New LR3 Owner working on mod and fluid change

Hi all. I live in a south sub of Chicago and just purchased a new to me LR3 HSE with 77k and have a few questions.

This will be my daily driver so it will see the grocery store and the badlands along with The Cliffs in Marseilles, IL and so would like to do a few mild mods. I have ordered the johnson rods and cooper zeon ltz 255/55/R19 tires. What other mods should I consider? I did find some 18" rims for sale. Would it be worth it to get for a set of oversized off road tires or are the coopers good enough? What about rock sliders? With the lift kit (and careful off road driving) is it necessary? Are they very heavy and would reduce the great gas milage? I do like the idea that some rock sliders come with a small step (I have young kids).

I inquired with LR in orland park about changing the trans fluid. They said not to do it cause it will cause problems with the trans. The trans could start slipping with new fluid. Is this true?

I am doing the diff and transfer case this weekend and was planing on using Royal purple max gear 75w90 in diffs and RP 75x90 sycromax in the transfer case. Sound good?

Thanks

Do not use 75-90 in the t-case, far too heavy of a fluid. I recommend the factory fluid in that, it's much more similar to ATF then it is to gear oil. For the diffs, a good quality 75-90(like RP) will work well. I believe RP does, but make sure there is a friction modifier in the fluid if it is being used in a locking rear diff. Also note that the diffs are not fill to level, it is a certain quantity, and a little below the fill plug.

As long as the trans is in good shape now, changing the fluid will only be a good thing. When it starts to get to real high mileage, or changing it because of an issue is where you start to run into new fluid causing a slip. Most techs are somewhat weary of auto trans's and would prefer to stay away from them. Also, not implying that it is your intention, but I have personally seen a customer come in with a vehicle for a trans service(with it on it's last leg to start) talked to an over zealous service adviser, and technician not test driving to start with, ended up with the dealership buying the customer a new transmission. Personally, I will refuse to do a trans service on a 'while you wait' basis with this as one of the reasons(they also need to be filled at a temp far below operating temp)

RoverGuy7,
Thanks for the advise. The trans is in great shape as far as I can tell. Shifts up and down are spot on and solid. Did the diffs this evening and the rear (not locker) was very dark fluid and smelly. A fair amount of metal on the magnet but no large pieces. The front was clear as new fluid with the magnet about the same as the rear.

I am trying to get my hands on some RP sycromax for the transfer case or I will go to the LR dealer an use stock stuff.

Can anyone suggest a reputable trans shop to do the trans. I would like it flushed if possible with a new filter. Is the filter part of the pan? Will it have to be replaced with the pan?

Thanks

Link to info re changing oil in the tranny.

Yes, change the oil in your tranny but it is not a do it yourself task.

The files per the link below will give you an idea of what is involved. Briefly, you have to find a true independent transmission shop who has a lot of dead Mercedes and Audie's parked about. These guys know ZF so changing the oil will be about an 800 dollar deal, but it will be done correctly and your 3 will run another 80,000 miles trouble free - at least tranny trouble free.

Buy the 18" wheels but stick to stock tyre size - I know...., but you have a Land Rover not a Jeep. Over sized wheels and an air suspension failure means you have the rubber locked into the wheel wells - not cool and unfun.

http://bit.ly/1ecVJ3m

If you look into the other files that the labove ink emanates from, you will find stuff about wheels and a lot more. (see Link below.)

http://bit.ly/14WWDgQ

I have been having the same dilemma - I'm at 55K miles on our LR3. Do I change the "lifetime" transmission fluid or not? Having owned many Audis with ZF transmissions, I know the rule is to change it every 50K or never change it.

The Land Rover dealer near me claims they never change the transmission fluid on LR3s. But the Audi dealer changed the fluid on our Q7 with the same ZF 6HP26 transmission. I am going to see if the Audi dealer will change the fluid on our LR3 since they have experience doing it before.

Most do not know how.

My LR dealer is very good except when it comes to tranny oil changes.

They do not have a lot of luck doing it themselves; hence they sub a tranny oil change out to a true independent tranny shop as does the Mercedes dealer as well.

The VW and Audi dealers for some reason seem to know how, but the others, BMW included, are "well you have to install a factory rebuilt unit".

Diffs are done, transfer case is done and found a shop in Minooka, IL that is owned by an X-land rover service manager that is working on a quote for the transmission oil and filter change. I am going to use the plastic pan again because I don't know that I will own the vehicle long enough to do another transmission fluid change.



New tires are installed

Your tires look great. How are you liking them?

They are low noise on the road. Have yet to off road with them. Just found out the rear differential has to be replaced. Boo. I changed the fluid about a week after picking up from the dealership and it was very dark and smelled burnt. A strange noise started a day or two before I changed the fluid. The fluid change did not help the sound. Took it to the dealership and they said the driveshaft bearing is going bad.