New to me LR3

[SDLR3]

I am a new member here, I have been reading up for about a week and decided to join. I purchased about a 3-4 weeks ago a 2006 LR3 HSE w/ HD. I have been a car guy active with BMW Car Club and doing AutoX etc. I found myself doing less of that because it wasn't something I could do with my kids. A good friend of mine is active with Land Rover Club and he does it with his kids and family.

I picked up the LR3 for $11,700 it has 96,000 miles but needed to upgrade with compressor to the new one. Changed fluids even though the previous owner said it had been done in the last 10,000 miles. I wanted a good starting point.

I already found some 18" wheels that I purchased and put into the garage. I have been looking for what type of tires to put on and I am just as confused as ever. If anyone can point me in a good direction. This vehicle is not my daily driver and will be used mostly on weekends, camping, off road. I would rather not have to run lift full time. I little rubbing at lock with not particularly bother me. I live in S. CA so a lot of mud is not likely but, rocks, sand is most likely what I would see.

Here is a pic:



Here is a pick of my other fun car.

 

[roverandom]

Just use a stock diameter tyre for the 18" wheels. For the mild stuff you want to do the stock EAS lift and stock size tyres are more than enough. I have found the Toyo Open Country AT a really good all round performer for the street and the dirt. They last a long time too.

Might want to remove the running boards if you anticipate rocks and sand.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Land Rovers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Both autos are beauts but I particularly love that land rover grey!
Welcome!
D

 

[SDLR3]

Just use a stock diameter tyre for the 18" wheels. For the mild stuff you want to do the stock EAS lift and stock size tyres are more than enough. I have found the Toyo Open Country AT a really good all round performer for the street and the dirt. They last a long time too.

Might want to remove the running boards if you anticipate rocks and sand.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Land Rovers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I planned on removing the running boards already. Looking at doing my first camping trip next month. Should be fun.

 

[SDLR3]

Both autos are beauts but I particularly love that land rover grey!
Welcome!
D

Thanks, I love the color as well. I plan on using the search tool often here.

 

[unseenone]

Congratulations!! you'll find the Nitto Terra Grappler to be a decent all around tire with some positive features. Their not too noisy, they hold up reasonably well, they do good on the trails, and are 10ply+ so city driving hitting the occasional curb, nail, screw or rock in the road won't result in needing a new tire, and on the trail, the stronger sidewalls are a help, as well as not getting flats from thorns. The stock size or as close as you can get is just fine..

 

[SDLR3]

Congratulations!! you'll find the Nitto Terra Grappler to be a decent all around tire with some positive features. Their not too noisy, they hold up reasonably well, they do good on the trails, and are 10ply+ so city driving hitting the occasional curb, nail, screw or rock in the road won't result in needing a new tire, and on the trail, the stronger sidewalls are a help, as well as not getting flats from thorns. The stock size or as close as you can get is just fine..

Is this the one?

http://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/nitto/terra-grappler/p/tv154000125

Nitto Terra Grappler
All Terrain Truck SUV
SIZE: LT285/60R18/10

 

[unseenone]

Yes, that's the size I am running, the standard "oversize" most folks are running. I'm actually thinking of going closer to stock size.. Here's the web site..

http://www.nittotire.com/Tire/Grappler truck/terragrappler#size

If you want oversize, this is the exact tire you want because it has more tread, and is a bit more heavy duty;
LT285/60R18 E123S 200-880 15.6 31.50 11.50 8.0-(8.5)-10.0 3415@80

If you want be stock I would go with this one, note, how much less tread depth you get though.

*255/60R18 112S 201-180 12.7 30.00 10.28 7.0-(7.5)-9.0 2469@50

If you had a lift, you could do the 275's, ie: a 2" lift kit, otherwise you run the risk of fender hitting the tire if you go to bump stops for some reason, so i suggest NOT doing this size. LT275/65R18 E123R 200-940 15.6 32.01 10.83 7.5-(8.0)-9.0 3415@80

I guess after this cursory review, I will stick with the first one I listed, that I am currently running.

Now there are other tires which are more aggressive, to be fair, but all will be noisier.

Nitto Trail Grappler does not come in our size http://www.nittotire.com/Tire/Grappler truck/trailgrappler#size

Goodyear MT/R does not come in our size -- too tall. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Wrangler+MT/R+with+Kevlar

BFG At does not come in our size -- too tall. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=All-Terrain+T/A+KO

There's are endless discussions on tire options on this vehicle, the Nitto has served me well.

