Are the extended rods the best option? Or is there another option?
275/65/18 A good size with lift?
A. the rods are not "extended", they are shorter. You can make them yourself even from the ones on the car, I did just to test the idea. Well, not my factory rods, but a replacement set from the parts department.
B. Using them is relatively stupid. Not only the obvious reasons if you take a few minutes to honestly consider the design limitations and additional stress caused by the modification BUT more importantly, the safety aspect. The other poster who said he was going out with "his family" doesn't want to survive an emergency situation where proper handling could make the difference between "wow, that was a crazy near miss" vs "hey that guy who had his lr3 lifted too high for highway speeds killed his family"
No, I don't think it's too over the top for me to say so, get pissed, I don't need you to be my friend if the result is you live to gripe about me another day.
Would you take yourself and/or your family and friends down the highway at 80 mph in a lifted jeep on swampers? I hear they are slightly lacking in the emergency highway handling capabilities....
Seriously, the rod thing is cool for when you are ON a trail, but in reality, they don't actually provide ANY more clearance than what is attainable from the oem system. You are saying, "BS", well, this is not a solid axle with steel springs design, this is an independent suspension, front and rear.
It has a MAX angle of drop.
When you shorten the rods, you trick the computer to set the frame higher. Big deal. I do it any time I want simply by getting the system into the "super extended mode". In fact, you may know that the computer will do this for you if you get hung up on something like a rock or stump which takes pressure off the air springs, the computer notices this change in pressure, i.e, it "feels" like it's feet are dangling. Then it allows you to go into the higher height mode.
All you have to do to start off in this mode, is place something under the sill rail when in "offroad height", then drop the suspension to "normal", the computer "feels" the obstruction and let's you go "up" into the "extended mode".....WHICH happens to be the maximum available height anyway. There is no MAGIC height created by the silly rods.
The rods are no different than wearing heels and having your toes still on the floor. You could have stood on your toes anyway without heels, you've gained no more than your maximum height.
Again, the rods are dangerous. The lr3 is not the best handling vehicle to begin with, then toss on all your crap, a rack, especially a roof tent, some gear, a fridge, a winch, recovery gear....etc, and what handled a little crappy now handles like a pile of crap at speed.
The LR4 has a completely redesigned front end in regard to the steering design and suspension to correct the crappy stuff.
Anyway, I use the 265/65x18 bg at and they work fine, fit fine, etc. I can only imagine how much fun it would be for one of the many simply little things failing that could result in no suspension lift out on a trail. It wouldn't be any better on the flattest road if you drop down onto some nice big tires. 265/65x18 is exactly 31.7" new. A 285/65x18 is 32.5", very awesome, and what SHOULD be able to go on the lr3, but it's too big for "practical" use.
Just do less mods and rely on your driving more. Even with the max height of the lr3, it still can't really go anywhere that one without the rods can go when driven properly.
You might be better off covering the entire underside with plates, including the rather exposed fuel tank and rear differential.
Good luck with whatever you do.
