Could newer Rovers survive the Camel Trophy of the past?

[proper4wd]

Durability of the air suspension seems to be very good! Auxiliary components such as compressors and valve blocks occasionally fail but the overall durability of the system is very good.

As much of a challenge as Camel Trophy may have been, surviving 100,000 miles of neglect from a clueless owner is at least as challenging and the LR3/LR4 has proven to excel at that especially compared to the Discovery.

 

[David Harris]

Then there's the question of the stock wheel and tire options on the new Rovers. Camel Trophy on 19's anyone?

 

[David Harris]

Durability of the air suspension seems to be very good! Auxiliary components such as compressors and valve blocks occasionally fail but the overall durability of the system is very good.

As much of a challenge as Camel Trophy may have been, surviving 100,000 miles of neglect from a clueless owner is at least as challenging and the LR3/LR4 has proven to excel at that especially compared to the Discovery.

Speaking of that. Is there a point where the air bags should be replaced as a part of preventive maintenance? I've been thinking of buying an LR3 or more likely L322 and wonder if I should just figure new ones into the cost. On my coil spring Rovers I've found that the springs wear out at about 100K or so, but they still hold the vehicle up, whereas with the air suspension a failure means it will be disabled without spares.

 

[discotdi]

Then there's the question of the stock wheel and tire options on the new Rovers. Camel Trophy on 19's anyone?

You have to think more globally. LR offers diff. Wheel sizes in diff. Markets. Also other markets Have aggressive tread tires in 19 inch. GY Mtr, general grabber etc.
Also LR offered the LR 3 with a coil susp. And no terrain response. Perhaps Special vehicles could do that for the LR4. Also Camel equipped vehicles had many mods before they ever reached the jungles. There is no telling what LR Special Vehicles could come up with to protect ecus etc. it would be fun to see.

 

[David Harris]

You have to think more globally. LR offers diff. Wheel sizes in diff. Markets. Also other markets Have aggressive tread tires in 19 inch. GY Mtr, general grabber etc.
Also LR offered the LR 3 with a coil susp. And no terrain response. Perhaps Special vehicles could do that for the LR4. Also Camel equipped vehicles had many mods before they ever reached the jungles. There is no telling what LR Special Vehicles could come up with to protect ecus etc. it would be fun to see.

They would figure out a way to overcome the limitations, no doubt. I can see those sand glow Camel LR4's now. . . Would be a beautiful sight! If only they would put together another real challenge like the Camel. This whole thread is just the product of wishful thinking. . . (Sigh . . .)

 

[proper4wd]

With regards to air suspension components, the L322s do go through front struts regularly. At 100k I would expect to replace both of them if they have not been done recently. They are about $600 each in parts, and easy to change.

Have rarely if ever seen an LR3/Sport front strut or rear spring go bad, even going back to 2005 model year trucks.

 

[Colin Hughes]

We replace a lot of front suspension components on LR 3 and RRS. We do a lot of air suspension pumps too bUt a new version has just been released, it's less money and is a better product.computer needs to be reset after pump is replaced. Overall, they are a very solid truck. If I could get a diesel version here in Canada, I'd be driving one.

 

[proper4wd]

Yes control arm bushings, lower balljoints, and tie rod ends wear and likely require replacement before 100k.

These are wear items though and not indicative of a weakness in the design. No different than you would change panhard rod bushings, wheel bearings, and tie rod ends in a Discovery before 100k.

 

[nwoods]

I totally agree. What's the breaking point of the air suspension? That's the question. How hard a hit can it take? If it's too fragile, it's going to be breaking constantly, especially at speed, and with the weight of the vehicle involved.

I have been out with a few LR3's that were subjected to repeated launches off a dry wash river bank at speed. Probably getting 4 to 6 feet of air and about 25 feet distance with each jump. Other than breaking a front bumper (they always landed nose first), the suspension held up great.

EDIT: It did roach the bushings for the sway bar mounting blocks. Those had to be replaced after the day of "baja race testing" abuse.

 

[d67u57]

unless all electrics were ver very well isolated PROPERLY and in a lasting fashion?

no way in hell amigos.

when it hits the fan, there is no replacing a mechanical diesel working faithfully with water over the bonnet or higher,

but below the snorkel's safe mushroom with a manual (or no electronics involved(or incorporated water tightfully) auto)

 

[Mack73]

I wouldn't be too worried about the air suspension - the real issue is only a ripped bag. There are repair kits for ruptured lines and the air dump valves can be disabled.

I've had to override several LR3's out on the trail and the only issue was the lack of terrain response/HDC. The system got a fault that would reoccur and put it on bump stops. Just get it to pump up once and pull a couple fuses, good to go.


Honestly, no modern vehicle with a computer can do the camel trophy. You can't get a non-computer controlled anything anymore.

 

[4x4tripping]

I think someone has to test it ;-) I bet, that it is possible, with a prepared car.

 

[JSBriggs]

About 10yrs ago when the G4 was in the US several years ago, all of the L322's that went into a particular water hole had the engine shut down. The other D2's and 110's didnt have a problem.

-Jeff

 

[LR Max]

Well considering that if you look at the Camel Trophy D1s, they aren't exactly factory either. If you want to get into the details, they had fewer electrics, beefed up suspension, different wheel/tire package, full armor, and probably a few other little hidden details that I'm not seeing.

Now apply the same to an LR4. All of a sudden you've got a stripped down LR4 with a beefier air suspension pump and air springs, better tire/wheel package, fully armored, and probably a few other details to help it cope with the ridiculousness of the event. Couple that with air dropping in spares and mechanics everywhere, I think it could do it.

 

[Scott Brady]

That being said, I have no doubts that a basically prepped (Camel Trophy spec) diesel/manual trans LR4 would do 90% of the Camel Trophy, at 200% the performance of the Discovery.

Its that last 10% that involved foolish water crossings that is the limiting factor. Mud, jungle crossings, high altitude, high speed off road driving... the LR4 platform would be far superior in performance and durability than a Discovery.

I could not have said it better myself. The performance of the LR4 with HD is significantly better than a stock DI, but there are limits. Of course, this is comparing stock to stock. Given the extremes experienced with Camel Trophy, I would much rather be driving my modified DI than my modified LR4.