LR3 without Terrain Response. Has Coils

[chizychiz]

Thought you guys might be interested in seeing this if you haven't found it already. Some have questioned whether you could find a coil spring LR3 here in the states.

http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?t=356

*J*

 

[jsonova99]

wow, that's cool. Although, I was kind of under the impression that the terrain response system was what gave the LR3 it's offroad capability. How well does it perform without the system? I would think ground clearance would become an issue without the air suspension.

 

[nwoods]

wow, that's cool. Although, I was kind of under the impression that the terrain response system was what gave the LR3 it's offroad capability. How well does it perform without the system? I would think ground clearance would become an issue without the air suspension.

Hey guys, that's my rig.

It performs beautifully, however, yes, it is hampered in the areas ground clearance and articulation. I've done a lot of off roading with it, and impressed many and amazed myself, but a few more inches would be ideal.

Photos of my most recent excursion are here, and demonsrate where it can go and what it looks like doing it: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=7

This week I am seriously exploring options to lift the truck. The only concern is the effect on the CV's. A body lift does not appear to be too difficult. There are 10 simple urethane pads that the entire body sits on. The radiator hoses, and some wiring may need to be routed, extended, but other than that, a simple 3" lift front and 2" lift rear (to level it out) looks possible, but that's only a body lift. The nice thing is that with a rack (being installed Thursday), I can move the spare and re-route the exhaust above the rear drive line, giving me several more effective inches of frame clearance as well.

A true suspension lift is being studied today at West Coast Rovers. Details to follow.

NW

 

[jsonova99]

Hey guys, that's my rig.

It performs beautifully, however, yes, it is hampered in the areas ground clearance and articulation. I've done a lot of off roading with it, and impressed many and amazed myself, but a few more inches would be ideal.

Photos of my most recent excursion are here, and demonsrate where it can go and what it looks like doing it: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=7

This week I am seriously exploring options to lift the truck. The only concern is the effect on the CV's. A body lift does not appear to be too difficult. There are 10 simple urethane pads that the entire body sits on. The radiator hoses, and some wiring may need to be routed, extended, but other than that, a simple 3" lift front and 2" lift rear (to level it out) looks possible, but that's only a body lift. The nice thing is that with a rack (being installed Thursday), I can move the spare and re-route the exhaust above the rear drive line, giving me several more effective inches of frame clearance as well.

A true suspension lift is being studied today at West Coast Rovers. Details to follow.

NW

keep us posted. I must say if coil sprung LR3s were made available in the US, I would be much more interested in them. I like simplicity.

 

[nwoods]

Well, a body lift may not work all that well. The bumpers would have to be significantly modified to look at all appropriate. Even the new ARB bumper would have to be modified, as they attach the frame, not the lifted body. Many other mysteries abound, such as the effect on the steering system, wiring harnesses, hydraulic lines, etc...

I wish I had more contacts with someone overseas. This car is fairly popular in the UK and Australia, but I can't seem to find anyone with off road experience in one. Surely someone in Australia has lifted theirs by now, right?

The current train of thought is that a Toyota Tundra coilover might work in the front, and just use a spacer block at the top of the shock tower for the rear.

Articulation should be improved by removing the rear sway bar (permanetly, because accessing is difficult), and fab'ing some disconnects to the front.

Yesterday, we disconnected one of the front coils and shocks completely, and the arms only dropped 1/4" down farther than with the shocks and coils on I think the sway bar is holding it to a certain point, but I didn't get to test it with the sway bar off yet.

 

[Rocky]

I think the chassis will be the limit at the rear- or the way the driveshaft goes through it

 

[SteveA]

It doesn't look like the halfshafts will be much of a problem at the rear. The opening in the frame is huge, and the shafts go through right at the inner CV joint. I think you'd have issues with CV angles before the shaft fouled on the frame. At least that's what I think looking at mine.

I'm sure we'll see spring kits from OME soon. I bet they're working on one right now.

Stephen

 

[RBBailey]

Here is a question that I think I know the answer to, but I came to DWeb just now to post the question and found this thread:

An LR3 with no navigation is also missing the full terrain response feedback on the screen right? What signifcance does that have on performance of the terrain response?

 

[RBBailey]

Also, does your LR3 have a set of locking diffs? Any?

 

[MarkP]

It doesn't look like the halfshafts will be much of a problem at the rear. The opening in the frame is huge, and the shafts go through right at the inner CV joint. I think you'd have issues with CV angles before the shaft fouled on the frame. At least that's what I think looking at mine.

I'm sure we'll see spring kits from OME soon. I bet they're working on one right now.

Stephen

I wonder though. The CV angles with the suspension at max height, 2", most likely are not designed for continuous duty or high speed travel. Permanently lifting a LR3 may result in premature CV failure and is probably why the aftermarket has stayed away from suspension kits for the LR3.

In in few weeks it may not matter. Delphi supplies the air suspension for the LR3. Either Delphi files for bankruptcy and production continues under court order ( and probably lower quality) or the UAW strikes and production continues under court order (and lower quality). In the end the LR3 suspension, and maybe RRS and RR, are redesigned. We can only hope they pull their collective heads out of their asses and put a real suspension on a Land Rover.

