Introducing . . . Grendel.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Well, reintroducing, actually. some of you might have met Louis's Series III 88-inch Land Rover in the past, and a few of you were aware that I bought it from him while Roseann was in Africa, but we kept it a secret until the first morning she was home. After showing off the remodeling I'd done on the cottage and bathroom, I said, "Um, I have one more surprise. I need to go get it." She was obviously intrigued as I disappeared down the road to our well and fired up the Land Rover. She was waiting, open-mouthed, as I came around the corner to the house, then simply walked up and said, "Move over!" Of course, having just spent two months driving right-hand-drive Land Cruisers in Tanzania and Kenya, this right-hand-drive Rover was no problem for her. And, being who she is, the fact that I'd raided our money market account to buy it while she was gone was no problem. I'm a lucky man.

So, here's the new member of the family:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/RoseannGrendel.jpg

When I bought my FJ40, 25 years ago, the Land Cruiser and Land Rover were the two final choices. I bought the Toyota on the strength of Toyota's reputation (and my experience with my first car, a Corolla), and I've never been sorry. But I always wanted a Land Rover too. Thanks to Louis's military transfer out of Tucson, I got the chance.

Now comes the fun part - repair, partial restoration, and modification, on a leisurely freelance budget.

The first issue was a horrid driveline vibration I noticed immediately. It felt like a U-joint, and sure enough, simply lifting the center seat bottom while underway revealed a driveshaft oscillating wildly. But we made it the 50 miles home, and the next day I pulled the rear driveshaft, to find this:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Driveshaft.jpg

Yikes. Worse than bad, the buggered U-joint had actually worn into the front yoke, necessitating replacement of that part. Here's the joint (no needle bearings left in it!):

http://jandrhanson.com/jh/U-joint.jpg

With this repaired, Grendel starts and runs very well. The 2.25 Rover four-cylinder motor is incredibly smooth and quiet at idle.

There are more issues, as one would expect for the price! Chiefly the normal Land Rover frame rot in the rear. Notice the rusted-through section in front of the spring hanger:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Roverframe.jpg

So a replacement frame, possibly a new galvanized unit if finances allow, is in order eventually, although I've seen mobile Series vehicles with worse rot than this. I'm not sure how long this vehicle stayed in England before immigrating to the U.S., but it's likely that's where most of the damage accrued.

Upholstery could use a little TLC too:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Upholstery.jpg

Fortunately Series seats are so rudimentary that new replacements are cheap.

So - goals? I don't plan to do any cosmetic work on the body, which has nary a straight panel and loads of character. I want to fix the frame and various leaks I was shocked, shocked to find staining the spot where the FJ40 never leaked a drop! Then a roll cage, head restraints, and three-point belts, because I won't compromise on safety. I want to find a used canvas top and door tops. After that, who knows? Stay tuned.

Oh, and, regarding the name: In the original text of Beowulf, Grendel was described as being a "member of the cursed race of Cain." Since I've owned a Land Cruiser for so long, and now added a Land Rover, the name just seemed right.

Plus, it could prove to be a monster to work on . . .

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/LCLR5.jpg

[flyingwil]

That's Uber Cool! :clapsmile

Hope all goes well with your project and at least Luis Knows his Rover is in good hands!

This one will be a fun one to follow! :coffee:

[jrsteffes]

I love the looks of the classic rovers! Very nice! Very nice! :clapsmile

[DaktariEd]

Finally I can breathe!!!
Glad the cat's out of the bag so to speak.
Can't wait to see the transformation...or will it be a transmutation?
:D
Ed

[desertgirl66]

You guys are always full of wonderful and fun surprises!! Looks like a lot of FUN to drive and cruise around in :shakin:

[+ d]

Fantastic! Congratulations, what a great addition to the family. Looking forward to watching the progress.

:coffee:

[kcowyo]

So you dub it Grendel and then find it bleeding out in your driveway? Talk about a self fulfilling prophecy.... And wasn't Cain a nomad, a wanderer?

Jonthan, I can't believe you picked up a Series III and named it Grendel!
You two are from some other world of enlightenment and cool. :bowdown:

I can't believe I'm fortunate enough to know people like this....

[DaktariEd]

I love the photo.
Looks like the Cruiser is telling this upstart newcomer just WHO the boss is...
:jump:

[Ursidae69]

Very cool! :Wow1:

[Jonathan Hanson]

Yeah, the Land Cruiser is thinking, "Every time I go near that thing it pees on the floor."

