Almost Ready!!

[LR3ISFORME]

Hello fellow LR3 owners,

I am fairly new to the site and needed some recommendations.

I have an 05' LR3 SE with 80,000 miles. I have had a full service done as well as replaced the front lower control arm bushings and tie rod ends. I have a set of 275 55 20 Toyo Open Country A/T 2 tires on the way as well as a set of Johnson rods. The A/T 2's were recommended by a friend who works at a local tire shop who is a fellow wheeler. The vehicle is in top notch condition (once the tires get put on) and I am ready to get it out and go wheelin'.

Any good recommendations for Colorado Trails? All types from beginner to expert would be appreciated. I have experience off-road I would just like opinions from people who drive the same car as me.

Any good Ideas for a decently cheap replacement for the stock "off-road" lights? There are complete junk and even though they look nice they don't work for anything.

And last, any accessory options people would recommend? Roof racks, Light Bar, spare tire carriers, adjustable rods? I have read good things about other rods than the Johnson's from you more experienced LR3 owners. If anyone who makes or has access to other types of rods reads this. Leave a message or send me a PM and let me know about them, I would love to know more.

Thanks to the few that gave me advice in the past for my repairs and such. And thanks in advance to anyone who can give me help in the future. Proud to be an LR3 owner and looking forward to get out there and get her all dirty!

Pictures will come as soon as the tires and rods get put on.

 

[Houm_WA]

Sounds great...just wondering why you went with 20s? You limit your sidewall and that doesn't help off-road with tire durability and just overall amount of rubber-on-terra.

 

[CMGRover]

In CO I'd definitely get rock rails.

 

[Disco Mike]

I agree, 20" tires are terrible if you plan on wheeling, sorry but with little or no side wall they are a terrible ride and can't be aired down for a better off road traction and ride.
If you want some help with trails, send me your number and I'll point you in a couple directions.
By the way, does your 05 have the HD option with the locking t/case, locking rear diff and full size spare?

 

[LR3ISFORME]

Disco Mike and Houm - I have the 20's because they where aftermarket rims that came with the car I bought used. There was a limited option of LR3's in the area I was in and this was one of the only ones that had the HD package with less than 100k (I had a budget). So to answer your question Mike, yes I do have the HD package.

18's are on my list for things to get this winter. I will not be doing much "rock-crawling" till next summer so I didn't see the point in getting 18's and fatter tires till I need them. The new Toyo's will serve every other purpose I need for now. The size of the rim does not matter though. You can still get a tire with a larger sidewall on 20's, there are just fewer options. So i disagree with that fact that 20's are "terrible" for wheelin'. They just may not be as easy to work with.

Thanks for the tip CMG, rock rails have been and are on my list!

I should have stated this in the main post but I am not new to the off-road world, just the LR3 world. I am looking more for personal preference Ideas for the car, not basic tips for wheelin'.

Thanks!

 

[Houm_WA]

You did state it...but you are not demonstrating it very well! Of course 20" rims in and of themselves don't limit your sidewalls, but in conjunction with an overall LR3 restriction of 32" tires, it does!

...and that's all we meant. Within the physical constraint of max OD tires of 32", the 20" rims limit your sidewalls.

 

[Disco Mike]

When you get ready for some trails, shout and maybe a couple of use will take you and and see how you and the truck do on some of our light to moderate trails.

 

[LR3ISFORME]

Houm, Thanks for the advice, I do understand the 18" vs. 20" wheel size and sidewall issue. I will let you know what I think about the new tires.

Mike, that would be awesome! I would love to hit the trails with some fellow LR3 owners. I will keep in touch when I get the rig ready and have some time to hit the road.

I will have more updates/photos when the tires are installed sometime next week!

Any other ideas are appreciated!

 

[Disco Mike]

ot sure there will be many LR3 owners, more Discos then anything but we have a large Rover club.

 

[LR3ISFORME]

A Work In Progress

Sorry for the late reply guys, here is a few pictures about 2 days after the tire install.