Things I think I need

[Krisbarger]

First off I went out today for the first time in our lr4. If was fun and stressful too . My wife keep telling me that I better not screw up her car! I told her it was a land rover not a car!

Here is the thread for that little outing.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110635

Funny thing is I wanted a Roof rack and winch first (after tires of course) but now after going out and dragging on a rock just a little today I think I need skids first. What skids do I need and what kind is best? Which places are the most important to protect first?

What say you? I don't want to screw up the bottom of my truck! Then sliders come next? Then winch and roof rack last.

Just want to protect my $60k

Thanks.




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[Scott Brady]

Congratulations on your first 4wd adventure with the LR4. Be sure to acknowledge your wife's concerns and fears while driving off-highway.

I would recommend getting 4wd training or spend some time with experienced local 4wd owners first (it helps if they have an understanding of those complex systems), then consider some modifications.

Skid plates are certainly a worthwhile investment. Asfir makes a few: http://asfir4x4.com/skidplates/skidplates-landrover/skidplates-landrover-discovery3
as does Tactical Rovers: http://shop.tacticalrovers.com/LR3-Products_c7.htm

For your vehicle, I would be most interested in upgrading the tires, then adding rocker panel protection (and a lifting point), then underbody skid plates. Of course, none of these things must be done to enjoy the LR4 on moderate terrain. It is quite capable, even in stock form. Get some driver training - that will pay the greatest dividends.

 

[Krisbarger]

Just did a 2 hour trainer course in Saturday at Biltmore with LR. It was very informative.

Not sure about rocker panel protection or lifting point? Never heard this before?


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[jh.]

Just did a 2 hour trainer course in Saturday at Biltmore with LR. It was very informative.

Not sure about rocker panel protection or lifting point? Never heard this before?


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Sliders will protect your body between the wheels and allow for the use of a Hi-Lift jack if necessary. Steel is better than the stock plastic.

 

[EricWS]

Just did a 2 hour trainer course in Saturday at Biltmore with LR. It was very informative.

Not sure about rocker panel protection or lifting point? Never heard this before?


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What did they go over then in the course? I mean that is very basic stuff...

 

[Howski]

Not sure about rocker panel protection or lifting point?

Rock sliders. Will protect your lower door sills and give you a place to lift the vehicle via hilift. You'll be able to change tires, stack rocks, etc. on the trail or uneven terrain.

 

[Scott Brady]

Just did a 2 hour trainer course in Saturday at Biltmore with LR. It was very informative.

Not sure about rocker panel protection or lifting point? Never heard this before?


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The Land Rover intro course is a great start, particularly with understanding the systems of the LR4. I would recommend a 2-3 day course with Overland Experts. They have facilities in NH and Virginia (I believe). These guys completely get it and have an academic approach to training (which is lacking in most training outlets).

http://www.overlandexperts.com/

Get more training, then focus on the basics, like recovery kit (shovel, MaxTrax, recovery strap, blah, blah), tools, communications, then start looking at tires (something LT), rock sliders, skid plates, IIDTool, etc.

Take it slow and enjoy the adventure!

 

[JAK]

Mods should be done in this order in my opinion.

1. Tires
2. Basic Recovery Gear
3. Sump Guard
4. Rock Sliders.
5. Tank Skid
6. Winch

A true rock slider like the Rover Specialties or Tactical Rovers have a 1/4 inch plate on the bottom that extends to frame rail. This will let you slide across the rock. Other that I have seen are not as robust and would provide sill protection only. Not a true slider in my opinion. As for a lift point, unless the slider has a decent foot step on it the Hi-Lift will be marginal. I have the Rover Specialties Slim sliders and and the Hi-Lift tends to be pulled into the truck because of the round tubing used. The Tactical Rovers sliders have square tubing. An X-Jack doesn't care and which you have. Both the X-Jack and the Hi-Lift have their uses though.

Driving rtechnique is not something you can buy, it must be learned through seat time. That said the best way to get beneficial seat time is with an expert riding along. Choosing the right line with any particular truck varies based on the setup and the response. The LR3/4's driver very different than solid axle trucks. An approach for a Jeep may not work for the LR4 and vice versa. The Land Rover's rear diff doesn't hang down like a sold axle does but the lower control arms do. The line over a low rock would be to put it in the center as opposed to inside the tire.

Good to see more Land Rovers running the trails! Enjoy and treat each dent, ding and scratch as a badge of honor.

 

[Krisbarger]

The Land Rover intro course is a great start, particularly with understanding the systems of the LR4. I would recommend a 2-3 day course with Overland Experts. They have facilities in NH and Virginia (I believe). These guys completely get it and have an academic approach to training (which is lacking in most training outlets).

http://www.overlandexperts.com/

Get more training, then focus on the basics, like recovery kit (shovel, MaxTrax, recovery strap, blah, blah), tools, communications, then start looking at tires (something LT), rock sliders, skid plates, IIDTool, etc.

Take it slow and enjoy the adventure!

Awesome resource. Looks like a much better use of money. That may be our next vacation!! Thanks.


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[fishEH]

Where are you located? I'd rather vacation to Colorado or Moab for the National Rally. Better scenery and some good seat time.
If you have to use a HiLift on the slider, open the door and then place the Hilift. This will keep the upper part of the HiLift off the door.
Aren't some LR3/4's dual exhaust? The XJack wont work well at all on dual exhaust trucks.

Awesome resource. Looks like a much better use of money. That may be our next vacation!! Thanks.


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[Scott Brady]

Always start with proper support equipment, like tools, first aid kit, recovery gear (with PPE like gloves, eye protection, etc.), fire extinguisher. Then invest in a means of communication while in the field. If you travel solo, something like a spot is the first investment. If you plan to travel with a group, find out what method of communication they use, like CB / 2M / FRS, etc. Once you have all of the proper support equipment and some training, then make modifications.

I believe the tires are the Achilles heal of the LR4. That needs to be first. After that there can be some interpretation, discussion, disagrement, but start with the tires

 

[Krisbarger]

Always start with proper support equipment, like tools, first aid kit, recovery gear (with PPE like gloves, eye protection, etc.), fire extinguisher. Then invest in a means of communication while in the field. If you travel solo, something like a spot is the first investment. If you plan to travel with a group, find out what method of communication they use, like CB / 2M / FRS, etc. Once you have all of the proper support equipment and some training, then make modifications.

I believe the tires are the Achilles heal of the LR4. That needs to be first. After that there can be some interpretation, discussion, disagrement, but start with the tires

The cooper Zeon's are the best I can find in 255-55-19. Do you conquer?


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[Fivespddisco]

This is what I would recommend.

Lift " IID tool "


Sump and Trany Guard


Rock sliders.


Look what can be done with an LR3/ 4 that had these three upgrades.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zm3DQ8XuNE

 

[JAK]

Where are you located? I'd rather vacation to Colorado or Moab for the National Rally. Better scenery and some good seat time.
If you have to use a HiLift on the slider, open the door and then place the Hilift. This will keep the upper part of the HiLift off the door.
Aren't some LR3/4's dual exhaust? The XJack wont work well at all on dual exhaust trucks.

The door can limit travel of the arm depending where you put it. I have the wheel lift strap and the base for the jack as well. These things float around the forums at good prices sometimes. As for the dual exhaust I use one of these, http://www.mcmaster.com/#expansion-test-plugs/=mrdx8m to plug the other pipe.