One priority is to get a proper spare on the bonnet!

[FourByLand]

She's not scared, just a bladder problem, I think it's in her genes.

As far as being shown "who's the boss" the cruiser just looks so curious about its new overseas friend.

She was a blast to cruise around in, from the Sonoita Vineyards to Chimney Rock and beyond.

Enjoy the strange way she looks at you... the cruiser will never look at you this way.

:costumed-smiley-007

[ShearPin]

Hey, congratulations - you'll never curse and love a vehicle more..... for an escape machine nothing beats the leisurely pace of a Series Land Rover to withdraw you from the rat race. Get behind the wheel and it's like throwing out a sea anchor....

I look forward to reading repair and trip reports - I've been relocated from the desert southwest and it has been a year or two since I've had desert sand under the tires. Work and family obligations have only provided the opportunity for one trip all summer - I am in need of a little vicarious armchair Series Land Rover travel.

Henry

[Brian McVickers]

Congratulations Roseanne!
Have lots of fun with your new toy!!:wings:

Jonathan could hardly contain himself when he got her.

I look forward to the stories!:arabia:

[BajaTaco]

:jump: Waaaay FUN!! Great pics too. Roseann looks kinda happy, eh? :D

Pretty cool that this special vehicle has passed through the hands of ExPo members and will remain "in the family" :cool:

[datrupr]

Happy and sad. Sad that Louis will not get to finish his restoration plans of this great machine. Happy because Jonathan and Roseann do get her and I know they will only do good by her. Congrats on a great and fun purchase, and like Chris said, thanks for keeping it inthe ExPo family guys.

[DesertRose]

:jump: Waaaay FUN!! Great pics too. Roseann looks kinda happy, eh? :

Absolutely! What a great vehicle. I'm so amazed at how tight the engine feels - it putters along like the Little Engine That Could.

Biggest problem for me is losing the automatic response to drive on the left! Though out here in Three Points land, half the drivers are all over the road anyway . . .

My main dilemma now: two project vehicles, including Cleo the 53 Chevy truck, and so little time for them all (or maybe three, since I've always wanted to do some more upgrades on our Taco). And then there's the fact we actually still need to build a house . . . Maybe Cleo will have to find another home, so we can focus on the 4x4s. Decisions, decisions. But it's fun in the meantime!

[Jonathan Hanson]

Yes, Louis fell to the charms of leather upholstery, V8 power, and compliant suspension via his beautiful Disco. It certainly must have been more comfortable on that long trip to Colorado!

Finances will decree a slow process with Grendel, but it will be fun. He just needs a top, head restraints, and three-point belts to be a perfectly viable go-to-town vehicle. The engine starts instantly and idles smoother than the Land Cruiser, I swear.

One thing I'll address pretty quickly are the tires. He's wearing an old - although perfect condition - set of bias-ply Buckshot Mudders, by Gateway. These are no longer made, so I probably can't get a matching spare. More to the point, they are 33 inches tall, which is great for clearance and gaining a bit of highway speed, but seriously abusive of stock 10-spline Series III rear half shafts. It's not a question of if, but when I'll snap one with those tires, in fact I plan to pull the longer shaft out to check for twisting soon. (On the other hand, they obviously held up fine for Louis, who is no trail poseur - he has some nice shots of Grendel playing hard.) Great Basin Rovers sells a great kit with an ARB diff and 24-spline shafts, which would be nice. I'd probably go to a 235/85x16 tire the next time around, too. Slightly smaller diameter and less driveline stress.

And, of course: oil seals! Here's a photo I sent to a few people shortly after I brought Grendel home:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Oilpan.jpg

My marketing idea for the official Expedition Exchange drip pan!

[Wanderlusty]

I can't make any promises, having just built (err....still building) a new house of our own, money is shy, but if you decide to part ways with Cleo...I may be interested. I have always loved the Advance Design body style of the 47-55 Chevy's.

I have a 1962 Bel Air I have been trying to sell, with buying a motorcycle in mind, but for the right truck for the right price....

But hoping you can keep the whole stable. I don't think there is such a thing as too many cars. Ok, well maybe perhaps there is...but I am a car guy and would love a whole stable of vehicles to suit many different needs. A man can dream, right?

Grendel is WAY COOL though. As is the Cruiser, and I am sure the Taco is no slouch, either....man, you folks sure are living the dream...in more ways than one.

:o

[edgear]

So which rig will you be driving out to the ExPo Rally? The Cruiser or the Rover? (or Cleo??)
:smiley_drive:

[Jonathan Hanson]

I don't think Grendel is quite ready for a trip that long yet. But next year . . .

