Land Rover Owner Message Digest Contents

[ First Message Last | Table of Contents | <- Digest -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]

The Land Rover Owner Daily Digest

Send Submissions

Subject: vance is missing
From: rc@fourfold.ocunix.on.ca (Robin Craig)
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 94 10:14:01 -0500

Has anyone heard from Vance Chin in the last week or so?

If you are out there Vance then pls e mail me asap

Rgds

Robin Craig

--
Robin Craig, rc@fourfold.ocunix.on.ca
Ottawa Valley Land Rovers / FourFold Symmetry, Nepean, Ontario, Canada

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:25:14 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: For all you rugged lorrycampers.......

There is reportedly a cookbook called the Manifold Cookbook, or something 
like that.  I have not yet been able to find a copy, but several people I 
know have independently confirmed that it does exist.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 11:53:02 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Lost mail

I seem to have not gotten any mail since Friday, so if someone could save and
forward the digests from Saturday on to me like about tuesday, I would *really*
appreciate it.  I don't know if things will get fixed before then, so that's
why Tuesday.  I think it may have had something to do with having like 500 messages ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H
500 messages in my box when I got back from vacation...
  
thanks in advance!

Uncle (lost in cyberspace) Roger

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:44:07 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: canvas bags revisited.

Sounds like these water bags might be a candidate for sitting in the spare 
tire on the bonnet?  I'm gonna have to see if I can find one hereabouts.  
(Or else order one.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:24 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: Land Rover 90 on CNN

Well, I'd have to argue with that last one...  Who needs to recycle a car 
when it lasts for 50+ years?  

Are cloth shopping bags worse than paper because paper bags can be 
recycled?  That's pretty darn silly, if you ask me!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:28 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: Any info on landies in Aus

There was a thread recently about how cheap Landies are in New Zealand.  
Might be the way to go.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:21:07 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: land rovers and africa

What was the name and author of the african wildlife book?  Was it any 
good?  Thanks in advance!

P.s. congrats on the plans for a Rover!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:16:33 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: POLL-for 109/2.25L petrol owners

How the heck do you manage to get 9km/l???  This is petrol, yes?  (9km/l * 
2.28 = 20miles/gallon!)  That's almost double what I get!  What's your 
secret?!?

Interested in selling?  <g>  Also, more info on your air conditioning would 
be of great interest to my girlfriend.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:13 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: What is Happening

> Anybody confirm the need for Rhino bars in rural New York?

Isn't that where New Yorkers go to meet wild women?

(Sorry, couldn't resist! :-)

> For those that missed out, I am still collecting names of Rovers
> so drop me a note to be included.  Have a bunch but will wait till
> I come back from the mystic east before a write up a list.

Decided to stick with "Indy" on my 109".  Still no word on the 88", though.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:35 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: re: The Great Adventure

One of my past clients was a graphic design company that did a lot of 
cigarette packaging.  (I wasn't very happy about it, but I have to make a 
living.  (I know, no excuse.)) Anyway, for the longest time, one of the 
designers had a model camel trophy LR on the partition around his 
workspace.  One day I got around to asking where he'd gotten it, and he 
said it wasn't his.  He didn't know whose it was, and said I should just 
take it.  So now it's an important part of my collection.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:45:10 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: LULU has a new set of shoes...

Wow!  So it was 25 quid for all five rims?  As in 5 pounds per rim?   
That's Cheap!  Even if you add in the 145 pounds shipping, that comes to 
only 34 pounds per rim, which is like 50 USD each.  I think I'm going to 
have to look into this myself.  

I don't care too much about the color or galvanizing them, and I live close 
to SFO (I can walk there from my current client's office), so this sounds 
great.  

There is also about two blocks from work a place that sells used tires.  
They have a contract such that they get tires off of totaled cars and the 
like.  So virtually brand new tires off of some little rich kid's rice 
burner will cost 50 - 60 USD.  (I was looking at a couple of Dunlop Radial 
Rovers they had for $60.)

Now I just have to decide:  Do I want new rims (and of course I'd have to 
order other miscellaneous parts at the same time), or a new voice mail 
system, or. . . 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:16 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: Rover on TV

Maybe someone should be keeping a list of celebreties who own Rovers?

The one's I've heard of are:

Robert Wagner     (Too cool not to)
Robin Williams    (Defender, but used to drive an 88 before Mork)
Janet Jackson     (Gift from agent or someone)
John Rhys Davies  (According to Sandy Grice)

I haven't personally confirmed any of these, but they come from good 
sources.  Robert Wagner's I heard about because of a news story wherein it 
was stolen and he chased the guy to get it back.  (I think with the cops.) 

