Land-Rover 80" Basic Changes

Michael Bishop: Here are listed a few of the many changes that occurred on the Basic model 80" Land-Rover produced from 1948 to 1953. In the tables below, the left-hand column shows the chassis number(s) of the Land Rovers to which the changed parts were fitted. The right hand column explains how the new parts differed from the old parts. Many more parts changed than are listed. Newly found part differences are being researched.

1948 model Land Rover changes

860150

The seat back rests are changed from the pre production type which sit above the galvanised capping, part No. 301050, to being the sprung shovel back type which are part No. 301111. The seat backs changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06110305.

860180

The cover plate for the brake pedal adjuster on the R.H floor, part No. 300882 is no longer fitted. The floors changed again on the 1948 model at chassis No. 861501.

860181

The cover plates for the wing valances are now fitted. Part No.'s 301208 & 301209 for LH & RH valences on RHD vehicles & part No. 301207 on LHD vehicles. The inner wings changed to make exhaust fitment easier to the vehicle in production and service. The front inner wings change again at 1948 chassis No. 861500.

860525

The front road springs changed from having a 2.5"free camber to having a 3.5" free camber. The front road springs changed again on the 1948 model at chassis No. 862115.

860648

The twelve shackle pins on vehicles numbered 860001 to 860647 were all part No. 210699. The inner spring mounting points are no longer tapped hence from chassis No. 860648 eight pins were part No. 210699 the other four are part No. 230721 which have less thread and are a tight push fit in the chassis. The front shackle pins changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06113530. See also 1949 chassis No. 8665465.

860730

The windscreen now has two small tapped blocks added to each top corner so that the optional trafficators can be fitted. A spot for the trafficator operating switch is now welded on the inside of the windscreen frame. The windscreen changed again on the 1948 model at chassis No. 861501. The exterior rear vision mirror is moved down from a bolt that was welded towards the top of the windscreen frame, to being bolted to a triangular piece which is now part of the windscreen frame and beside the door top hinge. The rear vision mirror changed again on the 1951 mode at chassis No. 16103899.

861001

The brake fluid reservoir is now moved from being bolted to the engine side of the bulkhead, to being bolted beside the petrol tank. The brake fluid supply pipe is changed on RHD vehicles from being 26" long, part No. 230284, to being, 15" long, part No. 230894. On LHD vehicles the supply pipe is changed from being 52" long, part No. 230285, to being 57 1/2" long, part No. 230895. A bracket for the brake fluid supply tank is now welded to the chassis beside were the petrol tank is fitted.

861501

The bulkhead changed from being the folded square type, part No. 300767, to being the curved pressed type, part No. 301061. The gear lever completely changed to suit the new bulkhead as did the front inner wings, fuel line, floors and the seat base. The bulkhead to windscreen sealing rubber is now connected to bulkhead from being connected to the windscreen. The bulkhead changed again on the 1949 model at chassis No. 8665608. The gear box cover changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06101033. The drivers side floor changes again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06103885. The front wings changed again on the 1951 model at chassis No. 16103899. The windscreen changed again on the 1951 model at chassis No. 16101420. The gear lever changed again on the 1953 model at gearbox No. 36102305.

862115

The front road springs now have nine spring leaves, part No. 231196 from being eight spring leaves, The spring free camber changed to be 4" on the new springs and was 3.5" old springs. The front springs changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. chassis No. 06113530.

862298

The driver side rear spring free camber changed from being 4 3/8" to being 5" free camber. The rear springs changed again on the 1949 model at chassis No. 8664115

862501

The rubber draft strip on the bottom of each door top is now held by nine clips, part No. 73037 instead of eleven screws. The door top changed again on the 1949 model at chassis No. 8666250.

1949 model basic Land Rover changes

8664115

The rear spring free camber changed from being 4 3/8" on the left hand spring and 5" on the right hand spring, to being 4" free camber on the left hand spring and 4.5" free camber on the right hand spring.

8665465

The washers used between the front spring bushes and the shackle plates are no longer fitted. The front suspension parts changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06113530.

8665603

The support bracket for the exhaust front pipe which is bolted to the LH bulkhead outrigger, part No. 219170 is no longer fitted. The exhaust system changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06111064

8665608

The six holes required in the bulkhead for fitting the optional heater are now factory drilled. The bulkhead changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06111528

8666001

The full length hood side fixings on the rear body are changed from being four loop fixings, part No. 300924 to four hooks, part No. 301328. The rear hood socket and tail gate now has welded cleats for tying the hood down from bolted cleats. The full length hood changed to suit the new hooks. The full length hood changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06105463. The rear body changed again on the 1949 model at chassis No. 8666225.

8666068

The plate connecting the trailer plug to the chassis is changed from being L shaped, part No. 219575, to being C shaped with four bolt holes in it, part No. 231952. The chassis now has four bolt holes in it around the trailer plug hole. The chassis changes again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06100156

8666225

The four holes needed for the optional export rear seats are now pre drilled in the rear wheel boxes. The rear body changed again on the 1950 chassis No. 06110305.

8666250

The top and bottom window channel in the door tops is now held in with screws instead of two retaining pieces. The end piece of window channel is now added to each door top. The door tops changed again on the 1951 model at chassis No. 16103311

8666580

The cable from battery to starter switch is changed, from part No. 219651 to 231774

1950 model basic Land Rover changes

06100156

The bolts fixing the shock absorbers and the exhaust bushes are changed from being welded to the chassis to being plain bolts that are removable from the chassis. The chassis changes again at chassis No. 06103841

06100280

The elbow on top of the carburettor is changed from being the fully rounded type, part No. 218182, to being the partly oval shaped type, part No. 231494.

06101033

The rubber gear lever grommet is changed from being the flat type, part No. 301191 which is held with eight bifurcated rivets to the gear box cover, to being moulded push in fit type, part No. 301437. The gear box cover no longer has eight rivet holes. The gear box cover is changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06103885.

06103841

The brackets for bolting the bumper bar to the chassis are now welded to the bumper bar from being welded to the chassis. The bumper is now held with four bolts. It was previous held with eight bolts. The rear draw bar is change from being welded to the chassis and being ten holes wide, to being bolted to the chassis and eight holes wide. The chassis changes again on the 1950 model chassis No. 061013530

06103885

The right hand floor plate is changed so that it doesn't have the circular cut out for the ring pull freewheel lock. The gear box cover is changed to have the yellow 'push down' lever bolted to it which now locks the freewheel unit. See also the 1950 gearbox No. 06104015 in the Gearbox part changes section.

06104683

The L shaped bracket used to bolt the choke control bracket to the bulkhead is changed from being bolted to the choke control bracket to being spot welded to it. The choke control bracket changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06111528.

06105379

The R.H.D hand brake lever is changed from the bakealite handle type with the big button, part No. 218379, to being plain steel handle type with a small button, part No. 231316. See chassis No. 06111806 for L.H.D hand brake lever change.

06105463

The hood bows changed from being the flat top type, part No. 301121, to being the curved top type, part No. 301892. The full length hood changed to suit the new hood bows.

06105831

The speedometer is cable changed from having a brass gearbox retaining piece, part No. 08972 to having the type held to the gearbox with a retaining washer and three bolts, part No. 232570. See also 1950 gearbox number 06106001in the Gearbox part changes section.

06106035

The voltage regulator is changed from RF 96 type to RF 95 type. As the RF 95 voltage regulator has two built in fuses, the fuse box is no longer fitted from this chassis number onwards. The wiring harness is changed to suit new regulator. The fuse is change from 25 amp to 35 amp. The voltage regulator changed again on the 1951 model at chassis No. 16103899.

06110305

The seat back rests changed from being the sprung shovel style back part No. 301111 to the hinged spade style back part No. 301997. The seat back rests changed again on the 1952 model at chassis No. 26102281. The rear body back rest is now stepped in to suit the new seat backs. The galvanised body capping, spare wheel clamp, door striking plates and the door stops are changed to suit the rear body changes. The door stops and the galvanised capping changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06114761.

06110348

The R prefix on the chassis number to distinguish a right hand drive vehicle from left hand drive is dropped from chassis number on the 'Home' market vehicles. Export vehicles keep the R and/or L prefix for the remainder of 1950 model production.

   

06110749

The two special bolts holding the windscreen frame to the bulkhead, part No. 300896, are changed to two pivot pins, part No. 302042. The windscreen fasteners changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. 06115323.

