LR3 rear bumper+dual swing outs

[zelatore]

The problem:
As most of you probably know already there aren't many options for rear bumpers for this truck in the US. Basically you're looking at Tactical 4x4 and Kaymar. But neither of them did exactly what I wanted which was to add the ability to carry a 32" (or larger) tire, a jerry can, and replace the worthless OEM tow hitch assembly.

The Solution:
Build your own.

Well, I didn't really build much of it. Maybe 5%. A friend in our club did the vast majority of the work, I just helped. I haven't had it out on the trail but I'm pretty happy with it so far. I'll get a chance to test it when we spend a week in the Sedona area next month.

Here's a video Pedram (the guy who did the work) made, as well as a link to an album of photos of the completed bumper. I may still add a couple of recovery points on it, but for now I plan to just use a shackle mount in the receiver.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-51uByqBJM&feature=youtu.be

Album:
http://s816.photobucket.com/user/zelatore/library/07 Land Rover LR3/completed rear bumper

And a preview:

 

[JimBiram]

Great set up. Nice and clean...


Every Day is a Good Day Surfing...Some are just Better Than Others

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[brickpaul65]

Not to pry but what would be the ballpark cost for the fabricator to make another one? It looks great!

 

[unseenone]

I'll give you an A for originality. :Astrologist:

 

[Dmarchand]

Looks good, nice alternative to the Kaymar. Like the stand-off rails on the sides.

 

[zelatore]

Brickpaul65-
In this case I don't know if he'd build another, at least not right away as he needs some time to recover! It was his first time doing a late-model Rover and it was far more work than expected. This isn't his full time job, it's something he does in his spare time, though he does build a lot of stuff for club members (sliders, bumpers, racks, etc). If he had charged by the hour, it would have been ridiculous. As it was, we went well over what I had originally wanted to spend, but it was still less than a Kaymar that wouldn't have any towing capabilities.
If you are interested, I can put you in touch with him or you can contact him (Pedram) via one of his build threads on Norcalrovers.org I see you're in TN though, so unless you or your truck wanted to visit the SF area for a while there's not much he would be able to do for you I'm afraid.
Dmarchand-
I have to admit I stole that idea from the Tactical design. I have their sliders and skids and considered their bumpers but in the end didn't go with them. Right about now I'm almost wishing I had done their front bumper even though I'm not in love with it's style as the ARB I bought doesn't even come close to fitting without some major mods. That's this weekend's challenge.

 

[brickpaul65]

No worries. My local club has some guys who do great fab work but they do Jeeps so they have never worked on the newer rovers. Not that it affects ability but familiarization can reduce the time needed since I would be looking at time and material basically. It looks great though.

 

[Finlayforprez]

I love Don's bumper - Pedram did an awesome job. I am in the same club as Don and Pedram, and Pedram helped me install my ARB front bumper. I want a rear steel bumper, but not interested in the Kaymar and the Tactical 4x4 has not had access to an LR4 as a template to create the rear bumper. I was going to have Pedram do my rear bumper, but as Don said above, it was a huge job and he's not quite ready to jump to another one right now. Plus, Don was able to leave his truck for several weeks, but I can't go without mine for that long. I did talk to Eric at Tactical 4x4 and he offered to do the install (when they slow down) if I drove down to Southern CA. I am just a bit nervous it will take more than a weekend.

 

[perkj]

Right about now I'm almost wishing I had done their front bumper even though I'm not in love with it's style as the ARB I bought doesn't even come close to fitting without some major mods. That's this weekend's challenge.

What major mods are you talking about? I was able to install mine without any issues. Bolted right in as per the instructions...I personally felt ARB's made the bumper super simple to install (just a bit time consuming). Only thing you need to modify (cut) is the wheel arches, which you'd need to do for any bumper. Its possible if you're not seeing a perfect fitment that you LR3 may have had front end damage at some point in the past.


BTW: rear bumper looks good. I also had an exchange with Eric at Tactical 4x4 and he told me they are working on a driver side swing are that'll hold two jerry cans and that it should be ready for sale in 3-4 months or so.

 

[roverandom]

Err, dismantle the front of your vehicle. Remove or cut a bunch of stuff so you can never change it back. Splice into the factory harness with "scotch loks" ( yikes, no way I was doing that) for the signal lights. Transfer the fog lights. Fit new bumper with a about million bolts and put the front of your LR3 back together. Yeah, simple.

My RRC.........four bolts.

That's progress for ya.


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[zelatore]

What major mods are you talking about? I was able to install mine without any issues. Bolted right in as per the instructions...I personally felt ARB's made the bumper super simple to install (just a bit time consuming). Only thing you need to modify (cut) is the wheel arches, which you'd need to do for any bumper. Its possible if you're not seeing a perfect fitment that you LR3 may have had front end damage at some point in the past.