My roommate (Who keeps up on the entertainment world) spotted a story about 
Janet Jackson's gift.  I think it was a Disco, but I'm not sure.

A Rover owner in The City saw two guys in a Defender and went to talk to 
them about it and the LROA and after a while, got this feeling that he knew 
the driver.  He then realized that it was Robin Williams.  He told the 
story to Scotty who passsed it on to me.

Any others?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:23:10 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: LR Reliability

Just got back lasst night from a trip from San Francisco, Calif. north to 
Victoria and Vancouver, BC, then east to Banff and Jasper Nat'l parks, then 
to Edmonton, Alberta, then south to Calgary, Montana, Eastern Idaho, Utah. 
 Turn right at Salt Lake city and Head for Reno and home.  

Did the SE Idaho to Reno in one day (close to, if not more than 700 miles.)

Problems encountered:

Gearshift lever broke.  (Got welded for $5)
12v extension cord shorted out and melted.  (Yanked out of socket and threw 
it away.)
Parking brake cable broke.  (I'll have to get it fixed if I'm gonna park in 
SF.)

So are Land Rovers reliable?  Well, keep in mind that my vehicle is 35 
years old.  (a 1959 Land Rover 109")  So I'd have to say yes.  (Also keep 
in mind that I'm a mechanical jinx and things do their darndest to fall 
apart around me.  I've never had a toaster that worked properly.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:19:04 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: 88" sIII Questions

 
> Has anyone set up a sleeping arrangement with a board over the passenger
> seat? I know you'll all laugh and say if you want to sleep in it buy a 
109
> but I'm only thinking of this for very rare (emergency) situations.
> seat? I know you'll all laugh and say if you want to sleep in it buy a 

Scotty has done that in the past and found it to work well.  He built up a 
cabinet in the back with the top at the same height as the metal wall 
behind the seats.  At night, fold the pasenger seat forward and a hinged 
board comes forward to rest on where the glove box would be.  

> Anyway I think this will do for starters I'm off to the spares shop to 
get
> a new steering wheel as mine is sheeding black gunk all over my hands on
> the way to work!!
none

I had the same problem, and solved it with a steering wheel cover.  A bit 
cheaper and easier.

> Cheers,
> Rob Meredith.
none

Welcome to the world of Land Rovers!  By the way, are you an HP guy?  Me 
too!  (HP 3000 independent consultant, Cobol & Powerhouse.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:38:00 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: Gearbox and OVLR

The Aluminum Workhorse has been pretty regular since I joined up.  It comes 
(I think) every 3 or 4 months, and Brad Blevin's cartoons are worth the 
price alone!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 21:18:05 -0500 (CDT)
From: David John Place <umplace@CC.UManitoba.CA>
Subject: Re: Land Rover Camping 

Someone described the tent track as a "P" on its side with the "P" part
open so a rope could be pulled through it.  The stuff is cheap, and it can
be bent to follow the roofline of the Rover.  I presently have a green
canvas tarp with red and white fringe on it that I use for the tent part. 
With the track on the side of the safari roof, and I am 5' 11", I can
stand up straight.  I use tent poles that nest inside each other, and they
have a spring loaded catch to keep them from nesting when in use.  I have
four ropes with wooden toggles run out to pegs, and this make a great
cover.  The best setup however is to use a screened room from a 13' travel
trailer attached to this track.  It has a "sod cloth" and screen to cover
the area under the Rover so no mosquitoes can get in.  It is great for
camping in the Canadian bush.  I presently use a ground pad just thick
enough to lift my hips off the ground, but later this fall, I am going to
go wild and get a military cot of the folding variety and do it up right. 
Cheers. Dave VE4PN

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:34:21 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: POLL- LR camping

I've given Brad an article on my setup, and would like to follow up with 
articles on other folks' setups, so this thread is of great interest to me. 
 In any case, here's how we had things set up for this last vacation:

I have a "Blevins Bed" that I built (badly) from plywood.  This consists of 
a box kite-like frame that is (supposedly) the same height as the wheel 
arch-bench things.  There are four compartments in this framework, within 
which are stored my clothes, cooking/eating utensils, laptop computer & 
supplies, and whatever other miscellaneous items will fit.  

I intend to add doors and bottom board to enclose these compartments at 
some point.  On top of this framework going all the way to the starboard 
side of the rover is a piece of plywood.  Another sits on top of this 
during the day, and then slides over the other half of the load bed at 
night to make a two-person bed.

On the port side I've got a pair of cabinets that fit at the forward end of 
the wheel-arch to hold foodstuffs and such.  Next to that is a 5gallon 
propane tank like used on barbeques and RV's.  Finally, at the very back is 
a smallish cooler.  For general on-road use, this all fits in securely, and 
only one bolt is used to secure the cabinet.  