06111064

The exhaust silencer assembly no longer has an integral rear support bracket. A separate rear bracket now supplied, part No. 233618. See also 1951 model chassis number 16100603

06111528

The choke control bracket is changed so that the L shaped bracket piece used to bolt the choke control bracket to the bulkhead is no longer fitted. The choke lever now bolts the choke control bracket to the bulkhead itself. The bulkhead now has two less holes around the choke hole. See also the previous choke control bracket change at 1950 chassis No. 06104683.

06111547

The head lights are now the sticking through the grille type. The grille panel and the grille are changed to suit the new head lights . The grille panel and grille changed again on the 1952 model at chassis No. 26100001. The wiring harness is changed to suit the new head lights. The wiring harness is also changed again so that the wire for the windscreen wiper motor now runs through a hole in the bulkhead that is now behind the galvanised steering column support bracket. It was fed through a small hole that was beside the right hand parking light. The clips holding the headlight wire to the grill panel changed from the bolt on type to the press fit type. The chaff guard for radiator changed to suit the new head lights. The chaff guard changed again on the 1952 model at chassis No. 26100001

06111806

The L.H.D hand brake lever is changed from the bakealite handle type with the big button, part No. 218400, to being plain steel handle type with a small button, part No. 232179. See chassis No. 06105378 for R.H.D hand brake lever change.

06113530

The front road springs changed from being 1.75" wide and with the shackles at the front of the road springs, to being 2.5" wide with the shackles at the rear of the road springs. The spring bushes, shackle pins and the chassis changed to suit the new front road springs. The chassis changes again on the 1952 model at the start of that years production.

06114761

The separate door stops which are bolted to the front side of the rear body are no longer fitted. The door stops are now built into the front corner pieces of the galvanised capping, hence those corner pieces are changed from part No.'s 301979 R.H and 301980 L.H to part No. 302249 R.H and 302250 L.H.

06115323

The two pivot pins holding windscreen to the bulkhead, part No. 302042, are changed to two special bolts and nut part No. 234829.

1951 model basic Land Rover changes

16100603
16160909
16660787
16131573
16630025

A number of very significant change occured here. The gearbox changed from having the constant four wheel drive 'freewheel' transfer box to the selectable two/four wheel drive transfer box. The transfer box instruction plate fitted to the bulkhead changed to suit the new transfer box and include the Car No. (VIN) on it. Hence the earlier Car No. plate fitted under the left hand side of the bulkhead is no longer fitted. See also the change at gearbox No.'s 16102314 and 16131688. The exhaust silencer assembly for L.H.D vehicles is changed so that the exhaust exists on the drivers side. R.H.D stays exiting were it was on its drivers side. The battery box changed from the type with the high sides part No. 218036, to the type with the low sides and top battery support held with three wing nuts, part No. 232550.

16101420
16161310
16661407
16132794
16630043

The catches for holding the windscreen upright changed from being the straight type, part No. 300543, to the curved type, part No. 302377.

16101483
16661318
16661423
16132863
16630043

The windscreen fasteners on bonnet, that are used to hold the windscreen down when it is in its horizontal position are changed from being forward facing and being bolted to the bonnet, part No. 300692 to being rearward facing, and bolted to the bonnet to the bonnet windscreen supports, part No. 302326.

16101656
16161502
16661477
16133214
16630043

The dash panel warning lights (Choke & Ignition) are now all coloured plastic end to end. The oil pressure warning light is now green instead from being red with "OIL" on it. The dash panel changed slightly to suit the new warning lights The wiring harness changed to suit the new warning lights. In the sequence Ignition, choke & oil the earlier part numbers were 238018, 238020 & 217645 and changed to 234995, 234996 & 234997. Wiring harness changed to suit the warning light changes. The dash panel warning lights changed again on the 1952 model chassis No. 26105067.

16102849
16162141
16661897
16134922
16630079

The accelerator pedal shaft is lengthened to accommodate a distance piece, part No. , 234635. On R.H.D vehicles the cross shaft for the accelerator changed from from the right side of bulkhead to the left, to being shortened and on the right hand side only. The accelerator cross shaft set up on L.H.D vehicles stayed similar to what it was.

16103311
16162551
16661974
16135971
16630079

The door top hinges change from being the Y shaped wire type which is welded to the door top, to being a bolt on triangular shaped hinge, part numbers 304100 R.H & 304101 L.H. On earlier vehicles where the Y shaped hinges have broken off, new bolt on type hinges were available as part numbers 301916 R.H & 301917 L.H with two adaptor plates, part No. 301918. The windscreen hinge part changed on the 1952 model at chassis No. 26105443. the door tops changed again on the 1952 model chassis No. 26100001.

