Progress Update and Future Plans

I haven't been taking as many pictures lately, just enjoying the project. I'm putting the 2A back together now so I'll be able to drive and enjoy it after so much work, uncover any problems evident in use on the road, and to make it easier to move if we do move house later this year!

I welded some bulkhead outrigger braces on yesterday. That's a job I'll do before fitting new brake pipes in future. The driver's side is very close work with new pipes so close by, but I got the job done with care. The passenger's side was easier and a better weld for having warmed up for the year on the other side first. I made them up from a length of 25x3mm angle.

I have fit the correct three-spoke steering wheel, the rear tub wiring covers, and the S3 alternator bracket I needed has arrived so I'll fit that soon and do the first run test since fitting the new water pump last year.

I've started replacing front lighting parts with a view to knocking some dents out the wings and getting them reattached. I may need to purchase new mud shields for both sides.

I am going to need new tyres before using it on the road.. some of the cracks in the current ones are so deep I don't know how far down they go. Which brings me onto some thoughts I've been having about the long-term direction of this project.

I had been planning to get new 235/85 R16 to replace what's on there today on the LWB rims it came with, but I'm starting to realise that what I have enjoyed most about working on the Land Rover is restoring its originality. Fitting the correct seats, steering wheel, the jack stop, the bands to hold the brake pipes to the rear axle, the correct brake pipe shields, the elbow strip, check straps, the grille, the plates, and so on.

Similarly, it always felt mildly wrong to put parabolic springs on the rear, and even now to fit an alternator when I know it had a dynamo originally. I want to re-fit a S2 style magna tex indicator and restore the floor dip switch to working order. All of this means.. I like to restore originality where it has been lost. So I am considering fitting original size and pattern rims and tyres, and at some point, getting that S2 indicator switch and a dynamo.

But first, I am going to continue putting it back together and enjoy driving it on the road and finding out what gremlins are hiding in the drive train - I am sure there are a few. The fun goes on.

Slow Winter

It's been a slow winter, I haven't done much on the Series 2A since the new year but now the daffodils and blossom are coming out I'm back in the garage.

I've put the seat base back in, save the tightening up once I know everything is good and aligned. The original seat belts are back in, the seat rails are painted and in place and I have a full set of 8-rib original deluxe vinyl seats too. I found the last one I needed, and outer base, in the back of a Series 1 pick-up.. which I might just meet again one day but that will be another story.

Today I put the new black and silver aluminium plates on. I like them. It's registered as a Historic Vehicle, being registered in 1969, so it is allowed period correct plates.

Pictures soon, once I've finished putting the interior back together and put the 2A 3-spoke steering wheel in. Then I'll fit the new, correct, alternator and fill her up with water to test the new water pump I fitted back in the autumn. If it doesn't leak the wings and doors will be going back!