Thinking about a change

[Injuhneer]

I have '97 D1. I like it. Had a '96 before and liked it.

Recently had a need to take a family trip. The D1 was a bit cramped for a family of four. I have been contemplating selling the D1 and getting a RRC LWB.

The family is used to the legroom in the 740iL I drive so I am wondering how the rear seat legroom is in the RRC vs LWB version.

Comments welcome.

 

[Tugela]

It's a world of difference. The wheelbase is 8" longer in the LWB and almost all that space went into the rear footwells. Compared to the SWB or the Disco, rear seats in the LWB are palatial.

The downside is that decent condition LWBs are getting hard to find and are rising in price. The last few I saw for sale on craigslist locally were going for $5500, $6500, and $8500. You could also solve your rear seat space issue with a P38, but that opens up several other cans of problems.

 

[Injuhneer]

So if I was going to look for a LWB then it could be a long search for a decent unit at a reasonable price?

 

[Tugela]

Could be a while. Or you could get lucky. You might drop a line to Elias Christeas (do a web search for his business, World Proven Land Rover). He sometimes gets his hands on older trucks in nice condition and has reasonable prices. He's in LA, so not exactly close but worth the trip if he has something good. See Frank's (Mongo) thread in the general discussion forum highlighting the inflated prices sellers are asking for used Land Rovers in Arizona.

 

[stu454]

So if I was going to look for a LWB then it could be a long search for a decent unit at a reasonable price?

Most likely, yes.

 

[luckyjoe]

So if I was going to look for a LWB then it could be a long search for a decent unit at a reasonable price?

Yes, or no - just comes down to when/where/how you look and what hits the market at the same time.


I sold our D1 in 2012 and had no idea what would replace it - certainly nothing "new". At that time I had sworn-off coil-sprung LR's, but always had a sweet spot for LWB's. Three years of casual looking until I found that hen's tooth, rust-free and still on EAS. I spent about 6-7 months getting to know it and tackling preventative maintenance items. It is by far the nicest, most comfortable long-haul vehicle we've ever owned, and it's still a LR.

 

[p m]

Mike - the LWB will be by far more comfortable on long trips than D1, both in the front and rear seats, but... its cargo volume is dismal compared to a D1. Pick your poison.

Also, in my experience GEMS has been more reliable than 14CUX, although not by much. Anecdotally, one time the LWB still ran with distributor cap barely hanging on one clip.

 

[DougG]

It's a world of difference. The wheelbase is 8" longer in the LWB and almost all that space went into the rear footwells. Compared to the SWB or the Disco, rear seats in the LWB are palatial.

The downside is that decent condition LWBs are getting hard to find and are rising in price. The last few I saw for sale on craigslist locally were going for $5500, $6500, and $8500. You could also solve your rear seat space issue with a P38, but that opens up several other cans of problems.

The P38 doesn't have tons more room in the back seat than the D1. More, but not a huge amount. Compared to the LWB, the P38 is still a little lacking.

I can lie down comfortably on the floor in the back seat of the LWB.

 

[Blueboy]

So if I was going to look for a LWB then it could be a long search for a decent unit at a reasonable price?

As others have said, more than likely.

However, no matter what, the most important aspect of a RRC LWB or SWB is rust.

They literally rust from the inside out.

Almost anything mechanically can be fixed with for the most part readily available parts.

The body and inner steel shell though is where you need to be really carefull.

Find one from SoCal or similiar and pay for the shipping - it will be well worth it down the road.

There are a few threads on here on where to look for rust. Even if you can't be there in person, have the seller take pics of the most prone areas.

Good luck, we are on our second LWB and really like the beast.

 

[Injuhneer]

I took my D1 for a trip last week. From Cochise County AZ up Carbon County UT. I had 2 adults and two children and towing a small trailer with luggage. The climb out from Phoenix to Flagstaff has a few extended grades. I found the power of the 4.0 to be sorely lacking and the space from 3rd to 4th to be too wide.

So even if I solve the space problem with an LWB the power is going to be a problem again. The gear spacing will be a problem (personal opinion).

