Bone Stock LR3 versus Bone Stock P38: Thoughts?

[David Harris]

Thought this video was interesting as a study of the ability of straight axles versus fully independent suspension. Both are stock on street tires, both have air suspension and traction control, but the LR3's is better. Any thoughts on this?

 

[sedat]

I think the initial aim of LR was to make the next generation more capable than the previous. For the most part, I say it holds true for trucks that come out of the box. when you mod them, well the tables turn.

From what I see in the video they both had crap tires for the terrain they were on.

 

[David Harris]

Yeah. The tires were a liability, but the Range Rover seemed to have a much easier time of it, so this would be a case of the performance out of the box going down with the newer truck.

 

[pugslyyy]

Thought this video was interesting as a study of the ability of straight axles versus fully independent suspension. Both are stock on street tires, both have air suspension and traction control, but the LR3's is better. Any thoughts on this?

I think a better comparison would be a Disco 2 to a Disco 3. The Range Rover has always been a stronger and more sophisticated vehicle, and the traction control on the P38 was superb. Combine that with the increased wheel travel of the solid axles and it would be hard for the Disco 3 to beat.

I've wheeled in Moab with my P38 with an LR3 in the group and been very impressed with how the LR3 handled. But slickrock is very different from loose stuff - and the independent suspension vehicles like to tripod, which kills you on the loose stuff but isn't an issue on slickrock.

As always, a good driver that knows how to get the best out of the vehicle can be the deciding factor, YMMV.

 

[LR Max]

Looks like the P38 had more speed going into the obstacle. He "bumped" it while the LR3 driver just dug his way into the embankment.

Also it looks like the rear end of the P38 stayed more firmly on the ground. So both rear tires were working instead of traction control trying to keep the loaded up rear tire relevant on the LR3.

I think if the LR3 owner hadn't have taken such an extreme angle and carried his speed throughout the obstacle, he would've had an easier time.

 

[I Leak Oil]

The driver made any difference......That's all I got out of it...

 

[Ray_G]

Not sure this video does much other than make P38 owner's feel better about having an abomination of a Rover. As discussed the tires make a huge difference (for both trucks) but it doesn't appear that the LR3's driver is using his vehicle appropriately (momentum in particular, angle of approach, etc).

Simply put the LR3 is honestly a much better vehicle than the P38; what the video doesn't show is the P38 breaking down, having BECM issues, or any number of other chronic widespread problems known to affect them.

 

[David Harris]

Simply put the LR3 is honestly a much better vehicle than the P38; what the video doesn't show is the P38 breaking down, having BECM issues, or any number of other chronic widespread problems known to affect them.

That's a whole other set of issues.

 

[LR Max]

The P38 waited until the camera was turned off THEN it had all those issues.

 

[Some Dude]

Should have called it "how to fail on purpose." Guy in the LR3 could have made that easy on the first try if he wanted to.

 

[LR Max]

Should have called it "how to fail on purpose." Guy in the LR3 could have made that easy on the first try if he knew how to.

Fixed it for ya.

 

[nwoods]

Fixed it for ya.

This^

 

[David Harris]

So you don't think the straight axles are inherently better off road than the independent suspension, all else being equal? Again, that's off road, not on.

 

[pugslyyy]

So you don't think the straight axles are inherently better off road than the independent suspension, all else being equal? Again, that's off road, not on.

Classic 'it depends' answer - what are you planning on doing with the vehicle?

Independent Suspension in 'solid axle' mode should give the same benefits and not have the pumpkin to get in the way. But of course lots of electrickery involved and fancy suspension stuff to make that happen.

Full floating straight axles on parabolics is about as bulletproof as you can get, IMHO.

 

[David Harris]

Classic 'it depends' answer - what are you planning on doing with the vehicle?

Independent Suspension in 'solid axle' mode should give the same benefits and not have the pumpkin to get in the way. But of course lots of electrickery involved and fancy suspension stuff to make that happen.

Full floating straight axles on parabolics is about as bulletproof as you can get, IMHO.

I'm tempted to get an LR3 to play around with so I can compare. We have a couple in our club (Chicago Land Rover Club), but some of the stuff we go through with the Defenders and Discos would probably destroy them, mechanically and aesthetically. They usually drop out when we hit the harder trails. I'd be interested to really wheel one like that to see how it would do in the really tough parts.