4 Sale '66 S2a SWB

[Always a Rover]

After another round of upgrades, Growler is working with the new Sniper EFI. Engine was rebuilt a few years ago with the 9:1 ported head, performance cam and a bigger exhaust. It all runs great, and will do 80mph no problem, but the purpose I had in mind for it has not really panned-out, I don't fish as much as I used to, and I just don't have time to keep it up as a hobby vehicle. I'd say it is worth 25K all day long, but it is in Canada, and you likely won't be coming to look at it, so make me an offer.

I've done most of the work myself, but the final assembly of the engine was done with a retired Land Rover mechanic - there was a small noise in it (rubbing) on the engine stand, so we tore it all apart and he found a small burr on one of the con rods which was touching somewhere. Anyway, I've done a ton of painstaking work to it over the years, and always go the extra mile. The list of stuff done will be long, but I'll make a start at it now, and keep adding, with picture etc...

A general history of the vehicle::the PO bought it around 2000, and someone promptly hit it hard on the front quarter. He took the insurance money, stripped it down, and put a new galvanized frame on it (which he also undercoated). He went through it all mechanically, rewired everything, and did a kind-of crappy paint-job, but the truck was in pretty darn good shape, except for the engine. It now has a few minor dents, and the paint has peeled on in a few places (brake fluid), and yeah, don't worry, there are a few things to fix-up, but this is a great vehicle.

I'm sure there is a way to upload pictures to the cloud, so will figure that out and just post a few pics here.

Body

• As-above, but both doors are blistering on the bottom (not done by PO, not sure why, but I have the repair panels)
• Has a "Lady's step" but I took it off
• Installed 100's of $ worth of sound-dampening panels everywhere
• All new window felts installed (hours....)
• I don't think you will find a speck of rust on the frame anywhere
• Locking gas cap
• New tires and rims for a nice(r) ride...
• Aftermarket fender flares, painted
• The glass on one of those front (fender) mirrors is broken, but I never use them anyway

Mechanical

• Rebuilt 2.25l (as above) bored-out, re-bearinged and painted to match the truck.
• Trans rebuilt w new bearings and synchro (twice, but that's another story)
• New drive shaft and drive gears
• New Master, one slave leaks a bit
• Re-cored Tropical (bigger) rad
• Overdrive
• Removed two springs front and back (I think). Still have the "old" ones, which were "new," replaced by the PO.
• I think it needs shocks
• Sniper EFI was another vast improvement
• Windshield washer added.
• Adjustable-height trailer hitch, wiring all good
• It makes a shuddering noise when you start off sometimes. I don't think the clutch is slipping, not sure what it is. Don't drive it much, but this was next on my list
• I might be able to source a S3 trans if you are up for swapping it out, as that was also on my list....

Interior

• The paint in the interior is really nice, actually.
• Custom aluminum console (by Mark - Series Guy)
• Full sound/heat-proofing one piece floor mat - omg, the hours to install....
• Home-made inside door panels done by PO - pretty nice tho
• Rear seats removed and all redone with expensive soundproofing mat and trimmed-off nicely - very functional
• Gun/fishing-rod/storage rack
• Driver's seat needs reupholstering (I have the material ordered, but can't find the guy's phone number)
• Cool speakers added, never got around to the radio, but have one.
• 3-point seat belts
• Gimbal-mounted cupholder (one broke off, two shown)
• Insulated head-liner front and back
• Front/Back partition - the heater loves this (repaired, but still awesome)
• One of those good heaters
• More info down below, but I put the pictures in the wrong place - enjoy the pics and read-on below them...
• (pics taken before new rad, fender flares and EFI)
• 
• Period tach, clock, voltmeter added (fuel gage reads "full" until it has about 4 gallons left, then works....)
• Door seals not the best

Electrical

• Dizzy redone by Advanced Distributors, with magnetic "points"
• Alternator - mounted using some kit so it is higher up (won't get wet)
• New fuse boxes (2); one switched, one not
• Brand-new expensive bipolar lead-acid battery
• Wired for boom crane on trailer (relay and post on bumper for +ve)

Other

• Comes with a fixed-up home-made trailer with a boom crane, all painted to match (see pics, eventually).
• LR and Haynes manuals, beat-up parts manual, books about Rovers,
• Original documentation, stuff I don't care about, but can provide more info if you like.
• Lots of spare parts - most of it is junk, but you never know....

That's all I can think of, I'll post a few pics, not sure how many are allowed on here (pics taken before new rad, fender flares, fuse boxes, and EFI).

Jim

[RPGreg2600]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see a price?

[Always a Rover]

Hi. I put it in the Intro, but I'm thinking it would be worth 25K if you could come and look it over, etc... and if satisfied, drive it home. Given that it is in Alberta, Canada, I'll do what I can (take videos etc...), but with shipping and extra risk, let's just say I'm taking offers, or the first $25K gets it (?). I might advertise more broadly, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'll likely take them.

