First Dirt! Is the Land Rover LR3 a Stud or a Dud When the Trail Gets Very Steep? 

This guy knows what he’s talking about

Excellent advice, thank you!

So are the lr3 reliable? As a toyota? Having those tools?

Which of the two tools is better? 🙄

@@pulpanochamaster My LR3 has been better over the last 3-ish years vs the 80 series I had before it. My 80 series suffered from hidden rust/water leakage issues not long after I bought it, mostly hidden under plastic covers and carpeting (something Land Rover has had a pretty good handle on for some time) so it suffered a lot of electrical issues as a result. Full tail light failure, HVAC failure, loss of speaker connections on the radio, repeated failed window regulator problems, usually when they were down (very annoying) door lock failure, EGR failure (4 times in 9 years) front inner axle seal failure (3 times in 9 years) and poor brakes. I looked at the 100 series as a replacement, but every one I looked at had started to rust in the same way, behind plastic panels, and just honestly felt dated, like it'd never made it out of the 90's. People always think of Toyota and think it's the best thing on the planet because they're supposedly reliable and will last forever. Well if you live in the desert, maybe.. But if you drive in varied locations all over the country, they rot. I've had friends who've run into ABS pump failure on the 100 series and it's cost thousands to replace, and does immobilize the car off road, since they need the pump for the ATRAC to work. Then there's ATRAC itself. It's just not very good. It spins the wheels a LOT before it starts to work and just seems to struggle too much. Basically you'd need aftermarket lockers. Newer ones are hopefully improved over the older ones in all categories but they're also just as full of electrics as any Land Rover, so any perceived benefit is null. Plus they still suffer from the same stupid seating design in the back. The 2 biggest benefits I've found are initial purchase price on the Land Rover (I could buy one, and lose it and buy another, and still be money ahead on the same year/miles Land Cruiser) and the versatility of the load bay in the back, with the LR3's fully flat load floor with seats folded, where Toyotas use flip forward seats in the middle (eats up load floor length) and the useless flip up to the side 3rd row which eats a ton of room. Luckily they remove, but on the LR3 I don't have to worry about that. With the IID tool I'm able to basically block off any malfunctioning computer components, should I run into any (none so far in 60k+ miles) or in case of suspension malfunction, I can manually set the height on the car and shut the system down (very rarely if ever will you get airbag failure, it's 99.9% of the time it's a height sensor.) Mine's been all over the place even on trails usually traveled by dedicated built off road jeeps n' such, and despite being slower than something that's been modified, it seems to always figure out any traction issues and pulls through faultlessly. I had initially worried about CV axle strength and such, but I've found it can take one hell of a beating and I've yet to have much issue, besides tearing a CV boot open once when a stick got lodged in there. Had I stopped to check, it'd probably have been fine, but I didn't.. so it tore. Pulled the axle out, repacked new grease and re-booted the CV, and it's been fine ever since. Is it perfect? No. But it's a hell of a lot of 4wd for the price (used.. of course) and I've found the bonus being, not having to have a 2nd car for on the road journeys like I have with my past 4wd's, since the LR3/4 is shockingly composed on road for being so capable off road.

How are you getting along with it now?

Have owned three land cruisers, 91,94,2000. Currently own 2006 Touareg v8 and 2005 lr3 hd hse v8 . Touareg best overall. Lr3 best off road by far.

Sounds like my story! I too almost got a Touareg. Then after TFL rated the LR3 as a better truck, I bought a well maintained one with the HD pack for $9K 2 years ago. I've spent $1400 on engine mounts, $800 on a transmission service, $700 on new rear air struts, $200 on new front upper control arms, $900 for a new water pump and new thermostat, and soon $2000 on the EPB. Not to mention $500 on a Gap IID tool. I don't regret it though. This thing is a very capable beast off road, and still looks good after almost 20 years. It is a very comfortable ride. Take it off roading in the morning, rinse it off and then take it out to dinner with the wife.

