4xpedition
Member
Last month I ventured to San Francisco to pick up a 1998 Land Rover Discovery I that I found on Craigslist. The vehicle is in "Marin County Soccer Mom" condition so it is pretty mint. After picking it up I ventured down the PCH on a solo road trip for a few days then on through Joshua Tree National park on my way back home to Scottsdale, Arizona to get her registered. Made it home without much difficulty other than one mishap where she threw up at a rest stop on the I-10 because I put too much coolant in. In typical Land Rover fashion she leaks oil like black rain. Almost thought about leaving an intervenes drip of fresh oil pouring in.
Here is what the vehicle looked like when I picked it up in SF.
Was a beautiful trip down the PCH. (couple pix)
Once home I worked to get it registered and it passed emissions with flying colors. Ordered my custom plate and we are off and running to the first phase of the build. I've named this rover HELIX. Always got to start a project with a code name. This one is 4XHELIX.
Once registered, I ran Helix to a couple local Rover mechanics to get professional assessment of the engine. Of course the list was long as expected. The vehicle has 160k miles on it and a few things have been done by the previous owner who kept it in spectacular shape inside and out.
With assessments in hand I started ordering parts which just arrived today straight from Great Britain (LRSeries.com gave me the best prices I could find.) and also ordered from Atlantic British.
Phase 1 will include seals, front and rear brakes, new steering gear, belts, gaskets, etc. I've bought a ticket to fly my bud Dan Cronin, founder of Northwest Overland in Seattle, to come down for a week later this month to help. He's got a lot of Rover experience having rebuilt several. (He's totally stoked since it has been raining there for weeks.) Met some great people on AZLRO who have offered to lend a hand, floor jack, stands, etc. This is going to be a lot of fun!
Phase 2 includes a 3" RTE lift with 16 inch NATO black wheels and 255/85/16 BFGs (I am going to have the wheels painted matte black). And also window tint. (not sure about the gearing. I may have Great Basin gears installed if needed once I give it a drive.
Phase 3 includes RTE front and rear bumpers, a winch, sliders, Baja Racks roof rack, rooftop tent, rear ladder, skid plates, gas cans and mounts, and high lift jack.
Phase 4 includes lighting, snorkel, and maybe some fender flares
Phase 5 includes a 4Xpedition branded vehicle wrap and maybe... just maybe some matching upholstery.
Stay tuned for more pix as this rig gets the juice!
Here is what the vehicle looked like when I picked it up in SF.
Was a beautiful trip down the PCH. (couple pix)
Once home I worked to get it registered and it passed emissions with flying colors. Ordered my custom plate and we are off and running to the first phase of the build. I've named this rover HELIX. Always got to start a project with a code name. This one is 4XHELIX.
Once registered, I ran Helix to a couple local Rover mechanics to get professional assessment of the engine. Of course the list was long as expected. The vehicle has 160k miles on it and a few things have been done by the previous owner who kept it in spectacular shape inside and out.
With assessments in hand I started ordering parts which just arrived today straight from Great Britain (LRSeries.com gave me the best prices I could find.) and also ordered from Atlantic British.
Phase 1 will include seals, front and rear brakes, new steering gear, belts, gaskets, etc. I've bought a ticket to fly my bud Dan Cronin, founder of Northwest Overland in Seattle, to come down for a week later this month to help. He's got a lot of Rover experience having rebuilt several. (He's totally stoked since it has been raining there for weeks.) Met some great people on AZLRO who have offered to lend a hand, floor jack, stands, etc. This is going to be a lot of fun!
Phase 2 includes a 3" RTE lift with 16 inch NATO black wheels and 255/85/16 BFGs (I am going to have the wheels painted matte black). And also window tint. (not sure about the gearing. I may have Great Basin gears installed if needed once I give it a drive.
Phase 3 includes RTE front and rear bumpers, a winch, sliders, Baja Racks roof rack, rooftop tent, rear ladder, skid plates, gas cans and mounts, and high lift jack.
Phase 4 includes lighting, snorkel, and maybe some fender flares
Phase 5 includes a 4Xpedition branded vehicle wrap and maybe... just maybe some matching upholstery.
Stay tuned for more pix as this rig gets the juice!
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