D3 Available Accessories

[timdo1]

Hi everyone

I am close to buying a D3 and am still debating re the motor type. Am i wrong or does it seem as though you cant get a snorkle or winch bar for the V6 petrol? and why would the ARB bar only be for the diesel. Also where does the Brown Davis aux tank go? It has a rated capacity of 105 litres so its a fair size, where do they fit it.

My preference has been for a V8 or diesel but i have no car at the moment (D2 died) and really need to push the process now. The V6 is the most available model for the price at the moment.

Thanks in advance:cool:

[TerryO]

Hi everyone

I am close to buying a D3 and am still debating re the motor type. Am i wrong or does it seem as though you cant get a snorkle or winch bar for the V6 petrol? and why would the ARB bar only be for the diesel. Also where does the Brown Davis aux tank go? It has a rated capacity of 105 litres so its a fair size, where do they fit it.

My preference has been for a V8 or diesel but i have no car at the moment (D2 died) and really need to push the process now. The V6 is the most available model for the price at the moment.

Thanks in advance:cool:


Seriously drive all three engine types and you will not buy the petrol V6, that is why they are so available.

The other two engines types are worth the extra dollars beyond a doubt.

cheers,
Terry

[Neil P]

...will not buy the petrol V6, that is why they are so available.

I think you'll find that's because they were 75% of D3 sales ;)

[Ashes]

Accessories are available for the petrol. I'll be putting on a winch bar shortly on my v6 petrol. A minor mod at the front end is required but the big installers seem to know all about this.

I haven't researched the snorkel so can't advise on that.

Aux tank fits where the spare wheel goes so you need to relocate that (rear bar, roof rack, inside the cabin).

Plenty of threads on each of these mods can be found with some searching.

Plenty of threads also regarding diesel vs petrol and good arguments for both. Lots of dimensions to the decision but depends what aspects you decide is most important to you...not others....

[oldsalt]

A lot of the answers you want are in the FAQ section, good luck with your new purchase....you'll love it.
cheers:)

[unseenone]

I can't debate motor types, ie: petrol .vs. Diesel as we cannot buy them here. If we could That's what I would drive. That being said, your mates can probably better get into that.

As far as I am concerned the V6 Petrol would never be an option. The V8 is slightly underpowered in certain circumstances. Folks here may disagree.

The sky seems to be the rule, rather than the limit when kitting a Land Rover.

On the rest of it, it depends on your intended use, and everyone has an opinion, so consider yourself in luck, I expect a lively debate. To kick it off, for my intended use, which is daily driver with occasional off road use, moderate to extreme, this would be the ideal Kit to me;

Accessories;

1. Traxide Dual Battery Kit (model of D3 / irrelevant)
advantages, run winch, fridge, backup starting, etc)
2. ARB Safari Snorkel
Advantages, waterproof, or water resistant at least more so than LR's
3. ECB Bull Bar
Advantages, lighter weight than ARB, a MUST from what I read in Australia, particularly if you travel at night at all. ECB would also
claim a better design, it's all debatable. Overall Vehicle weight is an issue that seems to pop up here regularly, due to regulation, and
overall wear and tear while in the outback, etc. The ARB is commonly fitted on the V8 Petrol here, perhaps the V6 doesn't have enough wind to carry it?
4. ARB or other rear bumper + spare
advantages, ability to carry one or more spare, + free up space for;
5. Extended Range Fuel Tank -
Not available in US, doesn't work right on V8 Petrol, so I am told. Fits under the rear, where the spare goes. Increases range, but also increases weight and wear and tear. Don't forget you are considering a V6.
6. Winch
Advantages, if you get stuck because of over confidence due to that water resistant snorkel, you can self recover. That assumes you brought your scuba gear in that extra boot space, and haven't killed your battery(s).
7. Roof Rack
Advantages, frees up the boot for the dog, Fridge, Kids, etc. I prefer the new sleeker design now, such as the new slimline front runner type.
8. Roof Top Tent
Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.
9. Sliders / Body / Underbody
I think the added under body guards LR sells are adequate for most users, the exception might be roverracks sliders, they are very sleek and offer moderate protection if you hit rocks, high side, etc. There are tons of options and suppliers with underbody and protection.

