HD vs non-HD package LR4

My 2016 LR4 did not come equipped with the HD package, and at the time of purchase I didn't think it would be a problem. I've been in some pretty sticky situations and Terrain Response has always figured it out (so far), but as I get comfortable with the vehicle I'm pushing it harder and harder.

After looking at quite a few upgrades, I'm starting to hesitate a bit due to the elephant in the room: I don't have a center or rear locking differential. Depending on who you talk to, this is either not "that" big of a deal, or it's a massive draw-back that prevents it from being a good off-roader. Obviously I think it depends on what you're doing, and in my personal experience I used the rear-locker on my old Jeep Cherokee quite a bit. I'm starting to think not having the HD package is going to prevent me from facing the more difficult off-road challenges.

Here's the thing: I don't know how much better off the LR4 is with the HD package. As I said the Terrain Response is pretty damn good, but how much better is the rig with the rear/center locker and hi/lo ranges? This might be hard to quantify, but I'm hoping members of this community can clue me in.

If it's substantial, I'm considering a swap between my LR4 and an LR4 with the HD package (equivalent miles). I've never done anything like that before and it seems like a massive pain in the ass (not counting the potential for substantial added cost).

The other thing missing, if I’m not mistaken, is the low range gearing.

Yours does not have a low range. I'm probably the odd man out here, but for me, that would be a deal killer for a trail rig.

Of course I'm also the fella who added a front locker, so I'm pretty far out there on the spectrum.

avslash said:

Yours does not have a low range. I'm probably the odd man out here, but for me, that would be a deal killer for a trail rig.

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Could you give me your opinion on why you think it would be a deal killer?

Oddboy said:

Could you give me your opinion on why you think it would be a deal killer?

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Steep descents on loose, rocky slopes rely on brakes (which overheat) rather than gearing to control speed.
Reduced ability to crawl at zero or near zero throttle over obstacles.
Reduced torque available at wheels for any given engine rpm.

I think you would be very hard pressed to find someone who wheels any offroad vehicle who wouldn't agree 4Lo is advantageous/required for a serious use case vehicle.

You will never convince me that JLR didn't drop that standard feature because it wasn't beneficial. IMO, they dropped it because it cost less to produce without it, and likely contributed some miniscule amount toward meeting their CAFE requirement from the reduced weight. Same type of thinking that contributed to a "V6" with two plugged rear cylinders. In their defense, the majority of soccer moms who drove these trucks off dealer lots likely had no clue, and wouldn't have cared if the did.

It all boils down to what your use case will be. Do you want to mod the truck to look cool, and don't foresee anything more than snowy roads or forest service type roads? Don't sweat it. You will very likely never know the difference.

Do you want a truck you can try to take over the Rubicon, or up the wall at Poughkeepsie Gulch? I would dissuade you from dropping thousands into modding a truck without a transfer case.

As I said, I am likely the odd man out here. My truck is not a daily driver and kept in the stable solely for camping/hunting/wheeling. That said, I love the thing and literally would not trade it for any other SUV. Modded for my use it will do 95% of what a JKU will do, go 650 miles on a tank of fuel, swallow a queen size mattress so I can sleep in the back, and keep my buns and palms nice and toasty while doing it.

Good luck with your decision.

avslash said:

... go 650 miles on a tank of fuel.

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Did you cancel the underbody spare and bump the gas tank size? That's amazing mileage and I'm genuinely interested on how this is possible!!!

Analogue said:

Did you cancel the underbody spare and bump the gas tank size? That's amazing mileage and I'm genuinely interested on how this is possible!!!

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Yes. LRA tank from Australia. Holds about 50 gallons in total now.

avslash said:

Yes. LRA tank from Australia. Holds about 50 gallons in total now.

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Thanks for sharing - just found your other post on making this happen...you aren't messing around! Cool stuff.

https://www.landroverworld.org/threads/so-you-want-an-auxiliary-fuel-tank-for-your-lr4.30633/

A LR4 with single speed transfer case is "All hat, no cattle", which may be just fine if you roam in the City.

I use my low range gears every time I go off road. It’s so much less strain on the engine too and is seamless. It’s not like my dads F-150 where the throttle goes all crazy sensitive.