Gentlemen, I am seriously considering a major rebuild of my '65 IIa, and I have what I think to be three options.  Looking for input from locals before I jump into other parts of the net to get ideas.

1. Drive it once or twice a week like I'm doing, more during the summer, take care of it, but don't do much to it at all till something major breaks that makes it so I can't drive it.  At this point I sort of involuntarily mothball it or start a restoration (see next two options).  The problem with this option is multifacited... First, I'm impatient.  Second, if I'm going to do this, I think I really should do it at the time and place of my choosing.
2. Option A: Do a nice, but not museum quality, stock rebuild with the upgrade of powered brakes and at least front discs, roll bar, some interior upgrades, electrical up grades, etc...  This would include an overhaul of the engine, better interior lighting, better electrics to accomodate lights and radios, etc...  I would paint it as well.  The drawback here is that unless I spent the money on an upgrade for the drivetrain, I'd still be looking at a truck that would have trouble keeping up with Todd in his Tdi pulling that trailer with three and a half RTT's attached (in the opened position) and a week's worth of his goats in the back.
3. Option B: Buy one of the random beat up but running RRC's on Craig's List for $500.  Prep it for Shipman to cut and mod the frame for the 88" body to go on (something I've seen him do numerous times, and if you've seen his old blue truck, that is actually a Range Rover Classic). Refurbish the engine, top overhaul, LT230, etc... Then I'd have a truck that looks just like a '65 IIa, but it has coils, disc brakes all around, and a V8.  The draw back here is that it would end up being just as expensive as a stock restoration, it wouldn't be 'original' anymore, and the old RRC's came with their own set of problems.

I might start this summer if my degree gets finished by the end of June, and if I get the garage cleaned out by the end of October.

Ok Ben, here is a super brief snapshot of the progression. I have about 50+ pictures, but here's four.

Day one: Land Rover made it home safe from Snohomish..... Oh the work ahead, my head is spinning...

Well, let's rip into this thing tonight and see what it needs. Gulp

Oi, I think I'm committed. Or rather, I need to be committed

Well, let's see here, how do I put this thing back together......

Voila!! It's done!

Yes, it is the same truck!

Hey Dan, Who's that guy in the pictures?

You had Steve McQueen and John Malkovich working on your Rover for you?!

I like it. That's even the color I want -- it's the sage green now, and I want to keep it green. Do you still have it? How much work did you do on the engine? How much of the restoration did you do yourself versus having someone else hired to do the work?

Mine has a rebuilt transmission, unleaded head, updated suspension (Rocky Mt./OME) and a Rochester Carb. Other than that, it's stock, mostly original or original parts. (Thanks John!)

(EDIT: Added the evidence of Dan's alter ego)

Wow, uncanny resemblence! I am such a stud....or was anyway

There's almost nothing cooler than a original rig out doing what it was designed to do. I say keep it original and fix it when something breaks. Sure it may get a dent or two playing offroad but with each dent there is a story that builds the rigs character.

Posted By Dan Cronin on 03/16/2010 10:28 PM
Michael Anthony Hall

And you teased me about Harman Kardon?  Goofball!

It's Anthony Michael Hall - and your a dead ringer!

I had thought about fixing up an old Series some day. This thread has cured me. $15k! I think a Scout or CJ might be more my speed.