Maybe I can't find what I want (comfort, room and power of my 740iL and go anywhere like a D1). I could build a custom I suppose. I was joking with my wife about taking my D1 and a donor to Diesel Brothers and have them stretch it and convert to a big gnarly diesel driveline. LOL

 

[DougG]

I took my D1 for a trip last week. From Cochise County AZ up Carbon County UT. I had 2 adults and two children and towing a small trailer with luggage. The climb out from Phoenix to Flagstaff has a few extended grades. I found the power of the 4.0 to be sorely lacking and the space from 3rd to 4th to be too wide.

So even if I solve the space problem with an LWB the power is going to be a problem again. The gear spacing will be a problem (personal opinion).

Maybe I can't find what I want (comfort, room and power of my 740iL and go anywhere like a D1). I could build a custom I suppose. I was joking with my wife about taking my D1 and a donor to Diesel Brothers and have them stretch it and convert to a big gnarly diesel driveline. LOL

Range Rover L322

 

[Devildog01]

range rover l322

x2

 

[p m]

An LWB with 5.3L Vortec, 6L80E, and LT230 would be awesome, and methinks cheaper than the diesel conversion.

 

[MM3846]

An LWB with 5.3L Vortec, 6L80E, and LT230 would be awesome, and methinks cheaper than the diesel conversion.

Ultimate setup right there. The Rover diesels aren't worth it IMHO unless you just need the clack clack. LSX has more power, is more reliable, will get you close to the same fuel mileage, and you can buy parts anywhere.

 

[garrett]

Ultimate setup right there. The Rover diesels aren't worth it IMHO unless you just need the clack clack. LSX has more power, is more reliable, will get you close to the same fuel mileage, and you can buy parts anywhere.

Right around 350 ft/lbs of torque when running E85 too. I really like the motor so far in my Tahoe. Quiet, smoooooth but has a nice little small block V8 rumble to it. I did quite a bit of research on them and have quite a few friends with them. Two former Range Rover and LR4 people switched to Tahoe/Suburbans and are quite happy. Reliable, easy to work on and cheap parts that can be picked up anywhere. If you can stay out of the throttle the mileage isn't bad.

 

[Injuhneer]

That 6L80E to LT230 would need an adapter I assume?

 

[Injuhneer]

A Tahoe? Glad you like it. I just imagine the LWB I could build for the cost of a 100k mile used Tahoe. Of course there would be all the electronics swap to deal with also.

Of course the serviceability is a big deal to me so it is something I'd consider. The rear seat room is a big deal too. I was just looking at photos of a Tahoe LS and it looks like the rear seat room is about 4-6 inches shorter than the 740iL. Can you get rear seats in individual seats (captain's/bucket/etc) in a Tahoe like those available in a Suburban?

 

[garrett]

A Tahoe? Glad you like it. I just imagine the LWB I could build for the cost of a 100k mile used Tahoe. Of course there would be all the electronics swap to deal with also.

Of course the serviceability is a big deal to me so it is something I'd consider.

The reasons I went with a Tahoe are simple reasons - big, roomy, comfy, reliable, easy/cheap to fix (if needed) and it can tow the two horse bumper pull with ease and still get reasonably good mileage. LR doesn't have anything past or present that checks those boxes and I'm comfortable with. The last thing I want to do is hobble together some LR/Chevy vehicle to have as my DD. I have plenty of personal and work toys for the other stuff.

 

[p m]

That 6L80E to LT230 would need an adapter I assume?

It'll require a lot more than that.
A "clean lift" of the engine and transmission and all control electronics.
And an adapter and a custom wiring harness.

 

[jymmiejamz]

My mom had a 2002 Suburban that she bought new. It had a problem with the four wheel drive system that would cause the vehicle to shake violently when climbing a slight hill in the sand. For most people it wouldn't be a big deal, but to get to her beach house you have to drive on the sand. She hated it and sold it after two years, which is bad since she normally keeps cars for 5 or so years. I think the only thing that would make her happier than her current Range Rover would be a new Range Rover or RRS with a diesel.