Land Rover mechanic fantasy camp

SCRover

SCRover

Well-known member
My other expensive hobby is on 2-wheels. On a motorcycle forum I frequent there is a member that hosts a tech day once a year. He invites anyone who wants to come, and about 40-50 people show up to socialize and wrench on their bikes.. He has a garage and a large driveway, a couple bike lifts, tools, and a tire changer. The attendees range from absolute zero mechanical aptitude to experienced bike mechanics, and everyone contributes knowledge and skill to help with just about any repair work that can be done in a day. It is 90% BMW motorcycle focused, and folks come from many hundreds of miles away. Some people just show up to hang around.

I think it would be pretty awesome if there was a Land Rover version. From what I've read over the years most everyone on this forum is a pretty competent mechanic. I am amazed at the level of skill I've seen, especially you guys doing frame up rebuilds. Way above my pay grade. I can do some basic stuff, but I know one day I'll need to tackle something I've never done before. I even floated the idea of offering to pay a working LR mechanic to let me "apprentice" for them for a week to pick up some knowledge. I know there are books and YouTube videos galore, but I learn better being hands-on.

So, putting this out there. Anyone ever done something like this before? Anyone interested in putting on a Landy repair workshop? It would be a ton of work and a logistical nightmare, but it might be fun! If not, if someone wants a "helper" for a day or two I'd be willing to pay for your time. I'm not trying to do a frame swap, but want to be competent to do all the regular maintenance, typical shadetree mechanic stuff (axles, suspension components, diffs, etc.) and trail repairs.
 
WreckITFrank

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
this is like when home depot does a tile workshop on a saturday morning? sounds like you only need to attend of the big rover events, no doubt everyone will be doing some sort of maint on the fly. never been to any of the big events, but likely anything you can imagine being worked on...;)
 
N

novasupra

Member
I believe there was a Land Rover shop in the Northwest, Washington or Oregon that did this, i came across it on their website and thought it was a really cool idea.
You can also check your local community programs, a member of one of the forums mentioned that there was a local trade training school that would have Friday nights where you could sign up, reserve a spot with a lift and wrench on whatever you wanted to work on. They would have instructors on hand if you had problems, only caveat is that you had to finish before they closed... which is a huge dealbreaker for me, all of my projects are easily 4, 5, 6x whatever schedule I originally think it will be.
 
expanse

expanse

Well-known member
Mirrajumper said:
All you need is one driveway, 3 needy defenders, tools, pizza/beer and a non rainy weekend. Lots of repairs can get done! Post up a location and invite some defenders over- it will GROW organically.
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This gets the local Karens worked up hard. Code officer shows up the next business day. ask me how I know....
 
MountainD

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
HOA? I’d never live in one. Local police code? That would be harsh. Im glad I don’t live in a neighborhood that would do that…
 
expanse

expanse

Well-known member
MountainD said:
HOA? I’d never live in one. Local police code? That would be harsh. Im glad I don’t live in a neighborhood that would do that…
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No HOA, just someone with a NIMBY complex with nothing else to do but call code officer. I could write a small book about this but it'll get my BP jacked.
 
evilfij

evilfij

Well-known member
Always happy to meet rover people (and their rovers).

And yes, I neither drink beer nor eat pizza. Bring ice and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Lol. I have gotten better about not immediately crawling under people’s trucks without asking.

I work a ton, but I can usually squeeze an hour in during a weekday, weekends I have some more time. If you need major work, you are better off sending it to a shop, but if you want someone who has experience, especially in NAS trucks, to look at stuff and try to fix some small things I am your guy.
 
SCRover

SCRover

Well-known member
evilfij said:
Always happy to meet rover people (and their rovers).

And yes, I neither drink beer nor eat pizza. Bring ice and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Lol. I have gotten better about not immediately crawling under people’s trucks without asking.

I work a ton, but I can usually squeeze an hour in during a weekday, weekends I have some more time. If you need major work, you are better off sending it to a shop, but if you want someone who has experience, especially in NAS trucks, to look at stuff and try to fix some small things I am your guy.
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Well, that comment was sort of meant as a joke, but I will keep a spare bottle of whiskey in the truck just in case!
 
S

Spikemd

Active member
The NorCal Rover group gets together occasionally for dronks and chat and sometimes we wrench as well. If you are in Northern California, let us know. Good buddy has a full shop and lifts.
 
emj

emj

Active member
Nick&Nora said:
It's Defenders Northwest, and it does sound very cool. DNW OMRT
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I have done a lot of work at DNW with their owner managed program and its been extremely helpful. I had no prior mechanical experience before buying my Defender and had no idea what I was doing. I think I would have sold it years ago had I not been able to bring it into their shop and learn as I went through all the various problems I encountered. I've done an engine conversion, replaced broken timing belt/IP, replaced disc brakes, added power steering, added new turbo, did a custom roof rack and numerous other projects. I now am at the point where I don't need to go and do all of my work at their shop but I still go once a year or so when I encounter something I'm less comfortable with, or when I just want to work out of a fully equipped garage with all the spare parts I would need in stock.
 
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