Classic Land Rover Magazine - Mike's two Articles DEC 2019 Issue

My series entitled 'Behind the Metal Dash' continues with this article about adding two more gauges to the metal dash. Also in this issue is my trip to Wintergreen Land Rover Rally.

 

Mike's Article DEC 2019 Issue 

And this Wintergreen article in the same issue

Classic Land Rover Magazine - Mike's Article NOV 2019 Issue

This article starts my series called "Behind the Metal Dash," where I'll be discussing everything from warning lights to gauges, switches to cables,

Nov 2019 Article Link

Classic Land Rover Magazine - Mike's Article OCT 2019 Issue

This is an article about the top ten things to have in your Land Rover. Click the picture to read it.

 

Classic Land Rover OCT 2019 Article

Classic Land Rover Magazine - Mike's Article - SEPT 2019 Issue

Here is my latest article in the Sept 2019 issue:

 

Classic Land Rover Sept 2019 Issue 

Classic Land Rover Magazine - Mike's Articles - JUL 2019 Issue

Two articles just published.  Download the article as a pdf file by clicking the cover or link below.

Article 1 El Segundo

Article 2 Apartment Living

I hope you like these articles!  Please comment below.
Mike

Two Essential Gauges for Your Land Rover

I just installed two additional gauges in my 1970 Series IIA Land Rover.

Due to the lack of available space on the metal dash, I opted for the small 2 1/16 inch (52mm) gauges:

1) Lucas voltmeter
2) VDO tachometer

I selected these for their style which fits with the Series IIA look.

I purchased my Voltmeter from Nisonger Instruments here:

http://www.nisonger.com/XKE%20Replacement%20Gauge.htm

Scroll down to the bottom of their page to see the gauge.  Peter at Nisonger was super helpful answering my questions and telling me about the options and the install process.

Finding a tachometer in the classic style and one which operates within the range for my engine was a challenge. VDO had the right tach which goes only to 4000 RPM's, which is what you need.  Why?

For a Series Land Rover, you don't need a 9000 RPM tach. That is for race cars. You'll never go that high and you'd have less needle movement to see on the gauge face if your tach range is too high for your vehicle.

I got mine on Amazon with free Prime shipping:

VDO Tach

https://amzn.to/2D6yZ8C

To install these, you'll need a gauge panel. I bought this small one to fit under the steering column:

Gauge Panel

https://amzn.to/2YZwMF2

Be careful not to install too close to the front of the dash or you can't slide the gauges in due to the lip of the lower dash blocking the top of the gauge panel. The gauge panel includes tiny sheet metal screws which work fine.

About the instruments:

Out with the old: The old ammeter on the Series Land Rover is useless when broken, but it looks reassuring because it's always in the charging zone. Only when I replaced my alternator did I realize my ammeter wasn't even connected. When the ammeter is connected, ALL of your electrics run through it, so if it shorts or fails, all of your electrics in the car go out. You are dead in the water.

In with the new: The voltmeter is way more useful, and tells you the voltage of the battery when car is not running (ignition key clicked on without engine running). With engine running, you can clearly see that your alternator is charging and what the range is. You always can see the electrical load you are using too, engine on or off.  So it's recommended.

RPM's good to know: It's important to see your RPM's at different engine speeds and when shifting. The VDO tachometer is super easy to install, and I simply hooked up one of the wires to an extra spade on my ignition coil. It worked perfectly as soon as I connected it, and it's accurate. The tach packaging does not come with any instructions, so you have to go on VDO's website, find your tach, and download the 2 page instruction sheet. It's here:

https://www.vdo-gauges.com/vision-black-4-000-rpm-2-1-16-tachometer-12v.html

These are excellent directions, easy to follow, and they show set up, step by step, and sheet has great illustrations and diagrams. I was very pleased with it. If you have any questions, call the 800 number on the VDO website and they are very helpful.  I had a question about the bulb that slides into the back and they were super helpful.

Don't forget to check out the shirts on  www.Rovershirt.com

Thanks for reading!
Mike

The Land of the Land Rovers

Here is an inspiring video.


Don't forget to check out the shirts on  www.Rovershirt.com

Land Rover Repair Video Windscreen Washer

Here's a quick video about my windshield washer fix for my 1970 Land Rover.


Don't forget to check out the shirts on  www.Rovershirt.com

Mike's Land Rover Repair YouTube Videos

Here is my playlist of a few repairs I've made.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRnzdtQ9Wf0hznM7YpALue8zGu675ib23

Click Here

Series IIA Land Rover - Rear Door Check Install

Here is how I re-installed my rear door check.

This is a 1970 Series IIA. The rear door had an aluminum chequerplate sheet over it , so I had no access to the original channel for the door check rod. That channel is not available as a part and is integrated into the door frame.

I bought a new rod, and then figured out that I could buy a ready made channel for it buy getting one that is made for the Defender. It fit perfectly!

I bolted it on using a hex head bolt, lockwasher and nut on the closest hole because there was already a hole through the door for this (holding on the aluminum chequerplate).

I used hex-head sheet metal screws for the other attaching points because I did not want to drill all the way through the door in order to use bolts.  The stress on the channel is sideways, so I feel that the sheet metal screws are sufficient.

Don't forget to check out the shirts on  www.Rovershirt.com