New to me LR3!

[nwoods]

Very very very good deal, that I am more than a little jealous of!

Regarding your list, sounds like you intend to wheel this rig. Let me help you fine tune your list a bit. I'll put things in priority order as I see them. It's just my opinion, so take it for what you paid for it

1. MTR's
2. Ladder -G4
3. Hardwire iPod/iPhone connection, bypassing the AUX port and getting true sound levels out of your 550w audio system.
4. Rasta Skid Plates (front, mid, and transfer case)
5. Radio communications (CB and/or HAM)
6. Suspension rod modification, or software hack to raise truck +1" or more
7. Rock sliders & gas tank skid from RockyMountain 4x4 or Rover Specialties (I like the RS units)
7. Internal cargo barrier/dog barrier. Extremely useful for securing cargo!
8. Rear tire carrier from British Pacific.

The rest of it I'm kinda indifferent on. Just get a decent gas can like a Wedco or Scepter, and you can store it in the truck or strapped to the roof rack.

Bike Rack, hitch mounted
Roof top tent www.autohome.us "Columbus Carbon"
Fuel Can/ w/ holder
Extended Range or Auxiliary Fuel Tank (Manafree imports these from LongRanger in Australia)
Block Heater
Winch - SuperWinch EPi9 from Viking Offroad
ARB Bull Bar
Snorkel -G4 (can also get a Safari snorkle from ARB)

 

[o0OBillO0o]

nwoods, you've got some good insight.

after some more lurking here and there, I've begun to make a list similar to what you recommended.

The next level or the way ahead for my LR3 is to be my "bug-out" or in reasonable terms, camping/Travel vehicle. I have a Mildly modified VW TDI Golf for everything else.

No. 3 the iPod. Hardwire kits are too much effort for what can be done simply by burning your iTunes music to CD and loading up the changer. CD cost $ vs LR iPod Kit $$$.

No. 5 you got a recommended CB?

No. 6 can you link me to a discussion/ more insight to this mod?


Some of my initial hurdles are that I have no time/ or tools to install any of this equipment. I am currently looking for LR specialist's in MA, NC, and NH.

 

[Houm_WA]

I think your estimates are very optimistic....used 18" LR3 rims will be no less than $600 for 5....ever.

The cheapest/best tires you can get on those rims would be the Coopers and they are $150 a pop; that's $750 for 5. So you're looking at about $1400 mounted.

 

[Houm_WA]

Yes, Nathan....if you can tell us more about No. 6 I'd appreciate it too. With your wording you make it sound like there are TWO ways to raise the suspension. What is the software hack? I don't know about that one...only the modified sensor arms.

 

[nwoods]

nwoods, you've got some good insight.

after some more lurking here and there, I've begun to make a list similar to what you recommended.

The next level or the way ahead for my LR3 is to be my "bug-out" or in reasonable terms, camping/Travel vehicle. I have a Mildly modified VW TDI Golf for everything else.

Okay - time to realign your basis of understanding. I perhaps misunderstood quite what you were wanting to do with your truck. I want to point out that the stock LR3 is far more capable that you can possibly realize right now. You need to find a local Land Rover club and attend one of their outings/trail runs. The stock LR3 will blow you away and needs little more than just tires to make it an exceptional trail beast. Unless you are flush with cash, you might want to hold off on some of these upgrades until you've more practical experience with wheels on dirt.

However, if you've got the means, go for it. With luck, the joy factor in going off road will grow to the point where you begin to need, and then use these upgrades. None of them will hurt, so go for it if you have the means.

No. 3 the iPod. Hardwire kits are too much effort for what can be done simply by burning your iTunes music to CD and loading up the changer. CD cost $ vs LR iPod Kit $$$.

The LR iPod kit is very expensive and not that great acoustically. The source level is still lower than a CD or direct hardware iPod connection. I paid $100 to have a car audio shop plug a $30 iPod connector into the back of the head unit, and also hardwire my GPS power cable into...somewhere under the dash. Now I download Audio books to my iPhone and listen during my commute, and my kids watch downloaded tv shows and movies (like the entire series of Firefly!) on my iPhone and listen to them in full surround sound. It's pretty awesome. Also, the iPhone mutes itself and pauses the movies/tunes when a call comes in, which patches through to the handsfree unit. Most enjoyable $100 I have ever spent, and that includes time spent in the Philippines during my youth in the Navy

No. 5 you got a recommended CB?

