Overland Journal Project Land Rover Discovery 4 (LR4)

[mcieplinski]

Hi,

So I am looking into getting some 18s for my LR4.

Few options are available:

1- Compomotive PD 1880 18x8 et44

2- LR3 18s 18x8 et53 plus 30mm spacers brings the offset down to 23...

3- XD Monster 18x9 et35... According to Wheelpros (manufacturer), both on their website and direct email communication, these (as well as a couple others) will fit the LR4. Here is a direct link to the selection offered: http://www.wheelpros.com/wheels?dia...bore=72.6&year=2010&make=Land Rover&model=LR4

1 is a very expensive option
2 might be the way to go
3 would be the way I want to go but I'm not sure they will actually fit. How will the caliper fit inside the rim? Would it require spacers

Does Scott use the wheel spacer to have the caliper outside of the rim or to get it where the rim is much more tapered and allows for the caliper to fit?

Any additional information would be truly appreciated. I have been searching this for months now and can't find the answer on my own (it's starting to drive me a little crazy).

Axel

Has anyone went with the XD Monster wheels? They seem to be available for $1.1k delivered while the LR3 wheels seem to run around $800 (but you still need to buy spacers) delivered while compomotive wheels cost nearly $2k. Does anyone know if you need spacers with the XD monster wheels???? Thanks a lot !!!!

 

[axels]

Has anyone went with the XD Monster wheels? They seem to be available for $1.1k delivered while the LR3 wheels seem to run around $800 (but you still need to buy spacers) delivered while compomotive wheels cost nearly $2k. Does anyone know if you need spacers with the XD monster wheels???? Thanks a lot !!!!

I was really hoping to get the XDs but decided for the LR3.

I'm waiting on the spacers and the rims are getting a powder coated black.

Someone runs XD in 20 on their LR4 and they are using spacers (pictured on voyager racks website).

All my communication with Wheel Pros points to the fact that one shouldn't need spacers even in 18.

Only downfall of the XD or Compomotives, the max load rate is 2,200lbs. I believe that LR rims are rated higher (not sure though).

 

[umbertob]

axels, actually the load rating for the Compos is 950 kilos (2100 lbs), the OEM rims are TUV rated at 940 kilos (+/- 2070 lbs), so about the same. Don't know about the XDs, but nobody has confirmed whether they even fit without spacers or mods up to now, so...

 

[iowalr4]

I can assure you that the compos are going to handle as much or more load than any OE land rover wheel. They are very over built. They designed them to run on the bowler wildcat and do the dakar. Pretty sure they will work for you.

 

[axels]

axels, actually the load rating for the Compos is 950 kilos (2100 lbs), the OEM rims are TUV rated at 940 kilos (+/- 2070 lbs), so about the same. Don't know about the XDs, but nobody has confirmed whether they even fit without spacers or mods up to now, so...

Thanks Umberto. Per Barry's word they are rated at 1,000kg. I couldn't find the info on the LR rims.

mbwesner, I'm aware of what they are built for and understand that they can handle a lot.

I'm currently waiting on my LR3s to be powder coated and voila

Keeping my fingers crossed this setup will be as viable as Scott says it is.

 

[mpinco]

I found 5 LR3 wheels in very good condition for $400.

 

[iowalr4]

I found 5 LR3 wheels in very good condition for $400.

Did you also run spacers? which ones?

That's a good price. Did you repaint or powder coat or anything?

 

[mpinco]

Did you also run spacers? which ones?

That's a good price. Did you repaint or powder coat or anything?

Motorsport Tech, referenced earlier in this thread.

Just cleaned them up. No repaint.

 

[jerdog53]

I have a set of the Hankook Dynapros on our Grand Cherokee for some 30k miles and am really happy with them. I am wanting something a little more aggressive for the LR3 and not wanting to pay Goodrich prices.


Sending elections from my electron sending device....

 

[axels]

I have a set of the Hankook Dynapros on our Grand Cherokee for some 30k miles and am really happy with them. I am wanting something a little more aggressive for the LR3 and not wanting to pay Goodrich prices.


Sending elections from my electron sending device....

Just ordered the Hankook Dynapro in 265/65R18. Can't wait to take them off-road.

 

[Pathfinder]

A Land Rover novice here with a few questions.

What is your on road, and the off road range with the stock gas tank for the current V-8 LR4s, Scott?

I guestimate on road fuel economy around 15mpg, is that correct? If one does not have a real heavy foot, as the driver is a major factor in fuel economy as well. Fuel has been a little more inexpensive lately, but next summer I think we may begin to see much higher prices again, maybe.

One difference I noted between the LR4 and the Range Rover, was that the gas tank in the LR4 was only 18+ gallons, and the Range Rovers were stocked with 26+ gallon tanks. Is there that much difference in fuel milage between the vehicles, or does one just need to plan on external jerry cans for extensive travel with the LR4?