16103899
16163018
16662023
16136866
16630079

The front wings changed from being two piece (inner and outer) and being bolted together to being one piece, the inner and out now spot welded together. The parking lights are moved from being on the top corner of the bulkhead to being on the front wings *. The exterior rear vision mirror changed from being bolted to the windscreen to being bolted the drivers side front wing. The mirror head also changed from part No. 230674 to being part No. 262657. The voltage regulator changed from being the one with two integral fuses, the RF 95 type to being the RB 106 type which is plain and without the fuses. The single fuse box as fitted to vehicles numbered 860001 to 06106035 returns. the wiring harness changes to suit the new regulator. The clip holding the tail light is changed and moved form being on the chassis rail to being on the body. * US delivered Land Rovers were always fitted with parking lights in the wings.

1952 model basic Land Rover changes

26100001
26160001
26660001
26130001
26630001

To start with the front grille is now the inverted T style of grille, part No. 302567 from being the head lights sticking through the grille style. The grill panel changed to suit the new grille. The doors now have exterior door handles and the canvas flaps needed on the door tops for opening the earlier doors with out the exterior door handles are no longer fitted. The chassis now has two transverse bracings added underneath the rear body floor. The rear floor L shaped bracings are shortened to clear chassis bracings. The chaff guard for radiator changed to suit new grille.

26102281
26161500
26660355
26131714
26630151

The seat backs are changed from being the curved spade back style part No. 301997 the square style of seat back part No. 302609. The hinges for the new backs are different also. The strengthening pieces on the rear body for the seat backs changed to suit the new seat backs.

26103805
26162028
26660427
26132971
26630224

The door top perspex windows changed. They were the plain type with an oval hole used for sliding opening the window, part No. 300939 for the fixed window and part No. 300940 for the sliding window. The new windows are distinguishable by the small strip of aluminium placed at each end of the perspex, part No. 302619 for the fixed window and part No. 304020 for the sliding window. A plastic knob is now glued to the sliding window for opening it.

26104673
26162549
26660973
26133129

The spring clip for the bonnet prop is changed. This later spring clip is noticeably shorter than the earlier spring clip. No left hand drive C.K.D's listed at this change due to Minerva production not using these parts.

26105067
26162760
26660967
26133551
26630632

The dash panel warning lights changed from being all coloured plastic, to having a black exterior, ie back to what they were before 1951 chassis No. 16101656 except for the oil pressure light and that the coloured piece is now glass instead of plastic. In the sequence Ignition, choke & oil the earlier part numbers were 234995, 234996 & 234997 and changed to 238018, 238020 & 238019. The dash panel changed slightly to suit the new warning lights.

26105266
26163184
26661009
26134674
26631180

The seat cushion for the optional rear seats for 'export models only' changed somehow. The parts book indicates that the newer cushion is more well padded. The strap for holding the seat upright is lengthened a inch to suit the change. These seats where also fitted British military vehicles.

26105377
26163400
26661015
26135479
26631986

The rear body floor is changed so that the three aluminium cross pieces underneath the rear body floor that were L shaped are now C section.

26105443
26163456
26661021
26135779
26631953

The hinge part for the door tops which is bolted to the windscreen is changed so that it is able to be adjusted forwards or backwards slightly. The earlier hinges are part No. 300684, the later hinges are part No. 304104.

1953 model basic Land Rover changes

36100134
36160091
36130225

The optional vehicle heater changed from being the type with the two small fan doors to the type with the open front for the fan. The windscreen demisters are now an optional extra.

36101070
36160652
36660289
36130779
36631331

The rubber grommet for the exterior door handle is changed somehow. It is clear exactly how.

36101221
36160744
36660229
36130949
36630167

The part book shows that one front shock absorber and one rear shock absorber changed somehow.

36103433
36162792
36661341
36133245
36633498

The inner steering column and nut changed from having a bronze steering nut. Part No. 261425, for the right hand drives and part No. 261426, for the left hand drives, to having a case hardened inner column and steel steering nut, part No. 242302, for the right hand drives and part No. 242303 for the left hand drives.