Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum. I purchased a 2006 LR3 HSE after to 3 or 4 months of research. The main reason for my research was finding out whether or not a snow plow could be installed on an LR3. After much internet searching, I found nobody that has ever done this. Well, I guess I'm the first, then.
I've owned an Import Automotive Repair shop for years, so I posted the question of whether this should be done to many of my colleagues on automotive technical forums and I was basically laughed at and told to buy a real truck. I don't think they really get it.
Before searching for and buying my LR3, I picked one up at the dealer and drove it to Ebling and Son, a blacksmith shop that's been around for ages. They sell, build and install snowplows and I figured if anyone could fabricate a frame mount, it would be them.
They looked it over and said "sure, plenty of frame under there". So, I began my search for a used LR3.
Purchased it in Sept. Had the plow work done and when I raised the plow for the first time, I was in love. I expected the front end to drop as I raised the plow, but it didn't. The LR3 stayed level and rock solid. Much better than my K5 Blazer that I've plowed with for 14 years which sagged pretty bad when I picked the plow up.
As I drove the LR3 with plow installed on the 16 mile trip home from the Blacksmith shop, I was even more convinced that I had made a good decision. If you couldn't see the plow on the front of the LR3, you wouldn't know it was there. The LR3 handled and drove like a dream.
I live in Michigan and I hate snow, but I'm acutally looking forward to plowing this winter.
I've had the truck up on the hoist at my shop and thoroughly inspected the LR3's frame along with the fabricated mount, I see absolutly no problems with this. Ground clearance is good, frame and mount on this vehicle look extremely strong.
So don't let the nay sayers control you. This is very very cool. If this forum allows pictures, or I can figure out how to upload them, I'll post a few soon.
That's cool Yes we need some picies! Easiest way is to put them up on a gallery site (like photobucket or something) and link to them by clicking the insert image icon in the message editor.
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The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes. —Marcel Proust
I think the high pricetag of the LR is what turns people off for them performing work. Its seen as a luxury brand and therefore to some its like putting a plow on a Aston Martin. I suppose it could be done but why? is what they are thinking I bet. Its better to trash a Ford or Chevy truck in the snow than take a high ticket brand and use it for "work" although that is how Land Rover started. Its done some nasty things in its life, why not a plow too?
Plowing tends to thrash a transmission pretty badly, but, I am interested in seeing how you do.
The chassis, engine, transmission, and 4WD systems of the LR3 can easily handle plowing. The frame on an LR3 is bigger than a lot of half-ton pickups, and since it is hydroformed, fully boxed, and has lots of crossovers it is as strong as a conventional 3/4 ton frame. The engine has 300bhp and 315lb-ft, so plenty of plowing grunt. The transmission is the same 6-speed unit hooked up to supercharged range rover / sport with over 400lb-ft and 400bhp, so I would say it can take some 'thrashing' from plowing. Same goes for the permanent 4WD system. The amount of traction an LR3 can utilize from its traction control, locking center diff, and opt rear locker is great for plowing.
That said, I would be wary of the air suspension strength. While its fine now, driving with the plow up puts a ton of extra pressure on the front springs. Note how much smaller the front air springs are versus the rears. That's because the LR3 is designed to tow 7716lbs or carry a large payload. The only extra weight designed to be carried on the front is a brush guard, spotlights, and the winch. How much does you plow and frame weigh? Probably a lot more than the brush bar / lights / winch on the front of mine. The only thing you have going in your favor is I know the springs have a very high burst pressure rating. However, I would be prepared for replacing the front springs and compressor a little prematurely.
I would love to see pictures. Is it a regular like 8' steel fisher plow? Or is it a lightweight plastic plow? I have seen Discoverys and Defenders both fitted with steel plows that work well, but they usually need a stronger spring in the front. Good luck!