[SLOwag]

It's a beauty, I especially like the skin on it showing the travels it's been on over the years. Whether you're a Rover or Toyota fan you got to love the square edges on those older rigs. Have fun on the resto'

[Wanderlusty]

I hear occasional mention of Grendel, but nothing difinitive. What's the current status?

[FourByLand]

That's awesome Jonathan!

Let's see some photos of the new wheels, I am contemplating what to do with mine.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Unfortunately the first thing really needed on Grendel was also the most expensive: a new chassis. We are working on that and I think you'll see something announced soon, along fully galvanized lines.

Now that I have wheels I need to install some tires, most likely 235/85x16 BFG Mud Terrains. And I'll now have a spare, which can assume its proper place on the bonnet.

[FourByLand]

What type of top do you think you will go with?

Hmmm, fully galvanized... I made the best decision selling to you!

We talk about the fun we had in it all the time and look forward to seeing the transformation.

[Mercedesrover]

More to the point, they are 33 inches tall, which is great for clearance and gaining a bit of highway speed, but seriously abusive of stock 10-spline Series III rear half shafts. It's not a question of if, but when I'll snap one with those tires, in fact I plan to pull the longer shaft out to check for twisting soon.

Hi Jonathan. I've been playing with Series axles for a whiile and thought I'd post this from another board:

I have done a lot of research on making a stronger replacement 10-spline axle that would drop in without changing anything else. I’ve spent a bit of money in the past few weeks testing stock Land Rover axles at a lab on the west coast and after tossing it around for a while; I’ve decided not to go through making them. Much to my surprise and amazement these stock axles are pretty darn good. Yup, you heard me say it here first! Land Rover makes a pretty darn good 10-spline axle!! Analysis of these axles really surprised me. I won’t bore you with the composition percentages but the alloy is very, very close to SAE-4140. They are thru-hardened to 380 on the Vickers scale, (equivalent to 36 Rockwell C) and have no case hardening. Not bad! I can make you axles that are perhaps 25% stronger, but at a significantly higher price that the stock ones. As you can see, it’s just not worth it. I’ll stick with making my 24 and 30-spline axles which I know are a vast improvement over stock.

The problem with stock axles is not in the alloy composition and hardening procedure, but simply the diameter. 1.1” does not a strong axle make! And most break from fatigue and not from the stresses of off-roading. Change them out every 25K and I’d bet most guys with an open diff 88 aren’t going to break many.

If you're going to stick with open diffs and 31"-32" tires, don't bother with bigger axles...Just get stock ones and change them out every few years. If you're going to lock the rear you'll want to move up to 24-spline axles. I can give you some advice on those too. :)

jim

[BigAl]

Unfortunately the first thing really needed on Grendel was also the most expensive: a new chassis. We are working on that and I think you'll see something announced soon, along fully galvanized lines.


If you are not fixing up the body why not just repair the frame, maybe make the back half out of box?

[Wanderlusty]

If you are not fixing up the body why not just repair the frame, maybe make the back half out of box?

I'd bet it is because the Hansons look at vehicle ownership by the decade, so 'fixing it right' the first time is the only choice. Ain't much wrong with the body....it's character!

[FourByLand]

If you are not fixing up the body why not just repair the frame, maybe make the back half out of box?

Was my first thought also, but it is pretty rotted in several places and there really isn't much else to the little guy once the frame has been replaced... more of an investment.

Do it right the first time and forget about it.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Yep: Right now this chassis is serving as a mouse condo. They have numerous entrances front to rear. If you climb in and rock back and forth there's a general exodus.

Jim, I plan on talking to you about axles sometime.

I plan to stick with a canvas top. Just seems to suit it. Unfortunately hoop sets cost more than tops.

[FourByLand]

Let me know when you get ready to do the top I may be able to find something for you...

:costumed-smiley-007

[BigAl]

I've never fab'd stuff galvanized before, I'm interested to see out it works for you. Post some pics as you pull it apart:)

[Alaska Mike]

"Grendel should be back in the next issue or two in a major way."
Jonathan Hanson
March 6, 2008

I know more than a few of us have been waiting for it.

[FourByLand]

JH,I need to see this machine on more of a regular basis!

[Jonathan Hanson]

Sorry. I've been, um, busy with many cool things. However, you can indeed expect a big step on Grendel in the next issue or two of Overland Journal.

Think zinc.