I realize this is a bit more of a broad response than you asked for, hopefully it will be a good starting point, and let you see some options. I left off an endless list of other possibilities.

[timdo1]

I think you'll find that's because they were 75% of D3 sales ;)

Yes thats right. My wife has one and its a great car. I'm a builder and so i will knock it around a bit more. You know heavy loads being towed, off road use etc. I've usually gone the 8 and ignored the diesel. Today though the diesel has so much more grunt and reliability, its just the price staying so high that worries me. With the extra money i could buy a lot of fuel and a long range tank to solve the extra stops of long trips in the high country.

The other factor to be considered is the available accessories.

[timdo1]

I can't debate motor types, ie: petrol .vs. Diesel as we cannot buy them here. If we could That's what I would drive. That being said, your mates can probably better get into that.

As far as I am concerned the V6 Petrol would never be an option. The V8 is slightly underpowered in certain circumstances. Folks here may disagree.

The sky seems to be the rule, rather than the limit when kitting a Land Rover.

On the rest of it, it depends on your intended use, and everyone has an opinion, so consider yourself in luck, I expect a lively debate. To kick it off, for my intended use, which is daily driver with occasional off road use, moderate to extreme, this would be the ideal Kit to me;

Accessories;

1. Traxide Dual Battery Kit (model of D3 / irrelevant)
advantages, run winch, fridge, backup starting, etc)
2. ARB Safari Snorkel
Advantages, waterproof, or water resistant at least more so than LR's
3. ECB Bull Bar
Advantages, lighter weight than ARB, a MUST from what I read in Australia, particularly if you travel at night at all. ECB would also
claim a better design, it's all debatable. Overall Vehicle weight is an issue that seems to pop up here regularly, due to regulation, and
overall wear and tear while in the outback, etc. The ARB is commonly fitted on the V8 Petrol here, perhaps the V6 doesn't have enough wind to carry it?
4. ARB or other rear bumper + spare
advantages, ability to carry one or more spare, + free up space for;
5. Extended Range Fuel Tank -
Not available in US, doesn't work right on V8 Petrol, so I am told. Fits under the rear, where the spare goes. Increases range, but also increases weight and wear and tear. Don't forget you are considering a V6.
6. Winch
Advantages, if you get stuck because of over confidence due to that water resistant snorkel, you can self recover. That assumes you brought your scuba gear in that extra boot space, and haven't killed your battery(s).
7. Roof Rack
Advantages, frees up the boot for the dog, Fridge, Kids, etc. I prefer the new sleeker design now, such as the new slimline front runner type.
8. Roof Top Tent
Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.
9. Sliders / Body / Underbody
I think the added under body guards LR sells are adequate for most users, the exception might be roverracks sliders, they are very sleek and offer moderate protection if you hit rocks, high side, etc. There are tons of options and suppliers with underbody and protection.

I realize this is a bit more of a broad response than you asked for, hopefully it will be a good starting point, and let you see some options. I left off an endless list of other possibilities.

Thanks for that,

Battery is a must, put a second one in the D2 and use it all the time.

Snorkel not straight away but yes in the future, the ARB one says that it only fits on the diesel so that might be an issue

ECB Bull bar is new for me, i was under the impression from reading other posts that the ECB could not do a winch, which would be a concern. I have one in the garage ready to be installed

Long Range tanks are a must on Petrol vehicles. I get caught all the time on capacity and even though in the bush fuel figures between diesel and petrol seem to even out. I hate not being able to get to the next refill because i lacked capacity. I was hoping to not to have to put the spare wheel on the back. Its a pain in the bum for someone who goes in and out of the back a dozen times a day

Roof Rack is a must for me. I go tradesman racks usually so the ends are left open (not the sides). I have a large roof rack bag which goes on and with 4 kids is essential when travelling. The open ended rack i'm sure i can find easily and is necessary for sliding timber and whatever up on top. Worked well with the D2

Probably wont beef up the underbody guards. I'm bug enough and ugle enough to drive around major issues. I would look at some home made rock sliders maybe, but that would come later.

