now that the tub is off. No major rust spots. Can't wait to get the bulkhead off, pull the axles and begin cleaning the chassis up. Still intimidated and feeling way out of my depths, but with some early progress, I'm starting to at least feel I'm in the game now!

[Canadman]

So. Had intended to fill this page with lots of updates on my LR S2a rebuild. Got started and then my wife got diagnosed with cancer. It's been a tough and up and down summer, and needless to say, the LR has taken a bit of a back seat as we confront my wife's health crisis. With that said, I was able to completely clean up the chassis over the summer, picking away at it when I'd have an afternoon free. No through rust anywhere (thankfully) but few areas of damage that I felt uncomfortable keeping. So we cut those and welded new replacement parts for them, specifically front dumb irons and rear crossmember. Everything was cleaned up and painted with chassis saver. With winter coming and no garage, I'm wrapping it all up and will spend the cold months, when I have time, working on rebuilding the axles in my back shed/workshop and preparing to put together a rolling chassis in late spring/summer (there will be delays as we have to travel and be away for a few months for my wife's next stage of treatment). Hopefully more images and updates then, unless I post some axle updates over winter.

[mepham55]

Looking good! It will be a great feeling to get the axles finished over the winter and have a rolling chassis when the suns back.

Matt

[Canadman]

That's the hope Matt! You've been a huge help btw... when it's done I'll have to swing out to the island and take you for a ride. We might both be old and gray by then though, lol.

[oldgravy]

Tough break on the diagnosis, and best wishes for effective treatment and a speedy recovery.