The origins of this section were provided by Michael Bishop and were written by him in 1996 at the tender age of 22 as part of a web experimental project (http:\/\/www.4wdonline.com\/4WD.html) hosting static, unchanging, web-content of a historical nature.<\/p>\n
The work lists all changes documented by Rover with additional sections for Engine, Gearbox & Axle changes and separate details for the Welder and Tickford Station Wagon variants. Please click on the relevant section (tab) below and expand to see details using the toggle switches.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
1948 Land-Rover Basic model changes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n R860001<\/strong> Despatched In 19\/07\/1948<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5011.<\/a><\/p>\n Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5012.<\/a><\/p>\n R860150<\/strong> Despatched In 15\/09\/1948<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R860180<\/strong> Despatched In 15\/09\/1948<\/em> Click here for example<\/a><\/p>\n L860181<\/strong> Despatched In 17\/09\/1948<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R860525<\/strong> Despatched In 02\/11\/1948<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5046.<\/a><\/p>\n R860648<\/strong> Despatched In 05\/11\/1948<\/em> R860750<\/strong> Despatched In 11\/11\/1948<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n Lucas ‘Land Rover’ Spare Parts List CE456 on page 3 makes reference to that addition of the SE62 Trafficators being made available for the Land Rover even though this list is dated April 1949, long after the actual change in specification<\/p>\n Click here for Lucas Spares List CE456.<\/a><\/p>\n R861001<\/strong> Despatched In 02\/12\/1948<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R861372<\/strong> Despatched In 15\/12\/1948<\/em> Click here for axle changes<\/a><\/p>\n R861501<\/strong> Despatched In 17\/12\/1948<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R861901<\/strong> Despatched In 07\/01\/1949<\/em> Click here for example<\/a><\/p>\n R862115<\/strong> Despatched In 17\/01\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5046.<\/a><\/p>\n Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5153.<\/a><\/p>\n R862298<\/strong> Despatched In 21\/01\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5046.<\/a><\/p>\n R862501<\/strong> Despatched In 07\/02\/1949<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R863000<\/strong> Despatched In 22\/02\/1949<\/em> 1949 Land-Rover Basic model changes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n R8663001<\/strong> Despatched In 23\/02\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5038.<\/a><\/p>\n Click here for the 1948-49 Rover Service Bulletin Index<\/a><\/p>\n L8664116<\/strong> Despatched In 30\/03\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5046.<\/a><\/p>\n L8665465<\/strong> Despatched In 05\/05\/49<\/em> R8665603<\/strong> Despatched In 09\/05\/1949<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n L8665608<\/strong> Despatched In 10\/05\/1949<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R8666001<\/strong> Despatched In 13\/05\/1949<\/em> Click here for examples of canvas changes<\/a><\/p>\n R8666068<\/strong> Despatched In 24\/05\/1949<\/em> R8666225<\/strong> Despatched In 25\/05\/1949<\/em> R8666250<\/strong> Despatched In 24\/05\/1949<\/em> R8666574<\/strong> R8666580<\/strong> Despatched In 14\/06\/1949<\/em> R8667200 <\/strong>Despatched In 30\/06\/1949 R8667575<\/strong> Despatched In 11\/07\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5123<\/a><\/p>\n R8667920<\/strong> Despatched In 19\/08\/1949<\/em> 1950 Land-Rover Basic model changes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n R06100001<\/strong> Despatched In 03\/08\/1949<\/em> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5104.<\/a><\/p>\n Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5105.<\/a><\/p>\n L06100156<\/strong> Despatched In 22\/07\/1949<\/em> R06100280<\/strong> Despatched In 08\/08\/1949<\/em> Click here for examples<\/a><\/p>\n R06101033<\/strong> Despatched In 30\/08\/1949<\/em> R06101747<\/strong> Despatched In 22\/09\/1949<\/em> Click here for Service Bulletin 5133.<\/a><\/p>\n R06102501<\/strong> Click here for Rover Service Bulletin 5109<\/a><\/p>\n R06103841<\/strong> Despatched In 07\/11\/1949<\/em>
\nFirst production vehicle in this sequence. Rover Service Bulletin 5011 on 16\/06\/1948 titled, ‘1948 Land Rover and Unit Numbers’ which details the way the sequence will work. On the same day Rover Service Bulletin 5012, titled ‘1948 Land Rover, Brief Technical Specification’ was released. As the Specification changed during 1948, this Bulletin was updated twice.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. Rover Service Bulletin 5046 from the 05\/05\/1949, issue 2 titled, ‘Road Spring’s’ which details the way road springs evolved and changed on the early vehices. The road springs changed again at Chassis No. R862115<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. R06113530. See also 1949 chassis No. 8665465.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. This change is often listed as also being at chassis No 860730. 