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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Rovers North, Our 24th Birthday Party at Silver Lake, Ontario, was blessed with super weather, great attendance and enough mud to wear with pride. We are writing on behalf of everyone who attended this year’s event to thank you for your generous donations and continued support. Having a successful fund raising auction is key to continuing our club’s annual traditional premier event. Jean-Leon Morin, President David Pell, Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Newell, Off Road Coordinator Ottawa Valley Land Rovers Carp, ON Canada [Rovers North congratulates you and your organization for another sterling event. It’s a highlight of the North American event calendar –ed.] Dear Sirs: I have always loved Land Rovers. I guess it is foremost the design of the older series that got me interested many years ago. Around 2000 I bought my first Land Rover, a 1996 Discovery. I only kept it for 3 years as I found maintaining it through the local dealership expensive. However, I knew deep down I would never be content until I owned another Rover. About 3 years ago a fellow resident opened up a restaurant, where I would see his Series Rover, sometimes pulling a small trailer filled with restaurant equipment or picking up supplies. I was impressed that he drove it daily; the dents and the general condition only added to its character. For several years my wife continued to say “no” to my pleas to purchase another Rover. My first wish was a Defender 90 but all the vehicles I priced were out of my range. Then one day a friend and I drove to Snohomish to see the cars at Black Cat Antiques. Imagine my surprise and delight to when I saw a 1971 late IIA sitting in their store. It was exactly what I had been looking for, mostly original with many restored features, a solid runner with a lot of character. Well, I immediately called my wife. She could hear the excitement in my voice as I described it to her. After purchasing the car, the owner made certain that I had a copy of The Rovers North News. I immediately ordered a jump seat for the back as well as other items. Within a week I had taken possession of the Series IIA and I’ve spent many hours tinkering, cleaning and driving it. I feel that the older models embody the original spirit, rugged design and functionality of what I was looking for in a Land Rover. Thanks for your terrific service and friendly staff at Rovers North. 4 Ben Harrison Duvall, WA [Yes, we admire the Series I – III models, too. Enthusiasts with Discovery I-II vehicles have found that many of the expensive repairs once required at dealerships can be accomplished with the right parts, tools, and expert assistance. We’re always happy to help –ed.] Dear Rovers North, If, on these cold winter evenings, after a long day out in the garage under your favorite Land Rover, you’re ready for a bit of “armchair Rovering,” peck out www.imcdb.org/vehicles into your computer and before your eyes will be displayed a listing of nearly every automotive conveyance that has ever appeared in a movie or on television. Find “Land Rover” in the listing and you’ll find some 1,187 different titles listed. Besides the usual Solihull Land Rovers, there are also listings for the more esoteric models such as the Cuthbertson tracked Land Rover, the Minerva, the Santana as well as the interesting Tempo. Sorry to say that in this snowy season my baby (’64 IIA 88”) is at the Cooper Technica shop for the installation of a set of LED running/brake/turn signal lights as well as delving into a box of gears to see why 4WD is being particularly reluctant and troublesome of late. Can’t complain really, as it’s been several years since anything’s gone wrong with my daily driver. Glenn Shriver Chicago, IL [Good luck with the new lamp installation. Let us know how they work out for you – ed.] Dear Rovers North, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy the Rovers North News. I really enjoyed Mike Koch’s article “Simply Irresistible.” The only thing, I was very sad that there were 5 pictures (including the cover) of his white RRC. My Dad has owned a ’91 RRC for about 10 years and I have a ’93 LWB, and never get tired of seeing pictures of them. Mike talked about his leather seats but we never got to see any cabin shots. D. Aaron Conway St. Louis Park, MN [Range Rover owners tend to become Range Rover enthusiasts and Mike’s article help detail just why that happens. Glad you enjoyed the article. Why not send us some photos of your Range Rover? –ed] Hello Rovers North, We’ve been receiving the Rovers North News ever since my husband got his beloved Defender 90. Two Christmas’ ago, he got me a ’94 Range Rover Classic, and I was delighted to read “Simply Irresistible” in the Winter 2008 issue. Mike Koch’s love for his Classic is exactly the love I have for mine (which also has only 3 working windows). I fell in love with Range Rovers 10 years ago when my husband and I