[FourByLand]

HA, I tried and all I could think was "lack of photos."


;)

[FourByLand]

How are things coming along?

:cow:

[Andrew Walcker]

How are things coming along?

:cow:

X2, the rumor mill is churning:sombrero:

[Oilburner]

Hi,

I am not sure what you area planning on doing with the wheels that are on the truck right now, but if they are 15s I would be interested in getting them off you. Send me an message if you aren't planning on using them (I think they are cool)

Best of luck with the Series!

[Wanderlusty]

For those of us who are not yet subscribers of OJ (I know, I know...for shame!) any chance we can get some updates....and pics?

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

A bump for 2010...

[Wander]

Looking forward to hearing about your plans for the three point belt mod-that is something on my list of things to do when(yes I said when-not if) I find out which IIa I can afford next week. As for the head restraints, are you thinking about swapping in some defender high backs or something else?

Grendel is great name and will prove more fitting than you thought for sure.

I'll have to live with mine a while and let it tell me it's name but these are trucks that need names for sure.

[Racer-X]

Any updates?

[FourByLand]

A bump for 2010...

Bump for 2011??

[pint]

X2 for 2011 bump! Please!

[Alaska Mike]

For those that are interested (who isn't?), after a little prodding Jonathan promised me there will be some activity in regards to Grendel in the next few months.

[Wander]

I'm sure he's been busy doing the things we just dream about-and getting paid for it!

[goodtimes]

I'm sure he's been busy doing the things we just dream about-and getting paid for it!

I dunno 'bout that.

He stopped by one night last week -- with a load of drywall on his utility trailer. He needed to pick up some coffee brewing stuff that I had borrowed.

For some reason I don't think "a load of drywall and coffee" are the things that the dreams of an Executive Editor are made of.

:sombrero:

[1leglance]

I dunno 'bout that.

He stopped by one night last week -- with a load of drywall on his utility trailer. He needed to pick up some coffee brewing stuff that I had borrowed.

For some reason I don't think "a load of drywall and coffee" are the things that the dreams of an Executive Editor are made of.

:sombrero:

You speak the truth Brian, many think that the behind the scenes lives of those in the Overland World are all cash & glamor..
But in reality I have seen all these folks work twice as hard for half the pay they could make doing something else. They do it for the sake of it more than anything.

[Wander]

Come on guys...you're killing my dream!:elkgrin:

[goodtimes]

Come on guys...you're killing my dream!:elkgrin:

:xxrotflma

Sorry to be a dream killer. :costumed-smiley-007

Actually, being friends with a lot of these folks has opened my eyes to the nature of small business ownership / sole proprietorship, etc. Even though I have never worked for myself, I always thought it was something that everyone (including myself) should do at some point in their life.

I no longer believe that.

Not everyone is cut out for it (I'm still unsure if I am or not). It's a tough gig that requires a lot of dedication and an extremely level head. There is a lot of BS to put up with, and a lot of uncertainty . . .

[Wander]

No doubt-I'm part of a small business and see it all first hand. Still like it better than a big corporation enviroment but that does have it's advantages.

[sinuhexavier]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs780.ash1/167000_10150167448384418_826954417_8652075_4282144 _n.jpg

The dream is alive and well, don't let anyone dissuade you. Working for yourself gives you the freedom to do whatever you want. What you choose to do is entirely up to you. Some people choose hauling sheetrock, I choose cat skiing.

[Colorado David]

Maybe some have noticed I haven't posted in a while. Maybe not. In either case I've been away from the board for a time while I work really hard at my sole proprietorship. I've hardly had time to sleep, and while I post this little bit, I'm nervous about a hard deadline. I have a bunch of stuff in the garage that I can't find the time to install on my rover. I'm not complaining, that is the nature of being in business for yourself. I have a friend who is a Brooks Institute educated commercial photographer. An art director at an agency once told him that if he'd just cut his rates in half, he could work twice as much. Check the math on that one.:sombrero:

[sinuhexavier]

I have a friend who is a Brooks Institute educated commercial photographer. An art director at an agency once told him that if he'd just cut his rates in half, he could work twice as much. Check the math on that one.:sombrero:

Seems wiser to double your rates and work half as much. No?

[Wander]

I think the phrase six of one half dozen of the other applies very well.

I'm a fan of your work Sinuhexavier.

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I bumped it for 2010, so here goes for 2012.

[Alaska Mike]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/70224-ExPo-Series-Roverpile-updates

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/70224-ExPo-Series-Roverpile-updates

Thank you Mike.