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[angello]

I'm helping a friend have a look at a series 2a in a few days time and it turns out it's an ex-military vehicle. Whilst I'm pretty good on my standard S2a's, I'm not overly familiar with the quirks of the military spec ones. I'm not sure yet if it's FFR or GS, but what are the special differences I'm going to find between an ex-military Land Rover and a regular Series 2a?
Were the military ones produced in large numbers?
I don't remember the last time I even saw a military spec series 2 and I think I would instantly recognise one from the squared rear cross member....

So, fact me up! 

[Malcolm R]

I have an ex military FFR one but I'm not that good on the subject. Before someone more knowledgeable comes along here's a list of the usual extras they had on FFRs, I've no clue about GS's:
Oil cooler with oil temperature sender
8 bladed fan
Twin fan belts and a big 24v generator on the left of the engine
Fly mesh on the vents
FFRs had 2 ammeters, vehicle and radio, so on the instrument cluster only had a fuel gauge and main beam light
Twin tanks with changeover valve
Steel brackets in the rear tub that rot out the side panels
Engine/gearbox tie rod to the gearbox cross-member
Military headlight bowls
Bedford type lights with screw in lenses
Usually had freewheeling hubs and leather gaiters on the swivels
Military ID plate in the dash
Batteries under the seat and the air filter in the position of the battery tray
All of the 24V system including different dizzy, and a thing in front of the radiator causing the need for the toast rack grill
Clayton type heater
If you're lucky there'll still be rifle holders and a tool box above the passenger footwell under the bonnet

There's probably more. I just can't think of it
Malcolm

[Formerlyjeremy]

And those lovely moaning oil coolers!

[Malcolm R]

More things would be the grill doesn't have a hole in it for the bonnet catch as it has the spring pin catch things on top. The side and indicator lights on the front are arranged vertically instead of horizontally. I could probably dig out some photos if you want, but mine is no pristine example and I didn't take many photos before I stripped it apart

[109+1]

Lots of the ex military had all the galvanised cappings painted over to match body colour normally bonnet mounted spare.

[dickw]

Mine has no heater
A special ignition/ lights switch
Wiper motors with a little square box ( resistor?) to make
them  suitable for 24V
No locks on the doors
Split rims
Regards dick w

[chadders27DM70]

Being the father of a son who has a military land rover (27DM70) these are some photographs of the same year land rover and there are lots f minor differences as you can see.

[Dentman]

Distinctive grille!

[stuart]

i have a GS , 

its got twin tanks ,  under seat fill  the light switch for using the lights in diffrent ways 

its 12 V  vs 24 for FFR ,

it should have a oil cooler but no rectifier ,

i have a tdi in mine the orignal lump was missing

[Rory]

Should have a square rear crossmember, , square bumpers on the back so that a following vehicle can push them out of the way, hence the over riders on the front bumper, screw on glass four eared side , indicator and taillights. A nato tow hitch ( or holes for) at the back, reinforcing panels under the top of the wings, spring bonnet catches and a tool box under the bonnet by the bulkhead, a seven position ignition switch, convoy lamp under the *&%^$, white rear diff, tool box under the middle seat.

If it’s an FFR, a C shaped bracket at the front of the bed ( battery holders) , dexion brackets between tub and cab, small brackets on the tub to fit single seats, radio antenna bracket , or holes for on the side of the tub, antenna mounts, or holes for, on front wings.

All I can remember at the moment.

[Genem]

I have an ex military FFR one but I'm not that good on the subject. Before someone more knowledgeable comes along here's a list of the usual extras they had on FFRs, I've no clue about GS's:

Usually had freewheeling hubs and leather gaiters on the swivels
Military ID plate in the dash
Batteries under the seat and the air filter in the position of the battery tray


There's probably more. I just can't think of it
Malcolm

Nearly right, they did not have free-wheeling hubs and the FFR vehicle batteries were between the two front seats, not under them, two more batteries in the back as part of the radio kit. "Specials" like arctic versions were even more chopped about...

One big give-away, obvious from a distance, was that the front wing indicator/side lights were vertical rather than horizontal.  NATO trailer socket on the back too. Holes in the wing-top for antenna related stuff. Most likely to survive 40+ years of civilian ownership - the vertical position of the lights in the wing.

[angello]

This is great info! Loving the period pictures. Thanks so much - a real smorgasborg of differences  I wonder how many of these features the one my buddy is looking at will have left on it....
Are there loads of ex-military series 2s around?

Keep the info coming.

[Rory]

There is a Rover 8/9 group on Facebook which is a mine of useful info and pictures.

[Matt Reeves]

I currently own three Mk8 FFR's and a Mk6 FFW.

On the Mk8's whether GS or FFR it's probably easier to list the few things that aren't different to the civilian version! There are detail differences in the chassis, most body panels, the wiring and fuel systems are different.

Others have already listed some details. You didn't mention whether it's an 88" (Mk8) or a 109" (Mk9).

I can take a few photos of some of the differences in the next few days if that helps.

I'll dig out production data as well. Depending on when you're viewing it I'm happy to give you my number so we can speak while you're there.

Matt.

[Peter Holden]

The straight rear crossmember is usually a good indicator but is not infallible.  Some RAF and the odd army chassis have a civilian crossmember.

Peter