Thanks for the response. My question has arisen because of the big problem of not being able to get a compliant winch bar or snorkle. Most of the other things i can find easily.

[Ashes]

For the winch bar, Opposite Lock do one that they can fit to the petrol v6's. The OL winch bar is very similarly styled to the ARB.

[unseenone]

An ECB Pictured here with winch, post #1;

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/113051-just-finished-tricked-out-d4-you-judge-6.html

[TerryO]

I think you'll find that's because they were 75% of D3 sales ;)

Really?

I tend to check out most D3's I see on the road and most are diesels, then the petrol six and then a few V8's.

I must admit personally I liked the V8 much more than the diesel, but I brought this D3 for towing so diesel it was. Having said that if I wasn't towing a heavish off road caravan which hopefully we will get to do some long distance towing with I would have brought a V8, they are so nice to drive and way cheaper to buy than a diesel.

cheers,
Terry

[rmp]

Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.


Snakes can't enter a zipped tent, but they do flop around on the canvas in frustration if you lock them out.

Crocs can bite their way through a tent of course which is why you need to spray croc repellent on your tent, or just camp away enough from the water.

Yep Australia isn't all that keen on gun ownership, and leaving that debate aside there's no need to carry a gun for protection. About the only reason other than hunting would be to dispatch the odd roo you've not completed finished off with the car.

Rooftop tents are of more use in Africa where the larger animals do consider you a food source.

The most dangerous animal in Australian is a mob of greater-drunkan bhogans and rooftop tents are no protection against those.

[101RRS]

Drop Bears are the worst of the lot though - savage animals that will rip your throat out with one savage bite.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/gazzz21/dropbear.jpg

Drop Bear - Australian Museum (http://australianmuseum.net.au/Drop-Bear)

[TerryO]

Agreed Croc repellent does the trick fending off those big hungry lizards up in the far north but its pretty useless against those sneaky Queensland Tigers and those pesky Black Pathers, supposedly if your camping in SE Queensland you have to watch out for these killer felines according to Vlad who is an expert on the subject. ;)

cheers,
Terry

[dominicbeirne]

Hi Timdo1

I have the MY09 V6 SE petrol and it is a good vehicle, I would have preferred the TDV6 though. If a diesel is available get one as the accessories all seem to be available "off the shelf". Having said that the accessories research I have done and advice received from here for the V6 SE is as follows:
LR RAI can be sealed and is the only option as Safari snorkel does not fit
ARB Deluxe Winch Bar can fit with minor mods by the installers
Long range tank in spare wheel cavity, spare to Kaymar rear bar
Dual batteries - Traxide - for fridge etc
Winch if needed
All Terrain tyres - have just started running General Grabber AT2 255/60 18
Rhino do a new rack series they call Pioneer. Its low profile and sits only above the raised roof section. Accessories fit to provide tie down points etc for the tray version or there is the more traditional closed on all sides type - puzzling over this decision for mine at the moment

Hope this helps

Cheers

Dom

[Redback]

7. Roof Rack
Advantages, frees up the boot for the dog, Fridge, Kids, etc. I prefer the new sleeker design now, such as the new slimline front runner type.
8. Roof Top Tent
Advantages, I never liked snakes, crocks, etc. and Australian Gun Laws seem highly restrictive, I am to old to sleep with one eye open.


I think I would prefer camping in the Australian bush with snakes and Crocs, for a few reasons.

A) No bears here, but there are big ones in Nth America:eek:

B) Snakes don't eat humans, they run as soon as they hear or see us

C) As long as you don't camp right on a river in FN Qld your safe from crocs

D) Bears don't run away

E) A rooftop tent won't save you from a Bear:p

[101RRS]

A) No bears here,

You are silly - of course there are bears here - Koala Bears and Drop Bears :D

[unseenone]

Depending on which area in the US you are there are all the hazards you mentioned. If you are in a "bonus" area there are extra critters. I have seen in the wild (woods not on the road) A bear and 2 cubs, mountain lions, etc. and you need to be ready to shoot if they attack. Also not dangerous Fishers, Otters, Mink, whitetail dear, coyotes, Bobcats, foxes, etc.