I'm going to build another cabinet that will hold a smaller (2-1/2 gallon?) 
propane tank that I picked up.  The propane stove goes on top of the 
cabinet (until you start moving at which point it promptly falls off.)  I'm 
going to add some moulding and magnets to hold it in place, and yet allow 
for easy removal.  

Rachel's clothes and such went into a big duffel bag and a daypack that sat 
on the bed during the day, and the front seats at night.  Table and chairs 
got strapped to the roof rack as did the portable toilet (once we realized 
that we wouldn't be using it at rest areas and RV parks.)  I also picked up 
two boxes for the roof rack to hold the clothes, teacher books, and other 
souvenirs Rachel picked up along the way.  

Tools and spares go either behind the seats (with the first aid kit and 
fire extinguisher) or in a storage box built into the starboard side wheel 
bench just ahead of the wheel.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:29:00 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Electric Rovers

Here's what I've found out about electric vehicles, so far:

ON the 'net, there's the Electric Vehicle Discussion Mailling List.  I 
haven't subscribed yet, so I don't know what it's like.  "Discussions about 
the present and future direction of electric vehicles.  Not intended as a 
forum for comparing electric vehicles to other vehicles."  To subscribe, 
E-mail listserv@sjsuvm1.sjsu.edu and put in your message "SUBSCRIBE EV 
<your full name>"

There is also the Sacramento Electrical Vehicle Assn.  They meet the 2nd 
saturday of each month at SMUD (Sacto Municipal Utility Distric) offices at 
6201 S. Street from 10 - 12.  Their address is 6837 Cunningham Way, 
Sacramento, Ca 95828.  Phone # is (916) 318-4236.

Also, there is a company doing electric conversions for a living in Sacto. 
 They're Drive Electric, and can be reached at 1-916-442-5110.  They're 
where I got most of my info.  Their cost of parts is around $7000, with a 
total conversion being about $12,000.  They use lead acid batteries, and 
the battery weight is about twice that of a traditional engine.  (So about 
the same as a LR 4-cyl?)  They can do top speeds of 65, 75, 85, or 95mph, 
with most being 75mph.  They have a range of about 60 miles, and charge 
(fully) in 8 = 10 hours.  They hook into the existing transmission and a 
standard transmission works better than an automatic.  

There is a tax incentive...  Calif. will take up to $1000 off what you owe 
if you spend that much on an electric conversion.  The feds will allow a 
deduction of 10% of what you put into an electric conversion.  (I'm not 
sure if that includes the cost of the car or just the conversion.)

SMUD (I don't have their number, but info in Sacto will -- ask for the 
electric vehicle operations number) generally has a booth at the state fair 
in Sacto.  (August 19 - Sept. something, I think, and a lot of fun.)

I would love to hear about your experiences!  Welcome to The City!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:46:40 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: Land Rover Camping

I too like the minimalist approach, and I do go backpacking a fair bit.  
But on the other hand, why bother feeding a land rover if you're not going 
to make use of it?  A bed, some cabinets, a coleman stove, even a cooler is 
not too much if you've got room.  I was even thinking of rigging up a 
shower of sorts.  

I see the Rover as more like a sailboat than a backpack.  It's like a 
miniature home.  I don't need the 19" color TV, microwave, and flush 
toilets that a lot of RV's have, but I do like a nice, dry place to sleep. 
 That makes it easier to stay out where there are more than 3 stars in the 
sky longer.

Mind you, if I'm traveling alone, most of the storage space remains empty. 
Just because there's more space than there is stuff I want to bring.  My 
idea of luxury is a *fork* in addition to the chopsticks!  

While I'm thinking of it, what do I carry, besides tools and spares?  

* First aid kit (don't leave home without it)
* Plate (maybe two)
* two cups (one for soup, one for tea/wine/milk/etc.)
* Fork/spoon/chopsticks
* Kershaw straight knife (One of the best things I've ever bought)
* small can opener
* frying pan
* sauce pan
* Clothes (usually, one *small* duffel bag -- another best buy: $5 and who 
cares about the indiana horses or whatever team is on it!)
* Coleman 2 burner stove (Price Club = $50?)
* Propane tank (Price Club = $15)
* 1 std coleman canister (just in case)
* Coleman propane lantern (Price club = $30)
* Propane pipe (attaches to tank, lantern sits on top, connectors for 
stove)
* 5 gallon bottle of water
* water pump for 5 gallon bottle (Orchard Supply Hardware)
* cooler
* mattress pad (think this is gonna get thicker - my back is killing me)
* Coleman Sleeping bag (unless it's gonna get *real* cold, then I bring a 
real sleeping bag)
* Fanny pack with mini maglite, pouch for camera, water bottle bag, and 
aforementioned Kershaw
* Water bottle
* Camera
* spare film
* CB Radio
* Big box of kleenex (Sinasohn nose)
* 12v spotlight
* Cellular phone

