Dear Editor,
Mike Koch related his ordeal resulting from a dead slave cylinder. As he’s now undoubtedly aware (since he works at Rovers North and gets input from his co-workers), driving without a clutch is distressing, but entirely possible. One starts the vehicle in first or second gear and then shifts by synchronizing the engine rpm with the propshaft rpm at a given speed. It becomes easy to shift up or down in this fashion. When stopping the vehicle, one places the transmission in neutral, shuts down the engine, and restarts in first or second gear. I have done this with innumerable standard shift vehicles over the past 50 years, for short and long trips.

Using radial tires, different shocks, and parabolic springs will dramatically alter the handling of his MOD 109”, as it did mine, prior to its destruction by a huge oak tree during a storm. Perhaps one day I’ll own another. I’ve had three Series Land Rovers and loved every one of them.

Lawrence Lippert, M.D
Huntington, NY

[Sounds like just what the doctor ordered for a bum clutch. My experience with dodgy clutches in my Land Rovers is that the low gearing and low torque curve conspire to make speed shifting a difficult challenge in a Series Rover; it’s proven to be a lot easier in several British sports cars. Radial tires and parabolics can soften the impact of an MOD 109” in daily running – Mike, are you paying attention? –ed]

Dear Editor,
“What To Do in the Snow” by Jeffrey Aronson was a great article, but it ignores the elephant in the room. That is, why are Range Rovers (mine is a Classic) only average (maybe worse) in the snow? It’s not just a matter of tires; it seems to be a function of the transfer case not locking up, or not staying locked. My comparison vehicles are a couple of International Harvester Scouts and a GMC pickup. All had conventional 4WD with locking hubs and no positraction. All were better in the snow than the Classic. My solution has been to put a click or two on the parking brake to convince the transfer case that there is unequal traction between front and rear, but this only sort of works.

I hope you’ll give me an honest reply and not tell me there is something wrong with the vehicle; it has been checked out every way possible. Plus, I’m not the only one to observe this. Other owners with experience in other vehicles share my opinion.

Lee J. Dahle
[Via email]

[It’s hard to believe that the additional V-8 torque and coil spring suspension travel, so much better on a Range Rover than on a Scout or GMC pickup [or Series Land Rover] of similar vintage, does not produce the off-road results you want in snow. Given the number of Range Rover Classics that perform mightily at off-road events, I’m not certain I can agree fully with your conclusion. To my chagrin, Range Rovers have pulled my Series II-A out of mudholes or over ice floes all to o effectively. The most recent Maine Winter Romp witnessed many Range Rovers and Discovery Series I’s [same drivetrain] proving themselves very effective in snowy conditions.

When Rovers North organized the only winter climb up the Mount Washington Auto Road, Their Range Rovers performed superbly on the arduous and historic trek. The team found that at times, use of the high range gears was more effective than L1 or L2 in certain snow situations. Tire selection and air pressure do make a difference on the handling of all Land Rovers in snow situations; I’ve watched a Range Rover Classic bog terribly in snow all because the owner refused to air down his tires. I know that was the reason because Range Rovers who followed the trail leaders’ instructions went around him to help tow him up the trail.

What do readers think of Lee’s observations? Are you also disappointed with your Range Rover Classic’s abilities in the snow? –ed]

Dear Editor,
I just wanted to thank you for the service Steve [Haskell] provided me today. I am the kind of person who pretty much likes to deal with just one person. Steve is the kind of guy who always remembers my name and who I am. No small task for him, I am sure. So when I had a chance to visit your shop, I just had to have lunch with him. It’s that personal touch for me that makes the difference between you folks and just price shopping the internet.

Gustaf Kupetz
Lead Driver, East Coast FJ Trail Teams

[Steve bought you lunch when you visited Rovers North? He’s never bought me lunch when I show up at Rovers North! There’s a very dedicated group of technical support staff in Westford and we agree they make a huge difference for Rover enthusiasts everywhere –ed]

Hello,
I was hunting for some Land Rover information and came across wonderful advertisements for Land Rovers from the 1950’s. They were a delight to read. Enjoy and keep up your good work. You got me even more addicted to Land Rovers and I get even more crap from my wife! I wish I could have one of those 1950’s Land Rovers brand new but I am still happy to have my ’93 Range Rover Classic LWB that I got back in 2005, with only 54,800 miles, for $5,000. She has about 62,500 miles to date.