Nothing beats the convenience of the Cobra WRX-75 (or something like that). I mounted the matchbox sized unit under the passenger seat, and it's completely inconspicuous. Get a Firestick II 48" antenna on a mag mount run out the rear tailgate when you need it, and you are set to go.

No. 6 can you link me to a discussion/ more insight to this mod?

A couple of independent shops here in L.A. have figured out how to modify suspension height on LR3/RRS/FFRR to whatever the customer wants, via diagnostics software. It's a permanent modification though, no "on-the-fly, back-to-stock" magic button. To knock it back down (or up) to stock height you'd have to visit them again so they can input the original numbers back. Or, you can do the physical modification described here:
http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread.php?t=5192&highlight=suspension

 

[Houm_WA]

....Nathan, where can I buy a (Rasta) front skid?

I couldn't find it on Expedition Exchange or Atlantic British.

 

[nwoods]

....Nathan, where can I buy a (Rasta) front skid?

I couldn't find it on Expedition Exchange or Atlantic British.

I got mine from www.[B]britishpacific[/B].com , but I think you can get them direct from www.[B]rasta4x4usa[/B].com now

 

[sushisean]

The LR iPod kit is very expensive and not that great acoustically. The source level is still lower than a CD or direct hardware iPod connection. I paid $100 to have a car audio shop plug a $30 iPod connector into the back of the head unit, and also hardwire my GPS power cable into...somewhere under the dash. Now I download Audio books to my iPhone and listen during my commute, and my kids watch downloaded tv shows and movies (like the entire series of Firefly!) on my iPhone and listen to them in full surround sound. It's pretty awesome. Also, the iPhone mutes itself and pauses the movies/tunes when a call comes in, which patches through to the handsfree unit. Most enjoyable $100 I have ever spent, and that includes time spent in the Philippines during my youth in the Navy



Nothing beats the convenience of the Cobra WRX-75 (or something like that). I mounted the matchbox sized unit under the passenger seat, and it's completely inconspicuous. Get a Firestick II 48" antenna on a mag mount run out the rear tailgate when you need it, and you are set to go.

Do you have any idea what IPOD adapter they used that gives you all that? Did it make your factory AUX jack non-functional? I'd LOVE to be able to have full audio from the dash....

Also I can't find that small CB you referenced. Would you mind posting a link? Thanks!

 

[o0OBillO0o]

nwoods, you've got some good insight.

after some more lurking here and there, I've begun to make a list similar to what you recommended.

The next level or the way ahead for my LR3 is to be my "bug-out" or in reasonable terms, camping/Travel vehicle. I have a Mildly modified VW TDI Golf for everything else.

No. 3 the iPod. Hardwire kits are too much effort for what can be done simply by burning your iTunes music to CD and loading up the changer. CD cost $ vs LR iPod Kit $$$.

No. 5 you got a recommended CB?

No. 6 can you link me to a discussion/ more insight to this mod?


Some of my initial hurdles are that I have no time/ or tools to install any of this equipment. I am currently looking for LR specialist's in MA, NC, and NH.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=314&category_ID=30

this the Cobra WX 75, and I am sure this is what nwoods is talking about.

nwoods, got it, understand that this is a totally well equipped vehicle from the factory. and all my mods should be "needs based" and I totally agree w/ you that I need to attend a Land Rover Gathering, because I have so many questions to ask. additionally, when I get together w/ people that are into the same things as I am it's like filled with euphoria and knowledge at the same time. it's great.

I do need a ladder to put stuff on the expedition roof rack ( not to forget straps and the like) and I think that is the most reasonable upgrade for now.

iPhone set up you have is clever, while you might be getting surround sound by virtue of having speakers surround you, I'd be impressed if you have 5.1 discrete surround sound, but I think you call it good enough. way to save some loot. I also recommend ProClip mount www.proclip.com, they mount anything and keep it secure from bouncing around off road.