 

[DVD]

Welcome! Your rationale and planned use sound very similar to mine. I bought mine a couple yrs ago w/ 93,000 on it (05 w/ HD package). So far, so good, currently at approx 120,000k, but I've done maintenance and had to replace a few things. Like you, 18 inch rims were the first change. And I changed all the diff and transfer case fluids right away, and then a year later, for that baseline. Everything looked good on the last change, so I'm going to give it an extra 1/2 yr this next time.
Here's a good link re tires: http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/will-bigger-tires-rub/ (and some other good tips on the same site).
I went w/ the BFG ATKO's because 1.) they are the biggest size you can run with some degree of mobility if suspension drops, and 2.) I had great results / luck with them on my former vehicle. They are a little more expensive, but anything decent will cost a lot.
Good luck and lots of fun exploring the west!

 

[nwoods]

Welcome to one of the most amazing and versatile vehicles on the road. Definitely consider joining LRCSD.org. Lots of great people.

You might find my old LR3 wiki site to be useful: www.lr3tips.wordpress.com

I have a tire specific thread on there that will be informative. I personally prefer the Cooper Zeons over the Nitto TerraGrapplers

 

[SDLR3]

Welcome! Your rationale and planned use sound very similar to mine. I bought mine a couple yrs ago w/ 93,000 on it (05 w/ HD package). So far, so good, currently at approx 120,000k, but I've done maintenance and had to replace a few things. Like you, 18 inch rims were the first change. And I changed all the diff and transfer case fluids right away, and then a year later, for that baseline. Everything looked good on the last change, so I'm going to give it an extra 1/2 yr this next time.
Here's a good link re tires: http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/will-bigger-tires-rub/ (and some other good tips on the same site).
I went w/ the BFG ATKO's because 1.) they are the biggest size you can run with some degree of mobility if suspension drops, and 2.) I had great results / luck with them on my former vehicle. They are a little more expensive, but anything decent will cost a lot.
Good luck and lots of fun exploring the west!

Thanks, I will look into those. I plan on getting out a lot this summer.

 

[SDLR3]

Welcome to one of the most amazing and versatile vehicles on the road. Definitely consider joining LRCSD.org. Lots of great people.

You might find my old LR3 wiki site to be useful: www.lr3tips.wordpress.com

I have a tire specific thread on there that will be informative. I personally prefer the Cooper Zeons over the Nitto TerraGrapplers

I had already printed out the paper work to join LRCSD last week. I look forward to making some of the events. My friend and his son went with the group this last trip and invited me but my son had sports we he is committed to.

 

[brianf408]

Congrats on the purchase! That's a gorgeous e30 M3 you have there! My second vehicle is an e30 318is, I can only dream how much more fun the M is.

 

[SDLR3]

Congrats on the purchase! That's a gorgeous e30 M3 you have there! My second vehicle is an e30 318is, I can only dream how much more fun the M is.

Thanks, she was in rough shape when I got her. I was planning on selling the M3 since I had not driven it in a few months. I just can't part with the car. When I told people I got the LR they told me how expensive parts are. I laughed and told them they never owned an e30 M3, when a set of plastic timing chain rails are over $800 you don't know what expensive parts are.

 

[spikemd]

Nice LR3. It will serve you well.

I just downsized my wheels from 285/75 18s to 265/65 18s. Just a bit smaller, but much less rubbing. I am running Sasquatch rods which are adjustable and currently not as tall as the Johnson rods as I don't want to stress the CV joints for everyday driving.

I was also in the same boat as you and also a bimmer guy. Used to race my 325is on the track (Infineon and Thunderhill) for fun and then took an '85 318i and dropped a '98 M3 drivetrain in it, 318ti rear end with E36 front spindles/brakes, OBDI conversion, etc, etc...All with the intent as a fun track car. Then work and family life took over...

3 kids later... I have 2 rovers but now I can bring the family along and we have a great time on the trail. My daughter has celebrated more birthdays camping in Death Valley than at home. She is now 7 and loves the outdoors. My younger boys (5 and 4) are also enjoying playing in the dirt and camping.

I joined the NorCal Rover club a few years ago and it is a great group of people, family oriented and also afflicted with the same LR sickness.

Enjoy your truck!