...and a bonus: genuine Australian Military Series 2A servicing documents (big scans, big files).

Chassis, Suspension and Springs

Although Australian military Series 2A Land-Rover chassis prefixes (24300001a onwards and 25300001a onwards) indicate that they were Solihull stock RHD CKD production chassis, they were extensively modified to meet a specification designed by a team comprising engineers from both the Australian Design Establishment (Army vehicle engineering wing) of Maribyrnong (Melbourne), and Rover Australia Pty Ltd of Enfield (Sydney). The "type" or "census" specifications for the Army variants were approved by all parties to the contract during 1962. Modified chassis production in both 88" and 109" started with the 1963 supply contracts; General Service, Fitted For Radio, Ambulance, Fire Tender, Workshop, Panelvan, etc. The raised chassis specified included raised bump stops, modified front crossmembers to meet harder propshaft angles, longer spring shackles, longer shock absorbers, and modified chassis dumbirons. These Army specs lasted from chassis suffix "A" (circa June 1963) through "G" (circa September 1971). Later Series 3 contracts had the same modifications by default. In brief, this was because by 1977 "the modified chassis" seems to have become "the standard" Australian Land-Rover chassis.

Before the Australian Army's contract requirement for modified and raised suspension (better ground clearance) and heavier spring rates (increased payload) actually began rolling out the factory doors in Sydney, it is assumed that Rover Australia engineers had to post over the drawings and testing documents to obtain a stamp of approval from the Land-Rover Head Office engineers. This leads to an interesting bit of speculation about some obscure Land-Rover History. Did the Aussie Army contract mods generate interest amongst the Solihull boffins? Did the Aussie mods directly influence production of the Land-Rover "1 Ton" option on the 109" chassis in England toward the end of the 1960's? When it appeared on the scene the Land-Rover "1 Ton" option featured raised chassis, longer spring shackles, longer shock absorbers, lower ratio transfer box, 9.00-16 tyres on wider offset tyres (R569204). (I don't know whether the buyer could opt for either the 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder engine or whether it was only sold with the 6 cylinder Rover engine... incidentally, the "1 Ton" option was never imported by Rover Australia into Australia.)

EXTRA INFO: Phil's Spring Hint

The following additional suspension info comes via email from Phil H. who is restoring his Series 2A Land-Rovers: see Phil's Shed.

Here are the parts numbers from the Army Repair Parts Book for military Series 2A ¾ ton:

• LHF - 11225001
• LHR - 272967
• RHF - 11225001
• RHR - 272967

The same part number is listed for the left and right side.

The civilian parts book lists the following standard part numbers:

• LHF - 264563
• LHR - 279679
• RHF - 265627
• RHR - 279679

Then the civilian parts book lists these heavy duty -rear spring only - part numbers:

• LHR - 272968
• RHR - 272967

Finally, the Series 3 Army Repair Parts Book lists the following parts numbers:

• LHF - (R11225001) 11225001
• RHF - (R276034) 61RV40561
• LHR - 535173
• RHR - 535173

So what does all this mean?? Phil says, "Well, if you can find new Series 3 military springs - bolt them on!"

Now back to Kev's info:

Electrical System

Reproduction electrical wiring looms are available in Australia from Vintage Wiring Harnesses. This company do a superb job on early Land-Rover harnesses, braided wire, correct colours cotton wrapped etc. They used to make all the harnesses for Australian built Land-Rovers right up to the 6x6 Perenties for the Australian Army in the early '90s. The harnesses also come with little numbered tags on the ends of all of the wires and a corresponding list of where they go. All of the correct terminations are included. They are all made to suit LWB models. To suit a SWB, you simply coil up/shorten the loom going to the rear lights. [from Allan in Canberra]

Its a matter of choice. But if you are going to stay with the generator system just make sure you don't waste too much time getting the engine to start. It's not that the older system is all that bad; after all it was the way things were done for decades and millions of vehicles (including military vehicles) got by quite reliably with generators and some still do... but many people have upgraded their original positive earth Land-Rover to negative earth and fitted an alternator (especially if they are in a cold climate). To do the upgrade like them you will need to get a neg earth alternator that is the right size and a correct (longer than generator version) slide piece to bolt to the top of the alternator and correctly tension the fan belts. One difference between the systems is that generators need to have an external regulator and alternators have them inbuilt. You will need to consult an auto electrician to painlessly changeover from generator to alternator systems (there are "issues" with gauges and ammeters etc). The starter and the wiper motors don't mind what way the juice is going (so leave them alone) but the fuel tank sender and fuel gauge definitely do. Get the negative earth versions and get the voltage stabilizer they are designed to work with (the positive earth vehicles don't have them). Note that if you don't check with a auto electrician, you are likely to blow something costly and spend even more money. You have been warned.

Fuel System

• Fuel Pump

According to the Goss Catalogue dated May 1994, the Goss Repair Kit (966VC) also fits Bedford CA-CF-Van-Bus-Trucks 300/330 Petrol & Diesel, Massey-Fergusson & David Brown tractors, Leyland Terrier/Boxer Trucks, Perkins 4/192, 4/203, 6/288, 6/300, 6/305, 6/364, and all AC types FE, FG, FH, L, U, UE, UF, UG, mechanical pumps.

• Solex Carburetor

The Solex carburetor was fitted to Land-Rover Series 2 models and Series 2A models (up to and including chassis suffix "H") sold with the Rover 4 cylinder petrol engine (from 1955 to 1967).

• Zenith Carburetor

The Zenith carburetor model "36 IV" was fitted to late Land-Rover Series 2A (from and including suffix J) and Land-Rover Series 3 models sold with the Rover 4 cylinder 2286cc petrol engine (from 1967 to 1983). There are plenty of vehicles fitted with the Zenith 36 IV: Bedford van CF, GMH Torana 4cyl from 1971 to 1975. LC-LJ-TA (1599 & 1760).

• S.U. Carburetor

The S.U. carburetor model "HD6" was fitted to Land-Rover Series 2A sold with the Rover 6 cylinder 2.6L petrol engine (from 1963 to 1967).