In the area where I am now (TX) some areas have Bears (Big Bend) along with all sorts of rattlesnakes and bonus snakes (cottonmouths) etc. and bonus creatures of Bobcats, Mountain Lions, Illegal Drug runners, etc. Most bigger parks have "bear proof" trash cans, etc.

In the east of here are the crocs (not the shoe) and additional bonus snakes, etc.

RTT will not protection you from most, but would keep you off of heated ground, out of sand, dirt, snakes, etc. Most of those creatures would prefer to avoid you, although every year, numerous deadly attacks occur, largely due to improper storage of food, and just general bad luck. Many bear attacks happen in Yellowstone. If you are attacked by a Grisly, versus a Black Bear, you can forget surviving, if you play dead, they just eat you.
Bear Attacks & Bear Attack Statistics (http://www.blackbearheaven.com/bear-attack-statistics.htm)

Snake Bytes, average about 7000 bites a year, 15 fatal. You can't let your dog run in the summer heat, the dog will be bitten by a rattler, etc. Last summer after having a good time in the neighbors backyard, at about 2am turned up a coral snake in the pool about 20". Luckily we figured out what it was before we got bitten after trying to scoop it out of the pool.

[DiscoWeb]

Yes thats right. My wife has one and its a great car. I'm a builder and so i will knock it around a bit more. You know heavy loads being towed, off road use etc. I've usually gone the 8 and ignored the diesel. Today though the diesel has so much more grunt and reliability, its just the price staying so high that worries me. With the extra money i could buy a lot of fuel and a long range tank to solve the extra stops of long trips in the high country.

The other factor to be considered is the available accessories.

timdo1,

I would have thought as a builder, planning to tow heavy loads etc the diesel would have been perfect for what you want. The diesel would appear to be the vehicle most accessories are specified for and for many there is not much between the 2.7 Lt TDV6 and the V8 really, this statement is probably more correct if you were to consider a D4 with the 3.0 Lt TDV6.

The diesel is an effortless cruiser and in all the reviews I have seen comparing towing capabilities the D3 and D4 has come out on top.

If you are planning to go offroad seriously I would consider adding the following to the list of potential accessories;

1. The Llams (Graeme on this site) height adjustment setup;

2. Some rock sliders and compressor and under body protection;

3. Some 18in or 17in rims and MTR tyres, only really a possibility on the 2.7 Diesel.

The upfront pricing will be offset a bit by the fact that the diesel will hold its value on resale a bit better, not going to justify the initial price gap but helps.

Or if I read it correctly just steal your wifes petrol D3 and get her a D4 !

Good luck in your deliberations.

George

[TerryO]

I think I would prefer camping in the Australian bush with snakes and Crocs, for a few reasons.

A) No bears here, but there are big ones in Nth America:eek:

B) Snakes don't eat humans, they run as soon as they hear or see us

:p



Running snakes ...:eek:

You must still have some of the pre Adam and Eve versions around where you live Baz ... ;)

cheers,
Terry

[Redback]

Running snakes ...:eek:

You must still have some of the pre Adam and Eve versions around where you live Baz ... ;)

cheers,
Terry

:p:p

[drivesafe]

OK so we don’t have bears, but the snakes are big enough to scare the you-know-what out of anybody when they are this big.

This is a King Brown and even in their normally much smaller size, they are one of the deadliest snakes on earth, so this one is way over the top.

This picture was taken at Branxton, NSW in April this year.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Bardizzo]

OK so we don’t have bare, but the snakes are big enough to scare the you-know-what out of anybody when they are this big.

This picture was taken at Branxton, NSW in April this year.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/258.jpg

What type of snake is that????

[drivesafe]

Hi Bardizzio, sorry mate I left that out and had a typo to fix so I’ve added the King Brown to the post.

Seen plenty of pythons that big but I have never seen any SNAKE that big!

[unseenone]

Snakes can't enter a zipped tent, but they do flop around on the canvas in frustration if you lock them out.

HaHa, sure, anything you say mate!! At least it appears, you've restricted them to highways due to their size.