The stage 1 V8 went to sale in early 1979. Stage 2 was a new model redesign of the Land Rover utility range and as the V8 would also be used in the new stage 2 models, the development experience needed for stage 1 would be helpful. Turning Ryder’s proposals into the stage 2 project didn’t kick off immediately but, by 1976 there was an informal apprentice built hybrid, lashed together from a Range Rover chassis and Series III bodywork. The following year saw the formal start of the stage 2 project individual vehicle were built on various wheelbases, setting on 110 inchers for the long wheelbase version.
But there’s more to producing a new model than just shoving a stretched Range Rover rolling chassis under some series III 109 inch bodywork. The utility would work harder and carry more not forgetting that a high capacity version would be needed, and that many Land Rovers are run overland as a matter of course. Axles were strengthened, and the Range Rover one front, one in behind rear axle to shocker mounting system was eventually change to both in front. Chassis rails wear deepened. The bulkhead outriggers were relocated, a proper rear cross member was grafted on and front dumb irons were reworked more than once. There were lots of other changes underneath. For example, the Range Rover’s behind front axle steering damper was moved upfront and to keep thing simple the self leveling Boge strut was deleted on all variants expect the station wagon.
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