BTW: rear bumper looks good. I also had an exchange with Eric at Tactical 4x4 and he told me they are working on a driver side swing are that'll hold two jerry cans and that it should be ready for sale in 3-4 months or so.

In my case, the bumper simply doesn't fit the frame horns of the truck. The mounting points for the ARB bumper to frame brackets are slotted for side to side adjustment, but even after I took a grinder to them to elongate them further they are off by something like 3/4". If you've installed an ARB on one of these, you may recall that these brackets are to be bolted on and adjusted to be something like 715mm outside to outside so they would line up with the corresponding points on the bumper. Mine couldn't be adjusted to that far apart even at max travel in the slotted holes. Once I did get them to the appropriate spacing I tried to offer up the bumper and found when it was aligned with the fenders of the truck, the frame brackets were still way off to the passenger's side. (meaning the bumper would have been pushed too far to the driver's side) The driver's side bracket I could possibly make some shims for, but on the passenger side the bumper would have to be slid 'inside' the frame bracket instead of 'outside' it. (it makes sense if you've see it) That won't work because of the gusseting on that side of the bracket. Again, I can cut those gussets out and weld in new ones on the other side, but that seems pretty far fetched for a 'bolt on' product.

I also had to make some minor mods because I'm running a smittybilt XRP winch instead of the Warn they designed around. I adapted the brackets I had to mount the solenoid box, and drilled/tapped the bumper to mount the hawser instead of using the winch mounting bolts like they suggest for a roller fairlead.

Come to think of it, I should call ARB today and ask them what's up with this bumper. I really don't think it's something I'm doing wrong, and the brackets bolt on to well for me to think they were for another truck unless maybe an LR4 instead of and LR3? Not sure. One thing's for sure, nothing on this rig is easy compared to something like a Jeep, but then again I never have been one to take the easy/common road so that's the price I pay I guess.

 

[jerdog53]

Don is building mine next…..

 

[zelatore]

Don is building mine next…..

Who, what - me?

Uh sure. Pull it right over here.

BTW, you do have insurance, right?

Now where's that big hammer....?

 

[perkj]

In my case, the bumper simply doesn't fit the frame horns of the truck. The mounting points for the ARB bumper to frame brackets are slotted for side to side adjustment, but even after I took a grinder to them to elongate them further they are off by something like 3/4". If you've installed an ARB on one of these, you may recall that these brackets are to be bolted on and adjusted to be something like 715mm outside to outside so they would line up with the corresponding points on the bumper. Mine couldn't be adjusted to that far apart even at max travel in the slotted holes. Once I did get them to the appropriate spacing I tried to offer up the bumper and found when it was aligned with the fenders of the truck, the frame brackets were still way off to the passenger's side. (meaning the bumper would have been pushed too far to the driver's side) The driver's side bracket I could possibly make some shims for, but on the passenger side the bumper would have to be slid 'inside' the frame bracket instead of 'outside' it. (it makes sense if you've see it) That won't work because of the gusseting on that side of the bracket. Again, I can cut those gussets out and weld in new ones on the other side, but that seems pretty far fetched for a 'bolt on' product.

I also had to make some minor mods because I'm running a smittybilt XRP winch instead of the Warn they designed around. I adapted the brackets I had to mount the solenoid box, and drilled/tapped the bumper to mount the hawser instead of using the winch mounting bolts like they suggest for a roller fairlead.

Come to think of it, I should call ARB today and ask them what's up with this bumper. I really don't think it's something I'm doing wrong, and the brackets bolt on to well for me to think they were for another truck unless maybe an LR4 instead of and LR3? Not sure. One thing's for sure, nothing on this rig is easy compared to something like a Jeep, but then again I never have been one to take the easy/common road so that's the price I pay I guess.

I think you need to call ARB, something isn't right. There is either something wrong with the bumper itself or your LR3 may have had front end damage you we're aware of. I just relooked at the instructions (specifically steps 54-56) just to remind myself of what you are referring to and mine lined up with zero issue. I simply measure out the 815mm spacing and then my brother lifted the bumper and I bolted it on.

What you are describing sounds like there is something significantly wrong.


Update: After relooking at the instructions for a 3rd time, are you certain you have the impact absorber mounts mounted on the correct sides? Meaning the left one on the driver side and the right on one the passanger side? I'm thinking its possible you have them swapped which would lead to them being so far off as you're describing.

 

[perkj]

Err, dismantle the front of your vehicle. Remove or cut a bunch of stuff so you can never change it back. Splice into the factory harness with "scotch loks" ( yikes, no way I was doing that) for the signal lights. Transfer the fog lights. Fit new bumper with a about million bolts and put the front of your LR3 back together. Yeah, simple.

My RRC.........four bolts.

That's progress for ya.


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Was simple in my view....like I said sure a little time consuming but ARB's 'see ******** run' type instructions made it super simple to install (so long as you followed the instructions) and in my case everything fit like a glove.