I just got home - will go out and take some more pictures now - again, if there is something you specifically want to see, let me know and I'll do it. Find something bad I don't know about and I'm happy to reduce my expectations on the price - I don't want someone upset. If someone can help me diagnose that shuddering, to me this is the only red-flag. The clutch was pretty-much new when I pulled the engine apart, and I can't possibly see how it is worn-out and short of pulling the trans (again), if I can figure it out, I'll have it fixed.

In the end, I'll likely take the best offer.

Thanks.

Jim

[RPGreg2600]

Ah yeah, there it is. I was looking for a $ sign! I'm not in the battery for an 88, I was just curious and thought it would be helpful to have a price in the ad!

[Always a Rover]

Hi. Here are a few more pics - I know details matter, ask-away, and I'll either message you or post them on this thread. I guess electrons are cheap....

You can see where I fixed the divider - sewed it up with fishing line, then covered with un-tinted rubber paint - its good.

[loose gravel]

Interesting rack and curtain.

[Always a Rover]

Interesting rack and curtain.

Pretty awesome. Obviously I made the rack, not sure where the divider came from, but it is well made.

[Always a Rover]

Hi - the silence is deafening. Looking at other Series for sale, it looks to me like the $20K+ range is about right? Is it just the wrong time of year, or fact I am way up in Canada?? Should I put it up for sale more widely? I think so??

I always enjoy the discussions on here - a great bunch of people. Lots of practical advice and experience for the newbies like me (10-years ago), and no illusions as to the fact these are vehicles "ride like a buckboard wagaon" (someone on here said that when I first bought it), and that they always need something done. Buying a truck with good bones is the way to go, and It has been fun - I rebuilt my first engine (with help), and have had many good hours + satisfaction doing upgrades and keeping Growler on the road. The EFI is such a great improvement. I get a ton of looks driving it around in the City and out on fishing trips. Meet lots of people. I just don't have the room in my Shop or the time to putter-around on it anymore, and finding a good mechanic has proved im-possible. Oh, the stories. Plus it is hard for me to put out $100+/hr for someone to do what I could do, and still have to help them figure it out half the time. I just spent $800 having some re-wiring done (brought it back twice), and I still have to tear-apart the dash, as the lights are still un-switched.

What are your thoughts on the ad, the price, the timing....??????

Thanks.

Jim

[series guy]

This isn’t the prime place to be listing your truck. Most folks find us after they have purchased. Also many of us are stuck in the day of $2500 Rovers. Craigslist or eBay are two good places to try.

[Always a Rover]

Hi - thanks. Yes to the $2500 Rover crowd. Who wants a finished project after-all? So thanks, and I'll try to find the time to do that. I've never posted anything on ebay, or even thought about it. I thought you might suggest that magazine (I forget the name). Any other suggestions out there?

[loose gravel]

There is always Craigslist and Bring a Trailer, though BaT has seemed to have gone in the fully restored vs project direction. I admit I only look at what's posted here so perhaps I'm wrong.

[lcdcl]

My newness to the land rover sickness shows I guess as $5000 is the price of a Rover in my head.

I think ebay is a crapshoot for rovers these days their fees are near 10% (last time i sold anything). I'd try to sell on bring a trailer. The trucks that do the best there are the restorations (of various quality) and the patina trucks that run. You can set a reserve and it only costs the seller $100 to list. I agree with Gene though that projects trucks don't do as well as the restored or barn find trucks. You could also list on the BC Roverlanders forum, if you haven't already and give facebook marketplace a shot.

[80sailor]

You might also try the Rovers North forum.

[RPGreg2600]

Hi - thanks. Yes to the $2500 Rover crowd. Who wants a finished project after-all? So thanks, and I'll try to find the time to do that. I've never posted anything on ebay, or even thought about it. I thought you might suggest that magazine (I forget the name). Any other suggestions out there?

To be fair, it doesn't look anywhere close to a finished project to me, it needs a full respray, interior, and various other details addressed to make it nice.

[Always a Rover]

Hello and thanks, especially to Greg, for his honest opinion. I did kind-of rush it on here (didn't even clean it), and am going to have the seat redone this weekend, as I found the guy's number, and will be visiting the city where he lives this wknd. Maybe I'm just used to the fuel gauge, and stuff - I could fix those, and whatever that noise is. I figured someone who knows Rovers would appreciate the important stuff, like the perfect new frame, wiring, soundproofing, overdrive, excellent power and extras - that's what really matters and costs the money (I can't comprehend anyone who buys a Series and doesn't expect to have to fix it constantly). I never considered painting it, but I guess the doors are an issue which some would see dollar-signs on - I've had it for 15 years, and it hasn't gotten any worse (used to live in a wet climate), so I just consider it character. It's been on here a week now, so I'll take all of the above advice and put some time and $ into everything including the doors, except maybe the overall paint, update this Post as things progress, then advertise more widely, and maybe someone will come-along in the meantime. I think it would be better value for someone to buy it now for less, but then should be able to get... how-much for it? Seeing as it is likely going to be sold sight-unseen, it is an easier sell if the to-do list is nil (hah). How does that sound?

It's a ton of work to replace the S2 with an S3 transmission - I think I asked on here before if it is worth it, but can't remember. I've always wanted to do it. Yes? No?

Thanks and I might post it on those forums too - just in case.