LR3 HD Search - Massive Frustrations - Please Help! I Have Questions on Options

[Angry_Man]

I've searched for an LR3 with HD package since late September to no avail. My patience with used car lots telling me yes it has it, only to arrive and find it doesn't is shot to ****. My local LR store's patience with running VIN numbers for me is also shot to ****.

If I buy an ECU and locking rear diff assembly is this something that can be retro-fitted to a non HD LR3? Are there any other options to fitting this on the car? I'm not afraid of a wrench, and I have the necessary tools/garage. I've rebuilt and re-wired cars from the ground up before, I just didn't imagine I would need to on the LR3 with it's 'turn key' off road cred. I'm still in disbelief that LR would be so ************* stupid as to make something this inexpensive for them an option rather than a standard.

Please advise, I'm about ready to throw in the towel.

 

[Fivespddisco]

I've searched for an LR3 with HD package since late September to no avail. My patience with used car lots telling me yes it has it, only to arrive and find it doesn't is shot to ****. My local LR store's patience with running VIN numbers for me is also shot to ****.

If I buy an ECU and locking rear diff assembly is this something that can be retro-fitted to a non HD LR3? Are there any other options to fitting this on the car? I'm not afraid of a wrench, and I have the necessary tools/garage. I've rebuilt and re-wired cars from the ground up before, I just didn't imagine I would need to on the LR3 with it's 'turn key' off road cred. I'm still in disbelief that LR would be so ************* stupid as to make something this inexpensive for them an option rather than a standard.

Please advise, I'm about ready to throw in the towel.

Call Tim or Bart from RMR and tell them what you need.

http://rmr4x4.com

 

[Angry_Man]

Thank you, I've been referred to a couple location services within this community. I don't feel comfortable buying a car sight unseen, and I have enough dealership/automotive experience from my professional life that they would be able to provide little assistance outside of time. At this point, I'm only interested in the upgrade/install of a rear diff. I found a write up and it looks doable with some of the ECU scan tools. I wanted to see if anyone had tackled the project and could add their .02.

Call Tim or Bart from RMR and tell them what you need.

http://rmr4x4.com

 

[Ray_G]

I'm sure besides RMR who Justin recommended you were also pointed towards our forum member Transientmechanic (Adam) whose services have gotten good reviews in the past for such things.

If you're really set on just doing it yourself why do the factory dif retrofit-why not just wait for the ARB rear to come out and go that route? Save yourself a lot of time, likely a tremendous amount of $, etc in the long run.
r-
Ray

 

[Rovertrader]

Not to be a smart ********, but why are you wasting so much time? I am an old fart but have wheeled my locked 90 all over the States, from Moab to Blanca, most everything out east, etc, and had the pleasure of wheeling my LR3 over some of the same trails through out Colorado. And the LR3 did many obstacles that made the 90 'work', without a hiccup.

Point being, ease the search for the HD package, and get to driving one of the best trucks ever built by LR!! If it disappoints, then add the locker. This opens about 100x more trucks to find a good clean example- just my 2c....

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

I agree 100% with Dale ... and hey, I have an LR3 with an HD package. Also, now they are offering ARB lockers for LR3's.

 

[buyrovers]

Tend to agree with dale. I have driven both and the non locker trucks do just as well from my experience.

 

[Angry_Man]

Not to be a smart ********, but why are you wasting so much time? I am an old fart but have wheeled my locked 90 all over the States, from Moab to Blanca, most everything out east, etc, and had the pleasure of wheeling my LR3 over some of the same trails through out Colorado. And the LR3 did many obstacles that made the 90 'work', without a hiccup.

Point being, ease the search for the HD package, and get to driving one of the best trucks ever built by LR!! If it disappoints, then add the locker. This opens about 100x more trucks to find a good clean example- just my 2c....

Do you trust that a truck as heavy as the LR3 without lockers wouldn't high center itself in soft sand dunes? It will be spending a LOT of time in that environment. My last SUV didn't have the lockers, and left me digging more than I like.

 

[ZG]

Lockers aren't nearly as useful in sand as good traction control IMO

 

[Rovertrader]

Lockers aren't nearly as useful in sand as good traction control IMO

Point exactly!! And not just in the sand...

 

[nwoods]

If I buy an ECU and locking rear diff assembly is this something that can be retro-fitted to a non HD LR3?

It is possible, I know of two people in the entire world who have done it. It is NOT easy. It involves rewiring pretty much the entire truck. Keep looking or plan to add an ARB locker if you absolutely need one. I wheeled with and without LR3's extensively. The Locker made things easier, but there was nothing I couldn't do in my non-locked LR3, and proved it many times. The Traction Control simply is that good.

 

[unseenone]

We are working on a conversion kit, that will not involve rewiring the entire truck... Stay Tuned or drop me a PM with your e-mail address if you want to be notified when it's ready. The kit is in testing presently.

 

[LR Max]

Dumb question: Can you install the locking rear diff then control it manually?

That would simply everything but might upset the computer.

 

[Angry_Man]

Yeah there are ARB lockers but I want the factory so that it works in conjunction with the traction control and computer systems.

 

[Angry_Man]

We are working on a conversion kit, that will not involve rewiring the entire truck... Stay Tuned or drop me a PM with your e-mail address if you want to be notified when it's ready. The kit is in testing presently.

PM sent, that sounds excellent.