LR3 for Overland Travel

[troverman]

I like STOCK off-roaders that outperform modded rigs. The LR3 is one of them. I'm sure someone will come out with a lift kit for LR3 soon enough; you can buy it stock with coils; there are plenty of lift kits for pickups with front independent suspension so rear can't be so hard...

My point is, why would you want it? Big lifts look ridiculous on vehicles. I see guys with basically a custom-built chassis, suspension, etc and a j**p body sitting on top. They say, "i got the baddest j**p ever made...but in reality, its hardly a j**p at all, just the body is. The same goes for Rovers with aftermarket lifts, big wheels, axle lockers, etc...

The way the vehicle comes from the manufacturer, plus whatever the manufacturer offers in the form of factory accessories, equals the off-road capability of that vehicle. Modifications beyond that are not indicative of the vehicle's general performance.

With enough money, you could probably modify a Ford Crown Victoria to outperform a Landy. (hey, its got a solid rear axle so why not lift it?)

I'm not against tasteful mods, but you can modify anything to be good off-road. Using modifications as the basis for vehicle superiority is a slippery position indeed...

I really like the LR3's blend of excellent on-road performance (It drives as well as L322 Range Rover) and amazing off-road performance. An LR3 will outperform any stock Discovery I or II, RRC, or P38 off-road; and these vehicles simply aren't even in the same league as the LR3 on the road. I know, I've had all of them. We spoke with an instructor at Land Rover's new Experience Centre in Manchester, VT--He told us all the 'old-style' Rovers cannot even complete some of the toughest sections of the course, whereas the LR3 doesn't have too much difficulty. Is the course tailored to the LR3? Perhaps, but if you can't make it, then you can't make it. He included even the legendary Defender in the 'old-style' Rovers. This is because of course the D90 / 110 is an old-style Rover, and certainly doesn't have any additional traction abilities over any other old Rover. SO, if the stock LR3 out wheels other older stock Rovers, plus is way better on-road, to me you have to say the LR3 is the superior vehicle. Period.

Folks, you just have to have an LR3 for a week to realize that you love it. It is so much better built, rides so well, is so roomy...on and on and on. Does that make it a sissy car? I think not. If you want a 'man's' 4x4, why not buy a j**p or some japanese 4x4? These crude vehicles may do OK off-road, but only a fool would punish themselves with the ride and performance when they could have better! The LR3 has dual exhaust and there is actually some power behind them unlike P38's. The LR3 feels and is very safe. You will start to really like the way the vehicle looks. All I could say is that, wow, they really got this one right.

Don't think I don't like or respect all the older Rovers. They're great machines, built the reputation of Rover today on their backs. There is nothing like an old RRC is nice shape. I call it a 'mysterious' vehicle. We will be keeping our 1992 County. But I think the LR3 would make a fine vehicle for overland travel. Ours already has a winch, so all I need is a rack and raised intake (factory, of course) and I'm ready for the Sahara!

**NB: More women buy Range Rovers than men.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by sideview

Oi, who would want 35's for overland travel? Thor, I think you need to get on that short bus, you're missing the topic of this thread

My little way of showing how silly the thread is...

XOXO

I travel over land to work with 35's

Use whatever you like for your own trip.

[Thor]

Clearly the only answer to the problem is a RR1 body on an LR3 chassis.

If you don't have this don't even drive to the next state.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by troverman

I like STOCK off-roaders that outperform modded rigs. The LR3 is one of them. I'm sure someone will come out with a lift kit for LR3 soon enough; you can buy it stock with coils; there are plenty of lift kits for pickups with front independent suspension so rear can't be so hard...

My point is, why would you want it? Big lifts look ridiculous on vehicles. I see guys with basically a custom-built chassis, suspension, etc and a j**p body sitting on top. They say, "i got the baddest j**p ever made...but in reality, its hardly a j**p at all, just the body is. The same goes for Rovers with aftermarket lifts, big wheels, axle lockers, etc...