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Current:
2005 Land Rover LR3 V8 SE w/ factory winch
1992 Land Rover Range Rover County
Also current:
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon
2002 Volkswagen Eurovan GLS
1996 Ford Explorer LTD 2WD
Previous Rovers:
2000 Land Rover Discovery II SD
1995 Range Rover 4.0SE (see avatar, driving during local flood)
Interesting, I would have gone with a $500 F250 that you can put up for the summer...good luck! The wear and tear is too much! Every customer will emmediately think your are priced too higheven if you are competitive.
It's like the guy who bid on repairing the roof on my house, he drove an escallade nice for sure but his car payment is much higher than the guy who got the job and drives a work truck - 1986 dodge ram 1500. (he has greater flexibility in his bid as his overhead is lower.)
I think the high pricetag of the LR is what turns people off for them performing work. Its seen as a luxury brand and therefore to some its like putting a plow on a Aston Martin. I suppose it could be done but why? is what they are thinking I bet. Its better to trash a Ford or Chevy truck in the snow than take a high ticket brand and use it for "work" although that is how Land Rover started. Its done some nasty things in its life, why not a plow too?
Plowing tends to thrash a transmission pretty badly, but, I am interested in seeing how you do.
Lets see the pics.
Actually, I paid less for the LR3 than I did for a 1993 K5 Blazer I purchased back in 1994. I've driven the Blazer with a plow for all those years but I hated the truck, when a bit of rust poked it's ugly head, I began my search for something else. For me, I can't stand driving junk, so even though my Blazer still looked very good, just a few spots of rust made me loose interest. I have no doubt plowing will be more fun this year. BTW, I don't plow commercially. It's for my own long driveway and my business parking lot.
Interesting, I would have gone with a $500 F250 that you can put up for the summer...good luck! The wear and tear is too much! Every customer will emmediately think your are priced too higheven if you are competitive.
It's like the guy who bid on repairing the roof on my house, he drove an escallade nice for sure but his car payment is much higher than the guy who got the job and drives a work truck - 1986 dodge ram 1500. (he has greater flexibility in his bid as his overhead is lower.)
At least you are plowing with style.
I don't plow commercially, only for my own business and long home driveway so I'm not worried about being competitive. I have no interest in owning, driving, or even plowing occassionally with an old beater truck. Like you said, I'll enjoy plowing in style.
The chassis, engine, transmission, and 4WD systems of the LR3 can easily handle plowing. The frame on an LR3 is bigger than a lot of half-ton pickups, and since it is hydroformed, fully boxed, and has lots of crossovers it is as strong as a conventional 3/4 ton frame. The engine has 300bhp and 315lb-ft, so plenty of plowing grunt. The transmission is the same 6-speed unit hooked up to supercharged range rover / sport with over 400lb-ft and 400bhp, so I would say it can take some 'thrashing' from plowing. Same goes for the permanent 4WD system. The amount of traction an LR3 can utilize from its traction control, locking center diff, and opt rear locker is great for plowing.
That said, I would be wary of the air suspension strength. While its fine now, driving with the plow up puts a ton of extra pressure on the front springs. Note how much smaller the front air springs are versus the rears. That's because the LR3 is designed to tow 7716lbs or carry a large payload. The only extra weight designed to be carried on the front is a brush guard, spotlights, and the winch. How much does you plow and frame weigh? Probably a lot more than the brush bar / lights / winch on the front of mine. The only thing you have going in your favor is I know the springs have a very high burst pressure rating. However, I would be prepared for replacing the front springs and compressor a little prematurely.
I would love to see pictures. Is it a regular like 8' steel fisher plow? Or is it a lightweight plastic plow? I have seen Discoverys and Defenders both fitted with steel plows that work well, but they usually need a stronger spring in the front. Good luck!
The plow is just under 500 lbs which is considered to be light weight. There are lighter ones, but I didn't want something too whimpy. I had a 1/2 ton K5 Blazer for years that had a poly plow which was actually heavier that some steel plows. Since I don't plow commercially, I'm hoping it won't be too hard on the springs. Time will tell.
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They said it couldn't or shouldn't be done
Yes we need some picies! Easiest way is to put them up on a gallery site (like photobucket or something) and link to them by clicking the insert image icon in the message editor.
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