You obviously don't luve in CO, there us stuff a half hour outside their front door that would total that mallcrawler. I have an offroad side by side that can't tackle stuff here in CO.

@@richfarfugnuven6308 well m8, this 'mAlLcrAwleR' just happens to have had one of the most sophisticated Off road computers of its time, and a great reputation for off road capability. It really can go where it wants to; and I would know since I own one.

@@beenusirimanne I will bet you a large pile of cash that they don't go down the backside of Saxon Mountain above Georgetown in this. Only if they want to see true carnage. I have the 2020 Can Am x3 xrc (which means rock crawler edition) and it is all it wants. It's fine for an unreliable SUV, but it is no wrangler Rubicon or Powerwagon.

@@richfarfugnuven6308 Can't lie, I don't have a clue where that is. And of course, I'm not claiming invincibility for the vehicle. No manual lockers etc. Its far from perfect. I just felt u perhaps weren't quite familiar with how these things can deal with tough terrain. And damn, sounds like a nice rig u got there :D

The Bad Bug I want see it too!

Yes please, do it

X2 I have always liked both (never owned the LR3 though). Went with the Touareg because of the on-road sportiness and more reliable air suspension (it's a well-known point of failure on the LRs but rarely fails on Touaregs).

Not much of a comparison. The LR3 has cross link valves that make it behave like a live axle when needed. Much better system than the Tourareg in terms of ability.

@@m-at-the-w142 Boy I gotta say I've seen lots of failures on both. Valve blocks fail like crazy on the VW.

How do you feel about the 4.4 na? Got one in my 07 Full Size RR. Heard great things about them *knock on wood*

@@michaelwiencek9250 pretty much will run forever if properly maintained keep the oil changed 4 to 5 thousand miles intervals

Rhino!!!! Guy probably regrets selling this beast with all the official add ons he did!!! I had an 05' for 11 years.

Lmao my dad still owns a bone stock LR3 (he added a Land Rover brush guard, tailgate ladder, and Land Rover roof rack) but all the parts are OEM, yeah they’ve been replaced (OEM Air struts and air compressor) and the paint is in good condition, no scratches (there is a coin sized dent on the rear quarter panel)

Ture. You don't need the rear diff lock as traction / terrain performance so good. Also why it was never standard even on the top spec runout models.

@Game Bred Duramax You forgot who bring the coffee.... Jeep lol.

Game Bred Duramax yes, yes, YESSSSSS,!!! FINALLY SOMEONE TALKING SENSE 👌🏼👍🏼 I’ve had a 40 series, 60 series! 80 and lastly a 100 series. They all had a little work done to them and were unstoppable! Even with IFS the 100 was a monster (I didn’t manage to get the diesel so I ended up with the 4.7 V8, same as the Lexus 570.) The only problem I’ve ever had is that I’ve never managed to have a 76 series (Full body SUV version of the 70 series single cab pickup, Ute, bakki, depending on where you’re from) I’ve also had Hilux’s for work for the last 15 years and much like Jeremy Clarkson, I couldn’t kill them either!😂 Sadly I’m currently in a Nissan Navara but am n the lookout for an FJ Cruiser from r thee family.....damn I rambled on there...

Game Bred Duramax 🤮

you scared.

ALL cars break.

Thanks for the tip!

I recommend this metal bleed screw. www.crossaxledcustoms.com/products/land-rover-discovery-3-4-lr3-lr4-range-rover-sport-rrs-coolant-bleed-valve-t-fitting-heavy-duty-upgrade.html

Discovery 2, the best of 'em all imo. My parents owned one for six years it was a 2002MY Td5 GS Manual in 5 seat spec, it towed a caravan AND went off-road or Greenlaning whichever you want to call it. Yes it had it's gremlin's but which Disco doesn't - even series 1's weren't perfect. The D3 is ok I suppose, just to me it doesn't look a rugged as the D1 or D2, but each to their own.