were driving behind one just like my current car. We were expecting our first boy and times were tough. I remember telling my mother that Christmas how much I wish I owned a Range Rover. She smiled and said, “one day, dear, you’ll see, one day.” Which is why, that this Christmas, after many beautiful and hard moments in our life, and all the hard work of my adored husband (who deserves every part he owns of the Defender), I could not stop crying when I realized my dream came true. My Range Rover is not brand new nor the most economical or most luxurious car but it is my dream come true. In his Defender or in mine together with our two boys, we feel – like Mike said – “imperial.” Alejandra Ortiz-Jimenez Santa Ana, CA [Mike appreciates your comments and yes, still loves his Range Rover Classic as much as you like yours –ed.] Dear Rovers North, This note is to let you know we are still alive and functioning even though we haven’t ordered anything recently. We to keep you apprised of our progress in renovating our 1963 Carawagon but sadly there has been none. The “inland hurricane” of August 2007 laid a heavy hand on us as it passed directly over the ranch. We narrowly avoided the loss of house and shop and Land Rover, but damage to the canyon has been widespread and severe. Since that first storm we have had three others of less magnitude but all furthered the damage to the “big one.” We look forward to each issue of The Rovers North News and use it to window shop endlessly. As an aside, my first Land Rover experience goes back to 1965 during the erection of a petroleum production facility in the Trucial States, particularly the sheikdom of Abu Dhabi. I had two company cars assigned for my use, both 109” station wagons of a ’62-’64 vintage, all new and shiny to begin with and with large low pressure desert tires. At that time, the old desert hands told me only two types of vehicles could survive a year’s service in the Rub-al-Khali (southern desert); they were the Land Rover and the Dodge Type D light truck. I still enjoy looking through some old slides and seeing my Rover and the Trucial-Oman Scouts military Rovers at work. Thanks again for The Rovers North News, and you will be hearing from us when we progress on our project. Robert and Irene Pugh Loafers Glory Ranch
Gracemont, OK [Glad to hear that the storms grazed you and wish you every success with the Carawagon. Send us photos for an article – ed.] Dear Mark, I have had the Winter ’08 issue of the Rovers North News about a week. It always brings a little sense of adventure with it every time it arrives. The cover photos of the Fall ’07 and Winter ’08 editions were refreshing indeed. The sight of fresh fallen snow and a Rover almost lost in the snowdrift – what a sight! I know seeing snow in a picture and living with it are two different things, but tell your art director (Matt) and editor (Jeff) and yourself as publisher, great job! When I see the Rovers North News I do enjoy reading it, especially “Behind the Steering Wheel,” but even after all these years (since I was a boy) Rovers have always stirred a part of me. I never tire of looking at the pictures. The thoughts of restoring the old IIA that I purchased from you several years ago, even kept me going through a two year bout with cancer. In the meantime, it’s you and your dedicated team that keep old Rovers on the road. Leighton Ogg Houston, TX [We’re thrilled to hear of your recovery and wish you continued good health. It’s clear your II-A is in good hands –ed.] Dear Rovers North, Thanks, guys, great magazine! Not sure about parts yet as I haven’t started on my project Series III. I’m currently collecting parts for the Cummins turbo diesel to replace the 2.25 diesel that I killed driving back from Albuquerque, NM, to Raleigh, NC (1,800 miles – but at least I made it home before it kicked the bucket). Would you guys be interested in a complete diesel, tranny, and transfer case that needs a rebuild? Michael Wellford Raleigh, NC [If any reader is interested, we’ll forward your email address to them –ed.] Dear Rovers North, I’ve just returned from shipboard duty and we stopped at the Indian Ocean military base called Diego Garcia. The British Navy and British Royal Marines use Defenders and Discoveries for police work. The senior ranking British Officer drives a green LR3. LCDR Ed McDonnell Lido Beach, NY [Diego Garcia during a northeast winter – that sounds pretty good –ed.] Dear Les and Rovers North, I bought a Katydid pocket filter 10 years ago for the price of $400. It came in a box with Land Rover 110 on it. It seems like a waste of money, but an important item to have when you are outdoors all the time. I now have a 109” diesel. How many real Land Rover owners use their trucks as they were intended for, and carry around a product with a Land Rover on the box that they really use? The only ones I’ve seen are pictures from magazines, key chains, and cyberspace. I’m willing to bet two Sightings coffee cups. Brendan Riedmuller Waynesboro, PA [For 60 years now Land Rovers have proven their versatility – it’s hard to say just “what they were intended for.” But as the famous BBC Top Gear program noted, “Land Rovers are always doing something important.” –ed.] Dear Rovers North, Thank you guys for always having great prices and being so helpful. Brett Cureton Annapolis, MD [You’re welcome. We envy you with your AA Yellow Defender 90 –ed.] Dear Rovers North, Thanks for my Sightings mugs. I love them. My unknowing friends look puzzled when they see my “coveted” mugs. Sherry Block Hadlyme, CT [If they’re mooching coffee off you, it’s a perfect time to educate them about Land Rovers –ed.] Dear Rovers North, Thanks for being there with the parts and technical support over these many years. Rudy Minar Still River, MA [Do “Still Rivers Run Deep?” – ed.] Dear Rovers North, Keep up the good work. I very much enjoy your publication and look forward to receiving the next one. I enjoy the articles and the stories from other Rover owners. Bent Bowers Marysville, OH [Thanks for letting us help you get the most our of your 1990 Range Rover County –ed] Dear Rovers North, Thank you so much for providing great service with such a knowledgeable, friendly staff. Dave Ballok Rockton, IL [We’re delighted to help. Thanks for being a great enthusiast –ed.] Dear Rovers North, Thank you for all your help through the years and thank you for supplying the parts requested by Matt Browne, Overland Engineering, who is literally making my dream come true. Mike McNulty Arcadia, FL _______ ________ DEC, the affordable, easy to use diagnostic test system for all Land Rovers 1995 & later. The Independent garage trade constantly demands OEM or near OEM tools to carry out Land Rover ECU vehicle diagnostics, especially for coding or reprogramming damaged and or replacement ECUs. The DEC SUPERSCAN II is just the tool you need! The DEC SUPERSCAN II affordably provides the advanced automotive diagnostic test systems needed by the independent garage. This PC based scanner is comprised of a small blue interface box (about the size of a paperback book), a cable set and the necessary software. All you need is a PC (desktop or laptop) running Windows 9x or better (Win 98, 98SE, Me, XP, 2000, NT) operating system with at least a Pentium II processor and one free serial RS-232 or USB port and Bluetooth equipped. The Superscan II has many features such as: • Read and clears fault codes. • Displays live data for effective trouble shooting. • Test and activate vehicle systems independently. • Perfect for ABS, ACE and SRS system faults. • Ideal for trouble shooting navigation, video and speech recognition systems in late model Land Rovers. • Key Coding/Programming. • Airbag ECU Programming. • BSI Configuration. • Live Data Activation. • Error Code Reading and Erasing. • INCLUDES FREE software updates available on the web for 1 year after purchase. Easy to use, The Superscan II includes its own built-in INFORMATION SYSTEM that gives the exact procedure for each programming function before starting the procedure. To access, just select the system to be programed and press the Control I (ctrl + I) . It's that simple! DEC SuperScan II...........................$ 2699.00 5
Page 2 and 3: OFF-ROAD / 12 MECHANICAL / 38 EXTER
Page 6 and 7: EXTERIOR / ROOF RACKS A RNA1196 A R
Page 8 and 9: OFF-ROAD EXTERIOR A / / TAILGATE PR
Page 10 and 11: Stayin’ Cool: Making the Most of
Page 12 and 13: OFF-ROAD / TRACTION MATS, FUEL CANS
Page 14 and 15: OFF-ROAD / RECOVERY A B C D E F G H
Page 16 and 17: OFF-ROAD / PROTECTION A RNA7402 B R
Page 18 and 19: Born Free Redux Story & Photos by L
Page 20 and 21: We’re stuck again, buried up to t
Page 22 and 23: inside each large box. For extra st
Page 24 and 25: ELECTRICAL / HELLA, BATTERY DISCONN
Page 26 and 27: YOU BELONG TO ME Sotry & potos by E
Page 28 and 29: SUSPENSION / PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION
Page 30 and 31: SUSPENSION / COMPETITION ACCESSORIE
Page 32 and 33: SUSPENSION / COIL CONVERSION KITS A
Page 34 and 35: Memories of Winter Past Story & pho
Page 36 and 37: Operation Swamp Cooler Story & Phot
Page 38 and 39: MECHANICAL / BRAKE DRUMS, SHOES, RO
Page 40 and 41: MECHANICAL / CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER
Page 42 and 43: MECHANICAL / CV JOINTS, OIL FILTERS
Page 44 and 45: MECHANICAL / EXHAUST SYSTEMS NRP PE
Page 46: Land Rover Corporate Info LAND ROVE
Page 49 and 50: attle through a rigorous national a
Page 51 and 52: • Nuts! Nothing is more frustrati
Page 53 and 54: does look and sound quite used up.
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V8 ENGINE / SENSORS, IGNITION, HEAD
Page 57 and 58:
V8 ENGINE LOWER END / 3.5, 3.9, 4.2
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V8 ENGINE TOP END / 3.5, 3.9, 4.2,
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DISC BRAKE KITS / SERIES II, IIA, I
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stretch to call the embroidering a
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