Land Rover 2A 109 **** V8**** 1967 Land Rover Defender Range Rover

1967 Land Rover Series 2A

The vehicle is a 1967 Land Rover Series 2A US model. The vehicle was owned by a reputable land Rover Mechanic, where he owned this beauty for approximately 40 years, before he decided to bring her back to life, as a show-room car. He spent & invested 10 years of his love and labor, restoring this beauty by the name of Matilda from ground up, with extreme love into details and custom fabricated parts, which looks like OEM inside and outside. Later due to health issue, the owner sold the vehicle to a gentleman in Pasadena, CA where he updated the transmission to a brand new Series 3 Land Rover Transmission + Transfer Case & Parking Brake assembly and also updated the cooling system.

In July of 2018 I purchased this vehicle from the individual in Pasadena. Upon purchase, a reputable Land Rover mechanic shop, went through the entire car, inch by inch. I decided to change all the oils (engine, transmission, front and rear driver axel, Differentials and brake), seals, filters, spark plugs, coils, rotor, thermostat, Alternator Belt, Throttle cable, fuel filter, and fuel pump, two new batteries, and rebuilt the transmission as it was leaking due to seating around for a long time and updated the sound system.

I have all the repair receipt available.

Modifications Summary:

Mechanical: 3.9L Range Rover V-8 w/SU carbs, Ashcroft Hi-range transfer case kit, Salisbury rear axle, D-90 front disc brake conversion kit with S3 dual circuit power brake conversion, Power steering, front A/C, F&R heat
Electrical:New Alpine Bluetooth AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo w/ 2000 Watts amplifier, F&R speakers, wired for Cobra CB, Hella Driving and Fog lights, Hella rear work light, Lucas map light, extra Smiths gauges (tach, oil pressure, volts, and clock), 100 amp alternator, master battery cutoff, dual battery tray,12vdc outlet in center console, dual reverse lights, hi-mount rear Lucas turn/stop lamps
Body/Interior/Frame: fender flares, custom external cage, roof rack, ladder, rear spare tire swing away carrier, galvanized PSP mats, HD front bumper w/over-riders, custom rear bumperettes, engine skid plate, transmission skid plate, front seat console w/cup holder, overhead F&R consoles, rear side aluminum tool box, custom aluminum door cards (panels), custom factory style dash panels (A/C & heat) with formed edges. Frame F&R outriggers are triangulated, engine mounts modified for V-8, front cross member replaced and moved forward for clearance, bushings through welded in frame for power steering.
Driving Impressions: It starts at the very first application of the starter every time summer or winter and runs, sounds, and drives as if new. The engine's low HP/torque has worked well with the transmission and it is much more relaxing to drive than before.The metallic crispness of the shifter when changing gears is a really sweet sound to a gear head like me (Sound like a shotgun going in place).The D-90 disc brakes are every bit equal to my 40 year newer FJ Cruiser. Very strong and well-modulated - light years ahead of the original all drum single circuit system. A/C cools the front passengers quite well with 5 vents -F&R heat makes the big interior almost toasty.
Updates:Somehow, during the rebuild process, I managed to eliminate all the rattles, squeaks and water leaks it had before. Now you can cruise at 60-68 mph with the stereo on, AND hold a reasonably normal voice level conversation with someone sitting next to you. (If you own one of these vehicles you probably don't believe that last statement - but it's true). You need to drive this vehicle - it's almost civilized now.
Rebuild Detailed Description

Body/Frame Paint: All body parts and frame chemically stripped to bare metal. The frame was also sandblasted and "dressed" by grinding and knocking off all factory weld splatter prior to painting. All body panels were painted separately then clear poly tape was used for all steel/aluminum interfaces.
Paint Schedule: DuPont acid prep for steel or aluminum, DuPont Alodine conversion coat (cold chem. anodizing for all aluminum parts), DuPont Corlar Epoxy primer, and DuPont Imron color coat applied to all body panels, frame, suspension, axles, shocks, winch, seat back panels, interior window trim, and door pulls. Painting was done to reveal the factory spot welds as original.
All galvanized parts were re-dipped and many other small brackets, bonnet frame, side steps, rear ladder, roof rack, etc. are also galvanized. Most body bolts are original and were re-plated w/electro less nickel to closely match orig. finish.
British Whitworth H/W plated w/electro less nickel. Nylock nuts replace original spring washer/nuts throughout. S/S screws replace factory screws where practical. S/S bolts used for external cage, roof rack, and ladder. All suspension bolts, spring U bolts, frame bushings and floor screws are new LR factory pieces

Front bumper is HD reproduction byIke @ Pangolin 4x4. The exterior cage assembly is custom made to resemble the 1993 NAS D110. It attaches to the front firewall, center tubular brace and rear frame outriggers. Roof rack bolts to exterior cage with 15 S/S bolts.
All glass is original except for new LR factory heated front windscreens.