The way the vehicle comes from the manufacturer, plus whatever the manufacturer offers in the form of factory accessories, equals the off-road capability of that vehicle. Modifications beyond that are not indicative of the vehicle's general performance.

With enough money, you could probably modify a Ford Crown Victoria to outperform a Landy. (hey, its got a solid rear axle so why not lift it?)

I'm not against tasteful mods, but you can modify anything to be good off-road. Using modifications as the basis for vehicle superiority is a slippery position indeed...

I really like the LR3's blend of excellent on-road performance (It drives as well as L322 Range Rover) and amazing off-road performance. An LR3 will outperform any stock Discovery I or II, RRC, or P38 off-road; and these vehicles simply aren't even in the same league as the LR3 on the road. I know, I've had all of them. We spoke with an instructor at Land Rover's new Experience Centre in Manchester, VT--He told us all the 'old-style' Rovers cannot even complete some of the toughest sections of the course, whereas the LR3 doesn't have too much difficulty. Is the course tailored to the LR3? Perhaps, but if you can't make it, then you can't make it. He included even the legendary Defender in the 'old-style' Rovers. This is because of course the D90 / 110 is an old-style Rover, and certainly doesn't have any additional traction abilities over any other old Rover. SO, if the stock LR3 out wheels other older stock Rovers, plus is way better on-road, to me you have to say the LR3 is the superior vehicle. Period.

Folks, you just have to have an LR3 for a week to realize that you love it. It is so much better built, rides so well, is so roomy...on and on and on. Does that make it a sissy car? I think not. If you want a 'man's' 4x4, why not buy a j**p or some japanese 4x4? These crude vehicles may do OK off-road, but only a fool would punish themselves with the ride and performance when they could have better! The LR3 has dual exhaust and there is actually some power behind them unlike P38's. The LR3 feels and is very safe. You will start to really like the way the vehicle looks. All I could say is that, wow, they really got this one right.

Don't think I don't like or respect all the older Rovers. They're great machines, built the reputation of Rover today on their backs. There is nothing like an old RRC is nice shape. I call it a 'mysterious' vehicle. We will be keeping our 1992 County. But I think the LR3 would make a fine vehicle for overland travel. Ours already has a winch, so all I need is a rack and raised intake (factory, of course) and I'm ready for the Sahara!

**NB: More women buy Range Rovers than men.

Wow! I hope you type fast. I'd hate to think you typed all that on my account. I was just being silly.

I love your LR3 too! It's the best.

Are you leaving for the Sahara right from the dealer after the high air intake is installed?

Good to know about women buying Range Rovers! I will now look for my sugar-mama!

[drzjoint]

The Lr3 is great on the highway and you will not finand a more capable stock off road vehicle you can fit 32" with a height sensor mod and gain an extra 2" whic can be remved in 10min or less there are plenty of accesories now for the lr3 and i would have faith in mine to go out for a month at a time.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by drzjoint

The Lr3 is great on the highway and you will not finand a more capable stock off road vehicle you can fit 32" with a height sensor mod and gain an extra 2" whic can be remved in 10min or less there are plenty of accesories now for the lr3 and i would have faith in mine to go out for a month at a time.

Since the LR3 is an indie suspension rig I'd think the tires would wear very strangely on the outside edges if lifted like that, if used other than off road. Or with 32's can the rig be run at correct height on the road?

I'm assuming without the solid axle the path of rotation durning suspension travel would be an arc centered at the bolt holding thet suspension parts on. As opposed to lifting a live axle rig where the tires stay parallelish no matter how high you lift it.

[drzjoint]

I personally would only run the 32s on a different set of rims that i would only use with the height sensor mod in place so you should have no problems with rubbing unless in the new acess mode you may get some at full lock but wear would not be much of an issue since you would not be running them daily on the highway. In my opinion I would run the 285 60 coopers arb bumper but re modify the brush guard so the light bulbs could be changed easier; add in an aftermarket tubular roof rack slap on a snorkel but that is somewhat optional since it is more for dusty conditions than H2O. and put on the height sensor mod when heading out in the bush. I persanally would not run the 32" You are putting yoursef at rick of damaging the computer thing in the wheel well at full compression have heard of a few who have don that with the 285 but the height mod should negate that problem. I would not reccomend running the height mod all the time It only takes 10 min to swap out and you do not need to even tke the tire off the hardest part is pulling the jack out from under your bench to raise the vehicle up so you can fit under their easier for the rears. Now the only thing getting you from basicly getting to where you want to ga and back is yourself in my opinion. and if you cant get their with the help of the Lr3 and all its computer traction point and a child can drive thru that you dont stand a chance in hell with somthing else.

[drzjoint]

urban offroad rack is the one i was thinking about

[Thor]

Nice!

I think I'm too lazy to change things out too much. I run my 35's full time. a 5 hour trip to Montrose was incredibly easy! An indicated 75 MPH most of the time still corners through the Colorado Canyons rather well for what it is.

To my rig's benefit.. it is incredibly well sorted out for a modified rig. All vibrations have been dialed out (minus tires obvously) unlike many rigs where the modifier lacks experience to diagnose and mitigate little problems that become ball busters down the road. (I'm not tooting my own horn on this one... the previous owner and his now my mechanic did wonders)

I promise to ride in an LR3 with an open mind! hahaha!

[drzjoint]

Don't worry your mouth will be open.

[Rovin4life]

from my experience most women buy the range rover sport if they have no kids. They buy the LR3 if they do. The guys buy the RR. I have seen his and her RR for the guys and RRS for the girls. But if the women drives the RR enough then she may decide that she now wants a RR instead of the sport.

[couchsachraga]

Images of a one month trip living out of an LR3 ("trip report" of sorts just posted in general forum).

Picasa Web Albums - Adam - LR3 Out West ...

PM me with any specific questions you have.

In short, it's a great vehicle, very capable and comfortable. I'd definitely go with a roof top tent, and I'd get a FrontRunner roof rack from Equipt1. Stick with 265/65 18 or similar tires if you don't want them to rub. My 285s (Nitto Terra Grapplers) are great tires, but they do rub at full lock.

[drzjoint]

Wish I knew you were going to be at pictured rocks up mich I am 4 hrs away would have met up with you for a day or 2.

[antichrist]

Originally Posted by troverman

We are new converts to LR3 after years of solid-axle equipped, Rover-V8 powered Land Rovers. As for a comment about "sharp sticks" puncturing airbag suspension, it won't happen. The rubber bladder is wrapped in a lightweight steel shield, both front and rear springs.

I've seen floorboards penetrated. Don't tell me the airbags can't be ruptured.

I feel the LR3 is a superior vehicle to all past Land Rovers. There will be stories of catastrophic failures on 'electronic' Rovers, but I think these are the exception. And lets not pretend there aren't problems with older, simpler Rovers.

And those can often be made mobile again with bailing wire and duct tape (to over simplify).

Originally Posted by troverman

I like STOCK off-roaders that outperform modded rigs. The LR3 is one of them.

Not really. The LR3 is a basic vechicle just "modded" at the factory. Mainly with electronics.
Let me know how capable it is in 45 years. My '62 88 is still quite capable off-road.
However, I've only owned it for about 34 years....I wonder how capable an LR3 will be in 34 years.

[sideview]

Originally Posted by antichrist

Let me know how capable it is in 45 years.

I'll be too busy kicking ass at bingo and Wii bowling.

If someone were inclined for nostalgia, I don't see why not as long as there are still parts available. It's a solid machine, IDS will be elementary and dirt cheap by then. Then again, they could simply harness some lightning and channel it into the flux capacitor and come back for repairs.