 

[Alan]

Just a thought but could we be looking at the basis for the new Defender???

 

[jsonova99]

Just a thought but could we be looking at the basis for the new Defender???

I think that is already evident from all of the information floating around the internet. My understanding is that if a new Defender is built, it would sit on the same chassis as the LR3 and RRS. Whether or not it is coil sprung or has an air suspension, who knows, I would imagine both would be options. Either way it's not what I view a Defender as.

 

[Alan]

I mean I find it interesting that LR built a small number of LR3's like this almost as if they were doing field research to see how this would go over. The other info has been around almost since the day they announced they were coming out with the LR3/D3, just never realized they actually built coil sprung versions until now. Seems like interesting timing, that's all.

I'd rather they not call it "Defender" though as it really isn't anymore. They should let the Defender go out to pasture with dignity than go the "H2/H3" route and bastardize the name plate.

 

[nwoods]

RBBailey. I think you are describing the nav systems ability to show the orientation of the wheels, contact patches, etc... right?

My base LR3 does not have Terrian Response system, though it has all major componets, such as ABS, DSC, HDC, and so forth.

It does not have the rear locking diff, I think only the V-8's have that option. I have the central transfer Hi-Low range case.

jsonova99 - the LR3 chassis has the right dimensions and strength. It would be a good platform for the Defender. The new FJ40 has 18" of articulation with IFS suspension, so it CAN be done.

 

[JohnGA]

the LR3 chassis has the right dimensions and strength. It would be a good platform for the Defender.

Never say this again... you are scaring me!!!!

 

[DiscoTim]

Um. No. This dude's truck was one of about 20-25 that were accidently imported into the US about a year ago. This is a 'BASE' model, not an S or an SE or an HSE. The BASE model D3s, sold everywhere else in the world.. is a coil sprung truck. When these trucks hit the shore last year by mistake LRUSA put the word out that they had them.. and they were for sale... I have a friend who got this call and was under the impression he could have one for a price in the low $20ks.. Don't wanna know what this dude paid for his.

I mean I find it interesting that LR built a small number of LR3's like this almost as if they were doing field research to see how this would go over. The other info has been around almost since the day they announced they were coming out with the LR3/D3, just never realized they actually built coil sprung versions until now. Seems like interesting timing, that's all.

I'd rather they not call it "Defender" though as it really isn't anymore. They should let the Defender go out to pasture with dignity than go the "H2/H3" route and bastardize the name plate.

 

[tony bennett]

NW,
Any model can have the active rear locking diff.
However I think it has to be fited at build time. I'm not certain.
I am certain that over here in the UK the rear active diff lock is an optional extra for all models including your LR3b at a price of UK£495.00. The centre locking diff is standard so I take it you have one?
I am awaiting confirmation of a 2 inch lift kit from Australia......if it's on the market
If it is, I'll be buying the LR3b myself

 

[jsonova99]

Um. No. This dude's truck was one of about 20-25 that were accidently imported into the US about a year ago. This is a 'BASE' model, not an S or an SE or an HSE. The BASE model D3s, sold everywhere else in the world.. is a coil sprung truck. When these trucks hit the shore last year by mistake LRUSA put the word out that they had them.. and they were for sale... I have a friend who got this call and was under the impression he could have one for a price in the low $20ks.. Don't wanna know what this dude paid for his.

If you could get these in the low to mid $20s with cloth seats and an even more sparse interior, I'd be game, but I don't think anybody outside of this site would be.

 

[nwoods]

Tony, is that you on the Austrialian 4x4 forum? Yeah, I'm lookign forward to hearing abuot your response from ARB, if you get one. Their silence on my end is maddening.

I would love to know how many base models LR has sold in the past two years.

 

[ozscott]

The reason for the base poverty pack model here is simple in my opinion. I picked up my 2002 runout model V8 DII manual with the mags and decent stereo for $42000 on the road. Now to get the same level of off road ability - and its the air suspension and locking rear etc that do it - you have to pay about $75000. So...what do LR do...they want to sell cars, so they sell what, on the surface looks to be the same machine as the expensive car but it only costs $50k or so and it has coils and nothing.

Lets face it, you might as well be driving a Mits Pajero off road if you get one. There will be very limited (and expensive) means of improving its ability off road - and it will still not be as good as a stock D2.

I'm actually really happy with the D2 handling. If I want to go fast I will get a fast sedan - which I have had before. I cant see wanting to go fast in a 2.7 tonne 4wd that does not change directions like a sedan and will not go off road properly - and I cant see paying $75k for somthing that will (until the air bags etc give out which WILL happen) go off road as well as my D2 (albeit without the level of truck like robustness) or in some situations slightly better ONLY by virtue of the locking rear diff (which I can retrofit to mine for $1000) and be a better handler on road. The significant asking price of the D3 in OZ compared to the D2 has put a lot of people off, as have the bread van shape from the front doors back.

Cheers:applause: