LR3 drives the Abra del Acay

[haven]

Truck Trend has an interesting write-up of a Land Rover-sponsored trip to northwest Argentina. The goal was to drive to the summit of the highest pass on Ruta 40, Abra del Acay. At 16,059, this pass is supposed to be the highest point on a National Highway in the Western Hemisphere. (The Khardung La pass, which is north of Leh in Ladakh, India, is supposed to be the world's highest road pass.)

The vehicles used were LR3s with the new 2.7L V6 diesel engine, which provided 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Motor Trend reports that the turbodiesel-equipped LR3s handled the altitude better than the gas engine support vehicles.

The article includes some hero shots of the LR3 in action

In reality, Ruta 40 is a reasonably wide, graded road, passable in a high clearance vehicle. (Carry tire chains if you don't have 4WD.) So any gnarly off-road action was contrived by the LR staff, not a necessary part of this trip.

Here's the link to the article
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/travel/163_0805_land_rover_lr3_tdv6_diesel/index.html

As an aside, I know the road up Mt Evans in Colorado is the highest paved road in USA. What's the highest unpaved road?

Chip Haven

 

[RoverMack]

Read the same article while having my hair cut, (hairdresser knows my LR and put aside the magazine for me )

 

[ShottsCruisers]

I recently ran two trails with an LR3 (stock) and was VERY IMPRESSED. It eased through everything and articulated like a beast. Traction control worked very well. I think they RTI just over 700.

NICE TRUCK!

 

[kellymoe]

Read the same article while having my hair cut, (hairdresser knows my LR and put aside the magazine for me )

Conal, a hairdresser??? Come on at least say you were at the barber Us Land Rover guys get a bad enough rap as it is.

I don't know what the highest road is in the US but in California there is a road to the top of White Mountain Peak which is over 14k. It is closed to vehicle traffic however. I have driven roads in the Sierra near Bishop that topped out over 13k. The physical nature of the Rocky Mountains lends itself to higher roads than the Sierra. I am sure the Rocky Mountains have several very high roads.

 

[RoverMack]

Conal, a hairdresser??? Come on at least say you were at the barber Us Land Rover guys get a bad enough rap as it is.

You are correct my faux pas, (truth is it is my girlfirends hairdresser, and i find it convienient to have my hair cut at the same time)

 

[kellymoe]

You are correct my faux pas, (truth is it is my girlfirends hairdresser, and i find it convienient to have my hair cut at the same time)

Sorry to bust your chops Conal. This is how I roll:sombrero:
http://www.asontv.com/health-and-beauty/flowbee-haircutting-system.html?ref=gb&s_cid=104

 

[Z O O R O P A]

lol that's pretty funny



K. ever feel like the 130 is to long when encountering obstacles? I've been looking at some footage and I can't tell from the video Ive seen so far. There is an interesting 130 on Trek Overland's website in the gallery that looks like an extended 110 basically. The idea looks appealing but a little like a bus lol but would be great to travel in I'm sure :safari-rig:

 

[kellymoe]

lol that's pretty funny



K. ever feel like the 130 is to long when encountering obstacles? I've been looking at some footage and I can't tell from the video Ive seen so far. There is an interesting 130 on Trek Overland's website in the gallery that looks like an extended 110 basically. The idea looks appealing but a little like a bus lol but would be great to travel in I'm sure :safari-rig:

On tight switchbacks it's size is a hindrance and I sometimes have to re adjust. So far I have not had to turn back on any trails and I have taken it on some pretty tough trails. After I made some sliders for it I had a much more go for it attitude than pre sliders. I was considering trying the Rubicon in it but will probably let better judgement prevail, though I am easily swayed. I have a Detroit locker sitting on the work bench in my garage and if I get around to putting it in I am sure I will be looking for tougher trails to run.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

Thanks Kev.

I figured exactly that, in fact I was thinking "I don't know about the Rubicon, but I'm sure a 130 is fine in 99% of adventure travel"

I have no interest in big rock climbing or miles of thick woods/rock such as the Rubicon. I understand the interest completely I just don't see myself doing it

I just wasn't sure if you found it laborsome

 

[revor]

It was an interesting experience moving from a 100" Disco to the 110 on trails. First time out I cleared a rather deep washout with the front end on the D, the Disco's I was with were lifting tires and all sorts of silliness. I drove the D in with concern much like I would in my Disco, the truck went in, no drama, drove out with the front tires on the ground, again no drama. I continued along and waited for the rear to drop into the same washout, I waited some more and then finally the rear end dropped into the hole. Seemed like it took forever!!! The wheelbase made the washout easy and much less dramatic.. I think I liked it.