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nChange in axle ratio from 4.88:1 to 4.7:1. This chassis number is only mentioned in the earliest workshop manual TP 109 A. In researching this change the earliest vehicle found so far is actually, the very original R861277 which has front axle R861333 and the 4.7:1 ratio, so it certainly appears that Rover dropped any reference to this chassis number as it is incorrect. The change is usually listed as axles, front and rear 861320 onwards.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe steering relay changed from a single loaded Tufnol cone type, to the double loaded dampening cone type secured with bolts. You can tell the later type with 4 bolts in the top of the relay<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. Rover Service Bulletin 5046, 05\/05\/1949, issue 2 titled, ‘Road Spring’s’ which details the way road springs evolved and changed on the early vehices. The front springs changed again on the 1950 model at chassis No. chassis No. 06113530. The front shock absorbers changed at this point as well to being the same as the rear which have slightly more extension and slightly less compression. Rover Service Bulletin 5153, 13\/03\/51 Titled J3: Suspesion, Indentification of Telescopic Shock Absorers lists details of all the shock absorbers used on the early models, when they changed and how they differed.<\/p>\n
\nThe right hand side side rear spring free camber changed from being 4 3\/8″ to being 5″ free camber. This change was made to compensate for the weight carried on the right hand side such as the fuel tank. Rover Service Bulletin 05\/05\/1949, issue 2 titled, ‘Road Spring’s’ which details the way road springs evolved and changed on the early vehices. The rear spring free camber changed again on the 1949 model at chassis No. 8664116<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nLast Production vehicle in this sequence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>1949 Land-Rover Basic model changes<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nFirst Production vehicle in this sequence. Rover Service Bulletin 5038, 11\/02\/1949 titled, ‘Land Rover and Unit Numbers’ which details the way the sequence changes from the 86 to the 866 sequence. Note that this particular Service Bulletin doesn’t actually mention that the sequence has changed from 1948 to 1949 model years, but if you have a look at the 1948-49 Service Bulletin Index it does list Service Bulletin 5038 as the one for the Serial Numbers for the 1949 Land Rover.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. This was done to reduce stress on the rear propellar shaft when the rear spring camber was increased at 1948 Model R862298. Rover Service Bulletin 05\/05\/1949, issue 2 titled, ‘Road Spring’s’ which details the way road springs evolved and changed on the early vehices.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe ristrictor part No 232635 is addded to the air intake elbow as part of dust ristriction for the engine.<\/p>\n
\nThe cable from battery to starter switch is changed, from part No. 219651 to 231774<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>The 3 pin socket for the rear trailer plug now has a rubber splash proof cover fitted to it. This change is reported in Section X Extra Equipment of Workshop Manual TP 109 B. The bracket holding the socket also changed from being L shaped to C shaped at this point.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to workshop manual TP109 B and Rover Service Bulletin 5123, this vehicle was the first vehicle fitted with the new adjustabe Girling Hydraulic braking system. See the Land Rover 80″ Axle Changes<\/em> at axles 867721 for list of what changed.<\/p>\n
\nLast Production vehicle in this sequence<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>1950 Land-Rover Basic model changes<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\nFirst Production vehicle in this sequence. Rover Service Bulletin 5104, 20\/09\/1949, Titled, U2 Numbering: 1950 Land-Rover and Unit Numbers, covers the introduction of the 1950 Model Land Rover Production. Rover Service Bulletin 5105 was also issued on th same day covering the latest specification of the new 1950 models. This Bulletin is titled, W2 Specification: 1950 Land Rover Technical Specification. Do note that the first page of this Bulletin has also been updated.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n
\nThe 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. The reason that this change came about is that when the wheel is mounted on the bonnet, the bonnet often scrapes against the round elbow, so they introduced the oval elbow as a cure to this clearance problem. The elbow on the air cleaner changed as well from having a sliding clamp to having two wing nuts to secure it to the air cleaner.<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe Doors and tailgate now have rubber draft strips added to them. The rear door strip is also able to act as a buffer between the door and front wings and untimatley the wing buffer disapears during the 1950 season. Service Bulletin 5133, titled R5 Body: Dust Proofing was issued on 12\/07\/1950 detailing the draft strip part numbers and how to retro fit them to earlier vehicles.<\/p>\n
\nThe strengthening ribs under the rear body floor are shortened slightly to allow for better clearance between the ribs and the rear wiring harness for the tail lights. This change is covered in Rover Service Bulletin 5109 P1 Electrical from the 09\/11\/1949<\/p>\n
\nThe 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<\/p>\n