Optional equipment:

* Atari Lynx video game system (great for the passenger on long trips)
* Handheld color TV & powered antenna (Rachel wanted to watch some football 
game once on the way to Reno.  Just before the big LA Earthquake)
* Laptop computer 
* 12v Inverter (to power the Laptop)
* Radio
* portable toilet (if camping away from restrooms and Rachel's along)
* Folding table (for playing poker)
* Folding chairs

That's about it.  Anybody bring along anything that I might want to bring? 
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 10:26:52 -0700
From: Roger Sinasohn <sinasohn@crl.com>
Subject: Re: lots of questions, long, from non owner

> Hello everyone,
>    I have been looking at Land Rovers for about 2 years now and think
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 7 lines)]
> wheel drive ability for some roads/trails I know.  (at one time, I owned 
> a Jeep, please, no flames)

>    I know that TerriAnn has a 109 and cruises quite happily it seems,
> but I am a little concerned with gas, gas mileage, cruising range and
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 8 lines)]
> miles doesn't seem fun. I've read the FAQ, 16 gallons is the standard 
> tank, right?  

I also have a 109", and do quite well.  I've got a 12g tank under the 
passenger seat (if my girlfriend and I get into an argument, I just have to 
light a match. <g>) and a 20g tank under the load bed in the back.  With 
the new roofrack, boxes on top, loaded down with 30 pounds of Rachel 
clothes, My overly heady bed/cabinet system, etc., we got 11 to 12 mpg.  
That translates into 384 miles.  I thought the 12 gallon tank was standard, 
but I may be wrong.  My 88" has 2 12 gallon tanks, and I have seen an 18 
gallon tank that fits under the seat.  

>         So, I figure a 109 running a standard petrol engine with an
> overdrive would increase the gas mileage, cruising range, and make 
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 9 lines)]
> disengaged, and would have a greater change on engine rpms, but would be 
> heavier than differential gear changes.

At normal elevation (sea level, around The City,) I can cruise at 65 - 70 
mph quite comfortably in 4th OD, with the engine at just around 3000 rpms. 
 I do have the Toro overdrive, though.  At higher elevations, I have 
noticed a definite loss of power.  I've heard that mucking around with the 
carburetor can take care of that.  

>  What about both?  Is that just plain insane?  Why do people change
> engines?  Spare parts, non-oil leaks, power, what is the one biggest
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 8 lines)]
> of the scale, I saw a wrecked range rover for sale in the SF chronicle 
> for $5000. What would its drive train be like in an old 109?

Why change engines?  More power, easier parts, less weight.  (The LR 4-cyl 
is a heavy bugger!)  All kinds of engines have been put in, though.  I've 
still got the 4-cyl.  I wouldn't mind a new engine, but don't have several 
$K to have it done.  (I can't even imagine doing that myself.)

>         The next thing I would like to discuss is for Northern California
> Land Rover people:  Scotty's.  I thought I had the phone number written
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 7 lines)]
> really help, although I think I have maps of the entire Bay Area.  I 
> would like to stop by on Monday.

Scotty is mostly retired after the loss of his wonderful wife of 42+ years 
to a year long fight with cancer.  He does do some work out of his house, 
though.  He rebuilt my transmission just before we left, and did a bunch 
of other stuff too.  His number is in the Aluminum Workhorse, which I don't 
have handy (of course.) I think it might be 1-510-285-2255 but I'm not 100% 
sure.  

>   Now for those who live in the Land Rover home country.  The spring
> 1994 Aluminum Workhorse had an article written by Pat Hubbard that
	 [ truncated by lro-digester (was 14 lines)]
> might give a ring, but the task of buying something that big in another 
> country is daunting!

I saw that, and it truly did look nice.  If you want something a little 
less spectacular, you might consider a trip to New Zealand to get one.  
(Cheap vehicles.)  I'm not sure what would be involved in bringing a 
foreign vehicle into California, though.  (Smog and all.)

> john f hess phd (wow, really?)
> jfhess@ucdavis.edu
> from home via modem
> wonderful tale of the beast and finishes by hoping that she can sell it 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Uncle Roger                         "There is pleasure pure in being mad
sinasohn@crl.com                                that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California                               

------------------------------

  END OF LAND ROVER OWNER DIGEST 

	
    
          
	



Photos & text Copyright 1990-2011
	Bill Caloccia, All rights reserved. 

Digest Messages Copyright 1990-2011 by the original poster or/and
	Bill Caloccia,
	All rights reserved.