Rubber Parts: All rubber parts have been replaced throughout without exception.Door seals are LR factory (I used LR blind rivets for installation instead of the original solid type).
Sliding window channels are new using s/s screws.All body rubber pieces were replaced with new LR genuine factory parts. (Side step rubber covers are cracked a bit - English rubber...)

Suspension/Axles/Steering/Brakes: Front axle is fully rebuilt with hard chromed swivel balls, new kingpins, railco bushes, u-joints, and all bearings/seals are new. Factory leather gaiter boots are installed on front swivels. HD factory shocks w/new LR springs (individually painted leaves/poly tape insulated). Steering tie rods are H.D. 1 3/8"x1/4" DOM steel tubing w/welded bungs threaded 11/16" BSP for factory tie rods. Rancho steering stabilizer. Front hubs are rebuilt Warn M-11.

Rear axle is a 1 ton Salisbury (4.7:1) supplied byBill Davis @ Great Basin Rovers. All seals and bearings replaced. ARB cast iron cover plate. Factory rubber boots on driveshaft's F&R. HD factory shocks w/LR factory pickup truck springs (harder than SW springs).The drive flanges are original and have some wear.(I'd recommend replacing both axles and flanges with new HD GBR items if doing hard 4wd work).
An International Scout II power steering box is installed. It is driven by a new RR power steering pump on engine. The frame was modified w/welded bushes through the frame for mounting the steering box. Box has a new seal/bearing kit and doesn't leak, but it should be sent out for a rebuild because it has play in it on center.
Brakes are Defender 90 (12" vented/cross drilled rotors w/4 piston calipers) in front w/11" 6cyl. Rear drum brakes. Every single component is new. Factory original cast iron master/slave cylinders throughout ($$). New rear drums, shoes, springs, and adjusters. All brake lines are new w/stainless braided flex lines (Goodridge). Brake pedal is LR series 3 w/new vac. boost servo. Series 3 109" dual circuit master cylinder. (Note: front brake kit was sourced from RN and included HD replacement swivel housings and hubs). Brakes are superb with excellent modulation.
All 6 tires are new Firestone Destination M/T 235-85/16 size on original factory rims.Wheel spacers used to widen track. Converted to later style factory 1 1/16" lug nuts.
Engine: Engine is a fully rebuilt 1992 3.9L Range Rover V8. Dual SU carb setup and 8:1 compression was built for reliability not power. Estimate about 110-120 hp @ 165-185lb/ft torque.
RPI Englandsupplied the engine/trans. adapter housing, new valves, valve seats, guides, lifters, rocker shafts and rocker arms. New parts also include RPI micro-polished std. size crankshaft, carb camshaft, roller timing chain kit, all bearings/seals/rings and composition head/valley gaskets with new head bolts.
New oil pump w/Flotec remote bottom plate accommodates remote filter and oil cooler (plumbed w/AN-10 stainless braided hose)
ARP rod bolts, ARP main cap stud kit along with line honing, rod resizing and engine balancing completes a combo that doesn't overpower the drivetrain.The pistons, rod, and main bearings are all std. size.
Mallory electronic distributor and coil. HD dual pass aluminum radiator w/silicon hoses. Full S/S exhaust system w/ceramic coated exhaust manifolds. Factory hand crank starter dog is fitted.Engine was built too much higher assembly standards than factory and runs perfectly, looks good, and doesn't overheat or leak.
Fuel System: The carbs help to limit HP output and are 1 3/4" SU type mounted on a LR manifold made in 1969 - fully rebuilt.
Fuel system is plumbed w/stainless AN-6 hose end to end w/Aeroquip hose ends and proper AN/BSP fittings for new dual SU fuel pump and the sediment bowel.
An inline fuel filter is installed.New fuel tank, gauge, and sending unit.Earlspush on fittings at tank and carbs.
Transmission/Transfer case/Clutch/Winch: The transmission is the series 3 original model which has synchro on all gears. It is generally considered the strongest of the Series gearboxes. It has been fully rebuilt to new specs, when change to series 3 style. Every gear set (1-4, and reverse), countershaft/gears, main shaft, all bearings, thrust washers, and 3/4 synchro assembly were replacedwith LR factory fromRovers North. Transmission sounds, works, and shifts like new and the low HP engine doesn't seem to push it too hard.
The transfer case has all new gears/bearings/shafts/seals as well. Custom Series Trekaluminum bottom plate. Ashcrofthi-range conversion unit allows for good top speed. Speedo is accurate to about 1-2 mph according to GPS and it cruises 65mph @3700rpm. I have not pushed it to the top speed, but at one point I noticed I was doing about 73mph in free.
Clutch assembly is 9.5" S2A mounted to RR flywheel. All parts new. New clutch shaft coupler, bronze bushings, cast iron CB master and slave w/Girling remote bottle. Flex line Goodridge S/S braided hose.
PTO and winch assembly were completely rebuilt and the winch cradle was galvanized. Winch cable is new 1/2" steel wire rope w/swedged hook eye and thimble. PTO lever (blue) is custom made and mounted next to the hi/low selector levers inside. Transmission mounted PTO provides 4 forward/1 reverse speed ranges to winch.
Electrical: Electrically, everything was replaced using new Lucas factory parts (all toggle switches, relays, volt stabilizer and sending units).A custom wiring harness was constructed using British color coded wire with Lucar terminations and plastic boots exactly as original. Some parts (heat controls, washer bottles, and wiper motor) are new MGB & MGC parts. Attention to detail has resulted in a 100% reliable and functional system(it helps thatI worked on British cars for many years and know their electrical systems well).
Shrink tubing is used at all points where harness tape ends on a wire bundle. All additional circuits are built to factory specs and an extraLucas fuse block is utilized (All fuses are proper Lucas fast blow type). All terminations crimped and soldered. Wire, terminals, and clear plastic boots supplied byRhode Island Wiring. All wiring is insulated w/rubber through-hole grommets and rubber cushioned Adel clamps are used throughout.
Fuel and water temp gauges and sending units are new. The speedo is original. New Smiths tach, oil press, voltmeter and clock added to dash. Additional dash panels are constructed from alum. To orig. factoryshape - all dash panels painted w/Blk.Wrinkle paint.