I have the TDV6. It's doing great, as long as you don't stick to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. All failures are either turbo failure, conrod bearing failure or crankshaft bearing failure. The intervals are just too long. Couple that with EGR delete (more heat) and you have a sure way to make that engine seize.

Warlock 06 LR 4 is just better. It’s more refined and reliable. The later model, the better. LR3 is also a fine truck but it’s more of a labor of love.

Actually drivetrain wise the LR3 is far superior. LR4’s have water pump, timing chain and injector issues, the LR3 doesn’t.

Nucl3ar Family LR3 has the more reliable engine. 4.4

Nucl3ar Family the motor is far more reliable in the LR3 and the rest of the truck is basically the same.

The LR4 came with two different engines, the 5.0L V8 and 3.0L V6 supercharged. Which one of the engines are you talking about? The 5.0L did have some issues when first came out, from what I can tell the 3.0L V6 supercharged did not have the same problems. If I do buy a LR4 it will be the 2016 since that was the last year they made it and it came with the 3.0L V6 supercharged. From what I read the LR4 is a better more refined vehicle.

Very correct

chefdan87 amen to that brother

As a matter of fact I am getting a fabricator this saturday to weld reinforcements on my mopar light bar brackets to stop the constant shaking of it when I'm driving not joking! Lol.

YEES!!!!

EcBuddy123 agreed.

But that would be boringly reliable 😂👍🏼

@@josephwhiskeybeale with the emphasis on "boring." and not as good off-road.

The Toyota's traction capability is not even close. You would need lockers on the Toyota to compare it with the LR3 traction system.

Great vehicle had 05' for 11 years! Watch the air suspension leaks can cause air compressor repairs, if or when it breaks it'll be a good grand easy.

Dang, I could've used those extra MPGs in my trips to Arizona from California. I get 19 mpg in the 2010 hemi Grand cherokee. When looking for a good 4x4 I looked at everything and ended up between the Lr3 and Grand Cherokee. I think the only part that spooked me was the air suspension. Everything else like interior was the best looking for sure in the LR

no you don't, you might see that on the instant meter or you were going downhill.

@@atodaso1668 Lr3 don't have instant meters and yes it's pretty easy to get good mpg like that in an lr3 on the highway.

fredbrackely I second getting a Gap but also keeping the rods and dialing in the perfect height. The amount of lift you can get through the tool is inconsistent with each truck and you won’t be able to get the full height that you would get with the rods.

@@andrewhovanetz3525 Best is to set your heights on a flat concrete surface and measure each wheel trim height with a tape measure and fine tune with the GAP. Mine looked something like FR +53, FL +50, RR +65 RL +60 to make it level haha. I think the gap goes up to +75, so you might be right with the rods. I have never tried them. I just wish the GAP was a cheaper. I forgot to add lads, with the GAP tool you can buy a new blank key off ebay and program it for a quarter of the cost of the dealership.

The new defender looks to be an LR4 replacement for sure. But it's not a real defender in my book. also the lack of a lader frame hurts driving with big trailers. Still think the LR4 is the best allrounder.

Giorgos Tatarakis No need that. Terrain response and central diff(standart) is adequate

Yeah these things are unstoppable with the standard setup

You definitely don't need that, it's just enough with a set of KO2's cause that thing is heavy as f... And the drive will improve tons

Not one LR3 has successfully been outfitted with arb lockers. Just can’t do it without +5k. I was lucky to get a HD package. Wish you could manually lock the rear but it only goes on when the computer says so. Ie in rock crawl

@@letstrythisagainforreal Where the heck did you get that info? Also that factory locker has an extremely high fail rate

Jason Vorhees The Late model LR3 is the sweet spot. It's more reliable because it has the 4.4 V8 that goes forever. The 5.0 in the LR4 had timing chain issues

D2 is my fav. out of all the series. Ppl moaned on for years about 'complicated' and 'sophisticated' electrics on D2's then along came D3, D4, D-sport and D5 which went back to 'stoneage' technology - like series LRs from 1948 :P

colorado