D. Aaron Conway
Minneapolis, MN

[Through Land Rover parts support and the additional resources of Rovers North, you can basically rebuild a classic Series Rover so that it’s as “new” as when it left the factory. It’s a bit harder with Series I Land Rovers, given the number of unique and NLA parts on them. Land Rover Classic Parts and Rovers North can keep your Range Rover Classic original and authentic for years to come –ed]

Hey Ya’ll!
What a wonderful magazine you have! I love reading about the wonderful times, places and adventures other folks have.

Kelly Dunkelberger
Berthoud, CO

[Kelly, you live in Colorado, the home of the Solihull Society and the Rocky Mountains. You can have wonderful times and adventures, too. When you do, let us know about them –ed]

Dear Editor,
Thanks for your help with parts and advice for my Defender 90 SW. Lucky for us, our 2004 Discovery (the one that doesn’t look like an Explorer) hasn’t needed anything yet, but based on our previous two Discoverys, its only a matter of time!

Kelly Horn
St. Joseph, MO

[I always felt as though Ford copied the lines of the Discovery for its ill-fated Expedition, not the Explorer –ed]

Dear Rovers North,
I’m the former owner of two Range Rover Classics and the current over of an 88” and a 109”, both RHD and extra cool. Thanks for your great magazine/catalogue and all the great service we’ve received from y’all. Stay warm up there!

Jennifer Drugge
Beaufort, SC

[Who’s “y’all?” That’s a strange word up here. And if you need parts delivered to the coast, say next February, please ask for me directly! –ed]

Dear Rovers North,
I’m a Discovery I owner always looking for Series or Defender 110 project when dollars aren’t an issue. Plus, I know that Rovers North will be there for all my needs.

Matt Parro
Whitby, Ontario
Canada

[The growing strength of the Canadian dollar makes it easier than ever to purchase Rover parts from Rovers North. We’ll help you no matter which Rover model you choose for the future –ed.]

Dear Rovers North,
Thanks so much for your wonderful magazine/ catalogue!

Gail Ferguson
Pottstown, PA

[You’re welcome! –ed]

Dear Editor,
I love your magazine, especially the “Behind the Steering Wheel” section, but I love the articles, too.

James Pitts
Dallas, GA

[James, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Of course, the publisher will believe that I conned you into writing such complimentary remarks –ed]

Dear Mark,
Willie Nelson is a legend here in Texas. Some will immediately conclude that Texas must have a very small pool of legends from which to pick. Be that as it may, there is a line from one of Willie’s songs that says, “I know more ole drunks that I do ole doctors – so let’s have another round.” I got to thinking about that line in Willie’s song after reading the recent “Behind the Steering Wheel” article about Mr. Brian Carvey and his ole Rover. I think we could say “I know more old Rovers than I do ole Cruisers so let’s go out down the road.”

Thanks, Mark, for all you and your crew, do.
Leighton Ogg
Houston, TX

[Except for certain decisions out of the Texas Legislature, we never question Texas legends – we figure they’re true. Reading the “Behind the Steering Wheel” column has many readers reaching for another round, too –ed]

Dear Rovers North,
Perhaps it’s time to run another article on safe practices with a Hi-Lift (type) jack. On page 25 of the Spring 2007 Rovers North News – the photo on the right hand side of the page. Certainly, there is a better example of jacking in the vast RN photo library. If not, let’s do a photo shoot. I hate to be one of “those types,” but you know exactly why I’m on about this.

Best regards,
Jeff Berg
Malden, MA

[Yes, Jeff, we share mutual friends who have suffered injury from unintentionally incorrect use of the farm jack. Our photo shows a Hi-Lift at work on a snowy field elevating a Defender while the crew has the front tire off the car. The jack handle is pointing out at 90 degrees, never a good move. I’m often getting stuck in off road situations, so maybe we can collaborate on that photo shoot –ed.]

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