F&R 2 speed wiper motor/washer upgrade. 2 speed front Smithsdual blower motorsfor heat and a/c upgrade. Smith's blower for rear single speed heat system.

Front fog lights, driving lights, and rear work light are Hella w/Hella relays. Dual reverse lights w/extra set of roof mounted Lucas brake/turn lamps. Galvanized factory wire mesh guards are installed on all exterior turn indicator/brake lamps F&R.
Vehicle is wired for a Cobra CB (not included). Alpine Stereo with Bluetooth AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo powered by a 2000 watts amp and 6 speakers mounted in the roof consoles - 4 in front (2-twiters & 2 2-way, 2 in rear (3-way 6x9). RAM ball mount for handheld GPS (not included) mounted in upper center of dash.
2 10 ga. galvanized battery box under passenger seat can hold 2 batteries. Master battery cutoff mounted in seat box. The 2 batteries are new. New 100 amp alternator. New starter. All Battery cables fabricated from 0ga. pure copper stranded welding cable - crimped and soldered terminations

Interior: The interior has new ExMoor front factory style seats with a rebuilt original rear stadium bench seat. Custom door panels are made from .063 alum sheet covered in 1/4" closed cell foam. The orig. fastening spring clips are riveted to the door panels and the panels look and install as factory originals. (I left off the arm rests/map pocket because I didn't like them).
Grey vinyl seat and door material is used by Jaguar for trim work and is very high quality. It and the Mercedes Benz light grey perforated headliner were sourced fromBill Hirsch in N.J. Front foot wells and firewall/tunnel are covered with British Everflex (Hirsch). Floor mats are ribbed rubber with removable carpet in the rear and back seat areas as well.
LR pioneer tools mounted on side tool box w/galvanized H/W. Additional tools mounted to back panel of rear passenger seat. Tools held in place w/leather straps and LR button fasteners. All tool boxes lined w/nylon carpet or ribbed rubber.
Roof top, inside firewall, and doors are lined w/soundproofing insulation. Seat box underside lined with foil backed bubble wrap for heat insulation. S/S heat shields (1/2" standoff) on both front foot wells.
All switch labels are custom made to match original style and are labeled including all extra feature switches (Black w/white lettering painted w/clear Imron for protection).
Custom front air conditioning system uses a factory RR compressor with a dual blower arrangement. It looks discrete and uses the original air distribution box w/5 outlets. This is an R12 system w/2700cfm electric engine fan activated by a/c and/or engine temp. Air vent registers silver cad. Plated w/chrome registers and chrome plated gear shifter/4wd selector shafts compliment the "deluxe" interior theme. All 4 passenger doors have interior locks and front door, rear door, and ignition switch are keyed alike. Seatbelts F&R are new static LR factory original w/galvanized H/W.