My current vehicle is an FJC, which I like a lot and has been great fun in Death Valley and the SR Swell, but is not a great vehicle to tow a 3000 pound trailer over Eisenhower Pass in Colorado. It can do it, but in traffic I do have to be careful, so I have been considering a V-8 powered replacement which would climb much better at altitude towing a trailer. Off road my FJ pulls the rig just fine, no issues. I do need a vehicle with good on road manners, as I frequently drive 1-2K highway miles to get to my off road/backroad destinations. A quiet interior is quite helpful for long on road treks to me, too.

The videos I have seen here on Expedition Portal demonstrating the climbing and off road capability of the Range Rover Sport and the LR4 are quite impressive.

 

[umbertob]

On my 2013, I see about 300-330 miles per tankful in mixed city/highway driving, which is about 15-16 mpg give or take. On long highway only trips I am pushing 19-20. Off road, with low range engaged... Who knows. 7-10 mpg maybe, depending on terrain? I don't tow anything. The 5-liter V8 actually seems to be doing slightly better than the 4.4 liter NA on my 2006 Sport used to, despite the LR4's sorry aerodynamics. I am also weighed down by auxiliary battery, rock sliders, skid plates, larger A/T tires and other gizmos that don't help fuel economy much I am sure. I have been able to fill the fuel tank with nearly 21 gallons of super once (the range had been reading "0" for quite a few miles... white knuckles and all), I believe that when bone dry the tank of the LR4 can take about 22 gallons of fuel. Sure I wish it was 5 or 6 gallons bigger, but part of the issue is that the calculated range from the on-board computer seems to be overly conservative, often displaying you are out of gas when you really have another 2-3 gallons left in the tank. Better safe than sorry though, with my old Sport I ran out of gas a couple of times by trusting that computer too much, with the LR4 I've had no such issues - yet.

 

[mpinco]

So I had a similar need, towing a 5000# trailer through the high country (well even across the flat lands). The 5000# 95RRC LWB with a cam'ed 4.6 (~230hp/300ftlbs) was 'OK' across Kansas but at altitude (down 15 to 20% on power) I was in 2nd and revs were on the top of the torque curve, ~2800rpm. Fuel mileage sucked. Even on those long highway climbs in Kansas more power would have been a big benefit.

Added a 2011 LR4 with the 5.0L V8 and 375hp/375ftlbs (some say 400/400). First the LR4 weighs in at 5800#'s so towing 5000#'s is not an issue. Without the trailer highway mpg is low 20's at average of 6000ft altitude. One aspect/consideration is that a heavy vehicle will get better fuel mileage with a larger engine. Same with towing, larger engine get better fuel mileage. The reason is that you are working the engine less and able to optimize rpm's better vs. always having your "foot in it" for smaller engines.

Towing the trailer across flat roads at 8000ft altitude I was seeing 17-18mpg. Climbing passes? Well 9-12mpg but I wasn't struggling and could accelerate if needed. Not true with the RRC which was max'd and working very hard.

I've moved to a more aggressive off-road tire so expect fuel economy to decline but that is the trade-off.

The 5.0L V8 LR4 is a great vehicle, on or off road and for towing.

 

[Pathfinder]

Land Rover's web site states that the useable fuel tank capacity for the 2013 V-8 LR4 is 18.9 gallons ( http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/lr4/explore/lr4/ ) so your experience is encouraging. I was concerned that the on road range might be less than 300. In my FJ it is more like 220 - 240 depending on speed, wind, load etc. I actually get about 18-19 mpg on the highway too, so I would not be taking that big a hit of milage if I were to swap one for the other.

I have had a great time with my FJ, but you guys are really giving me reasons to reconsider. I do agree that a larger, heavier vehicle with a larger engine, will give better milage towing my trailer, than a smaller engine working harder. I am sure the LR4 is quieter on the highway than my FJ with its roof rack.

Climbing Eisenhower Pass west from Denver, I was in 2nd or 3rd gear at times,too, and my rpms were as high as 3800+ - the little V-6 was doing fine, but working harder than I would prefer it to have to work.. Interesting, my fuel milage was not that different - I averaged about 12 -14 towing all the way from Kansas to western Utah on I-70.

The other factor, is that the 2014 LR4 will no longer have the V-8, will it? My understanding is that it is being replaced with a turbocharged V-6. Is that correct? If true, I may need to act before years end if I prefer a new vehicle. Used LR4s do not seem that common locally.

Glad to hear the enthusiasm for the LR4, that is quite encouraging to me.

One other question - do you use premium fuel once you are above 5000 feet, or do you just use standard unleaded gasoline? I know that premium is the recommended grade, but I also know that at altitude, many folks do not burn premium for their vehicles.

 

[mpinco]

Thinking only the SCV6 will be an option for 2014, at the same 5800#'s. I've read that the LR4 will go the RRS route (Al) and shed 800# in 2015+ so less weight would help. That said, even at 5000#'s the V8 would be a better choice for towing.

We run premium in the LR4 although I do run mid-grade in my other Rovers. We live at 6500ft so can do that. When towing I run premium only.